An exploratory tour for Community Based Participatory Action Research (CPAR) farmer cooperators including Provincial/Municipal Government Units (PLGU/MLGU) Personnel of Sultan Kudarat Province and  the DA-CEMIARC Personnel conducted an exploratory tour to the different projects at Bukidnon Province, Davao City, General Santos City and South Cotabato last October 27-30, 2009. The tour was conducted to enhance the capability of farmer cooperators who are starting to adopt the technologies introduced to them thru the CPAR Program.

Projects visited were Jucel’s Goat and Vermi Farm at Valencia City; various projects (gulayan ng masa, chickpea, sweet potato, corn, sweet sorghum, and etc) of Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (NOMIARC) at Dalwangan, Malaybalay City; projects  (rubber, banana, nursery and etc.) of Southern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (SMIARC) at Marahan, Davao City.; mushroom production and fish port at General Santos City; organic farming for banana and vermicast production of Tupi Balangon/Bungolan Growers Association (TOBAGA) and Gracel’s Food Products (Pinasugbu,  Banana chips, Ube , Durian  & Macapuno Pastillas) at Tupi, South Cotabato.

During the tour to the different projects, briefing and demonstrations were conducted to give ideas to the farmer cooperators on how to operate and produce their respective products. The farmers were so very receptive on the demonstration conducted by the in-charge of such projects. The participants  include 14 farmer cooperators, 3 Municipal Agriculturists, 4 technicians and 9 DA-CEMIARC Personnel.

The CPAR Project Entitled “ Enhancement  of Agri-Industry Development Program in Community Based Participatory Action Research Site in the Province of Sultan Kudarat”, has the following   components: production of quality banana (cardava), processing and production of quality banana chips, processing and production of quality pinasugbu, production of quality mushroom(volvariella volvacea), utilization  of banana wastes for vermi compost production. The Project  is being funded by DA-BAR, implemented by DA-CEMIARC  with Ms. Angelita F. Abrazado as Project Leader.

The tour was a successful one with the full support of the Center Manager Eduardo B. Solomon, ACM Ernie A. Garcia, LGU’s and DA-CEMIARC Personnel.