With the Mangyan community at the heart of its mission, Mindoro State University (MinSU) successfully conducted a three-day training titled "Empowering Mangyan Communities Through Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT)" at Sitio Atoy, Barangay Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, November 20 to 22, 2024.
The aims to promote sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture and foster inclusive development among Mangyan communities.
SALT, a widely-recognized farming method, is designed to help farmers optimize sloping lands, reduce soil erosion, and increase productivity. For the Mangyan farmers who depend heavily on the natural environment, this training provided practical knowledge that aligns with their needs and cultural heritage.
Mr. Mervin Icalla, Assistant Professor III of College of Agriculture and Allied Fields (CAAF)/ Director for Auxiliary and one of the resource persons, emphasized the relevance of this training to the Mangyan community.
“Because 80-90% of the indigenous people's land is sloping or hilly and rolling, thus, this technology will help make their farms more productive while preserving the environment," he explained.
The training, facilitated by experts from CAAF, included lecture discussions and hands-on field demonstrations. The resource persons, Mr. Icalla, Ms. Cristine Joy Paynando, and Ms. Marevel Ortega, shared techniques in contour farming, hedgerow establishment, and crop diversification to help preserve the fertility of sloping lands while maximizing productivity.
Highlight of the training was the field activity, wherein the 35 Mangyan participants actively engaged in making an A-Frame, one of the essential tools used in contour farming to measure the slope of the land. This simple but effective instrument allows farmers to create level contours across sloping terrains, which helps prevent soil erosion and optimize water retention for crops.
The hands-on session not only taught farmers the technical aspects of contour farming but also allowed them to experience firsthand how these methods can be applied to their own farms. One of the Mangyan participants, shared, “Natutunan namin kung paanong ang aming sakahan ay hindi na guguho o dadaus-os ang lupa sa pamamagitan ng mga itinuro niyong teknolohiya. Sa mga susunod na taniman ay gagawin namin ang ganitong teknolohiya.”
The success of the training was driven by a dedicated project team, led by Reynaldo S. Manalo, Science Research Specialist I, along with Jorge C. Gawad, Project Assistant II; Roane Olpindo, SRS; and staff members Alfred Jugno and Sheryl Regaspi as well as selected students from CAAD. This initiative was also formed part of MinSU's ongoing commitment to address local agricultural challenges and empower indigenous communities through the application of innovative climate-resilient farming technologies under STC4iD Project, funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).
#SDG1 #SDG2 #SDG #SDG10 #SDG13 #SDG15 #SDG17
302 Staff
10531 Students
9 Colleges
3 Years
