Eight farmers association representatives and President Dr. Aladino C. Moraca, on behalf of Central Philippines State University, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for future collaborations on January 17, 2024.
The parties signed the MOU during the 8th Farmers' Field School graduation ceremony held at CPSU Main Campus’ Accreditation Center as a stepping stone to the realization of the "Instruction, Research, Production and Extension, and Community-based Rural Industrialization Project" of CPSU and likewise, for the benefit of the farmers and the community.
The MOU entails that CPSU will provide trainings to the members of the farmers associations, assist on agricultural and agribusiness activities, deploy students and faculty for immersion, provide technical support, build linkages with beneficiaries, conduct community-based research and extension work, introduce environment-friendly farming practices—being a coordinating agency between the LGU and adopted community and as the recommendatory body for project and programs for student and beneficiary welfare.
On the other hand, the farmers’ associations and their members are expected to provide necessary training facilities and adequate personnel for program implementation, provide reports when monitoring and evaluation is conducted, coordinate with CPSU for project and program-related matters, protect, maintain, and utilize CPSU-provided facilities, and assist the university in showcasing community-based best CPSU-developed technologies.
The farmers association and their representatives who signed the MOU with the university are:
1. Ballo Mainit Upland Farmers Association (BMUFA) - Mr. Jose Sannie Camral
2. Camingawan Lomboy Pinamus-an Tamlang Farmers Association (CALPTFA) - Mrs. Eleanor Orence
3. Camingawan Rainfed Rice Cluster Farmers Association (CARRCFA) - Mr. Roland Quimpo
4. Camingawan-Tagukon Farmers Association (CATAFA)- Ms. Rosy Alibiado
5. Hinawanan-Matanguilon Small Farmers Association (HIMALIKASFA) - Mr. Bobby Samson
6. Matanguilon Badiang Farmers Association (MABAFA) - Mrs. Cristina Canonoy
7. Upper Ballo Integrated Small Farmers Association (UBISFA) - Mr. Elmor Bostillo
8. Tugas Integrated Farmers Association (TIFA) - Mr. Ray Allan Gomez
During the 8th Farmers' Field School graduation ceremony, which Kabankalan Vice Mayor Hon. Miguel M. Zayco attended, 30 graduates of the 16-week long program received their respective certificates and tokens prepared by the University faculty.
“Akon gid pirmi gina-pangabay bilang inyo nga isa ka opisyal sa sini nga siyudad, nga ini tanan aton gid kabigon nga isa ka treasure kag aton man i-apply because hindi lang ni nga mangin isa ka tinun-an kag magapabilin nga isa ka tinun-an ukon kaalam sa aton, [I am always hoping as your elected official, that you will consider all these as treasures and that to them so that they will not remain as something you just learned or as knowledge.]” Hon. Zayco exclaimed in his speech.
The FFS graduates are local farmers aging 21 to 65, 25 of whom fall within the 21-40 year old bracket while 5 are within the 41-65 year old bracket.