MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 1 (PIA) --- More than 50 farmers finished the livelihood training on agroforestry and reforestation plantation establishment conducted recently by the National Power Corporation (NPC) through its Watershed Management Division-Mindanao Generation (WMD-MinGen).
The participants were qualified farmers within the Lake Lanao-Agus River Watershed area in both Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces.
The training aimed to equip them with the necessary technical knowledge on how to prepare fruit trees and forest plantation site, planting techniques, as well, as maintenance and protection of their plantations.
During the one-day training, the farmers were trained on agroforestry plantation, its social and economic benefits and pests and diseases control, reforestation plantation, its economic and environmental benefits, and planting design, as well, as vermicomposting or vermiculture.
“Since 2005, we have been conducting yearly training for qualified farmers to impart to them the agri-technologies under the Family Approach Contract Reforestation (FACR) and Agroforestry,” said Engr. Mama D. Manonguiring, WMD-MinGen Manager.
He said the farmers are recognized to develop their extra landholdings into forest or fruit tree plantation under this scheme with the assistance of the WMD-MinGen.
“We will give them planting materials and pay their labor costs on the establishment and maintenance of their plantation for a period of three (3) years,” he added.
The purpose of the FACR is to provide livelihood opportunities for the farmers, help wean away timber poachers and illegal loggers and improve the peace and order problem in the area citing that residents will not resort to any criminality if they have a source of livelihood.
On the environmental aspect, the project will also help stabilize the soil and improve water yield, minimize soil erosion and will contribute in a little way to carbon sequestration and reduce global warming, Manonguiring said. (APB/PIA-10 Marawi)
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