General Guidelines in the Implementation of the Corn Model Farm

July 27, 2017

DA MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 36-17

 

 

Corn (Zea mays) is the second most important crop in the Philippines. Yellow corn accounts for about 40-50% of livestock and poultry mixed feeds, respectively, while the white corn is one of the staple foods in the country.

Some 600,000 farm households depend on corn as a major source of livelihood, in addition to transport services, traders, processors and agricultural input suppliers who directly benefit from corn production, processing, marketing, and distribution. Corn is processed into high value products, such as cornstarch, corn syrup, corn oil, gluten and snack foods. IAETDc

The domestic corn sector, however, has been plagued with production and marketing inefficiencies, which can be attributed to low adoption of recommended production technologies; high post-harvest losses; and high transport and marketing costs due to inadequate infrastructure. Nevertheless, there are studies revealing that corn production in some regions, such as Cagayan Valley and the Northern and Southern Mindanao, show cost efficiency and competitive advantage relative to imports. 1

Due to its economic importance in the agricultural industry and to encourage other regions to increase production yield, the Department of Agriculture, thru its National Corn Program, shall be implementing the Corn Model Farm Project starting in 2018 and shall be continued in the succeeding years.

The project shall aim the following objectives:

• Increase productivity (yield) of at least 5 mt/hectare for yellow corn and at least 3 mt/hectare for white corn;

• Reduce production costs through farm mechanization; and

• Produce quality yellow and white corn grains.

The Project shall be implemented under the following guidelines:

I. General Guidelines

A. Area Selection

1. Each Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) shall identify and establish at least one (1) model farm from the established corn cluster areas. The cluster areas must be geotagged and represent the major production areas in the region.

2. The model farm must have an area of 50-100 hectares within the 30-40 km (diameter) of the clusters areas.

3. The cluster-cooperator shall be managed by a Farmer Organization (Association or Cooperative) and should be registered under the Department of Labor and Employment, Cooperative Development Authority or the Securities and Exchange Commission.

4. Cluster-cooperator should have an operational farm tractor and mobile grain dryer or village-type dryer to be used in the model farm.

5. The RFO should gather the baseline data which includes area, yield, and production cost before the establishment of the model farm.

B. Provision of Support Services

1. Variety of corn to be planted should be registered with the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC), and best adopted and preferred by the farmers.

2. Farm inputs such as fertilizers, soil ameliorants and bio-control agents shall be provided by the RFO. The rate of fertilization should be based on the results of the Site Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) in the region or Nutrient Expert Application.

3. The RFO, in cooperation with ATI, shall provide necessary trainings on increasing productivity, farm mechanization, post-harvest operations, business management, and strengthening of organization and other capacity-building activities.

4. DA-RFOs shall determine and provide the necessary production and post-harvest machineries or equipment and facilities to reduce the cost of production, increase yield, and improve the quality of corn in the identified model farm. It also includes irrigation systems or facilities if necessary.

C. Market Linkage

1. RFO, through AMAD, should facilitate in linking the cluster-cooperator to a potential market/buyer of the corn produce right after the establishment of the model farm.

D. Project Sustainability

1. The management of the cluster-cooperator should collect the equivalent cost of seeds and fertilizers from the farmer-participants to be used in the succeeding cropping seasons.

E. Monitoring and Reporting Scheme

1. RFO shall designate a staff per model farm to gather baseline data, provide technical assistance, monitor the progress of the project, and submit monthly reports to the Regional Executive Director.

2. The RFO shall submit the consolidated reports to the Field Programs Operational Planning Division (FPOPD).

3. The FPOPD shall consolidate the progress reports of RFOs and submit it to the Office of the National Corn Program Coordinator.

F. Submission of Proposals

1. A proposal on the establishment of the model farm/s must be submitted for approval of the National Corn Program Coordinator through FPOPD. DcHSEa

II. Supplemental Guidelines

RFOs may formulate/craft supplemental guidelines based on local situations in order to facilitate the implementation of the project. Any deviation in the general implementing guidelines must seek written approval from the Office of the National Corn Program Coordinator.

III. Effectivity

This Memorandum Order shall take effect upon approval and shall remain valid until revoked in writing.

(SGD.) EMMANUEL F. PIÑOLSecretary

Footnotes

1. National Corn Roadmap 2015-2022.