ROGER E. RIVERA..South Cotabatos (MS)

Roger Estabillo Rivera, 2004 GAWAD SAKA National Awardee Outstanding HVCC Farmer is South Cotabato's Magsasakang Siyentista or Farmer Scientist.

He owns a 2.5 ha. orchard located at Bololmala, Tupi where mostly of the fruits grown are durian with around 10 varieties, having a 400 total number of hills, all fruit bearing and some other fruit trees such as mangoes, lanzones, mangosteen, rambutan and pummelo integrated with fishery, poultry and livestock projects.



Though Roger ‘s outstanding performance and achievements were recognized two (2 ) years ago, this did not stopped him to perk up his farm to be able to further improve and develop it.

Among the additional features/projects at present at the Yolanda Golden Farm, (this is how the orchard is called , named after Roger's wife, Yolly) are the following; hog fattening project, conference hall, farm house, better restrooms among others. It is indeed an indication that Roger's project has sustainability which is the lacking ingredient with the other farmers who similarly won like him. What makes it more worthy of continuous emulation are his innovations regarding his farm practices.

The following are amongst the best farm practices carried out at Roger's farm.

Organic fertilizer utilization

Indigenous Pesticides Utilization

Fruit fly control solution

Bagging

Bark removal
Sheep as mower

Organic Fertilizer Utilization Roger utilized goat, sheep, chicken and cow manure as sources of his organic fertilizer.

Indigenous Pesticide Utilization10-15 lemon grass or ipil-ipil leaves or madre de cacao leaves + 5 handful of chili (pound) more or less placed in a drum of clean water (200 liters), and then soak the above for 10-15 days. The mixture is the stock solution for spraying.

Fruit fly control solution 1 liter pure tuba mixed with ½ kilo of brown sugar. After 1 week, the solution is ready for fruit fly control.

Other Farm Practices
Bagging
To protect fruits from flying insects and fruit fly.
Fruit separator
Insert cut cartoon in between fruits for the purpose of protector from abrasion and friction and leesen possible hiding place of insects.



Bark removal
One of the signs of pest infections is the appearance of wet lesions on the bark surface, hence, one of the control measures is early detection and scraping of the affected areas and treat them with organic fungicide-insecticide, then paint with coal tar or primer paint.



Sheep mower
Sheep were among the first domesticated animals which prefer lush tender grown grasses, hence, at YOLANDA GOLDEN FARM, these animals were trained re-their grazing schedules and kept the area mowed and maintain the ground clean and manicured looking.



Hogs feeds

In addendum to commercial feeds, kangkong were likewise used to minimize cost. In a period of 4 months, the hogs weighed at approximately 70-90 kg. (ABW) which he bought as piglets with an initial weight of 12-15 kg. from outside/reliable sources

Best time for spraying: As observed by Roger himself, spraying of the solution is early morning specifically before 7:00 am and late in the afternoon after 5:30pm and beyond.

According to Roger's observation: "Hanging of bottles in durian fruit trees help minimizes the presence of bats in the flower and fruit area. Though bats help pollinate flowers and eat insects, it can be destructive to the flowers and fruits. Bats navigate through echo location or it sends out sound waves and when sound hits the object; echo comes back to the bat. This animal can identify sound of echo, even their size, texture and shape. Through the hanging bottles, it will give wrong information and register to them as harmful objects thus; this will prevent them from staying in those areas.

These are amongst the best practices of Roger adapted in his farm wherein it came from his own keen observation and innovations.

Indeed , he is not only a worthy acclaimed outstanding farmer in his chosen crop but likewise a commendable Magsasakang Siyentista or a Farmer Scientist in the real sense of the word. (OPAG- epgalas)