Joseph Calata does not appear like a typical
farmer. Sporting a hairdo straight from Dragon Ball Z, wearing apparel that
belongs to Bonifacio Global City rather than in the middle of cornfields in
Echague, Isabela, Calata is breaking the image of the typical farmer, not only
by appearance but by having a bold vision for Philippine farming.
A young and hardworking agricultural entrepreneur
with a passionate interest in promoting farming as a viable and lucrative
option for the youth of the country. His advocacy is to encourage the new
farmers to utilize the latest farming technology and combine it with an astute
business sense. Recognizing that the environment needs to be protected, these
techniques will reduce the level of impact in the environment. Also, there is a
need to replenish the manpower requirements of agriculture in the country.
Calata cites the official Department of Agriculture data that the average age
of the Filipino farmer is 57 years old. This development, when not arrested
will lead to huge tracts of farmlands that will remain uncultivated in the near
future that will have a sever effect on the food security of the country.
By combining the new breed of Filipino farmers with
a boost in the harvest yield, Mr. Calata aims to propel Philippine agriculture
into the 21st century. There is money to be had in agriculture.
Boosting Yield
Mr. Calata has partnered with Siembra Directa Corp.
(SDC) of Argentina to boost harvest yield in corn farming. SDC is engaged in
the development of corn planting, harvest and post-harvest capabilities of corn farmers. By using mechanical planters and fumigators,
corn planting will have significant gains aside from higher yield. These
mechanical planters will plant corn accurately with the proper amount of
fertilizers. The process would minimize soil erosion, prevent soil compaction, reduced
time for farmland preparation and lowering of fertilizer and irrigation costs.
The proper amount of fertilizers used in this
process would also benefit the environment since there will be no excess
fertilizer that can seep down to the water table or runoff into streams and
rivers that will have a negative environmental impact.
The yield results in comparison is significant.
Currently, the local corn farming method have a harvest yield of 3 to 6 tons
per hectare. By employing the new method advocated by Mr. Calata, it could be
increased to 9 to 10 tons per hectare as what is being done in Argentina today.
This will benefit the revenues of the farmers, will lead to lower production
costs and increase the availability of food in the country.
That is how new technology and new attitude will
improve Philippine agriculture.
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