Syngenta ties up with Bukidnon farmers in soil conservation proj

As its initial pilot site for its soil conservation project, Syngenta Philippines Inc., a leading crop solutions provider, signed a three-year cooperation agreement with the Lantapan Landcare Association (LLCA) on the Lantapan Landcare Sustainable Agriculture Project.

The project, which aims to improve productivity, protect the soil and agricultural biodiversity, also plays as Syngenta’s pilot site for its Gramoxone Sagip-Lupa Soil Conservation Project.

"Syngenta Philippines recognizes the importance of the soil as a main component for sustainable agriculture. As we partner with the farmers of Lantapan, we aim to provide our expertise as our contribution to sustainable agriculture in the Philippines," said Roel Z. Castro, director of Syngenta Foundation Inc.

The cooperation agreement between the two parties was facilitated by the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), the international leader in agroforestry – the science and practice of integrating ‘working trees’ on smallholder farms and in rural landscapes.

Agroforestry is an effective and innovative means of reducing poverty, creating food security, and improving the environment. The center and its many partners provide improved, high quality tree seeds and seedlings, and the knowledge needed to use them effectively.

The signing of the cooperation agreement coincided with the graduation program of 26 LLCA farmers who were the first to complete a 15-week total crop management (TCM) for highland vegetables training course conducted by Syngenta Foundation’s Farmers Support Team (FST).

The Lantapan Landcare Association is a non-profit organization of farmers established through ICRAF’s Landcare program which is a community-based and multisectoral approach designed to facilitate the adoption of conservation farming technologies and agroforestry practices among upland farmers. More than 800 farmers who are members of LLCA engage in the farming of various crops such as vegetables, corn and sugarcane.

Nestled in the heart of Bukidnon, Lantapan is blessed with rich agriculture and forest lands. It has an area of 31,820 hectares and is strategically located between two cities of Bukidnon –Malaybalay and Valencia. Lantapan has an agri-based economy. Farming has remained a dominant economic activity among the Lantapanons. The major crops grown are corn, coffee, cabbage, sugarcanes and potatoes.