The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office No. 02 (DA-RFO 02) introduces the use of baler to livestock raisers in Cagayan Valley.
In a technology demonstration held recently at DA-Southern Cagayan Research Center (SCRC), Iguig, Cagayan, the baler attached to a 4-wheel tractor found to be a useful tool especially to Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) who are raising animals.
“Maaaring ipakain sa mga alagang hayop at gagamitin sa mushroom production ang mga dayami ng palay,” said Regional Executive Director Narciso A. Edillo.
“Sa tulong ng makina na mayroong baler machine, mas madali na lang na iproseso ang mga ito at nakakatulong pa tayo sa pagkontrol ng polusyon na dulot ng pagsusunog sa mga ito.”
He encouraged FCAs and even Local Government Units (LGUs) that have the financial means to consider procuring baler machines and generate revenue through livestock raising, mushroom production and other related businesses.
Mushroom cultivation is a profitable agribusiness endeavor that produces food from rice straw while facilitating the proper disposal of this by-product in an environmentally friendly manner.
The paddy straw mushroom considered to be one of the most natural mushrooms to cultivate because of its short incubation period of 14 days, according to research findings.
“With developments in the technologies for its collection and utilization, rice straw is increasingly removed from the fields to be used for better purposes such as mushroom and energy production and cattle feed,” said Regional Technical Director for Operations Roberto C. Busania.
“With the introduction of combine harvesters with the baler, it is expected that collecting rice straw shall become easier as compared to manual technique. It can also be used in making Urea Treated Rice Straw (UTRS) for livestock feeding,” he added.
“We are optimistic that with this intervention, we can make our farmers more productive and competitive.”
For CY 2020, the DA-RFO 02 shall allocate four (4) units rice combine harvester with the baler to qualified cooperatives and associations.
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(With reports from Hector Tabbun)