Cadcadir farmers’ harvest boosted

An integrated farming initiative supported by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is helping a local farmers association in Claveria generate supplemental income, with members harvesting more than 154 kilograms of string beans since early September.

Representatives from NIA’s Regional Institutional Development Section, the NIA Cagayan-Batanes Irrigation Management Office (CBIMO), and the Claveria municipal government conducted a site validation and interview with the Sanjera Cadcadir Farmers Irrigators Association on 22 September.

Led by association president Ray Lagundino, the group showcased its one-hectare integrated farming site, established following a two-day training session in late July.

Funded through the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty Program, the project serves as a hands-on application site for members to implement sustainable agricultural techniques.

The association recorded its initial string bean harvest of 3 kilograms on 9 September. Production grew steadily over two weeks, exceeding 154 kilograms by 22 September.

In addition to string beans, the one-hectare plot produced 10 kilograms of sponge gourd, 5 kilograms of bottle gourd, and 2 kilograms of bitter melon.

NIA-CBIMO officials noted that the rising harvest figures demonstrate how prompt field application of agricultural training can generate direct economic opportunities for irrigators while strengthening local farm productivity and self-reliance.