Hope Grows in Magsaysay: Rice Farmers Thrive Through Agroecology Project
In the heart of Barangay Magsaysay, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, rice farmers have found renewed purpose and resilience through the agroecology-based rice farming system spearheaded by the Integrated Rural Development Foundation (IRDF) in partnership with the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA). The Magsaysay Small Water Impounding Project 1 – Beneficiary Farmers Association, led by officers Ian, Bebing, Jinny, and Ruben, recalls years of hardship—low yields, expensive inputs, and unpredictable weather. But everything changed when they were selected as beneficiaries of the IRDF-DA initiative. The project provided vital support: high-quality seedlings, essential farm tools, and hands-on assistance from agricultural technicians who helped establish communal and backyard farms. Farmers also underwent training in organic fertilizer production, empowering them to shift toward sustainable practices that improved both soil health and crop productivity.
Today, the fields of Magsaysay are not only greener—they’re symbols of community strength and shared vision. The farmers express deep gratitude for the transformation they’ve experienced, not just in their harvests but in their confidence and unity. “We never imagined we’d come this far,” says Bebing, reflecting on the journey. Their story proves that when people and government work hand in hand toward a common goal, success is not just possible—it’s inevitable.
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