A pro-poor R&D project is changing for the better the lives of farmers in Bukidnon.

Called 'Farmer-led Participatory Corn Research and Development (R&D) Project,' it is being undertaken by the DA-Northern Mindanao Integrated Agriculture Research Center/Regional Field Unit 10 (NOMIARC-RFU 10).

In the project, the farmers came up with a community development plan as basis in packaging action research-cum-extension projects on pressing needs and available community resources.

The initial results have been encouraging, as monitored by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).

Because of the project, the farmers became aware and started using corn hybrids, lime, and organic fertilizers that resulted in significant increase in their yield.

For instance, in the case of farmers in the town of Bangcagan, where before they used to harvest 1.23 tons per hectare of corn, their yield has increased to 3.94 t/ha, thus considerably improving their income.

Moreover, as recorded by PCARRD's Rita Fabre, positive changes have been observed in increased productivity and income from other farming activities, farmers' active participation in project implementation, and strong linkage among the DA-RFU 10, local government units, and other concerned institutions in the community.

The project team led by Cora Dumayaca of DA-NOMIARC recommended the duplication of the project in other appropriate sites.