Ormoc villagers supported by Israeli-Czech project
29.02.2016 / 03:35 | Aktualizováno: 14.12.2021 / 16:47
Ambassador of the Czech Republic Mr. Jaroslav Olša, jr. and deputy head of Embassy of Israel Ms. Hadass Nisan led the formal turnover of a protected cultivation project to the Cabingtan Livelihood Association (Calcoa). The project is located on almost three hectares of land in the mountain barangay Cabingtan, which is some 30 kilometers from the city of Ormoc, Leyte.
Built from ultraviolet (UV) filtering plastic, donated passable tunnels are structures for crop protection by creating an optimal microclimate. Their main purpose is to protect the crops from direct rainfall to reduce weeds drastically. It also shields the crops from wind and provides protection from harmful UV.
The structures reduce costs and improve yields by avoiding leaching of fertilizers and enabling the proper application of pesticides. The ample space of the tunnels allows farmers to work conveniently under the structures and the plants to reach their maximum height potential.
(l-r) Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Olša, jr., IsraAid country director Yael Or, IsraAid adviser Schlomo Aboulafia, Israeli Embassy deputy head of mission Hadass Nisan, and Ormoc Mayor Edward C. Codilla pose with samples of the abundant produce at a protected cultivation project
Photo Jan Vytopil
Another innovative technology that was introduced through this development project was the drip system, considered as the most effective irrigation technique by providing the right dosage of water at correct intervals, thus conserving water. It allows the farmer to accurately control water quantities to irrigate as close as possible to the root zone. It also reduces the spread of plant disease as it is applied directly to the soil.
Overall, the combined technology of protective structures and drip system enable farmers to save time and labor on weeding and irrigation. It also maximizes the yields while reducing costs and makes it easier for farmers to attend to their fields regardless of weather conditions.
The project was originally initiated on 2012 by Energy Development Corp. which built 24 units of high type and 30 units of low type protective tunnels. However, the structures were destroyed when super-typhoon Yolanda battered the city on November 8, 2013. Fortunately, these were also restored by Germany’s Afos Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development Cooperation which also added 50 structures.
IsraAid came into the picture on November 2014, through its Food Security and Agriculture Livelihood Program, with a holistic approach to enhance farmers’ capacity from production to marketing by creating agri-business opportunities. It built 19 more structures and the Czech Embassy in Manila joined the project and added funds for additional units.
Another partner organiziation is Visayas State University, the President of which Edgardo E. Tulin, has participated at the hand-over ceremony. VSU started an outreach programme bringing their agriculture students to village communities around Leyte to help them to create sustainable and effective farming methods.