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The promise of a bountiful harvest, symbolized by the golden stalk of corn, brought together nearly 1,500 farmers from across Eastern Visayas for the Farmers Field Day and Corn Derby 2025. Held in Brgy. Cagbuhangin, Ormoc City, the event was a powerful display of innovation and shared knowledge. Farmers gathered to see the results of a side-by-side comparison of different fertilizers and corn seed varieties, offering a clear glimpse into the future of their crops and livelihoods.

The activity was organized by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 8 (DA RFO8), through the Corn Program, and in partnership with private seed and fertilizer companies and Ormoc City Agriculture Office, in which the activity aims to give the farmers a rare opportunity to compare hybrid seeds and the fertilizers, not just by name, but by result.

For Enrico Acedera, a 44-years-old corn grower from Laoang, Northern Samar, the Corn Derby was more than an event β€” it was a chance to gain additional knowledge and information on new technologies in corn production.β€œπ‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘˜π‘Žπ‘‘π‘– 𝑔𝑒𝑑 π‘Žπ‘˜π‘œ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘ π‘˜π‘– β„Žπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘¦π‘œ π‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’π‘› π‘”π‘–π‘›π‘˜π‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘Žπ‘› π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘š π‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘› π‘†π‘Žπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘Ÿ π‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘‘π‘– π‘‚π‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘œπ‘ π‘˜π‘Žπ‘¦ π‘˜π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘¦π‘Žπ‘” π‘˜π‘œ π‘‘π‘Žπ‘™π‘Žπ‘”π‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žπ‘˜π‘–π‘‘π‘Ž π‘Žπ‘› π‘π‘Žπ‘”-π‘œ π‘›π‘Ž π‘‘π‘’π‘β„Žπ‘›π‘œπ‘™π‘œπ‘”π‘¦ π‘ π‘Ž π‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘›. 𝐷𝑖𝑑𝑖 π‘›π‘Žπ‘˜π‘–π‘‘π‘Ž π‘˜π‘œ π‘Žπ‘› π‘‘π‘Žπ‘˜π‘œ π‘›π‘Ž π‘‘π‘’π‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘›π‘ π‘¦π‘Ž β„Žπ‘Ž π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’π‘› π‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘œπ‘š π‘ π‘Ž π‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘› π‘˜π‘Žπ‘¦ π‘‘π‘–π‘‘π‘‘π‘œ π‘›π‘Žπ‘”π‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘‘ π‘™π‘Ž π‘Žπ‘˜π‘œ π‘“π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘–π‘™π‘–π‘§π‘’π‘Ÿ π‘ π‘Ž π‘œπ‘›π‘’ β„Žπ‘’π‘π‘‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’, π‘‘π‘’β„Žπ‘Ž π‘™π‘Ž π‘›π‘Ž π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Ž π‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘› π‘’π‘ π‘Ž π‘›π‘Ž π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘π‘™π‘’π‘‘π‘’, π‘–π‘π‘Ž π‘˜π‘’π‘šπ‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘ π‘Ž π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘œπ‘š π‘‘π‘–π‘›β„Žπ‘–. π΅π‘Žπ‘ π‘– π‘ π‘Ž π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’π‘› π‘π‘Žπ‘”-π‘–π‘˜π‘œπ‘‘ π‘ π‘Ž π‘›π‘Žπ‘˜π‘–π‘‘π‘Ž π‘˜π‘œ π‘¦π‘Žπ‘›π‘Ž π‘ π‘Ž πΆπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘› π·π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘¦, π‘‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘˜π‘œ π‘Žπ‘› π‘‘π‘’π‘β„Žπ‘›π‘œπ‘™π‘œπ‘”π‘¦ π‘›π‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žβ„Žπ‘–π‘π‘’π‘π‘’π‘™π‘–π‘” π‘ π‘Ž π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’π‘› π‘ π‘Ž π‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘π‘Žπ‘™π‘–π‘˜ π‘˜π‘œ,” said Enrico.

[I traveled here even though Northern Samar is far from Ormoc City, because I really wanted to see the new technology in corn production. Here, I saw a big difference in my corn planting because in my one-hectare farm, I only used two urea and one complete, its different from what they did here. Based on my observations at the Corn Derby, there is significant technologies that will help me when I return.]

β€œπ΄π‘› π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’π‘› π‘‘π‘’π‘β„Žπ‘›π‘œπ‘™π‘œπ‘”π‘¦ π‘›π‘Ž π‘˜π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘¦π‘Žπ‘” π‘Žπ‘› π‘šπ‘Žπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘π‘‘ 𝑖𝑠 π‘ π‘Ž π‘π‘Žπ‘”-π‘šπ‘’π‘β„Žπ‘Žπ‘›π‘–π‘§π‘’ π‘‘π‘Žπ‘™π‘Žπ‘”π‘Ž. π΅π‘–π‘ π‘Žπ‘› β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘Žπ‘¦-β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘Žπ‘¦ π‘™π‘Ž π‘›π‘Ž π‘π‘Žπ‘”-π‘šπ‘’π‘β„Žπ‘Žπ‘›π‘–π‘§π‘’ π‘™π‘Žπ‘π‘– π‘›π‘Ž π‘ π‘Ž π‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘π‘™π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘˜π‘Žπ‘¦ 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛 π‘Žπ‘› π‘šπ‘Žπ‘–β„Žπ‘Ž π‘›π‘Ž π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘π‘’π‘ π‘  π‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘› π‘ π‘Žπ‘› π‘™π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘› π‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘› π‘ π‘Žπ‘ π‘Žπ‘” π‘ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘¦. π΄π‘šπ‘œ 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛 π‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’π‘› π‘”π‘’π‘ π‘‘π‘œ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘π‘‘ π‘˜π‘Žπ‘¦ 𝑑𝑖𝑑𝑖 π‘ π‘Ž πΆπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘› π·π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘¦ π‘”π‘–π‘›π‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘‘π‘Žπ‘› π‘‘π‘Žπ‘™π‘Žπ‘”π‘Ž 𝑠𝑖𝑛 π‘‘π‘œπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘™ π‘›π‘Ž π‘šπ‘’π‘β„Žπ‘Žπ‘›π‘–π‘§π‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘›. π·π‘–π‘‘π‘‘π‘œ β„Žπ‘Ž π‘Žπ‘šπ‘œπ‘› π‘šπ‘’π‘‘π‘¦π‘œ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘–β„Žπ‘Ž π‘π‘Ž π‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘œ π‘Žπ‘‘π‘™π‘’π‘Žπ‘ π‘‘ π‘›π‘Žπ‘˜π‘–π‘˜π‘–π‘‘π‘Ž π‘˜π‘œ π‘›π‘”π‘Ž π‘‘π‘–π‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘™π‘– π‘šπ‘Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘π‘™π‘¦ π‘™π‘Žπ‘π‘– π‘›π‘Ž π‘˜π‘’π‘› π‘ π‘Ž π‘ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘¦π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘˜π‘–π‘›π‘Žβ„Žπ‘Žπ‘›π‘”π‘™π‘Žπ‘› 𝑔𝑒𝑑 π‘›π‘Žπ‘šπ‘œπ‘› π‘‘π‘–π‘‘π‘‘π‘œ π‘ π‘Žπ‘› π‘Žπ‘šπ‘œπ‘› 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑,” he added.

[The technology that I want to adapt is full mechanization. Although it will be a gradual process, especially in planting, as it is a lengthy process with land preparation and spraying. That is what I want to adapt because in the Corn Derby, full mechanization was really used. Over here, it might take a while, but at least I see that it can be applied especially since we really need it for spraying in our field.]

Arnel Cortez, a 55-year-old corn farmer who cultivates one hectare of yellow corn, was optimistic that the Corn Derby will serves as a venue for market linkages.β€œπ‘†π‘Ž π‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘¦π‘œπ‘› π‘˜π‘Žπ‘ π‘– π‘šπ‘Žπ‘¦π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘› π‘˜π‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘›π‘Žπ‘˜π‘–π‘˜π‘–π‘‘π‘Ž π‘‘π‘–π‘‘π‘œ π‘›π‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘˜π‘’π‘‘, π‘˜π‘Žπ‘ π‘– π‘ π‘Ž π‘›π‘”π‘Žπ‘¦π‘œπ‘› 𝑦𝑒𝑛𝑔 π‘™π‘œπ‘π‘Žπ‘™ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘˜π‘’π‘‘ π‘ π‘Ž πΌπ‘ π‘Žπ‘π‘’π‘™, 𝐿𝑒𝑦𝑑𝑒 π‘Žπ‘›π‘” π‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘π‘–π‘›π‘Žπ‘”π‘π‘’π‘π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘Žβ„Žπ‘Žπ‘›. π‘€π‘Žπ‘¦π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘› π‘›π‘Žπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘› π‘π‘Žπ‘™π‘Ž π‘›π‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘šπ‘–π‘™π‘– π‘‘π‘–π‘‘π‘œ π‘ π‘Ž π‘‚π‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘œπ‘ 𝐢𝑖𝑑𝑦. πΌπ‘ π‘Ž π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘› 𝑦𝑒𝑛 π‘ π‘Ž π‘–π‘π‘–π‘›π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘Ž π‘˜π‘œ π‘‘π‘–π‘‘π‘œ, π‘˜π‘’π‘›π‘” π‘ π‘Žπ‘Žπ‘› 𝑝𝑀𝑒𝑑𝑒 π‘˜π‘œπ‘›π‘” π‘–π‘π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘Ž π‘Žπ‘›π‘” π‘Žπ‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘šπ‘”π‘Ž π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘‘π‘’π‘˜π‘‘π‘œ,” he said with a hopeful smile.

[Right now, we see a market here not just in local market in Isabel, Leyte. It turns out there are also buyers here in Ormoc City. That is also one of the reasons I came here, to find where I can sell our products.]

“𝐼𝑛𝑖-𝑒π‘₯𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑑 π‘˜π‘œ π‘›π‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žπ‘  π‘™π‘Žπ‘™π‘Žπ‘€π‘Žπ‘˜ π‘π‘Ž π‘Žπ‘›π‘” π‘π‘Žπ‘”-π‘’π‘’π‘›π‘Žπ‘€π‘Ž π‘˜π‘œ π‘ π‘Ž π‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘‘π‘Žπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘–π‘š π‘›π‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žπ‘˜π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’β„Žπ‘Ž π‘Žπ‘˜π‘œ 𝑛𝑔 π‘šπ‘”π‘Ž π‘–π‘‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘  π‘Žπ‘‘ π‘–π‘›π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘› π‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žπ‘  π‘™π‘Žπ‘™π‘œ π‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘” π‘šπ‘Žπ‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘Ž π‘Žπ‘›π‘” π‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘‘π‘Žπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘–π‘š π‘˜π‘œ. π‘π‘Žπ‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘ π‘–π‘› π‘˜π‘œ π‘›π‘Ž, π‘šπ‘Žπ‘™π‘Žπ‘˜π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘π‘’π‘™π‘œπ‘›π‘” π‘‘π‘Žπ‘™π‘Žπ‘”π‘Ž π‘Žπ‘›π‘” π‘šπ‘”π‘Ž π‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘œπ‘›π‘” π‘‘π‘’π‘β„Žπ‘›π‘œπ‘™π‘œπ‘”π‘¦ π‘›π‘Ž π‘–π‘›π‘–π‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘‘π‘’π‘π‘’ π‘‘π‘–π‘‘π‘œ π‘ π‘Ž πΆπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘› π·π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘¦. π‘†π‘Žπ‘›π‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žπ‘”π‘‘π‘’π‘™π‘œπ‘¦-π‘‘π‘’π‘™π‘œπ‘¦ π‘Žπ‘›π‘” π‘šπ‘”π‘Ž π‘”π‘Žπ‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘œπ‘›π‘” π‘Žπ‘π‘‘π‘–π‘£π‘–π‘‘π‘¦ π‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘Ž 𝑑𝑖𝑛 π‘ π‘Ž π‘–π‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘” π‘šπ‘”π‘Ž π‘“π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘  π‘›π‘Ž β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘– π‘›π‘Žπ‘˜π‘Žπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘‘π‘’π‘›π‘‘. π‘€π‘Žπ‘”π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘” π‘œπ‘π‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦ π‘–π‘‘π‘œ π‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žπ‘˜π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’β„Žπ‘Ž π‘˜π‘Žπ‘šπ‘– 𝑛𝑔 π‘šπ‘”π‘Ž π‘šπ‘Žπ‘˜π‘Žπ‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘œπ‘›π‘” π‘‘π‘’π‘˜π‘›π‘œπ‘™π‘œβ„Žπ‘–π‘¦π‘Ž π‘ π‘Ž π‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘‘π‘Žπ‘‘π‘Žπ‘›π‘–π‘š,” Cortez shared as what his expecting during the farmers field day.

[I am expecting that the Corn Derby can provide with ideas and information for better managing my planting. As what I have observe, new technology and different varieties of seeds and fertilizers are being introduced here in the Corn Derby. I hope that this kind of activities will continue to help other farmers who may not be attending. This is a great opportunity to gain access to new modern technology in planting.]

Beyond the variety trials, farmers participated in interactive sessions on integrated pest management, proper fertilization, and climate-resilient farming practices, which was answered by the experts from seed companies and offered tips during the field day. With the said activity, farmers took home more than brochures and leaflets, but they also brought back new knowledge, networks, and renewed confidence.

With planting season around the corner, many farmers are now returning to their fields not just with seeds in hand, but with a clearer vision of a more productive future. Events like this remind us that farming is not just about hard workβ€”it’s about continuous learning. We may be used to doing things the old way, but if we want to grow better corn, we need to grow as farmers too.

The Corn Derby wasn’t just a competition of seedsβ€”it was a celebration of farmers, who keep planting, keep learning, and keep feeding our communities, one harvest at a time.