CENTER FOR THE APPLICATION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO NATURAL FARMING

THIS IS THE PROGRAM OF ASKEDWELL CENTER THAT IS GENERALLY A COMMUNITY -BASED LEARNING MODEL FOR LIVELIHOOD THRU TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OF RESEARCH RESULTS OF A SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ENDEAVOR IN A FARM -BASED ENVIRONMENT. 

PROJECT TITLE:     CENTER FOR THE APPLICATION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO NATURAL FARMING AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS

BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT:

Building interest in the youth to venture into the agriculture sector is a challenge to the leaders of communities. It is a fact that the average age of farmers is at a range of 57 to 60 years old. While the farmers are dwindling in number, the youth are not interested in taking their place in producing food for themselves and the community.

Enrollment in courses related to transport sector, hotel and restaurant, metals and engineering and information technology sectors are increasing, while enrolment in the agriculture courses are at low levels. It is noted that there is an increasing interest among the youth in courses which promise for overseas jobs that are related to animal and dairy production. This situation, however, is limited to a few capable students as the marginalized and less educated are wont to join the metals and engineering sector such as welding. There is also a great interest in the youth to learn computers and enroll in courses that are related to information technology.

It is for this broad perspective that the concept and philosophy on the Application of Science and Technology to Natural Farming and Organic Agriculture System was developed.

This center is designed with the inclusion of automotive machine operation, basic electrical applications, electronic control applications, plumbing in aquaculture and horticulture watering system, welding in construction of  above ground fish pond and cages for animals, fundamentals of farm design, and application of geometry and measurements. This means that the focus is on development and research of methods to expand the horizon of the farmers and the community as a tool for empowerment. 

PURPOSES OF THE PROJECT UNDER THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS OF DOST

Main purposes of the project is to

1. Entice the youth to join the agriculture sector and realize the need to care for the environment. Hence, prepare for disaster due to climate change.

2. Develop the mind set of interlinking of knowledge and skills as basis for action in personal growth and development.

3. Study science and technology with the end-in view of its application in day to day life and basis for a fulfilling career.

4. Set-up a backyard farm dubbed as a house in the garden for the program entitled as food always in the table in the home.

5. The center shall continue its research on the development of alternative materials for food and animal feed such as development of the breadfruit or kolo as staple food and its potential for the export market, the continues research on low cost technologies to create fish ponds for the households, plant boxes utilizing waste materials and animal pen designs for easy handling of waste and feeding procedures.

 STRATEGIES:

1. Advocate the Application of Science and Technology to Natural Farming and Organic Agriculture System on all programs related to sustainable livelihood for individuals, and sustainable community enterprise for inclusive growth and healthy life style.

2. Inform the general public through the mass media including the internet of the benefits and resource generation potential of the project.

3. Enter into partnerships with appropriate Government Agencies andGAs and Non –government organizations to facilitate its implementation

4. Instill into the minds and hearts of the trainee-participants of the need to set-up a small farm in own backyard, also known as house- in- the- garden of the CWL.

POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS

1. K-12 students- under the DepEd System – especially those in grade 12

2.  Members of the Pantawid sa Pamilya of DSWD

3.  Persons under the Tokhang Program of PNP

4.  Marginalized persons and communities developing into micro-entrepreneurs and community enterprise

5.  General Public who are planning to develop a farm

FACILITY TO SET-UP

1. Learning/research stations for specific competencies leading to the completion of a research study

2. Installation of laboratory sized machines and tools to be used in welding, engine repair, electrical connections, electronic gadgets, plumbing gadgets and tools, which will be interlinked with the above-ground fish pond, animal cages and plant boxes.

3.  This is a two-level area with above-ground fish pond, animal cages and plant boxes on the top or roof of the facility. This will control the temperature and humidity of the ground floor which will be installed with learning stations on basic electricity, basic welding, plumbing, electronic application gadgets, motor engines cut-out, solar electric generator, ram-pump

4. The roof is made of laminar type concrete work and the steel trusses made from steel bars. The trellis in the roof utilizes PVC pipes enforced with concrete to ensure strength and longer useful life of the vertical garden. This trellis will also serve as the safe fence in the roof

5. The ground floor is walled with a steel wire fence for ventilation and lighting.

6, The ramp starts from one end of the 50 or 500  sq meter area and moves along the side of the training facility for easier access to the top.

ORGANIZATION 

 The organization of the project includes the leaders of the community, funding institution and DOST as the policy advisory team. The ASKEDWELL CENTER management shall be composed of the technical experts from other organizations forming a volunteer group composed of local technicians, community researchers and the volunteer vocational instruction supervisors.

The teams shall function in line with the effort to produce healthy food and providing farmers with technology to reduce work and produce more output. This shall put into practice the application of science and technology in a farm especially for marginalized farmers.

During the first phase of the technology transfer program, the community participants shall already start planting easy to grow vegetables with the intent of cooking or processing for daily or weekly consumption of the family. It is in this phase that the policy directions of the project will already be implemented in the homes of the participants.

In the second phase, the technology to reduce work using electrical mechanical , and electronic gadgets will be studied and formulated. It is also understood that the difficult to learn skills and competencies can be learned later or after the third phase of the training.

The third phase of the project is setting-up the above-ground fish pond, animal cages and plant boxes. These three agri-fishery-industrial sectors are set-up in a modular system. There are steps to follow in performing the task after the safety precautions are discussed as experienced

 

This CENTER , however, need not be placed in a small area. So that the roof deck portion can be placed in an area near the industrial skills learning stations. In this situation, the learners need not climb a stair or challenges in the construction  of the roof deck with a fish pond can be prevented. This will also make the plants, animals live in natural conditions. 

The research learning stations in the first and CEMENTED floor cover at least 100 square meters CENTER FACILITY and contain all competencies that can be learned by the trainee/learner in the copyrighted work of Dr. Silvano B, Maranga, author and President / CEO of ASKEDWELL CENTER.  A learner may have an experience and knowledge on one research learning station. As there are 17 learning stations, a learner can study some knowledge in the internet and download important information that may be shared by the learners to the peers under the peer –learning approach to training. This method reduces the trainee contact time to the institution and provides ample time for a learner to practice at own farm in the backyard.

It is important to know that in each learning station, there are 10 knowledge and 5 skills questions to be responded to. Each task in all learning stations must be responded to and performed the trainee without assistance from peers during assessment.

As general rule this, CENTER FACILITY encourages learners to practice the ADULT LEARNING MODE of instruction. This means that the limited contact time with trainor means that more spare time to use in research and finding answers outside of the center either through the internet or farms or industrial shops.

FINANCIAL ASPECT OF THE PROJECT

The TESDA certificate of registration, authorizes the ASKEDWELL CENTER  to collect fees at a rate of Php 20,000.00  per course at 500 hours nominal duration. It is also important to consider that this NTR course conducts institutional assessment and a learner can also undertake a TESDA skills assessment at the NC level. In this document, it is assumed that the funding institution can only provide Php 15,000.00 training cost instead of the authorized Php 20,000.00

Hence, the course can be completed in 3-4 months. And within that period a learner can already have a functioning backyard farm based on the principles and practices learned in the CENTER FOR THE APPLICATION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO NATURAL FARMING AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE SYSTEM.

However, research learning systems can be performed with almost no cost utilizing indigenous materials and technologies. The amounts listed herein can either be in cash, in kind and imputed cost.

INCOME/EXPENSE Center construction and Learning Station Facilities 1,700,000.00 OPERATING EXPENSE 1,009,000.00	YEAR 1 GROSS – EXP. 2,500,000.00+ 491,000.00 2,991.000.00	YEAR 2 GROSS – EXP. 3,750,000.00+     606,000.00= 4,356,000.00	YEAR 3 GROSS – EXP. 4,500,000.00+ 1,521,000.00 6,021,000.00
100- Trainees-researchers enrolled@ 15,000.00 GROSS INCOME  1,500,000.00	150- Trainees-researchers enrolled@ 15,000.00 GROSS INCOME  2,250,000.00	250- Trainees-researchers  enrolled@ 15,000.00 GROSS INCOME  3,750,000.00	300- Trainees-researchers enrolled @15,000.00 GROSS INCOME  4,500,000.00
Expenditures 1. training/research materials  1000 for 100 pax 100,000.00	Expenditures 1. training/research materials  1000 for 150 pax 150,000.00	Expenditures 1. training/research materials  1000 for 250 pax 250,000.00	Expenditures 1. training/research materials  1000 for 300 pax 300,000.00
3Trainors/facilitators 15,000.00  each 45,000.00 each mo. 540,000.00	3Trainors/facilitators 15,000.00  each 45,000.00 each mo. 720,000.00	3Trainors/facilitators 15,000.00  each 45,000.00 each mo. 20,000.00 each mo 960,000.00	3Trainors/facilitators 15,000.00  each 45,000.00 each mo. 20,000.00 each mo 960,000.00
Utilities 5,000.00 / mo 25,000.00	Utilities 5,000.00 / mo 40,000.00	Utilities 5,000.00 / mo 25,000.00	Utilities 5,000.00 / mo 25,000.00
TRANSPORT 120,000.00	TRANSPORT 120,000.00	TRANSPORT 120,000.00	TRANSPORT 120,000.00
FUEL 120,000.00	FUEL 120,000.00	FUEL 120,000.00	FUEL 120,000.00
COMMUNICATION 24,000.00	COMMUNICATION 24,000.00	COMMUNICATION 24,000.00	COMMUNICATION 24,000.00
RENT 120,000.00	RENT 120,000.00	RENT 130,000.00	RENT 120,000.00
LOAN REPAYMENT 50,000.00 mo 600.000.00	LOAN REPAYMENT 50,000.00 mo 600.000.00	LOAN REPAYMENT 50,000.00 mo 600.000.00	LOAN REPAYMENT 50,000.00 mo 600.000.00
TOTAL EXPENSE/YR 1,009,000.00	TOTAL EXPENSE/YR 1,894,000.00	TOTAL EXPENSE/YR 2,229,000.00	TOTAL EXPENSE/YR 2,269,000.00
NET INCOME 1,500,00.00 – 1,009,00.00    491,000.00	NET INCOME 2,500,000,00- 1,894,000.00 606,000.00	NET INCOME 3,750,000.00- 2,229,000.00 1,521,000.00	6,021,000.00- 2,269,000.00 3,752,000.00

TECHNICAL ASPECT OF THE PROJECT

1. This project follows the principle of a no-waste farm system. There are no chemicals that shall be used in this project. Thereby creating a healthy life style for the community to develop a community enterprise based on community-based research.

2. Following the principle of no-waste policy, the learner in welding are provided with round and square bars to simulate the gaps in joining two metals. But the metals when welded can be used as an animal cage or a metal that supports the cement in the fish pond construction under the ferro-cement technology.

3. This center shall serve as a common service or shared service facility of the farmers and their families to learn the many competencies that are designed to improve and develop their lives through decent work.

4. As the Department of Science and Technology , the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development , and other Educational Institutions have agreed in principle that the Center for the Application of Science and Technology to Natural Farming and Organic Agriculture Systems is an important component in the development of marginalized people a center shall be developed in as many areas as possible. It important to note that the author is protected on its use during the life time of the author and for fifty (50) years after death.

5. The training/research cycle is based on the modular system of instruction. A learner enters a learning/ research station and proceeds on the next stage as all the steps are completed. A specific assessment for the learning-research station is placed in conspicuous place. It is up to the learner to choose what learning/research station is appropriate.

6. Tools and  laboratory equipment are provided in the learning-research station. Trainees are encouraged to return the tools in proper places and use the equipment properly.

PROJECT LOCATION A POTENTIAL FOR MARKETING OF PRODUCTS AND TRAINING OF BENEFICIAIES

As this project is designed to set-up a center, the proponent has designated two possible locations where the project can be set-up. One in the Bongdo, Borbon facility and the other in Lapulapu City. This is to develop a network of linking the hinterlands with a facility in an industrial area but located in the midst of marginalized community, in Basak, Lapu-lapu City and Asturias, Cebu and other places which will allow and support such Center

There will be an effort to develop products with raw materials from  Borbon, Cebu and processed in Lapu-lapu City which is near to the Market System and easier access to a large community of people such as the Export Processing Zone and the market needs of Asturias, Cebu which is near the shipbuilding areas of Balamban, Cebu and other places that the community shall support.

PROJECT OUTCOMES

1. Youth with age range from 14 to 17 join the agriculture sector and realize the need to care for the environment. Hence, prepare for disaster due to climate change and improve the steps performed by the elder farmers.

2. Mind set of interlinking of knowledge and skills as basis for action in personal growth and development becomes a foundation for development. And a development for spiritual strength through prayers and practice of meditation in motion

3. Science and technology and transfer of technology to the least educated with the end-in view of its application in day to day life and basis for a fulfilling career.

4. Members of the community set-up a backyard farm named as a house in the garden for the program in cooperation with CWL in support to the edvocacy entitled as food always in the table in the home.

5. A community enterprise is set-up with the end-in view of continuous improvement under the concept of inclusive growth with international network of markets.

6. Continuing research on the development of alternative materials for food and animal feed such as development of the breadfruit or kolo as staple food and its potential for the export market, the continues research on low cost technologies to create fish ponds for the households, plant boxes utilizing waste materials and animal pen designs for easy handling of waste and feeding procedures.

7. A Production unit on the propagation and formulation of breadfruit or kolo products, from harvesting, slicing, drying, packaging, milling, cooking for the local and international market set-up

8. Develop and apply an easy to install fish pond and produce fish from fry to full maturity.

CONCLUSION

This project is intended as a start-off program for the training of students in science and technology in both a center-based modality and in mobile method.

It is expected that the endorsement of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture(DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) with the Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission may facilitate the approval of our request to the Department of Education to adapt the Center for the Application of Science and Technology in Natural Farming and Organic Agriculture Systems as a facility for the K-12 program.

Submitted by:

Dr. Silvano B. Maranga

President / CEO

Action for Skills Knowledge Education

 and Wellness Center Corp (ASKEDWELL)