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Since his youth, Jade Mark Darong
has been happy and contented
in the world of farming.
(l Am a farmer, farming is my Passion)
l was barely 5,
when l started helping Papa with farming.
As a child, Jade has always been helping me
with farming.
He used to say,
''Papa, l will be like you in the future.''
Among us siblings
it was l who have been following
Papa's footsteps.
He used to sweep at the flea market
to help with family finances.
ln spite of financial difficulties,
he worked hard to finish
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.
An agriculturist post was offered by NIA,
l passed the interview which brought me here.
His rating was very satisfactory.
By July, he was hired as Irrigators' Development Officer B.
Like Jade's family,
more farmers believed that life was difficult.
One of the reasons was...
there was no water for irrigation.
We were relying on rain.
Life was really difficult here.
They were fetching water from distant sources.
The farmers requested for irrigation.
They had a concept
when SPISP came in.
So they prepared everything, requirements.
After that the Project was approved.
In 2002
lDOs introduced to us the Project.
We conducted Target Group Identification
to determine the area for irrigation.
We prepared maps with color codes.
Then we agreed to endorse the Project.
By God's grace, it became a reality.
ln 2003 the Feasibility Study was completed.
By 2006
construction of Dauin
Small River Impounding Project started,
At first, farmers wondered
what project this was really,
what it could help to them.
Thus we explained to them.
ln pipe installations,
and construction of irrigation facilities.
Others constructed the dam.
With water for the irrigation
and domestic uses within their reach
they started planting to augmen tfamily income.
Jade was hired by NIA
to teach us new farming technology
when to plant, spacing between hills,
We used to just plant, step, plant, step...
Before, the number of seedlings
was seven, but now only two to three.
That's a big difference.
According to them
more plants make do with very little nutrients
per hill which stunts the growth of plants.
With the help of SPISP, Jade Mark
shared his knowledge
about new farming technology
and water management.
We draw water from tap stand,
plant, water them then plant.
ORGANIC FARMING
PRODUCTlON COST ANALYSIS
CROPPING CALENDAR.
l use organic fertilizer here
because they taught us to prepare vermicast.
But overalI
what Jade does not forget to teach is...
What l share were
my childhood experiences in farming,
then what should be done
based on my knowledge from school.
SPISP capacity building
activities were done through cascading system
where we train IA officers
who in turn facilitate training of members.
They were trained
how to use the (irrigation) facilities,
when to use them, they have meetings,
water scheduling, closing to conserve water.
Help one another.
Your experience plus mine.
That helped them perform
their responsibilities in farming.
Do not plant simultaneously.
Space them per week to ensure that harvests
and income will be continuous also.
My handling of problems also improved.
before work-related problems discouraged me.
but with SPISP, l felt stronger.
Patience of IDOs for the Project step by step.
Because if you force them
more factors affect to what they need to do.
Many facets of Jade's
and his collegues' lives were improved.
Enormous changes in their place happened
because of irrigation.
We have delivered water.
Others are able to plant vegetable,
others irrigate corn,
and for domestic use, for animals, like cow.
Pipelines were installed for irrigation
which could also be used for domestic purposes.
They were happy when finally they used water.
l am thankful toADB, SPISP
because if not for them
there would be no development here in Dauin.
Thank you very much toADB,
because they financed
the development of Dauin farmers.
ADB is heaven-sent.
Thanks to SPISP
to the financier, ADB
NIAstaff, IDOs
and all those involved in this project,
thank you very much for ushering us the water.
Many, many thanks.
Jade know,vs that farming is his passion,
this is his life.
But he has forgotten his heart's desire.
l have not enjoyed my love life.
l have no more time.
l am aIways here with farmers.
My girlfriend left me
She said l had no more time with her.
We lost communication.
lf we are destined to be together, we will be.
Loveless as he may be,
Jade is still young
and he can always share his success
with himself
with his family
and most of all
with his co-farmers.
lt is my passion.