Corn Based Product Processing – Gamu, Isabela
( Lead Agency - Department of Agriculture )

Brief description of the project

        This is an integrated project which involves the enhancement of corn production as a forward linkage to the establishment of a feed mill in order to provide a cheap source of feeds for swine production. The project covers the barangays of Linglingay, Mabini, Barcolan, Pintora and Rizal. A program support component includes the provision of livelihood skills trainings, health care facilities, multi-purpose drying pavements, and parcellary mapping.

Of the projects committed by the agencies only the proposed Corn Oil Processing and the establishment of a Feed Mill, swine production and marketing were not realized despite the completion of the Feasibility Study through the assistance extended by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Project Outputs

The implementation of the integrated project brought about the concrete outputs as shown below.

List of Agency Commitments for Gamu, Isabela.

Project Outcomes

A.The farmer beneficiaries were able to increase their production through the application of the appropriate farming technologies based on the results of the soil analysis and the trainings extended by DA.

B.The Linglingay Women’s Workers Association and the Mabini Men’s Workers Association were able to manage their livelihood projects through the trainings extended on entrepreneurial development and the livelihood assistance extended by DA, Congressman Uy, Gov. Padaca, DSWD, DOLE, and TESDA.

C.The farmers were given the opportunity to access of cheaper health services through the operation of Botika ng Barangay and the distribution of Phil. Health cards.

D.With the land titles completed and distributed to the rightful land owners, the farmers were provided security of tenure and are given the opportunity to manage their own farms for a more productive use.

E.Provision of all-weather farm-to-market road and multi-purpose drying pavements.

Problems encountered

Non-implementation of the proposed corn-based processing plant, the feed mill, swine production and marketing despite the completion of the Feasibility Study by DTI due to lack of funds.

Recommendations

        The LGU of Gamu can explore the possibility of inviting prospective Manila-based or foreign investors to invest in the corn-based processing plant and feed mill, given the potentials of Gamu as a major corn producer in the province of Isabela.

GOOD PRACTICES

        Generally, the Geo-convergence program in the target municipalities in the province of Isabela was successfully implemented. This could be attributed to the active involvement of the direct beneficiaries in project identification, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in the conduct of social preparation and consultation meetings with the implementing agencies from the local, regional and national levels. Moreover, the resource-based strategy.

PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES

The major issues and challenges that beset the implementation of specific flagpole projects are as follows:

Non-implementation of the Feed Mill project in Ramon, Isabela which is intended to process feeds for tilapia production. The initial release of PhP500,000 out of the PhP1.5M commitment from the Provincial LGU has not been utilized as a result of the past political squabbles among the municipal leaders.
Non-implementation of the main component of the Corn Based Product Processing Project in Gamu, Isabela due to lack of interested local investors.

LESSONS LEARNED

        Pooling of resources at all levels of government and private sector for projects in identified convergence areas bring about greater outcomes and impact.
The principle of convergence as an approach to countryside development is an effective tool for mobilizing resources for project implementation.
The support of the Cabinet Secretaries and the Congressmen in the first and second districts of Isabela was an effective driving force in generating the support of the Local Government Units.
The leadership of the Local Executives plays a vital role in the success of project implementation.
Empowering People’s Organizations or Associations through skills enhancement and self-reliance are effective strategies for project sustainability.

RECOMMENDATIONS

        There is a need to intensify investment promotion activities in order to attract Manila-based and foreign investors for the priority industries identified in the convergence areas. The investment promotions should be a joint undertaking of the concerned LGUs and the DTI in order to ensure a more focused promotional efforts. Investment Brochures could be prepared for the purpose.
The Provincial Government of Isabela to sustain and intensify the implementation of projects that were initiated in the five pilot municipalities. It can also can expand the program in other convergence areas in strong collaboration with the national, and regional agencies and Local Government Units.
The good leadership of the Provincial and Municipal LGUs in steering all the concerned agencies in the provision of the necessary program and support activities toward achieving a common goal is laudable and it should be sustained and strengthened. A program implementation review and work planning can be conducted for the formulation of activities to sustain the flagpole projects.
The Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Local Government Units to assist farmers through the provision of subsidized agricultural inputs like hybrid seeds for rice and corn within the short term until the farmer-beneficiaries become self-reliant. As the lead agency for the Corn Processing in Gamu, DA should convene the concerned agencies to plan how the unimplemented projects will be pursued.
DSWD, DOLE and TESDA to monitor the implementation of the livelihood projects in order to identify implementation problems and assist the beneficiaries in sustaining their projects.
DAR to continue strengthening farmer’s associations in the convergence areas so that thse associations can grow into cooperatives.
As the lead agency for the municipality of Ramon, DENR in coordination with the PLGU of Isabela to convene the concerned agencies to continue providing the necessary technical assistance so that the unimplemented project commitments will be pursued .