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Kabacan, Cotabato –The University of Southern Mindanao Extension Services Office (USM-ESO) and Resource Generation and Entrepreneurial Services (RGES) established a collaboration with the Nagasat A Mannalon Irrigators Association (NAM IA) and the National Irrigation Administration–Kabacan River Irrigation System (NIA-KABRIS), for the third phase of their Social Responsibility Project titled “Gulayan sa Patubigan ng NAM IA” on August 6, 2025, at the USM-ESO Conference Room, Kabacan, Cotabato.
This joint initiative aims to boost the livelihoods of vegetable growers along the NIA-KABRIS embankment traversing the USM property in Osias, by providing various forms of support to enhance both production and profitability. It also promotes the sustainability of the communal garden system under NIA’s Gulayan sa Patubigan project.
During the discussion, vegetable farmers voiced concerns, particularly their hesitation to expand production due to limited skills in both crop production and marketing. In response, USM-ESO committed to delivering training sessions on proper farming practices, covering everything from planting to harvest, as well as on effective marketing strategies.
The event was attended by key officials and partners, including Dr. Debbie Marie B. Verzosa, Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension; Dr. Glyn B. Gabano-Magbanua, Director of the Extension Services Office; Engr. Raffy D. Rosete, Acting Chief of System of NIA-KABRIS; Mr. Suharto M. Hussain, President of NAM IA; members of the NAM IA Board of Trustees; representatives from SAGREX and SYNGENTA Philippines; and Ms. Leah Lopez of NAM IA Corporation, who facilitated the event.
“I want this project to be a long-term initiative that will create real impact, hindi yung pang photo opportunity lang,” Dr. Verzosa emphasized.
“It is a win-win for everyone involved. RGES can put their land to productive use, farmers can increase their income, and the ESO, together with our external partners NAM IA and NIA-KABRIS, can fulfill their mandates through this collaboration,” she added.
Building on this commitment, the collaborators agreed to formalize the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to help sustain the initiative. All stakeholders expressed hope that the project will continue to grow and deliver a greater impact on the farming community.
As an initial step in this renewed collaboration, farmer-beneficiaries also received various forms of assistance, including vegetable seeds, soil conditioners, rice and vegetable fertilizers, and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials on proper fertilization, sponsored by SAGREX Corporation.
