By Kenneth Marcos 
In the quiet farmlands of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, something powerful is growing—not just corn, but hope. Thanks to new farming technologies, local corn growers are now seeing bigger harvests, better quality produce, and stronger incomes.
On this week’s episode of AgriAsenso, airing Saturday, September 13 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on DZRH 666 kHz, listeners will hear firsthand how innovation is changing lives in the countryside.
Featured in the episode is Minafe Daño, the proud owner of Daño Farm and the 50th Gawad Saka national awardee for Outstanding Corn Farmer. She shares how using modern farming tools and practices has helped improve her yield and secure her family’s livelihood.
From Traditional to Transformational
For many years, Filipino corn farmers relied mainly on manual labor and traditional methods. But with rising costs, unpredictable weather, and pests affecting crops, many were left struggling.
According to the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI-MIMAROPA), new technologies in corn farming are helping bridge the gap.
These include:
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Mechanized land preparation using tractors and cultivators
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Precision planting to ensure healthy crop spacing
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Pest and disease monitoring apps
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Use of high-yield hybrid seeds
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Post-harvest machinery like corn shellers and dryers
Minafe Daño explained that these technologies helped increase her harvest by over 30%, reduced labor costs, and improved grain quality—making her corn more competitive in the market.
“Mas gumaan ang trabaho, mas dumami ang ani. Kaya malaking tulong talaga ang makabagong teknolohiya sa amin,” Daño said in the upcoming interview.
Sharing Knowledge, Inspiring Farmers
The AgriAsenso program, in partnership with ATI-MIMAROPA, aims to spread awareness about agricultural advancements and connect farmers to government support.
Each week, it features local champions in farming who share their success stories and offer tips to fellow farmers.
This week’s episode highlights not only the tools but also the training and support systems available to farmers who want to modernize.
According to ATI-MIMAROPA, thousands of farmers across the region have already been trained under various programs, and more are encouraged to participate.
“Hindi kailangang malaki ang lupa. Kahit maliit ang sakahan mo, kapag gumamit ka ng tamang teknolohiya, maaari kang umasenso,” said a spokesperson from ATI.
Moving Agriculture Forward
Corn is the second most important crop in the Philippines, next only to rice. It feeds millions of people and is a key ingredient in livestock feeds and processed foods.
Yet, many corn farmers remain among the poorest in the country.
By promoting modern, science-based farming methods, programs like AgriAsenso hope to reverse that trend—starting with inspiring stories like that of Minafe Daño.
As the country works towards a more productive and sustainable agriculture sector, every tool, training, and tale of triumph counts.
AgriAsenso airs every Saturday on DZRH 666 kHz, bringing expert advice and real-life farming experiences straight to rural listeners nationwide.
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