Mr. Rogelio P. Canillo is a local farmer of Barangay Puntod, Matungao Lanao del Norte. He is one of the beneficiaries of the project Community Development in Conflict Affected Areas in Mindanao (CD-CAAM) implemented by Bangsamoro Development Agency with the support from JICA and ICNet Limited.

Rogelio grows corn, rice and vegetable in his pieces of land with the help of his wife Mrs. Wilma S. Canillo. As a former Brgy. Captain and a father of 5, Rogelio aims to maximize his income through the knowledge gained from the Project to support his family’s needs. Also, he aims to be a good model in their community in putting effort in increasing their livelihood through unity and cooperation.

Through the CD-CAAM Project, he learned the techniques in vermicomposting that made him appreciate the essence of organic farming in vegetable production.

Vermiculture is the process of using worms (African Nightcrawlers) to decompose organic food waste, turning the waste into a nutrient-rich material capable of supplying necessary nutrients to help sustain plant growth. Rogelio applies the learning on vermicomposting in his own backyard.

Now, with all the trainings provided, they learn to become resourceful and use waste materials in maintaining the vermie compost.

His wife, Wilma also shared to us how beneficial is the Project to them in increasing their knowledge about organic farming techniques.” At first, we only know gardening then later on, we learn the organic farming and the vermiculture. Thanks to BDA for giving this project to us”, Wilma said.

The couple is now able to sustaining not only the demo farm but also their own vegetable production. Mr. Canillo noted some important observations on the vegetable spacing, density and all other proper management on vegetable production. He noted the healthy plant growth, good flowering stage and significant changes on the quality of vegetable products.

Though they have not yet harvested, the couple is hopeful of the changes happened in their farming. They have wider area of backyard gardening thus expecting more variety of vegetables. Through this, sustainable livelihood can be hopefully achieved towards building an empowered community.

The CD-CAAM Project of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to improve the living condition of people in the CAAM. Ravaged by decade-long conflict, CAAM suffers lack of social services and support for their life improvement such as support to agricultural and fishery production.

The project has three components: agriculture, fisheries and infrastructure. It is being piloted in the municipalities of Matungao in Lanao del Norte and Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao.