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Balindog, KIDAPAWAN CITY—In its ongoing effort to conduct interventions rooted in community needs, the University of Southern Mindanao – Extension Services Office (USM-ESO) spearheaded a community needs assessment with Cotabato organic farmers on August 19, 2026, at the Inter-Cultural Organization’s Network for Solidarity and Peace (ICON-SP) Office in Kidapawan City.
Through a Focus Group Discussion (FGD), the USM team identified the communities’ priority needs, local resources, and challenges. The activity was facilitated by Mr. Jimwell P. Pande (Extension Editor) and Ms. Ritchel O. Torres (Training Specialist II).
To better understand local agricultural contexts, participating farmers shared their current experiences and challenges in adopting organic practices.
“Ako talaga ay matagal nang nagfa-farm ng mga gulay at sa katunayan may nursery na ako sa bahay pero para lang talaga sa food consumption kaya ini-ensure namin na organic siya,” said vegetable farmer Mr. Joel P. Bolero.
The FGD delved deeper into identifying local resources and existing technologies. Notably, all participating farmers produce “liquid smoke”—a solution derived from biowaste using pyrolysis.
Concluding the activity, the team explored various areas for potential research, including identifying liquid smoke’s pesticidal or antifungal properties, its efficacy as an organic input, and potential product development opportunities.
By strategically gathering rice, fruit, and vegetable farmers from Kidapawan City and the municipalities of M’lang, President Roxas, and Magpet, the community needs assessment provided a comprehensive baseline for designing targeted, sustainable agricultural extension programs for Cotabato province.
