NorMin showcases agri products at IFEX 2025

PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA — In support of promoting local agri-based enterprises and expanding their market reach, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), participated in the 2025 International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines held from May 22 to 24 at the World Trade Center, here.

The agency’s participation in the international expo served as a platform to highlight agricultural products from Northern Mindanao and establish linkages with both local and international buyers. This initiative aligns with the DA’s goal to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), strengthen agri-food value chains, and position the region as a competitive player in the global food industry.

Representing the region, the Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives from Poblacion, El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, featured their range of dairy products, including fresh and flavored milk, yogurt, milk bars, and white and Gouda cheese. Nature’s Fresh Pineapple, Inc. from Quezon, Bukidnon, also took part in the Export Trade Hall to promote their high-quality pineapples.

During the event, Nature’s Fresh Pineapple, Inc. has established partnerships through business-to-business meetings, leading to confirmed export orders from buyers in South Korea and Taiwan. Both countries agreed to purchase 60 metric tons of pineapples weekly, with each contract valued at United States Dollar (USD) 42,000.

The three-day expo also allowed exhibitors to connect with industry leaders, gain market insights, and explore new trends to enhance their product offerings.

With its involvement in IFEX 2025, DA-RFO 10 reaffirmed its commitment to helping local enterprises grow, expand their market access, and elevate the region’s agricultural competitiveness on the international stage.# (EJLG)

DA-NorMin to rev up local rice productivity via integrated rice-duck farming system

To scale up Northern Mindanao’s rice production, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao Field Office (DA-NorMin) is set to prime the Integrated Rice-Duck Farming System (IRDFS) Technology Demonstration Farm in the region in time with the 2025 wet planting season.

As a flagship initiative of DA-NorMin Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, the IRDFS is deemed an expansion to the Organic Rice Production Program of the agency, offering farmers substantial economic benefits in rice farming.

The IRDFS is an integrated agricultural production system where ducks are raised alongside palay crops, creating a mutually beneficial environment for optimum growth and yield.

The symbiosis between duck and palay crop enhances yield and profitability for rice farmers by reducing costs on fertilizer and pests and weeds control, while enabling farmers to diversify their income streams by producing rice and duck and duck products – meat, eggs, chicks.

The DA-NorMin through its Rice Program targets to pilot a 60-hectare IRDFS demonstration farms in Valencia City, Bukidnon in cooperation with the City Government of Valencia and farmer-cooperators from the Kahapunan Valencia City Irrigator’s Association (KVCIA).

These demonstration farms will serve as the DA’s research site to study the effectiveness of organic rice production technologies by gathering comparative data on crop management practices, soil condition, water usage, input application, and yield performance as foundational data for monitoring, evaluation, and future scaling of the project.

As part of the DA’s intervention under the IRDFS, farmer-cooperators will be provided rice seeds, fertilizer, ducklings, feeds, and nets.

As partner LGU, Valencia City also provided rice seeds and vermicompost to early planting farmer cooperators.

The farmers will also be provided technical assistance for the season-long cropping period, including the conduct of soil analysis, natural pest and disease control measures using Biological Control Agents (BCAs) and disease and health monitoring of the ducks.

The IRDFS is also being promoted by the DA-NorMin as a farm diversification concept under the Palayamanan System, with which the department urges farmers to adopt crops and livestock integration farming practices for optimal productivity.

The Palayamanan System will be rolled out in the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental and Camiguin.

In consonance with President Ferdinand Marcos’ administration’s thrust on food security and sustainable agriculture, the DA-NorMin continuously advocate groundbreaking farming methods to revolutionize rice production technology in the region.# (ATT/NQA Photo credits: NQA)

Aggie NorMin capacitates PDLs on veggie gardening

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Aiming to capacitate Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) with practical skills on vegetable gardening, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 facilitated a hands-on training session on May 8, at the Cagayan de Oro City Jail – Male Dormitory.

Through DA-10’s National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) and Organic Agriculture (OA) Program, the training session provided participants with knowledge and practical techniques for cultivating vegetables adopting the natural ways of farming in urban and peri-urban spaces. NUPAP alternate focal person Ronald Allan P. Camaddo and OA Program focal person Mark Anthony D. Lagamon served as the resource speakers.

Beyond the capacitation, the agency also signified its support to the CDO City Jail in establishing a vegetable garden inside the detention facility to provide PDLs with productive activities while contributing to the dietary needs of the facility.# (AMBM)

Agri-10 holds second batch of YFC regional judging for Start-Up Category

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), conducted the second batch of the Regional Level Judging for the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) 2024 Start-Up Category on Tuesday, May 20, at the agency compound, here.

The competition aims to support enterprising youth in Northern Mindanao who are engaged in agri-fishery ventures by providing them with the financial and technical assistance needed to jumpstart or expand their businesses.

Six finalists competed in the regional screening after advancing from the provincial level in the production and processing categories.

Participants were assessed by a panel of evaluators from DA-10 and partner institutions based on entrepreneurial attributes, innovation, business viability, market potential, and social responsibility.

Each regional winner will receive a financial grant of PhP150k to implement or improve their agri-fishery enterprise and will advance to the national level of the YFC Start-Up Category. National winners are set to receive an additional PhP300k to further boost their business operations.

The YFC program is part of the Department’s broader efforts to empower young agripreneurs, enhance rural entrepreneurship, and contribute to agricultural modernization and inclusive growth across the country. # (EJLG)

Agri-10 apprises Recommended Corn Prod’n Technologies project in Maramag town

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON – Aligned with its efforts of bridging the gap between supply and the growing demand for food, feeds, and other industrial products, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through its Corn program, recently conducted an orientation on the guidelines of Upscaling the Recommended Corn Production Technologies (RCPT) project at the GSO Conference Hall, here.

Representing DA-10 Corn program Focal Person, Richan D. Lacanaria, Corn program Report Officer Richard G. Apare explained that the RCPT project seeks to increase the adoption rate of recommended corn production practices. It also aims to boost production efficiency and farmers’ income by implementing a comprehensive value chain approach in the locality.

Apare addressed the representatives from the Local Government of Maramag through its Municipal Agriculture’s Office (MAO) and farmer-leaders from 10 farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs). These groups are poised to implement the project this June, targeting a 500-hectare (ha) yellow corn production area with an average grain yield of 6-7 metric tons per hectare.

On the roles of stakeholders in the project’s implementation, he detailed that the DA-10 will provide farmer-preferred corn varieties–either hybrid or Open-Pollinated Variety–adhering to the recommended seeding rate of 18 to 27 kilograms per hectare, and fertilizers based on soil analysis results to ensure proper and efficient application.

The local government, through the MAO, will complement the region’s efforts by offering technical assistance on the right method of soil sampling, the appropriate use of farm inputs, and guidance on other recommended production and postharvest operations of farmers on the ground.

Meanwhile, farmer co-operators will provide the labor and land for the RCPT project. They are also eyed to adopt the prescribed corn production and postharvest practices, attuned to suit local conditions as advised by agricultural extension workers.

Beyond increasing yellow corn output, project proponents clamored for the initiative to link farmers to markets, including corn buyers, processors, and consumers. Of which, securing marketing agreements forms part of the DA-10’s directive of bolstering the corn value chain and supporting farmers’ entrepreneurship mindset.

Slated co-operators for the RCPT project are the following:

Narukdukan Kisanday Banana Cassava Coconut Corn Farmers Agricultural Cooperative
Kiharong Corn Growers Association
San Miguel Corn and Cassava Farmers Association
Panalsalan Dagumbaan Talaandig Tribe Association, Inc.
Dagumbaan Agricultural Farmers Association
Bantayan-Bauhon Highland Farmers Association
Kuya Corn and Cassava Farmers Association
Colambugan Corn and Cassava Farmers Association
Dologon Corn and Cassava Farmers Association
Panalsalan Corn Growers Association

These groups come from barangays Kisanday, Kiharong, San Miguel, Panalsalan, Dagumbaan, Kuya, San Miguel and Dologon, with membership ranging from 14 to 323 individuals.

Eligible beneficiaries include active farm cluster organizations duly registered by an agency. They must meet the minimum production area of at least 300 hectares, have access to a package of farm machinery, equipment and drying facilities, be enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), and be willing to participate in the project.

Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr and DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu-Laurel Jr, the department continues to pursue its goal of achieving food security and making the agriculture sector more bankable by expanding and improving available agricultural areas for increased production.

For 2025, DA-10 headed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, is also set to implement the RCPT project in another 500-ha site in Don Carlos, Bukidnon.# (JLO/Photo credits: MAO-Maramag)

Agri-10 holds KADIWA at Diskwento Caravan for Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month

EL SALVADOR CITY — As part of its continuing efforts to honor the country’s food producers and uplift rural communities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducted a KADIWA at Diskwento Caravan (KDC) on Thursday, May 15, at the new DA-10 regional office grounds in Poblacion, here.

The event was staged in celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month, with the national theme “Makabagong Magsasaka at Mangingisda, Susi sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas.” It recognized the invaluable contributions of farmers and fisherfolk in sustaining the country’s food supply and driving rural development.

The activity was also held coinciding with the Feast of San Isidro Labrador, patron saint of farmers, laborers, and rural communities. Celebrated every 15th of May across various agricultural towns in the Philippines, the feast pays tribute to the saint’s life of humility, faith, and hard work — virtues that closely reflect the values and resilience of Filipino farmers.

Organized by the agency’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), the one-day event provided a platform for local farmers, fisherfolk, cooperatives, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to market their products directly to consumers at accessible and low prices.

It also featured locally processed food products through the Department of Trade and Industry’s Diskwento Caravan, helping communities cope with the rising cost of basic commodities while boosting local enterprises and agribusinesses.

To further support the rice sector, the event showcased BBM (Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka) rice at subsidized rates. This is part of the government’s commitment to make quality, reasonably priced rice available to Filipino households while promoting local rice production.

Participating sellers and products included:

*SLERS – Chicharon
*Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives – Fresh and flavored milk
*Miarayon Talakag Highland Farmers Association – Assorted vegetables, fruits, and spices
*Balingasag Group of Farmers – Assorted vegetables
*Linandang Malagana Farmers Association – Assorted vegetables
*Sinaloc United Women’s Association (SUWA) – Bottled sardines
*MK Trading – Fishery products
*MC Coffee – Ground coffee
*Engallado’s Rice Products – Processed rice products
*RBS Universal Grains, Corp. – Imported rice (PhP37/kg)
*National Irrigation Administration-10 (NIA-10) – BBM at NIA rice (PhP29/kg)
*National Food Authority (NFA) – Locally sourced rice (PhP33/kg)
*WL Food, Corp. – Grocery items and household essentials
*Zest-O, Corp. – Grocery items and household essentials
*Pathfinder Marketing – Grocery items and household essentials

The KDC primarily served the local communities and households, and DA clients in El Salvador City and nearby areas. # (EJLG)

DA-10 holds Techno Demo of climate-smart innovations to mark Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month, around 55 participants took part in a 4-station technology demonstration staged by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) on May 14, at El Garaje in the agency compound.

Anchored on the theme: “Mainstreaming Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Agricultural Activities”, the techno demo showcased innovation of practices and technologies to promote climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture.

The event arrayed the following topic stations facilitated by exhibitor-resource speakers:

Techno Demo 1: Black Soldier Fly Production and Utilization
Speaker: Honorio S. Cervantes, RAFC NorMin Sectoral Chair – Organic Agriculture

Techno Demo 2: Uses of Non-Food Crops
Speaker: Floro V. Dalapag, RAFC Sectoral Chair – Climate

Techno Demo 3: Container Gardening Innovations
Speaker: Ronald Allan P. Camaddo, DA-10 Agriculturist II

Techno Demo 4: Fermentation Agents in Agriculture and Food Supply
Speaker: Virologist Enrico Imperio, PhD

Cagayan de Oro Federation of Persons with Disabilities’ Associations (CAFEDPA) President Shirley P. Tabigne is grateful for being invited.

“[The] DA has become more inclusive of us PWDs. I am grateful that they invited us here to see the process of sustainable gardening.

Before, farming seemed like it was only for those in good physical shape, but now, with DA-10’s efforts, they also see that we PWDs can be productive too.” Tabigne expressed.

A Market Day also marked the celebration, with local produce and value-added goods from participating farmer groups and associations.

Among the attendees were representatives from women’s, farmers’, and PWD associations; the City Agricultural and Fishery Councils of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro; the local government of CdeO; and officials and staff from the DA-10 and the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) of Northern Mindanao.

Through this initiative, DA-10 reaffirmed its commitment to capacitate stakeholders with climate-adaptive innovations to a more resilient agri-food system in the region. # (BJCE)

NorMin coffee growers prevail in 2025 Phl coffee quality competition

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Entities engaged in the farming of Arabica, Robusta and Excelsa coffee from Northern Mindanao triumphed in the recently concluded Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC), held at One Ayala Mall in Makati, with entries from the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental cited as among the country’s finest specialty coffees while others receiving special awards.

Organized with support from the government, the private sector, and donor-funded projects, the PCQC is an annual national competition that highlights the best of Philippine coffee to the domestic and global markets alike. It pinpoints exceptional quality coffee and provides farmer-producers a platform to access and penetrate higher-value markets.

As support to enhance the production and processing of coffee among farmers, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) for its part has extended programs, projects and initiatives to coffee-based farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) and individual growers, encouraging producers to develop quality coffee which can compete locally and with international brands, to increase the promotion of patronizing local coffee, and importantly, to augment farmers’ productivity and income.

Interventions range from the provision of inputs, technical assistance, production and postharvest facilities, and market linkages courtesy from the agency’s banner program through the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), special projects such as the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) and the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP), and the department’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD).

NorMin winners and those with special citations, with some who have managed to avail assistance from the department are the following:

ARABICA CATEGORY (Estate Farm – with farm size of 5.1 hectares and above)

Manolito Garces
Finca De Garces (Pangantucan, Bukidnon)
Top 1
Caramel, Floral, Nutty, Orange Peel Acidity, Tea-like Finish

Adeline Tarino
Daraghuyan Ancestral Domain (Malaybalay City, Bukidnon)
Top 2
Floral, Banana, Caramel, Lemon Candy Sweetness, Grapefruit Acidity

ARABICA CATEGORY (Smallholder Farm – with farm size of 1-5 hectares)

Maynard Joseph Garces
Granja Alegre (Pangantucan, Bukidnon)
Top 4
(Brown Spice, Black Dried Fruit and Sweet Finish)

Carmelino Debalde
Milalittra Farmers Agri Coop (Talakag, Bukidnon)
Top 8
(Brown Sugar, Black Tea, Citrus Fruit Acidity)

Fernando Enecito
Milalittra Farmers Agri Coop (Talakag, Bukidnon)
Top 9
(Brown Spice, Chocolate, Floral, Tea-like body)

Jocelyn Sulatan
Milalittra Farmers Agri Coop (Talakag, Bukidnon)
Top 10
Best Arabica Honey Process

Regino Omarol
Inhandig Tribal MPC (Malaybalay City, Bukidnon)
Top 11
(Floral Roasted Peanuts, Tropical Fruits)

SPECIAL AWARDS

Jose C. del Fierro (Claveria, Misamis Oriental)
Excelsa Citation
Oldest Farmer-Participant
Dark Chocolate, Fruity, Lemon and Lime

Corazon Llauderes
Impalutao Dalwangan Sawaga ARC (Malaybalay City, Bukidnon)
Experimental Coffee Citation (Arabica)
Roasted Nuts, Chocolate, Black Tea

Carlo Casenillas
Bayanihan Millenium MPC (Pangantucan, Bukidnon)
Experimental Coffee Citation (Arabica)
Black Tea, Chocolate, Nutty

Not only the contest winners have showcased their coffee to specialty buyers, but they also have the opportunity to be featured in an auction ensuing the competition.# (JLO)

Aggie NorMin personnel upskills on Remote Sensing tech to modernize agri data collection

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON — To modernize the agency’s agricultural data collection mechanism, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao Regional Field Office (Aggie NorMin) personnel from the Research Division, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division, Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), and Philippine Rice Information System (PRiSM) joined the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development – Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment Staff’s (DEPDev-ANRES) Remote Sensing (RS) Technology capacity-building workshop on May 5 to 8.

Held at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) the workshop, “Bridging Agricultural Data Gaps Through Adoption of Remote Sensing (RS) Technology at the Agricultural Level” aimed to equip participants from local government units (LGUs) and regional line agencies with tools and knowledge to integrate satellite and geospatial technologies into agricultural planning and monitoring.

The activity focused on building awareness and technical skills on the use of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies, with hands-on sessions on Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) and Google Earth Engine (GEE).

The training culminated with participants presenting localized action plans designed to institutionalize the use of RS tools in their respective areas. These plans include proposals for policy support, capacity-building activities, and equipment acquisition.

In his message, Aggie NorMin Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan expressed support in leveraging technology to close data gaps in the agri-sector. He affirmed initiatives like this are key to ensuring responsive and evidence-based agricultural programs and interventions.

DEPDev-ANRES OIC-Assistant Director, Ralph Camelo E. Mariano also emphasized the importance of adopting data-driven strategies in agriculture, noting that such approaches empower institutions like DA to make informed decisions and promote sustainable agricultural development.

The training-workshop serves as the implementation platform of a flagship initiative that aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of LGUs and regional offices of the DA and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

DA-Bureau of Animal Industry validates Swine Industry Recovery Project sites in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) paid a courtesy call to Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga to tackle the conduct of site validation under the Swine Industry Recovery Project (SIRP) on May 8, this city.

The DA through the National Livestock Program (NLP), rolled out the SIRP with the aim of revitalizing the country’s swine sector after the devastating effects of African Swine Fever (ASF).

According to Dr. Aura Lumabas, BAI NLP Coordinator, Region 10 was identified as a key area for SIRP implementation and is poised for breeder-based development validation.

So far, seven members from the Northern Mindanao Hog Raisers have been validated and found qualified for the SIRP, with five more pending validation to be done in the coming weeks.

In addition to the SIRP, the DA is advocating complementary livestock projects, including goat and sheep expansion program and egg industry development project.

As part of the effort in future-proofing the livestock industry, the government will be investing in the establishment of a vaccine production laboratory at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Nueva Ecija by next year, to reduce dependency on imported vaccines.

Following the SIRP implementation, the BAI will be conducting field monitoring and project assessment to ascertain tangible benefits of the SIRP to farmers and consumers alike.

Earlier in the same week, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan has met with DA Undersecretary for Livestock Constante J. Palabrica, for a roundtable discussion on the prospect of swine industry investment in the region.

The government’s investment to develop a robust swine industry is in keeping with President Marcos’ thrust in positioning the agriculture sector as key economic driver of the country. # (NQA)