Agri-10 through its Regulatory Division pushes for more NorMin farms to be PhilGAP-certified.

DALWANGAN, MALAYBALAY CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) staged a training on the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) Certification and Inspection Protocol on July 17 to 18, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Spearheaded by its Regulatory Division and conducted in partnership with the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (DA-FPA), the training apprised farmers and various agricultural stakeholders from the province of Bukidnon of key information on GAP standards, and the technical requirements to apply for a PhilGAP certification.

This, aligned with DA’s aim of increasing the number of GAP-certified farms in Northern Mindanao, thereby ensuring the continuous production of safe and quality agricultural produce in the region.

On behalf of DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, Provincial Operations Center – Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM welcomed the participants and said that the training forms part of the agency’s thrust for increased agricultural productivity in the region, while retaining its assurance of safe, high quality, and nutritious food for consumers within and beyond Northern Mindanao.

During the training, Roxette Ann D. Quindala from the DA-BPI Plant Product Safety Services Division (BPI-PPSSD) educated the farmers on the general hygienic practices for production and processing of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those grown in hydroponic systems or greenhouses, as outlined in the Philippine National Standard GAP for Fruits and Vegetable Farming – Code of Practice.

Underscoring the PhilGAP standards as a mechanism to ensure the safe and sustainable production of agricultural produce, the BPI-PPSSD also discussed the four modules of the PhilGAP certification program, namely: food safety, environmental management, workers’ welfare, and quality produce.

Meanwhile, Romnick N. Boctot of the FPA also discussed the proper handling of fertilizers and pesticides.

Further expounding on PhilGAP certification guidelines, Chamberlie Gay M. Regis, Agriculturist II of the DA-10 Regulatory Division, also discussed the guidelines of the Use of the PhilGAP Certified Mark as stipulated in Department Circular No. 12, Series of 2020.

Capping off the two-day training, Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca enjoined the participants to make use of their knowledge gained from the sessions to innovate on their existing farm practices, such that they comply with GAP standards.

RTD Dumayaca also led the turnover of PhilGAP Certification to Del Monte Philippines, Inc. (DMPI), received by Compliance Manager Maria Sheila D. Guiret and Compliance Supervisor Federico Banaga, Jr.

Joining farmers in the two-day training were representatives from various agri organizations, namely: Dole Philippines, Inc. (Stanfilco Division), DMPI, Greenproduce Farms, Sweetbee Farms, Agrinanas Development Co., Inc., and the PhilGAP Farmers Association in Bukidnon.

The event also drew the support of concerned DA-10 operating units such as the Field Operations Division through its chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD, and the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division through Assistant division chief Ferdinand F. Caraballe.# (GDA/Photos supplied)

Manolo Fortich AMIA village secures the AMIA village Presenter Award during the 1st AMIA-10 Congress in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – To showcase the different climate-resilient communities in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) conducts an awarding for the AMIA villages during its 1st AMIA-10 Congress on July 11-12, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex, in Dalwangan, here.

With this year’s theme, “Klima atimana para sa malahutayong pag-uma ug ekonomiya,” the event gathered farmer-beneficiaries, local government units, and other stakeholders to share the success and innovations of the 11 AMIA villages in the region.

Climate Resilient Agriculture Office National Director Alicia G. Ilaga noted that apart from building climate-resilient communities, the AMIA program also seeks to eradicate poverty.

“Mithiin nating mai-level up ang ating mga AMIA village mula sa pagiging maliliit na production units, papunta sa market-oriented climate-resilient enterprises o yung tinatawag nating AMIA Climate-Resilient Agri-Fishery Technology-based Enterprises (AMIA CREATE),” the CRAO director added.

As such, AMIA-10 held a Booth Display contest with the criteria: number of products displayed (30%), quality of products displayed (25%), landscape and display (25%), question and answer (20%).

Of which, Libona AMIA village of Bukidnon emerged as the first placer, followed by Manolo Fortich of Bukidnon and Magsaysay AMIA Village of Misamis Oriental, as second and third placers, respectively.

Meanwhile, select AMIA villages in its Phase 3 level of implementation also presented their best practices and adjudged with the criteria: productivity and income (30%), technologies and practices employed (25%), readiness to entrepreneurship (20%), ability to present (15%) and question and answer (10%).

Manolo Fortich AMIA village topped for the AMIA village Presenter Award, while Magsaysay, Libona and Baungon AMIA villages followed as the second, third and fourth placers, respectively.# (AMBM)

DA-10 helps capacitate LFTs on report writing.

Cagayan de Oro City – As the DA’s frontliners in delivering agricultural extension services to the farmers, the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) through its Various Production Support Services Unit (VPSSU) convened Northern Mindanao’s Local Farmer Technicians (LFTs) for a Report Writing Training on July 11-12, in this city.

In line with the DA’s sustained commitment to increase the country’s rice production, the LFTs were tasked to conduct farmer-to-farmer extension service at the grassroots level to promote the adoption of best rice farming practices in their community.

As one of the bases in planning and programming appropriate agricultural interventions for rice farmers in the region, the LTFs are required to submit monthly reports encapsulating the current farming scenarios in their community.

According to Marnelly Ann P. Flores, DA-10 VPSSU focal person, the reports submitted by the LFTs are crucial documents for the DA to craft appropriate policies to address pressing agricultural issues in the farming communities.

As part of the training, the LFTs were retooled in writing substantive reports of their field activities and accomplishments to comply with the DA-required data.

The LFTs were also apprised on Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) program of the DA to assist farmers’ associations, cooperatives (FCAs) in their locality in merging as clusters and engage in consolidated farm production and marketing modalities.# (ATT)

Agri-10 pours more than P45.9-M of agri assistance to farmers in Lanao del Norte.

TUBOD, LANAO DEL NORTE – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) headed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, together with the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), and the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), turned over various interventions to the different farmers and farmer cooperatives, associations (FCAs) of Lanao del Norte on July 5, here.

Under the National Rice Program, DA-10 turned over Fertilizer Discount Vouchers (FDV) to farmers from Kapatagan, Lala, Sapad, and Sultan Naga Dimaporo worth over P35.5-M. This forms part of the more than P50.4-M allocation for the said province, which will be benefited by 8,766 farmers.

Meanwhile, PHilMech turned over four units of four-wheel drive tractor with rotavator in the total amount of over P9.1-M to four FCAs in the province, namely: Cabasagan United Laborers and Farmers Association, Inc., Raw-an United Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative, and Darumawang – Ilaya Multipurpose Cooperative, all from Lala town, and to the Limwag Farmers Association of the municipality of Baroy.

ACPC also gave a credit fund for loan release worth P1-M to the Oryza Sativa Workers and Growers of Simpak Multipurpose Cooperative of Lala and loan assistance under the Agri Negosyo Loan program worth P200k to Rolando M. Atamosa from Kapatagan town.

In addition, PhilFIDA also gave 500 abaca seedlings worth P5k to Alen R. Ong of Baroy and four Modified Abaca Stripping Knives worth P40k to the Tambo Marketing Cooperative of the municipality of Munai.

The turnover was graced by ACPC Director Noel Clarence M. Ducusin, PHilMech Deputy Director Joel V. Dator with Engr. Edgar B. Testa, Mindanao A-cluster head, PhilFIDA Officer-in-charge Engr. Eugene N. Galela and Percy S. Salugsugan, fiber development officer, Lala Mayor Angel L. Yap, and DA-10 Provincial Operations Center Chief of Lanao del Norte Engr. Abdulharis P. Paporo.# (CRS)

Agri-10 provides fertilizer assistance to mitigate the impact of rising fertilizer prices.

VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON – To mitigate the impact of escalating fertilizer prices, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the helm of Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan launches its Fertilizer Discount Voucher distribution for this year, on July 5, this city.

Said fertilizer assistance program aims to distribute Php3.4K worth of fertilizer subsidy per hectare of area to eligible rice farmers.

For its first batch of distribution, Rice Program focal person Chona H. Nacalaban shared that around 2,109 farmers tilling 3,275 hectares from Valencia City, the largest rice-producing city in the province of Bukidnon, will be given Php11-million worth of fertilizer vouchers.

Rice farmers may choose between Urea (46-0-0) and Complete (14-14-14) fertilizer which can be claimed from their preferred DA-accredited merchants using their vouchers.

DA-10 eyes to distribute Php34-million during the wet season while a total of Php68-million has been allotted for 2024 for the city.

Beneficiaries are those rice farmers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) who have also received hybrid seeds from the DA and inbred seeds from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

Rice farmers in clustered areas may receive fertilizer support up to ten hectares while those in non-clustered areas may receive up to a maximum of five hectares.

For his part, Jose R. Panes, President of the Pulangi River Irrigation System Confederation of Irrigators Association (PRISCIA) shared, “We are thankful for the DA’s fertilizer subsidy program which will augment our fertilizer needs.”

Meanwhile, Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM relayed that the agency is thankful for farmers who keep on planting rice. She also assured them that the DA-10 will continue to have programs and projects that will help rice farmers’ production.# (AMBM)

NorMin’s DA and DTI eye for a collaboration to support the coconut farmers and industry of Balingasag town.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 continues to pursue efforts to better support the coconut industry in Northern Mindanao.

On July 3, at the agency compound, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan convened with the Department of Trade and Industry – Region 10 (DTI-10) headed by OIC-Regional Director Ruel B. Paclipan, to discuss the agency’s present thrusts to bolster the region’s coconut industry.

Recalling his experience and best practices leading to the establishment of an Integrated Coconut Processing Plant in Balingasag town, RED Pacamalan emphasized that the town’s coconut production could further improve with the various programs, projects, and interventions provided by the DA and other relevant government agencies.

To this, the agri chief executive proposed a collaborative effort between the two agencies to provide production support, establish support and processing infrastructure, and develop mechanisms for market research and marketing of various coconut-based products.

Said products include coconut oil, coconut flour, as well as coconut juice and milk, all of which are eyed to be commercially available and sold at economical prices.

DA-10 also eyes the strategic provision of funding support for infrastructure and equipment for coconut, as well as other commodities such as coffee and cacao, through the clustering efforts of its Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program, as well as through the enterprise development component (I-REAP) of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

Further, through the agri dept’s data digitization efforts, RED Pacamalan also proposed the collaboration between both agencies to generate agri-production data and other pertinent information to guide its development and co-implementation of support mechanisms for farmers and producers in region 10.

DTI, who spearheads market research for said commodity, has signified its support for the initiative, and agreed to meet with concerned technical staff of the DA to determine the ways forward, respective of both agency’s established programs and interventions.

Also joining the meeting were DTI-10 Chief Trade-Industry Development Specialist Maricris I. Gabia, Supervising Trade-Industry Development Specialist Jocelyn N. Rosales, and Senior Trade-Industry Development Specialists Jill E. Maestre and Kimberly A. Bacasma.# (GDA)

DA-10 provides veggie seeds to an Oro community.

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, continues its efforts to support local farming communities in Northern Mindanao through the distribution of vegetable seeds to various localities in the region.

On June 18, Luz I. Guzman, PhD, Field Operations Division chief, and High Value Crops Development Program focal person Kersten S. Pagalan, handed over 200 repacked assorted vegetable seeds to Christopher Ryan Bag-aw, representative from the Office of CdeO City Councilor Imee Rose P. Moreno, vice-chairperson and member of the committees on Education and Agriculture and Cultural Communities, respectively.

“Dako gyud kini nga tabang [sa mga mag-uuma] kay kini pod parte ni sa program ni Councilor Imee. Moadto siya sa bukid aron ihatag kini nga mga seed sa mga mag-uuma nga makapaminos sa ilang gastuhon sa pagpananum,” Bag-aw said.

(This is a big help for the farmers since this is also part of Councilor Imee’s program, where she goes to the countryside and distributes seeds to farmers that will enable them to plant at reduced cost.)

The DA-RFO 10’s seed distribution program directly contributes to the eight-point plan laid out by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. which aims to strengthen the region’s agricultural industry through strong partnerships with farmers, fisherfolk, and the private sector.# (JLPC)

DA-10 supports community vegetable production activities of Naawan town by providing assorted veggie seeds to MSU Naawan.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In a collaborative effort to revive and expand vegetable production in local communities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan has provided agricultural inputs to the Mindanao State University in Naawan, Misamis Oriental (MSU-Naawan) for their community development project.

Earlier today, on June 27, Senior Agriculturist Richan D. Lacanaria from DA-RFO 10 handed over assorted vegetable seeds to Mariefe B. Quinones, Director for Extension at MSU-Naawan for distribution to the farming communities of barangays Tagbalogo and Maputi.

According to Quinones, the project is an opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between Naawan’s farming communities and MSU-Naawan, which aims to rekindle their interest in vegetable gardening and assist farmers in their food production.

“These seeds are a huge help to our partner farmers’ associations as vegetable production in these barangays have significantly declined during the pandemic,” she said.

“We also envision for the farmers to sell their harvests at their respective barangay’s weekly market day,” Quinones added.

She furthered that they plan to showcase the farmers’ produce during their annual agency product expo.

Said collaboration also aligns with the vision of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. to strengthen the development of the agri-fishery sector under his nine-point plan, which emphasizes the crucial role of government offices working together to support local communities in a bid to achieve food security and sufficiency.# (JLPC)

ATI-RTC X through Dir. Echavez tackles the approaches and tools in agricultural extension delivery system during AEW Congress.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Aimed at empowering the grassroots in boosting and sustaining their production and income, the second day of the staged 2nd Agricultural Extension Workers (AEW) Regional Congress on June 14, continues to bring a series of plenary sessions for capacity enhancement of the same, including on the Basic Approaches and Tools in Extension Delivery System, here.

Hosted by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) under the headship of Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, Maria Lydia A. Echavez, center director of the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center X (ATI-RTC X) rendered the topic before over 400 participants, majority of whom are development partners of the DA, the agricultural extensionists from the different local governments and members of the Philippine Association of Agriculturists, Inc. (PAA) Pineapple chapter across Northern Mindanao, and some from other parts of the country.

At the helm of the bureau, which is the DA’s training arm, here in Region 10, Dir. Echavez said that over time, extension support services has seen the development of approaches and tools similar to that of technology, in the delivery of agricultural programs, services and interventions on the ground .

She detailed the major extension approaches, starting from the transfer-of-technology approach, which is characterized in the linear transfer of technology and information from research to farmers; to the educational, systems, commodity extension; and finally, to the farmer participatory extension approach, which is a more inclusive approach that focuses on participatory learning and involves the engagement of stakeholders.

In addition, she cited the tools in extension differing from mass media, demonstrations, training visit system, and drama/theater plays, and at the center of any of these tools to be employed, is communication, a core competency essential for the correct implementation of extension tools, she added.

“Tools should not be confused with approaches. An approach is a set of steps you take to achieve a goal and tools are what you use to take those steps.” Echavez said.

In the selection of an approach and tool, the director urged for the agricultural extension workers to factor in the connectivity of one’s target audience and their literacy, such as social capital, available resources, demographics and educational level.

Challenging however are the cost, capacity and time, the director conveyed, further emphasizing that the capacity of extension providers will determine which tool can be used.

To ensure success in the adoption of an approach and tool, she likewise underscored that one should look into its potential scalability by starting small and planning ahead for possible expansion and sustainability, accounting on how long a program will run and the availability of funds for such purpose.

“Be flexible in choosing your approaches and tools for implementation. Just be guided on what really is your goal and objective to properly identify the approaches and tools to be used in your assigned locality.” she pointed out.

Revolving on the theme: “Enhancing the Capabilities of the Agriculturists through Technological Innovation Addressing Climate Change and Sustainable Development”, other featured topics during the plenary sessions covered on Conservation Agriculture and Multi-strata Agroforestry System; Soil, Water and Nutrient Management: Practical solution to Mitigate Extreme Weather impacts; and Climate information System: tools for Resilient Agriculture.

Breakout sessions were also done with lectures on Rubber Leaf Fall Disease, Digital Information on Agricultural Biosystem Engineering Management Information System, Heirloom Rice Production, System of Rice Intensification, Palayamanan: Integrated Rice Farming System, Agro-Ecology Based Rice Farming, Adlai Production Technology and Marketing Opportunities, and Bulb Onion Production Technology in Northern Mindanao Environment.# (JLO)

Paraguya from Impasugong, Bukidnon bags national award from DA’s YFC program.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Leon Vincent O. Paraguya, owner of Waggling Cattle Enterprise receives P300K cash grant after being declared as one of the national awardees under the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Start-Up component 2023 of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

During the national awarding ceremony, held at the DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute in the Science City of Muñoz recently, DA Undersecretary for High Value Crops Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero delivered the message of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr.

“This event marks a significant moment for our agriculture community, working in agriculture is not easy yet the dedication has been instrumental in achieving the objectives and the essential needs of farmers and fisherfolk.

Today’s agricultural society has unveiled the positive outcomes and benefits brought forth by our new generation. To this batch of YFC awardees, establishing a business is one of the hardest things to do. Yet, you remain patient and tenacious throughout your journey in generating new products, services, production processes, and organizational methods for the development of your endeavors.” the agri chief conveyed.

For her part, Senator Imee Marcos said that she hopes that the YFC challenge will continue to thrive and prosper, expecting constant dealings, help, and affirmation that the Filipino farmer can afford to feed his or her fellow Filipinos as well.

“Ang mga batang magsasaka ang siya’ng good news ng agriculture. Mayroon pa rin mga kabataan na ninanais na manatiling mambubukid, mangingisda, processor at iba pang negosyante hinggil sa ating agrikultura,” the official added.

The YFC encourages young people to get involved in agriculture, agribusiness, and agri-entrepreneurship as agents and partners for sustainable development, and empowers young farmers and fisherfolk to be active partners in food security and agricultural development and modernization.# (MPMT/Photo credits: DA-AFID)