Aggie 10 to pilot rice-duck integrated farming in Camiguin

As an enabling mechanism for rice farmers to diversify their income sources, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Rice Program held a scaling-up training for Integrated Rice-Duck Farming System (IRDFS) for Camiguin farmers on December 10-13, in Mambajao town.

Some 40 rice farmers and 7 agricultural extension workers who attended the training were apprised of the concept and principles of Palayamanan System of rice farming.

Coined after the words “Palay” and “Kayamanan” the Palayamanan is a rice farming concept wherein rice farmers were encouraged to diversify, intensify, and integrate rice farming with the production of livestock, poultry, fish, and other crops for optimal farm productivity, efficient use of resources while reducing production risks like weather and pests.

As a practical Palayamanan concept, rice-duck integrated farming is advantageous to rice farmers since ducks are biological pest and weed control agents, while their manure fertilizes the soil. With their presence in the rice field, farmers can significantly cut costs on pesticides and fertilizers.

Mr. Mel Rey Mindalano, a rice-duck farming practitioner from Lala, Lanao del Norte imparted his expertise on rice-duck farm management, potential challenges, and control measures. The farmers were also apprised on simple bookkeeping for proper recording of their production and financial data for overall farming efficiency.

Similarly, the rice farmers were capacitated on mushroom production technology as a potential alternative source of income.

[Bahin aning rice-duck farming amu nakita nga makatabang siya kay mominus ang gasto labina na sa abono og ikaduha kaning recording dako kini og ikatabang kanamo mga mag-uuma, labi na aku kay aduna koy gigonitan nga asosasyon]

“We observed that the rice-duck integrated farming is very helpful for us to reduce production cost especially for fertilizer. Second, in terms of recording this is helpful for farmers, for me personally, since I have a hand in leading an association” said Domingo Cabantac, citing the importance of recordkeeping in farm operations.

Cabantac is the president of Provincial Federation of Irrigators’ Association in Camiguin.

The DA-RFO 10 is set to establish a 5-hectare demonstration farm to pilot the rice-duck integrated farming technology in the province come 2025 dry cropping season.3#(ATT Photo Credits: Rice Program)

SAAD-NorMin upskills MisOr farmers on crops-livestock good marketing practices

Cagayan de Oro City – To capacitate local farmers as active players of the food value chain, the Special Area for Agricultural Development Program – Northern Mindanao (SAAD NorMin) trained farmers in Misamis Oriental, on crops and livestock marketing.

Some 75 members of the SAAD Kalitian Farmers Association (SKFA) of the Kinoguitan town, Gregorio Pelaez Farmers Association (GPFA) of Gitagum town, and Mapua Farmers Agri-Ventures Association (MFAVA) of the Balingoan town, were upskilled on practical marketing strategies, financial management practices, and tips on branding and product positioning through Good Marketing Practices Training-Workshop spearheaded by the SAAD-NorMin’s Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED) Unit on December 10 to 12.

According to Mark Anthony Lagamon, SAAD-NorMin Operational, Planning, Budget, Monitoring & Evaluation (OPBME) lead, the training is part of SAAD’s capacity-building support to empower local farmers in marketing their own farm products at a higher rate of return.

The training focused on topics such as target market identification, effective pricing strategies, marketing plan preparation, and understanding consumer preferences designed specifically to aid the associations in managing the goat, corn or free-range chicken enterprise granted by SAAD as livelihood projects to the farmers.

“With this training we intend that our farmers will do away with the old mindset to simply produce farm products for daily sustenance. We wish to guide them to be business-minded farmers who think of farming as an investment” Lagamon said.

To effectively manage their projects, the farmers were also apprised on production cost management, product quality improvement and strategic marketing to help them gain higher income out of their produce.

[Mapasalamaton mi ani nga training kay makadugang kini ug kaalam sa saktong pagpamaligya, labi na sa among abot sa pagpanguma]

“We are grateful for this training as this enables us to acquire added knowledge in marketing, especially in selling our farm products,” said Fernando Ihong, SKFA President.

Consistent with its goal to address poverty incidence in the countryside, SAAD-NorMin is poised to foster sustainable agriculture by enabling marginal farmers to scale up their productivity, and engage in profitable agricultural enterprise in their respective community. # (ATT/Photo Credits: CMB)

SAAD-NorMin rolls out community-based agri-enterprise projects in MisOr

Granted as part of its vegetable and egg production livelihood projects, the Special Area for Agricultural Development Program – Northern Mindanao (SAAD NorMin) recently delivered various garden tools and farming materials to five farmers’ associations, cooperatives in the towns of Libertad, Binuangan, Kinoguitan, Sugbongcogon and Balingoan of Misamis Oriental.

Farmers in said localities received a total of 120 pieces shovel, 75 pieces weeding bolo, 90 pieces pick mattock, 90 pieces light hoe, 25 rolls garden hose, 75 pieces sprinkler, 90 pieces sickle, 60 packs egg tray, 15 rolls chicken net, 90 pieces waterer, and 100 pieces feeder in November this year.

Such assistance is expected to capacitate 125 marginal farmers to actively engage in local food production and agricultural enterprising activities as means for sustainable community-based livelihood.

“We believe that agriculture is fundamental to drive economic growth and self-sufficiency in local communities. By providing these essential tools, we are not only helping improve farming practices but also capacitate the farmers to generate sustainable income” said Mark Anthony Lagamon, SAAD-NorMin Operational, Planning, Budget, Monitoring & Evaluation (OPBME) lead.

Apart from vegetable and poultry-based projects, SAAD also support other agri-enterprise projects such as livestock and corn production projects. The farmers were also trained on integrated farming and value-added food processing to scale up their livelihood across the value chain.

As a social development program of the DA designed to reduce poverty incidence in rural areas in the country, SAAD is being implemented in a total of 26 5th and 6th class municipalities across four provinces of NorMin – Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte.# (ATT/Photo Credits: CMB)

DA-10 bolsters law students’ green initiative

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In its commitment to champion community welfare through urban gardening, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), supported the Annual Christmas Outreach Program of the Liceo de Cagayan University Law Student Organization.

The agency donated 10 packs of vegetable seeds and 10 hand trowels, which were handed over Monday, December 16, by the HVCDP focal person Kersten S. Pagalan, together with Senior Agriculturist Richan D. Lacanaria and Agricultural Technician II Jesie S. Virtudez to third-year Liceo law student, Norjehan O. Carim.

According to Carim, the said provision from DA along with other donations amassed by their organization, will benefit various groups, including persons in detention and rehabilitation centers, seniors in care facilities, and individuals with mental health diagnoses in wellness centers in Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.

“[We] are very grateful to the DA for being so approachable. They extended their support to schools that share the same initiatives. These interventions will not only provide beneficiaries with meaningful tasks but also help them contribute to their community through gardening” Carim said.# (BJCE)

DA-10 fosters organizational unity, camaraderie to celebrate yuletide

In celebration of the yuletide, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through the initiative of the Department of Agriculture Employees’ Association (DAEA-10) hold its annual Belen Lighting and Christmas Lantern Hanging Ceremony Monday, December 9, at the DA-10 Compound in Cagayan de Oro City.

The activity was organized with the support of the DA-10 Management Committee to spur unity, compassion and empathy among the DA-10 personnel, as the agency espoused renewed commitment to Drive, Engage, Elevate, and Pioneer inclusive and sustainable agricultural development in Northern Mindanao.

In her message, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca enjoined the agency’s workforce to invoke the Christmas spirit by fostering camaraderie with one another and rejoice in the holiday celebration notwithstanding the pressures and struggles faced at work and daily life.

As a display of love and care, each DA-10 division purchased lanterns made by inmates of the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail to add color to this year’s yuletide celebration. (ATT Photo Credits: MAC/EJLG)

DA-10 promotes compliance with agri-fisheries machinery regulations via PTO Issuance

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) continuous its efforts to streamline compliance with regulatory standards of the agricultural and fisheries machinery through the issuance of Permit to Operate (PTO) to Manufacturers, Fabricators, Assemblers, Distributors, Dealers, Importers, and Exporters (MFADDIEs).

In an episode of Usapang Agrikultura aired via Radyo Pilipinas DXIM on December 11, Engr. Liezel D. Sios-e, head of the Accreditation and Registration Unit of the DA-10’s Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED), discussed the “Guidelines on the Registration and Issuance of PTOs for Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery MFADDIEs”.

Pursuant to sections 20 and 24 of Republic Act No. 10601, otherwise known as the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law, the agency’s Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) issued DA Department Circular No. 04, Series of 2019, the said discussion, to implement the provisions of the said Act.

Engr. Sios-e said that a PTO with a five-year validity, is a privilege granted to MFADDIEs that have successfully met the evaluation, inspection, and review standards set by the BAFE and RAED, which is a mandatory requirement in government procurement with the DA. Thus, PTO holders are allowed to manufacture, fabricate, assemble, distribute, deal, import, and export agri-fisheries machinery.

She emphasized that the issuance of PTOs is vital, generally, to regulate businesses, ensure fair trade practices, and to prevent misconduct within the agri machinery industry, and safeguard consumer interests by ensuring good and quality agri-fisheries machinery as well.

A nonrefundable fee of PhP6k is required for both the initial application and renewal of a PTO.

Interested applicants must submit to RAED the duly accomplished Application and Product Listing forms, valid Business/Mayor’s Permit, a location map of the establishment, brochures and technical specifications of product lines, and official receipt of the application fee. Additionally, photocopy of registration certificate must be provided depending on the type of business structure of an applicant.

To expedite the process, the unit head advised applicants to ensure all required documents are complete before submission. Regional applicants should transact with their respective RAED offices, while those from the National Capital Region (NCR) should directly file at the BAFE. Engr. Sios-e added that the RAED will conduct an initial review of the applications to verify the completeness of the submitted documents and shall endorse only the complete applications to BAFE. The BAFE, then, shall review the veracity and authenticity of the documents submitted.

To ensure compliance, a joint inspection team composed of representatives from RAED and BAFE will conduct an on-site validation and evaluation to check the facilities and products declared by an MFADDIE, she detailed.

Following the thorough evaluation, verification, inspection, and approval process, and upon payment of the necessary fees, the BAFE will issue the PTO. Post-issuance monitoring of PTO holders, however, will be conducted by BAFE or RAED at any time, with or without prior notice, to establish ongoing compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit, she furthered.

As of October 1, 2024, 24 companies in Northern Mindanao have been granted PTOs according to the national registry of MFADDIEs by BAFE.# (BJCE)

For more information, tune in to Usapang Agrikultura via Facebook live.
For the complete list of requirements, refer to the BAFE Guidelines and Manuals.

DA-10, PHilMech boosts rice mechanization efforts in Buk’non

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON — Aiming to increase the productivity and crop yield of rice farmers, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO10) through its attached agency, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), staged a provincial turnover and agricultural machinery distribution for the province of Bukidnon on December 11, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan, here.

This initiative falls under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) mechanization program, created through Republic Act No. 11203, otherwise known as the Rice Tariffication Law, promulgated to ensure food security and make the country’s agriculture sector viable, efficient, and globally competitive.

85 units of various production and postharvest machinery and equipment amounting to PhP160.81-million were awarded to 45 qualified farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) and local government unit (LGU) beneficiaries in Bukidnon province.

The distributed rice machinery included 21 units rice combine harvesters, 19 units four-wheel drive tractors, 10 units power take-off driven disc plow and floating tiller, 8 units of single pass rice mills, 7 units levee makers, 5 units recirculating dryers, and 1 unit Rice Processing System II.

Said beneficiaries are registered rice farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) with active members and must be accredited by the DA, along with the submission of a letter of intent and resolution from an FCA stating the need for farm machinery.

As counterpart, the agri machinery recipients are expected to adhere to the project’s objectives and operate within the prescribed model. In addition, they are required to provide a shed for the availed machinery, at the same time ensure its sustained functionality.

Supporting the event were DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, Valencia City Mayor Azucena P. Huervas, Mindanao A Cluster Head Edgar B. Testa, Acting Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon, Senator Cynthia A. Villar Representative Edna Jangao, and other officials and staff of different LGUs and DA-10.# (EJLG/with reports and photos from Engr. Ian Madjus)

DA-10 recognizes Halal industry dev’t partners

ILIGAN CITY – In recognition of advancing the agency’s Halal program, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan recognizes the City Government of Iligan for the institutionalization of Ordinance No. 24-7458, also known as the Comprehensive Halal Ordinance of the City of Iligan, on December 9, here.

Entitled “Instituting the City of Iligan Halal Industry Development and Promotion, Requiring the Segregation of Halal Products from Non-Halal/Haram Products in Businesses and Establishments Selling or Involved in the Sale of Halal Products through Halal Lanes, Establishing the Iligan City Halal Council, and for Other Purposes,” the said ordinance reinforces the department and the city’s collective drive of regulating business establishments that are involved in the processing, production, marketing, selling or offering of Halal products within the locality.

This is also aligned with Republic Act No. 10917, otherwise known as the Philippine Halal Law.

As development partners, DA-10 led by RED Pacamalan together with Lanao Norte Provincial Operations Center chief, Engr. Abdulharis P. Paporo, who concurrently serves as the alternate Halal focal person, presented plaques of recognition to Iligan City Mayor, Frederick W. Siao; Co-Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and author of the Halal Ordinance, Atty. Maria Paz Teresa V. Zalsos, CPA; City Agriculturist, Marie Ann J. Beley; and Agriculture and Fisheries focal person Kevin R. Fernan, for their support and commitment to sustainable and inclusive agricultural development.

Under its Halal program, the DA-10 aims to further develop the Halal industry by partnering with local government units and other stakeholders through the conduct of trainings and seminars, establishment of Halal facilities, provision of Halal Certification assistance, among others. # (MAC/Photo supplied)

Cadayunan abaca farmers receive P9.1-M worth of DA-PRDP enterprise

ILIGAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10), through its Enterprise Component (I-REAP) officially handed over the Abaca Fiber Processing and Marketing Enterprise to the Cadayunan Tribal Farmers Association (CaTriFA) on December 9, in this city.

The enterprise, worth P9.1 million (M), includes a delivery truck (P2.09-M), a hauling tractor with trailer (P1.94-M), baling machine (P1.3-M), spindle stripping machine (P800K), decorticating machines (P600K), weighing scale (P140K), and raw materials worth P2.2-M.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director and DA-PRDP 10 Project Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan expressed optimism that through the said intervention would yield significant benefits for CaTriFA members, given the continued strong demand for abaca fiber.

“We believe this intervention is necessary for the proponent group because the demand and buying price of abaca is still high to this day. I hope that through this intervention, your cooperative will continue to be operational and prosperous.”

CaTriFA President Marlyn M. Cubaynon, highlighted the timeliness of the intervention, emphasizing its potential to boost their productivity and profitability.

She added, “Currently, we can only deliver a small volume of abaca fiber, but with this support, we can significantly increase our market deliveries and benefit from the high buying price.”

Cubaynon also expressed gratitude to DA-PRDP and the City Local Government of Iligan for their assistance which could greatly help the abaca farmers in their community.

The abaca fiber processing and marketing enterprise turned over to CaTriFA is funded under the Second Additional Financing with EU Co-financing Grant (AF2-EU). #

DA backs Oro’s solo parents urban gardening drive

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — As a way of encouraging civic group’s involvement in advocating urban food production, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) supports the community garden project of Barangay Consolacion Solo Parents Association (BCSPA).

Recently, DA-10 Senior Agriculturist Richan D. Lacanaria and HVCDP focal person Kersten S. Pagalan handed over 30 packets of assorted vegetable seeds, 5 pieces light hoe, 3 pieces shovel, 4 pieces sprinkler and 10 pieces seedling trays to Rubelyn B. Lumbab, BCSPA president.

According to Lumbab, the BCSPA is an association of 38 solo parents who decided to establish a community garden to make use of their time productively since most of their members are stay-at-home parents.

“Having a garden will help us provide fresh vegetables for our children and an added source of income by selling our extra harvest.” Lumbab said.

She added that their group is maximizing the use of an idle space in their locality as a communal garden, while other members are employing pot gardening methods.

As food sufficiency is a shared responsibility of the government and private stakeholders, the DA welcomes any form of partnership and collaboration advocating self-reliance and self-sustaining food production initiatives at the community level.# (ATT)