Geared towards the continuous production of farm animals, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turned over 18 heads of sheep to the local government units (LGU) of Misamis Occiental, earlier today, July 2, 2020.

The three modules with 1:5 male-female ratio per module, was handed to the three government offices of Misamis Occidental, Tangub City, Tudela and Panaon through their respective veterinary and agriculture offices.

DA-RFO 10 Livestock Program coordinator Ma. Lourdes M. Sypiecco shared, the said animals come from the agency’s production center, Malaybalay Stock Farm and will be used as stocks for the multiplier farms of said areas.

“The program aims to boost the livestock production which would translate to the provision of additional income for backyard raisers in the province, especially during these trying times.” she added.

Sypiecco further called for interested applicants of the multiplier farm project and encouraged them to submit project brief and letter of intent addressed to the DA-10’s Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado. # (AMBManto)

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon – To develop the agricultural sector in conflict-affected areas, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turned over three units farm tractors to the 403rd Infantry Brigade on June 25, 2020 in Impasugong, Bukidnon.

OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, DA-10 led the turn over of said machineries worth P7.470 million with accessories, 100 horsepower four-wheel drive farm tractors with trailing harrow, disc plow and trailer to Col. Ferdinand T Barandon INF (GSC) PA, Commander, 403rd Infantry (PEACEMAKER) Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

The tractors will be used by its Infantry Battalion units under its operational control, the 8th Infantry (DEPENDABLE) Battalion, 88th Infantry (MARINGAL) Battalion and 1st Special Forces (Anytime Anywhere) Battalion as its recipients.

RED Collado said, the assistance is in support to the agency’s thrust in increasing productivity and income and reduce poverty among the marginalized sectors in agriculture and fishery in pursuit of the country’s peace agenda.

Collado underscored the support is in line with Executive Order 70 signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte which aims to end local communist armed conflict.

Col Barandon stressed, the farm machineries will greatly help the production of farmers, including the army’s peace and order programs.

“Rest assured that these machineries will be maximized in helping conflict-affected areas into becoming productive and resilient communities,” he added.

Meanwhile, 8IB Commanding Officer LTC Edgardo V Talaroc, Jr INF (GSC) reminded the farmers, “There is only one government” and urged them not to be swayed by false promises of leftists.

Said turnover of machineries forms part of the P10 million agri-fishery assistance which DA-10 poured to farmers in barangays Kalabugao, Hagpa and Bulonay of said town. # (AMBManto)

June 26, 2020 – Banking on public-private partnership, at least 500 DA-assisted farmers in Miarayon, Talakag, Bukidnon rebounded after struggling with the COVID-19 setbacks.

The farmers who belong to an Indigenous Peoples community are now expanding their market reach, profitably supplying fresh vegetables produce to the neighboring regions.

“Because of the COVID-19 pandemic our farm products’ prices plunges so our sales drops. Thanks to unwavering support of the Department of Agriculture and our partnership with PITAC MPC, we were able sell our products in other region, for now in Butuan, but we have plan to penetrate Cebu, once our production can cope with the demand” Said Ryan Danio president of Miarayon Highland Farmers Association.

The Philippine International Travel Assistance Center Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PITAC MPC) is a financing institution based in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

The cooperative provides agri financing support to Bukidnon farmers.

Through DA-ACPC’s Sure Covid-19 loan, the company ably support the Miarayon farmers’ financing needs during the pandemic.

“Our engagement with the farmers associations in Talakag started last year, but we provided added support during this crisis. Right now we are helping them to sell their products in new marketplace” Ricky R. Chamen, PITAC MPC Special Project Manager remarked.

By partnering with PITAC MPC farmers in Talakag were able to sell 25 tons of carrots, cabbage, and potato at decent price, earning them not less than P400,000 sales in a month time.

The Miarayon Highland Farmers Association, Talaandig Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, Pagsabuwahan Ipalambo Sa Organisasyon and Talakag Potato Farmers Association form strategic alliance by consolidating their farm products for bulk selling to PITAC MPC.

With this scheme the farmers are assured their products will be sold profitably. “Our aim is to help the farmers engage not only in agriculture production but also to diversify into other forms of business ventures suited to their place.

We wanted the locals to benefit from the potentials of their place” Chamen added. Chamen disclosed PITAC MPC is presently helping Miarayon Highland Farmers Association to start their water refilling business.

He also shared the possibility of helping the farmers explore agri-tourism in Miarayon in the future. Vegetable farmers in Miarayon are recipients of several agricultural interventions from DA-10.

To boost their vegetable production the farmers are granted projects such as establishment of spring development irrigation system, provision of farm machineries and equipment, draft animals and high quality vegetable seeds.

The farmers are also technically assisted in the production and marketing of their products.

“Through DA-10 Kadiwa on Wheels the Miarayon farmers were able to sell their products directly to the consumers in Cagayan de Oro City amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Now we are glad to note that, despite the pandemic, they were able to expand their market, distributing their products to other regions” DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga accounted.

According to the director, Miarayon Highland Farmers Association is a model farmers group pioneering farm products consolidation in Northern Mindanao. The association is also one of only eight DA beneficiaries for Sustainable Potato Program in the country. The program is undertaken in partnership with the Universal Robina Corp. (URC) of which, the Miarayon Highland Farmers Association emerged as the top potato producers.

While grateful of the agricultural assistance and opportunities accorded to them by DA, moving forward the farmers are hopeful of DA’s continued support.

“Given our situation right now, we hope we can be assisted in terms of road construction in some remote production areas in our place. Having proper road will help us reduce the production costs. Also, we are looking forward to farming technology assistance from DA. This will be beneficial to keep us updated of modern farming methods” Danio shared.

A model farmer in Miarayon, Danio considered farmer’s ingenuity and dedication key to thrive amid this pandemic. “We should not fret of the crisis. This will pass. The DA will always be around to guide and help us” Danio concluded, assuring his fellows. #(ATalib)

To promote its advocacy on urban gardening amid the health crisis, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) harvests 5 kilos of pechay from its urban gardening project at the DA-10 office compound, earlier today June 30, 2020.

Spearheaded by its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), the pechay was planted on the first day of June and was harvested after 29 days.

It can also be recalled that the agency has also harvested ampalaya, cucumber, red and green lettuce earlier this month.

Other crops planted at the agency compound include ampalaya, upo, watermelon and lettuce – of which were planted using recycled materials.

Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado urged the public to adopt urban gardening as they can be assured on its safety as well as food security despite the ongoing pandemic.

He further encouraged the public to avail of the agency’s free vegetable seeds at the agency’s Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Laban sa COVID-19 desk.

As of June 29, the agency has distributed a total of 20,748 packets (802.212 kgs) assorted vegetable seeds.#

OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado of the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 modestly observed the DA’s 122nd founding year by holding the annual employees’ medical check-up inside its compound in Antonio Luna St., Cagayan de Oro City on June 23, 2020.

Following IATF guidelines, safety protocols were strictly imposed as 188 DA-10 employees underwent medical evaluation in DA’s regional office.

“Because we are all invested in our duties as frontliners, we might have sidelined our health. As we face this pandemic, we need to see to it our employees are healthy so that they can carry out their functions effectively” Director Collado said, substantiating the agency’s milestone by advocating its employees’ health.

The initiative is material to DA’s 122nd anniversary theme – ‘Agrikultura ang Pag-asa sa Kabila ng Pandemya’.

While coping with the new normal, DA-10 takes pride in Northern Mindanao’s agriculture vibrancy.

Notwithstanding the crisis, the region’s agriculture sectors remain resilient and productive, supplying major agri-fishery commodities to other regions in Mindanao, including Luzon and Visayas regions.

“Food security is, and will always be, our main priority as we strive to attain our goals of masaganang ani and mataas na kita for our farmers in the region. With the interventions and assistance we provided our clientele, I am certain we will soar high in our pursuit of attaining our objectives” Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga accounted.

The director underscored the agency’s effort in capacitating the region’s farmers and fisherfolk to cushion their ways of coping with the COVID-19 crisis, providing them numerous enabling agricultural interventions.

“We need to be proactive as we are heading towards new normal in agriculture. We have to be ready and grounded as we stretch our services, reaching out the unserved agriculture sectors in the region” Director Madriaga stressed.

Noting agriculture’s indispensability especially in times of crisis, Director Collado urge the region’s populace to engage themselves in backyard or urban gardening.

“With or without the pandemic, we need to grow our own food. Food security should start from home. By producing our own food, our family is assured of safe food, we can save our hard- earned income, and teach our children the importance of agriculture at an early age,” Collado emphasized.

Moving onwards, the director challenged DA-10 employees to live up to their duties as the region’s food security frontliners.

“We have crucial role in the country’s battle against the pandemic. With this I am prompting all DA-10 employees to stay safe!”# (ATalib)

Cagayan de Oro City, June 16 – Equally putting value on food safety amid the coronavirus contagion, the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry – Satellite Pesticide Analytical Laboratory here (BPI-SPAL-CdO) continues to monitor pesticide residue level of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and semi-processed products.

In support to the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10’s mobile market commonly known as Kadiwa which took off since the COVID-19 crisis, BPI-SPAL-CdO has collected 66 samples from the fresh fruits and vegetables being sold in said market for the period of April 15-May 20.

“Anchored on the Food Safety Act of 2013, we determine pesticide residues in agri products to protect local consumers from possible health hazards,” William F. Mugot, the officer-in-charge of BPI-SPAL-CdO remarked.

Priority commodities monitored include: tomato, ampalaya, pechay, eggplant, string beans and sweet pepper, as these are usually identified having pesticide residues, based on historical surveillance data, the agri official added.

“Historically, the data collected from them [Canitoan Farmers Cooperative], one of our Kadiwa exhibitors here, in barangay Pagatpat, show that pesticide residues were detected in their agricultural produce, but are found to be below the MRL,” Mugot revealed.

Shortly referred to as MRL or Maximum Residue Limit as defined by the Codex Alimentarius of the United Nations – Food and Agriculture Organization is the maximum concentration of a pesticide residue to be legally permitted in or in food commodities and animal feeds.

Every pesticide has its own MRL for every commodity.

“Samples taken from the Kadiwa are still pending, but they have already undergone preliminary processing and extraction procedures and are waiting for final Gas Chromatography (GC) analysis,” he explained.

Due to quarantine restrictions, there has been a challenge in sourcing out Ultra High Purity Gases (99.9999%) such as helium and nitrogen which are needed for laboratory instruments to operate, since suppliers in Manila imports them from China and Singapore,” he added.

Nevertheless, Mugot assured that generation of results will be out soon, come the availability of said gases.

“If the samples are negative, in one or two days, the results will be out. If tested positive, an additional confirmatory test is done to ensure the presence of pesticide residues and determine whether it has exceeded the MRL or not,” he guaranteed.

Mugot also emphasized that local government units (LGUs) play a vital role in food safety.

“As of now, the SPAL-CdO protocol is to send the results of analysis to the LGUs concerned for appropriate action. Should the agri produce of farmers contain pesticide residues above MRL, the LGUs would coordinate with the farmers concerned for interventions, such as trainings and information campaigns,” the agency head explained.

“We should understand that the MRL is a regulatory trade limit, such that, commodities with residues exceeding MRL means that the farmer did not follow the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in producing that particular commodity,” he added.

Meanwhile, he underscored that consumption patterns should also be taken into consideration in relation to MRLs.

“Say for instance, we have an MRL of a pesticide at 0.2 milligrams per kilogram (parts per million) for tomato and we were able to detect residue above the MRL at 1.0 milligrams per kilogram. This does not necessarily mean that our health is in danger if we consume the tomato, since we normally do not eat 1 kilogram of tomato every day and expectedly, we would not exceed our Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI),” he clarified.

“Additional processing such as washing and cooking would further reduce the risk and more importantly, we should also vary our diet of fruits and vegetables to minimize the risk,” he added.

Besides pesticide residues, Mugot also reminded consumers to similarly put premium on the physical and biological hazards on food by following practical tips, especially amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic: Regularly wash your hands with soap at least 20 seconds before and after holding objects; Wash thoroughly fruits and vegetables under running water before consuming or mixing them as ingredients in the preparation of food; Cook well the vegetables in order for microorganisms to die; and Ask someone else to prepare the food on your behalf, if you have a cough or colds.

Taken altogether, he pointed out would mean a big step in addressing potential health hazards on food.

For the same period, on top of the samples taken from the Kadiwa market, DA-BPI-SPAL-CdO have also taken 117 samples from the Bulua Vegetable Landing Area, 101 imported rice samples from Vietnam and Myanmar submitted by BPI-Plant Quarantine in support to the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law.

The DA-BPI-SPAL-CdO office and laboratory is located here in the city, at BPI Compound, Macabalan. It covers three regions, including Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula and the CARAGA Region. #

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, June 18 – As farmers continue to seek for promising corn varieties and technologies available in the market, seed companies have participated in DA’s corn derby and commenced planting using their respective protocols.

Richan D. Lacanaria, regional corn focal person, said that such initiative is housed at the agency’s research stations, the first being at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), while the Regional Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in Barongcot, Dangcagan will follow a week later, and in the Research Center for Hillyland Development on June 30.

“The derby will serve as a venue in featuring the different cultural management practices of corn varieties while allowing farmers to reach informed decisions in choosing varieties they might prefer to plant,” Lacanaria explained.

The generated results from the activity will be one of DA-10’s basis in the procurement of corn seeds and in coming up with location-specific recommendations for varieties, Lacanaria underscored.
Eight private seed companies will vie for the best performing corn variety to determine the highest yield and net income.

Participating are Bayer Crop Science showcasing the DK 8899S, DK 8719S varieties, Corteva-Pioneer (P4124YHR, P345YR), Syngenta (NK306, NK6505), Asian Hybrid Seed Tech, Inc. (J505, Supreme), RJR Agro-Industrial (Maharlika 8888), Bioseed (Biocom High Fly, B9909G), AMTRAC (Active 678), and Green and Grow Tech Company with its Maxicorn 201 and Maxicorn 701 varieties.

Each seed company is asked to plant two varieties (except RJR Agro-Industrial and AMTRAC) in a 437.50, 937.50 and 15,000 square meter area per variety at NMACLRC, RCUD and RCHD, respectively.

Besides providing the area, DA research stations will shoulder the land preparation activities and standard labor costs, while seed companies will be providing farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, including labor.

“The derby’s output highlight will be based on the actual harvest with an agreed moisture content at 14 percent and cost of production,” Lacanaria detailed, adding that such is anchored on the department’s battlecry of ‘Masaganang Ani, Mataas na Kita’.

Through the corn derby, DA-RFO 10 together with the seed companies can readily share data of various corn varieties across sites thru the promotion and eventual adoption among farmers. #

Cagayan de Oro City – At least 2,500 farmers and fisherfolk in Northern Mindanao whose livelihood adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are due to receive a total of P62.5 million loan assistance from the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC).

Under the Expanded Survival and Recovery (SURE) Aid Project or SURE COVID-19 financing program of DA-ACPC, marginalized farmers and fisherfolk may be granted a maximum of P25,000 non-collateralized, no interest financial loan payable in ten years.

Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) may avail a maximum P10 million as financing assistance. Said financing program was born on DA’s Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Kontra COVID-19 campaign.

The program grants special loan to COVID-19 affected farmers and fisherfolk, capacitating them to bounce back from the pandemic’s adversities.

The DA-ACPC financing assistance is primarily grounded on the goal of ensuring unhampered food production and increased food supply nationwide, amidst onset of COVID-19 crisis.

“Our farmers in the region are affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Due to strict community quarantine their livelihood were compromised, and we need to step up and maximize our efforts helping them come around the crisis,” said DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado.

“In April and May we have released a total of P185.4 million financial assistance to rice farmers in the region thru the Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers (FSRF) and Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA). Now we are aiming to assist more farmers through DA-ACPC loan assistance. This initiative will make our farmers to stay productive while coping with the pandemic,” Director Collado furthered.

The DA-ACPC started releasing the Expanded SURE Aid COVID-19 loan in May.

As of date, the council has released P15.4 million loan to individual farmers and fisherfolk, in the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental. “I am extremely pleased to be one of the qualified grantees of DA-ACPC SURE COVID-19 financing assistance. This is a big help for small farmers like us. With the loaned amount I will be able to purchase fertilizers for my banana farm,” Tomas Ermita, a farmer from Balingasag, Misamis Oriental exclaimed.

A total of 80 municipalities and cities in Northern Mindanao are covered by DA-ACPC SURE COVID-19 financing program. Starting this month ACPC will be in full swing, releasing the loan in all Northern Mindanao provinces, including Lanao del Norte and Camiguin.

“We are targeting to round up the SURE COVID-19 loan assistance in July. Although our time frame greatly depends on the LGUs’ responsiveness in submitting the list of qualified recipients. Our partner lending institution also have their protocols to observe in releasing the loans. Nevertheless, we are pretty much on track,” said Joan A. Vargas, ACPC Project Development Officer III.

In a report, Vargas disclosed ACPC also had released P31.5 million worth of financing loans to micro and small agricultural enterprises in Northern Mindanao through the Expanded SURE Aid and Recovery Project.

“We are hopeful this financing assistance of the government will benefit and help the farmers and fisherfolk in Region 10, especially in this time of crisis. This assistance hopefully enable them to recover and get back to their livelihood,” Vargas expectantly added.

The SURE COVID-19 financing assistance were released to farmers and fisherfolk through DA-ACPC accredited conduit lending institutions in Northern Mindanao: PITAC MPC, Mindanao Consolidated Cooperative Bank (MCCB), Lorenzo Tan MPC, 1st Valley Bank, Paglaum MPC and Bangko sa Balay Foundation, Inc.#(ATalib)

MUSUAN, Maramag, Bukidnon, June 19 – “Dako among pasalamat nga ang BUFFALO, TAMARAW, LIMUS ug BTL MPC na accredit na nga mag-uuma, pwede nami makadawat ug mga hinabang sa gobyerno pinaagi sa Department of Agriculture sa Region 10.

[We are grateful that the BUFFALO, LIMUS and BTL MPC is now an accredited farmer that qualify us to receive government assistance through the Department of Agriculture in Region 10.]

Said Winnie L. Loable, President of Bukidnon Free Farmers Agricultural Laborer Organization (BUFFALO) after receiving the farmer accreditation of BUFFALO, Tried Agricultural Movers Association of Rural Active Workers (TAMARAW), Land Tiller Inhabitants of Musuan (LIMUS), otherwise known as BTL, including the BTL Multipurpose Cooperative from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The accreditation was issued after the group has satisfactorily complied with all the requirements to be a beneficiary of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) or Rice Fund, pursuant to DA Administrative Order No. 09, series of 2019.

The three-year validity accreditation provides access of government services of the farmer-group.

Being enlisted in the Registry System for Basic Agriculture (RSBSA) and accredited by the DA would mean that the recipients of the program are legitimate farmers.

Accreditation provides easy access for the farmers and their groups to become partners of the department in its agriculture-related initiatives.

Created through RA 11203 or Rice Tariffication Law, RCEF is a government program, which aims to help farmers through the P10 billion tariff collection from rice imports covering seed, machinery, credit, and extension support to improve the competitiveness of the Filipino rice farmers.

Bukidnon third district representative Manuel F. Zubiri, who graced the turnover ceremony, said that the MOA executed between Central Mindanao University (CMU) and BTL affirmed the end of the 33-years conflict.

The MOA states that the CMU will help facilitate partnership with DA and other national government agencies in sourcing assistance to help alleviate the life of informal settlers.

Loable added, “Kami nalipay, kining tungora magsugod na ug lambo ang pang-ekonomiya ug pang-uma sa mga mag-uuma tungod kay naa nay tabang ang atong gobyerno.”

[We are happy that this is the start of the economic and farming progress with the government’s assistance.]

Aside from its accreditation, BTL also received 500 bags inbred certified rice seeds worth P760,000 from DA-RFO 10 in support to attain high rice production through high quality and resilient agricultural inputs.

BTL is tilling 400 hectares rice area in CMU with around 400 farmer-members.

“It is DA’s commitment to provide agri interventions to the farmer group,” said DA-10 OIC Regional Executive Carlene C. Collado.

The DA-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) will also provide access to farm rice mechanization program to reduce post-harvest losses aside from increasing their productivity.

Meanwhile, CMU President Jesus Antonio G. Derije mentioned, as part of the social responsibility of the university and humanitarian considerations, it also prioritized research, extension and production for total community development.

Rep. Zubiri added that basic goods and services which include potable water and electricity will be installed to improve the life of BTL.

TAMARAW President Joven M. Jugos and Evaresto Forten of LIMUS expressed their gratitude and optimism, for the first time they availed government services aside from being recognized as legitimate farmers.#(ATCabig)

Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental, June 18 – The Department of Agriculture in Region 10 (DA-10) has turned over agricultural inputs to Hinastriko (Higaonon Nababalay Sectoral Tribal Council of Lagonglong), an Indigenous People’s community in said town.

DA-10’s initial provisions of agri inputs worth P44,000 comprising upland rice seeds, open pollinated variety (OPV) white corn seeds, assorted vegetable seeds and knapsack sprayer were turned over to Datu Sulong Eglesio Granada Lutawan.

According to Datu Sulong, around 14,000 hectares agricultural land of the ancestral domain will be fully developed for food production with the agency’s interventions, benefitting around 2,000 tribal members.

The ancestral domain’s farm which is 9.5 kilometers from Poblacion covers three barangays, Banglay, Gaston and Umagos.

Earlier, the group availed vegetable seeds through the strengthened partnership between DA-10 and the 58th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army.

DA-10’s effort is in support with the President’s directive for a sustainable livelihood program for the members of the IP community in a bid to improve their living condition and fight poverty among their communities.

The agency’s program, Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo, known as 4Ks is a special project in advocating an enhanced provision of agricultural and fisheries related livelihood aside from investments and services to the Indigenous Cultural Communities.

4Ks aims to help IPs maximize the use of the ancestral agricultural lands and turn it into productive, profitable, self-sustained and developed resilient agricultural enterprises, as explained by OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado of DA-RFO 10.

Further, said initiative is in line with DA’s centerpiece program, ALPAS COVID-19 or Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat laban sa COVID-19 or otherwise dubbed as the Agri 4Ps (Plant, Plant, Plant program) that eyes to drum up adequacy in food production amid the ongoing health crisis.

Nilda B. Salas, DA-10’s Provincial Operations Center Chief for Misamis Oriental together with DA-10’s banner program and IP coordinators (rice, corn and High Value Development Crop Program) handed the agri inputs together with the Municipal Agriculture Office of said town.

The realization of the IP’s request is through the support and efforts of Senator Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go through the Department of Agriculture.# (A