CdeO City – In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Agriculture – National Dairy Authority (DA-NDA) procured P10 million worth of milk from its assisted-dairy farmers.

Said intervention is part of DA-NDA’s ‘We Drink Milk As One’ Program that aims to provide marketing support to local dairy farmers, at the same time provide frontliners with fresh and nutritious milk to help boost their immunity.

In Northern Mindanao, the DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) received 350 bottles at 350 ml per bottle of chocolate milk on September 18, 2020 at the agency compound.

Under this program, DA-NDA buys milk from local dairy farmers and processors and donates them to select frontline workers across the country.

Along with this, DA-NDA has set up milk outlets in DA’s Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita sites nationwide to provide a stable market for its dairy-partners and to help bring local dairy farmers’ produced milk closer to consuming households.

For the period April 29-September 3, DA-NDA through said program has provided 18,871.40 liters of milk sourced from 152 assisted local dairy farmers to 55,520 frontline workers for Region 10 alone. # (Irish Mae Juntahan)

TALAKAG, BUKIDNON, September 24 – To ensure food security and boost farmers’ income, Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado discussed with Talakag Municipal Mayor Vergito O. Factura to finalize the establishment of a Regional Food Terminal in the town.

Director Collado said, the P14 million worth trading post in Miarayon, Talakag, Bukidnon, will benefit local farmers, traders and residents of the municipalities along with its nearby towns, cities and provinces.

Municipal Agriculturist Liezl V. Barros added, this will significantly increase the profit of local farmers as the establishment of the food terminal eliminates the participation of middlemen.

Meanwhile, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Chief Chedy V. Ansale of DA-RFO 10 shared, Talakag has a potential production area of around 11 thousand hectares and is known for producing high value vegetables such as white potato, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce and coffee.

DA eyes to have the food terminal to be established and operational by 2021. # (AMBManto)

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, groundbreaks the Regional Livestock and Research Production Building at the Malaybalay Stock Farm in Dalwangan, earlier today, September 21.

Funded under the department’s Livestock Program, the P4.5 million worth two-storey building with a 200-square meter floor area will be constructed at the center of the MSF compound within the complex.

RED Collado noted, the event is historical noting no construction of buildings in the area since 1974.

He further encouraged the Research Division and other programs of DA-10 to study and propose other necessary projects or facilities to be constructed to fully utilize the stock farm on research activities.

Meanwhile,  DA-RFO 10 Livestock Program Coordinator Maria Lourdes M. Sypiecco shared, the structure will serve as a modernized landmark, where all advance technologies, as an output of the various livestock related researches will spring up, such as the Philippine Native Animal Development; breeder maintenance and distribution program; forage apiculture development, among others.

Witnessing the ceremonial event were the Regional Technical Directors for Research and Regulations, and Operations Carmelita T. Bajarla and Carlota S. Madriaga, and other DA-10 personnel.# (EMB)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In Northern Mindanao, the agriculture department together with the corn stakeholders and the provincial agriculture’s office of Bukidnon convened to tackle the low buying price of yellow corn on Friday, September 11.

Yellow corn buying price ranges from P9 to P11 per kilo, affecting the corn farmers in the region.

Engr. Alson Quimba, Bukidnon provincial agriculturist said, their province alone has 118,643 hectares of corn with a projected harvest of 382,000 metric tons from September to December based on the planted area with an average yield of 4.7 metric tons per hectare.

Carlota S. Madriaga, regional technical director for operations of DA-RFO 10 said, the dialogue is an avenue to discuss urgent solutions in addressing the concerns of corn farmers, aside from tracing the cause of low buying price.

Madriaga reported, imported feed wheat for Northern Mindanao is higher in the third quarter of 2019, compared to 1.57 MT of the same period this year.

No feed wheat importation for the months of August and September this year based on the report of the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry- Plant Quarantine Services in Region 10 (DA-BPI-PQS 10).

Feed wheat importation is higher in the first semester and third quarter of 2019 at 9.43 MT, while 9.9 MT of the same period this year.

Meanwhile, corn importation for the region in 2019 reaches to 87.742 MT from January to September, while this year’s corn importation of the same period is at 56.28 MT, mostly coming from Myanmar, USA, Vietnam, and India.

There is no imported corn for Northern Mindanao in September.

As part of the marketing assistance provided to the corn farmers, the DA 10 has linked the Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (MARBC) in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon to Pilmico Foods Corporation, and forged a tripartite agreement for an inclusive corn sourcing project since CY 2018.

Pilmico sourced a part of its corn requirements for its animal feeds business from the coop with a contract of 500 MT per week at a price ranging from P15-17 per kilo.

Some corn clusters in other areas in Bukidnon were assisted by MARBC to sell their corn produce to Pilmico.

Aside from Pilmico, DA-RFO 10 also linked the corn clusters to other feed millers which include San Miguel Corp., Anakciano Feedmill, CJ Philippines, and M. Montesclaros Farms Inc. with a buying price ranging from P12 to P14 per kilo.

Roderico R. Bioco of the Philippine Maize Federation, Inc. (PhilMaize) recommended the following to help the corn industry sector in the country: 1. the government should allow them to import corn with free tariff; 2. support for the guaranteed price of corn at P13.50 per kilo as mandated in the magna carta of small farmers or RA 7607; 3. allow NFA to procure corn in order to stabilize the market price; and, 4. allow corn export during harvest season to stabilize and prevent declines in corn farm gate prices.

Earlier, the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC-10) passed a resolution (no. 02, series of 2020) recommending to the DA, through the PCAF to further review and consider a tariff modification in support of the corn industry sector.

The resolution was endorsed to the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) – National Banner Program Committees for rice, poultry, livestock, and feed crops prior to its endorsement to the Tariff Commission and Department of Finance for consideration.

Bioco recommended, the tariff collected on imported corn should be returned to the farmers for the provision of funds, similar to rice on the implementation of rice tariffication law.

The group agreed, with DA as the lead to encourage local government units to access financial assistance from Land Bank of the Philippines to procure the produce of the farmers.

In DA-RFO 10’s Action Plan for Drop of Corn Price, Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado of DA-RFO 10, supported the recommendation of PhilMaize for the National Food Authority (NFA) to buy corn in helping stabilize current prices in the market.

Also, the DA-RFO 10 reinforced for the export of corn and postponing on the issuance of import permits during peak harvest so that farmers will not be affected.

On Tuesday, September 15, the DA-RFO 10 conducted a market matching, linking corn farm clusters in Bukidnon to various institutional buyers.

Feed millers presented their volume and accreditation requirements, mode of payment, and buying price.

Panchito A. Teruel, Manager of Bukidnon Farmers Inc. (BFI) Employees Agrarian Reform Coop (BEFCO) said, “We consolidate corn produce to help other corn farmers in Southern parts of Bukidnon. Government intervention is important to address the problem. This market matching would greatly help.”

BEFCO of Maray-Maray, Don Carlos, Bukidnon, is a consolidator of 13 cooperatives covering the municipalities of Don Carlos, Quezon, Kitaotao, Kibawe, Damulog and Kadingilan in Bukidnon.#

Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office handed over 90 bags of Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) white corn seeds worth Php135,000.00 to the 88th Infantry Batallion, 4ID, Philippine Army on September 17, 2020.

Captain Norven Jay A. Garcia said, the assistance will support the development of the agricultural sector and will help reduce poverty in response to the country’s peace agenda.

The assistance received will boost  corn production, as it can be planted to 90 hectares, in the municipality of  Quezon, Bukidnon.

The turnover was headed by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and assisted by Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga and Bukidnon Vice Governor Rogelio Quino. # (MGBS)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, September 13 – Northern Mindanao (NorMin) is still African Swine Fever (ASF)-free, measures are in place and carried out to impede the entry of such dreaded disease from the region, the agriculture department reported.

“Region 10 is still ASF-free, meaning it remains part of the green [protected] zone, where transport [selling or trade] of swine and pork products to any parts of the country is allowed,” Carlene C. Collado, DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) executive bared, in an episode of the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS)-X podcast with Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary, Jose Ruperto Martin M. Andanar.

With nearby regions, such as 11 and 12, now being ASF-stricken areas, the official noted, it is vital for NorMin to beef up its ASF preventive and control measures being the third largest swine producers in the Philippines, accounting an estimated total hog production of 52.23 thousand metric tons (liveweight) for first quarter, this year, and further save the region from incurring economic losses.

Even more so, that Arakan Valley in Cotabato, shares a border with that of Kitaotao, Bukidnon province, he added.

“We are particularly protecting Bukidnon, being the host of our great grandparent and grandparent stocks,” Collado explained.

Concerted initiatives are also being done in close coordination with the private sector such as NORMINHOG and OroVets.

Of whom, the director added, have been helping on the department’s information and education campaign efforts.

Among key messages reiterated in the info drive include, to avoid swill feeding to raised hogs, as these may be contaminated, to refrain from bringing in pork meat and its by-products from ASF-affected areas, to report unusual swine mortalities, and to patronize farmers’ local meat and its by-products.

“Recently, a legal training was also conducted for the provincial and city veterinarians, including quarantine station officers for apprehension, confiscation and filing of complaints for violators on [ASF] executive orders issued by the different local governments,” the agency head related.

Monitoring animal movement of all livestock coming from outside NorMin is also ongoing, he stated.

“We are also geotagging commercial and backyard swine farms to establish proper zoning [and movement] and for immediate response, should any ASF incidents be discovered,” Collado detailed.

Notwithstanding, ASF-triggered challenges to the swine industry, the agri executive, however, shared DA-RFO 10’s strides for the first semester amid the ongoing pandemic.

He reported that the agency extended about P184.9 million worth of financial aid to 28,674 farmers under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA), Financial Subsidy for Rice Farmers (FSRF) and Survival and Recovery Aid.

Through the agency’s Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita On-Wheels and Express, a total of 65,591 households have benefited while 66 farmer-suppliers were assisted, generating sales of almost P15 million, the agri-executive added.

In support to end local communist armed conflict, Collado further told its interventions, comprising the provision of farm machineries and equipment, dispersal of animals and other agri-inputs, to reinforce the implementation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ civil military operations.

“These [agri-interventions] are not only for the agri-development in their respective camps, but also in bringing services to those conflict affected barangays that are hard-to-reach by our agricultural extension services,” the director remarked.

Equally important as addressing the prevailing health crisis, DA-RFO 10 will continue to serve as food security frontliners, as it eyes to continue drumming up the level of food production across all commodities, including the alternative staple food crop, adlay, as it now gains ground in the region, Collado concluded. # (JLO)

VALENCIA CITY – The agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) together with the Local Government Unit of Valencia City, leads the groundbreaking of the P4.3 million warehouse on September 4 at Pinatilan, this city.

Said facility eyes to address the storage needs of farmers in the locality to house their farm inputs, equipment and harvest, for safekeeping and easier access to and fro the production area; thereby, saving on hauling and storage costs.

Funded by the department’s Rice program, the unit has a total area of 255 square meters with a 252-ton capacity, which can hold about 5,000 sacks.

“The farmers of Valencia are in need of agricultural infrastructure like this warehouse in safekeeping their seeds and other agricultural inputs to ease the operations in their farms,” Azucena P. Huervas, the city mayor said.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado shared, “This pandemic will not hinder the delivery of government services to the people, especially to our farmers. ”

Adding that the department cannot afford delays in the implementation of the different programs.

Further, he sought for LGU Valencia to help more farmer-associations in crafting resolutions and endorsements of their project-proposals targeting to advance agri-development of the locality.

Also witnessing the event were Provincial Operations Center Head of Bukidnon, Dr. Janet D. Lopez, Vice Mayor Policarpio I. Murillo, city councilors, Atty. Oliver Owen Garcia and Glen P. Pedoche, City Agriculturist Connie L. Dalangan, and other LGU and DA staff. #(JCGamboa)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – 10 (DA-10), headed by Regional Executive Director (RED) Carlene C. Collado, welcomed the incoming audit team leader (ATL) R10-34, Nashiba L. Macaraob of the Commission On Audit (COA) – 10, on September 7, at the agency compound.

Prior to her assignment at DA-10, she served as a team leader at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, CdeO branch.

In her message, COA – Regional Supervising Auditor Josie J. Rodriguez extended her gratitude to the department for its continuous cooperation.

On behalf of the department, RED Collado also expressed his gratitude to ATL Dahlia A. Dequito, Macaraob’s predecessor, who had her six-month stint with DA-RFO 10.

Her recommending measures were instrumental in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency’s operations.

Also present in this event were regional technical directors, Carmelita T. Bajarla and Carlota S. Madriaga, and the division chiefs of DA-RFO 10.# (EMBentulan)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In its continuous campaign to ensure food sustainability, Department of Agriculture (DA) came up with the Plant, Plant, Plant Program (Agri 4Ps) also known as “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Laban sa COVID-19” which aims to increase the country’s food adequacy level during this ongoing health emergency situation triggered by COVID-19.

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga handed over 2 packs of okra and 2 packs of eggplant seeds to TD Jones E. Betantos, Intelligence Admin NCO of Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battalion, 4ID, PA stationed at Camp Edilberto Evangelista, this city on September 4.

TD Betantos said, they are supporting DA’s Agri 4Ps program through their Commanding Officer Noli P Kanashiro, LTC, INF (GSC), PA.

“Our head of office has instructed the entire Philippine Army to support DA’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program through urban gardening insids our camp,” said Betanos.

He added, their team will benefit the seeds provided by DA that will provide them with food especially with the ongoing pandemic.

He further shared, each section inside their camp has developed a backyard vegetable garden, wherein they are required to submit activity reports including photo documentation on the plants’ development.

Said intervention is participated in by the different units and offices of the Command with an area of more or less 3,000 square meters to be planted with vegetables to ensure sufficient food for frontliners in this trying times.

Overall, DA’s provision of assorted vegetable seeds generates additional and economical food resources which helps address the country’s challenges on food productivity, availability, accessibility and affordability across all commodities. # (Irish Mae Juntahan)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Regional Management Committee (RMC) of the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies and bureaus in Northern Mindanao integrates its efforts in managing COVID-19 food resiliency.

Carlene C. Collado, Regional Executive Director of DA-RFO 10 and the RMC Chair disclosed during their meeting on September 2, Tuesday, the public has high expectations for DA, its attached agencies and line bureaus on the continuous food supply of agri-fishery commodities with the ongoing pandemic.

Addressing to the RMC members, Dir. Collado said, “We cannot afford to standby. We need to act, visit the field for the continuous implementation of our programs and projects even with the pandemic.”

Highlighting the agency’s focus on Plant, Plant, Plant Program or the Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) COVID-19, Director Collado noted, the CY 2020 funds were realigned, refocused to ensure sustained food production and availability, food accessibility and affordability amidst the threats of COVID-19.

He reported, as of August, this year, DA-RFO 10 has 70.28 percent financial utilization, covering its current and continuing funds.

Apart from the accomplishments, he also shared the challenges besetting the agri sector and the measures in addressing issues on African swine fever (ASF), fall armyworm (FAW), fluctuating prices of agri commodities, among others.

To date, Region 10 is still ASF free but DA and the PLGUs should not be complacent with its status, rather, strengthen its border protection and control against the dreaded disease.

Respective member agencies presented their updates, financial and physical accomplishments and 2021 targets.

Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga of DA-RFO 10 emphasized, the need for all RMC members to come up with their per district targets in preparation for the CY 2021 budget.

Composition of RMC in Northern Mindanao include NDA, NFA, PCA, PCIC, BAI-NVQS, BPI (PQS, NSQS, SPAL), BSWM, BFAR, NTA, PhilMech, PhilFIDA, FPA, ATI, NMIS, PCC, SRA and ACPC.# (ATCabig)