DA-10 supports Oro law students’ urban gardening campaign

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Aiming to extend its services to small-scale agricultural initiates, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), turned over an assortment of vegetable seeds and gardening tools to law students’ organization of the Liceo de Cagayan University School of Law in support of their pursuit to reach out to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) at the Cagayan de Oro City Jail in the spirit of the holiday season.

Led by DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD, and Agriculturist ll Ronald Allan P. Camaddo, 10 packs of garden salad vegetable seeds and 10 pcs. of hand trower were handed to the said organization on December 16 at the DA-RFO 10 compound.

The said provision is seen to aid the PDLs in their food gardening project as part of the reformation activities of the correctional.

In line with the DA’s plans and program in achieving food security for the Filipino people, the agency continues to boost agricultural production at the community level by supporting civic groups that share the same green initiatives.# (EJLG)

DA-10 bolsters agri productivity in Buk’n town with P12-M worth agri infra projects

SAN FERNANDO, BUKIDNON — In a bid to increase agricultural productivity in the region’s rural towns, the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) recently turned over three agricultural infrastructure projects amounting to more than P12 million (M) to the Local Government Unit of San Fernando, Bukidnon.

In a turnover ceremony on December 18, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan handed a certificate of turnover for P7.4-M worth of Solar-powered Irrigation System (SPIS) to San Fernando Municipal Mayor Rogelio C. Yeke, and Barangay Captain of Cayaga, Noel R. Espares, in the presence of Municipal Agriculturist, Coleen Alva C. Ambos.

Funded under DA’s Rice Program for FY 2024, the SPIS, with a solar array of 80 panels and pump power of 22 kilowatts (kW), can service up to 20.5 hectares of rainfed rice production area.

This configuration, Espares said, benefits local farmers by ensuring easy access to irrigation, ensuring optimal cropping intensity and yield, higher productivity, and increased income.

“In the past, water used to be sourced from the creek, making our farming dependent on days when there is heavy rainfall to meet our needs for sufficient irrigation. Our farmers will largely benefit from this solar-powered pump provided to us by the DA,” he said.

Also funded by the same program under FY 2023, the DA-10 also turned over the improved and rehabilitated Candelaria Diversion Dam worth P4.5-M, to the Candelaria Balongkot Irrigators’ Association, through its chairperson Ben C. Cayang.

The improved 500 meters diversion dam located in Sitio Riverside, spanned across 60 hectares agricultural production areas, paving the way for increased productivity of farmers in the vicinity.

On the same occasion, the DA-10 turned over a 180-sqm nursery worth P496.95K to the Organisasyon sa Nagkahiusang Ipalambo ang Katawhan ug Kinaiyahan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ORGANIKK MPC), through its chairperson Nicolas T. Filipino. The said project is funded under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan.

Situated in Barangay Halapitan, the said nursery boasts a capacity to house over 20 to 30 thousand coffee and cacao seedlings and is seen to benefit the organization’s membership of over 200 coconut farmers.

“Prior to the establishment of this nursery, our group did not have a set area to grow seedlings provided to us by the government. Now, our group can comfortably grow seedlings here, and we can ensure the success of the projects provided to us by [the government], especially since we are also eyeing the intercropping of coffee and cacao in the future,” Filipino said.

The activity was graced by Sangguniang Bayan Agriculture Committee chairperson Dante C. Dy and SB member Richard Taboclaon.

Also present are Engr. Arlene Almo of the DA-10 Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center and Engr. Romil G. Española, Project Management Section chief of the DA-10 Regional Agricultural Engineering Division.# (GDA)

DA-NorMin highlights Local Farmer Technicians’

roles in streamlining rice extension services

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-NorMin) recognized the imperative roles of Local Farmer Technicians (LFTs) as front-runners in streamlining its rice program extension services in Northern Mindanao.

On the December 16 episode of the “Usapang Agrikultura” of Radyo Pilipinas 1 DXIM, Marnelly Ann P. Flores, Agriculturist II of the DA-RFO 10’s Field Operations Division, underscored the indispensable roles of the LFTs in augmenting the delivery of agricultural extension services to rice farmers, given the country’s limited Agricultural Extension Technicians (AET), which has a ratio of only 1 to every 150 barangays (1:150).

In corollary, the DA developed the concept of farmer-to-farmer extension modality by tapping the LFTs as its key partners in fortifying agri-developments, to top up the limited AETs in the local government units (LGUs).

According to Flores, the LFTs facilitate the adoption and replication of advanced rice production technologies in the local communities such as the Integrated Rice-Duck Farming System (IRDFS).

Among their responsibilities, the LFTs also assist in the implementation of Rice Program interventions, including the enrollment of farmers in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), the distribution of rice seeds, fertilizers, and other DA provisions, collection of pest incidence data, and the monitoring and validation of crop damages caused by pests, typhoons, and other calamities, along with other assigned duties.

Flores emphasized that, as stipulated in Memorandum Order No. 007, Series of 2024, the DA-NorMin provides the LFTs a Php 4,000 monthly performance incentive (Php 48,000 annually), contingent on the submission of a monthly accomplishment report duly approved by their local agriculturist.

In coordination with the municipal, city, and provincial agricultural offices, the DA will select LFTs who graduated in rice-related training/s and are engaged in cultivating or managing a rice field. Additionally, they must be members of an Irrigators’ Association, registered in the RSBSA, and endorsed by their Local Chief Executive (LCE).

Moreover, selected farmers must be willing to share their knowledge and experience in rice farming and are also willing to undergo appropriate training, briefings, and orientations. The DA-NorMin coordinates with the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 10 (ATI-RTC 10) to ensure that all LFTs undergo the required training.

Further, Flores stressed the importance of communication skills for LFTs.

“The LFTs need to be physically fit, have good moral character, and, of course, good communication skills. Relational skills are essential for LFTs as they mobilize the delivery of information and services to their fellow rice farmers in their locality.”

LFTs will serve for one year based on the guidelines stated in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the DA, LGU, and the LFTs. However, the re-appointment can be done every year upon the approval of the Municipal Agriculturists based on their performance and qualifications.

In 2025, DA-NorMin will contract 84 LFTs across the five provinces of Northern Mindanao, 43 of them from Bukidnon. This reflects the strategic allocation of LFTs based on the size of rice farms in the areas.

Interested farmers who wish to become LFTs can visit their municipal, city, or provincial agricultural offices for more information.

The “Usapang Agrikultura” airs Monday to Friday from 5 to 6 A.M. to provide Filipino farmers with the latest updates and innovations in agriculture.# (BJCE)

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)