R-10 NOMINEES FOR OUTSTANDING AFC CHAIRPERSONS EVALUATED FOR NAT’L SEARCH

Cagayan de Oro City – Outstanding AFC chairpersons in Region 10 were evaluated for the Philippine Council for Agricultural and Fisheries (PCAF)’s search for Outstanding AFC Chairpersons and Coordinators on August 6-9, 2018.

In line with this, Region 10 nominees for the said search Edgardo D. Layug, chair of the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC), Mario S. Jamis, chair of the Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) of Misamis Oriental and Marcelino M. Patindol, chair of the Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council (MAFC) of Claveria, Misamis Oriental were evaluated by the National Technical Committee (NTC).

The said awards, due for December this year, aim to give recognition to the individuals in the private sector who have shown excellent performance in the development of the agriculture sector. # (AMBManto, DA-RFO10)

DA UPDATES STAKEHOLDERS ON CORN, CASSAVA PESTS

To keep stakeholders informed about the different pests that may threaten the corn and cassava industry in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Regulatory Division conducts a two-day Training and Updates on Corn and Cassava Pests Identification and Management, starting on August 7, 2018, here in Cagayan de Oro.

In her message, Regulatory Division Chief Juliet B. Araos stated that the said activity is in line with the mandate of the Regulatory Services which is to keep the region from pest outbreaks.

Further, she said that the training aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of the attending agricultural extension workers (AEWs) and farmers in handling pests on corn and cassava, especially amid climate change.

Topics covered during the course of the activity include Pest Identification and Management on Corn and Cassava as well as an Introduction to Monitoring Forms and Protocols. # (AMBManto, DA-RFO10)

BAFS CONDUCTS CONSULTATIVE MEETING FOR DRAFT PNS ON GAHP FOR DUCKS, FREE RANGE CHICKEN

The Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) assisted by the Regulatory Division and the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) staged a Public Consultative Meeting for drafts on the Philippine National Standards (PNS) on Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) for Ducks and Free Range Chicken, Chicken Cuts and GAHP for Hatchery from August 7-9, 2018 in the city of Cagayan de Oro.

Regulatory Division Chief Juliet B. Araos stated that the PNS will then be used as the basis for the GAHP certification protocols. She further explained that farms will be certified through the creation of the certification protocols and that this will be beneficial to the poultry sector in the region, which is also one of the top producing poultry region in the country, as it will give them an edge in the market since the certification is a guarantee that their products are of good quality and safe for consumption.

Attended by around 40 livestock practitioners in the region, the participants solicited comments and suggestions on the PNS drafts which will then be consolidated for its finalization. The consultative meeting is said to be the last of the series, in which two previous meetings were held in Luzon and Visayas. # (AMBManto, DA-RFO 10)

R-10 FINALIZES ENTRIES FOR CORN, CASSAVA AWARDS

The Regional Search Committee gathers for the final evaluation of region 10’s nominees for the National Quality Corn Achievers Awards (NQCAA), Cassava Cluster Management Excellence Award (CCMEA) and Cornupia Awards, on August 6, 2018 in the city of Cagayan de Oro.

During the event, scrapbooks of the nominees were evaluated for endorsement to the National Search Committee. For the NQCAA, a total of 24 nominees were endorsed, comprising of 18 agricultural extension workers (AEW), three (3) local government units, one (1) corn coordinator, one (1) city agriculturist and one (1) municipal agriculturist. For the CCMEA and Cornupia awards, two (2) farmer organizations were each nominated for both categories.

Meanwhile, the said awards aim to give recognition to the local government units and farmer organizations who have shown excellent performance in the development of the corn and cassava sector in their respective areas. # (AMBManto, DA-RFO10)

MISOR RESIDENTS BENEFIT FROM SEEDS DISTRIBUTION DURING SERBISYO CARAVAN

Residents and farmers benefit from the free seeds distributed by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) during the conduct of the ‘GO Serbisyo para sa Bayan’ caravan on July 13, 2018 held at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Capitol in Cagayan de Oro City.

Around 360 packets of 5-in-1 vegetable seeds (Ampalaya, Eggplant, Okra, Sitao and Squash) were given by the agency through its Provincial Operations Center of Misamis Oriental.

A raffle was also held, in which 14 farmers each received one (1) bag of 20 kg Open Pollinated Variety corn seeds while 10 farmers each received one (1) bag of 40 kg certified rice seeds.

Aside from seeds, farmers also availed of the free information, education, communication (IEC) materials displayed at the booth.

The GO Serbisyo para sa Bayan served as a venue for the public to avail of the free services offered by the different national government agencies. # (AMBManto)

DA-10 Supervising Agriculturist Luisito S. Ofngol discusses the effects of aflatoxins and how it can be prevented during the training for PHILGAP for corn and certification protocols.

DA-10 STAGES TRAINING FOR PHILGAP FOR CORN, CERTIFICATION PROTOCOLS

Cagayan de Oro City – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) staged its three-day training on Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PHILGAP) for Corn and Certification Protocols on June 25-27, 2018 in the city.

The Regulatory Division of DA-10 spearheaded the activity with an aim of imparting knowledge regarding the concepts and principles of GAP, its protocols and certification, food safety act of 2013 and the prevention and control of aflatoxins, which was attended by corn farmers and Agricultural Extension Workers from region 10.

Apart from the discussions, the training also included a mock inspection at Mantibugao, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon in which the participants were able to go through the checklist for GAP application.

“We expect that through this training, farmers may be encouraged to apply for a GAP certification,” said Christine Jane L. Quiamco, agriculturist II of DA-10. She added that since GAP certified farms follow a set of standards, the certification is a guarantee that their products are safe for consumption and of good quality. # (AMBManto, DA-10)

DA-10 INFOCAR WRAPS 5TH LEG IN BUKIDNON

In line with its advocacy of updating farmers and fisherfolk about the programs, projects and services in the agriculture sector, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO10) finishes its last leg of Information Caravan in the province of Bukidnon on June 22, 2018.

Spearheaded by the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) in collaboration with DA’s attached agencies and bureaus and the provincial agriculture and veterinary offices of Bukidnon, around 200 farmers and fisherfolks gathered for the conduct of the event.

Anchored on this year’s theme, “Pagpanguma ug Pagpangisda alang sa Kalambuan sa Panginabuhian,” the said event featured a series of discussions by the representatives of government agencies such as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), National Dairy Authority (NDA), Philippine Crops Insurance, Corp (PCIC), National Irrigation Administration and the National Food Authority (NFA). After which, an open forum was conducted for farmers to voice out their issues and concerns.

Prior to being held in the province, the activity was also conducted in the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin and Misamis Oriental. # (AMBManto, DA-RFO10)

AGGIE DEPT TRANSFERS PHP12.41-M FUND FOR OZAMIS CITY’S AGRI-FISHERY PROJECTS

The development of the agri-fishery sector in Ozamis City will soon enjoy a big boost with the Php12.41-million worth of checks turned over by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), today, June 18, 2018 at the agency’s compound, in the city of Cagayan de Oro.

Funded under the Bottom-Up Budgeting program, the amount transferred will fund the following projects: Slaughterhouse Building Repair and Upgrading of Facilities (Php3M), Establishment of Village-Type Post-Harvest Facilities (Php3M) and Mechanical Dryer (Php600,000), and the Construction of Palay Shed (Php450,000).

Portion of the funds will also be apportioned for infrastructure support to agri-production, comprising of 1 unit farm tractor (Php2.04-M), 4 units rice thresher (Php572,000), 4 units hand tractor (Php488,000), rice planter (Php350,000), 5 units rice cutters/harvesters (Php110,000), and 2 units drum seeder (Php50,000).

Other set of projects that would round up the total amount transferred include the Rehabilitation and Expansion of Goat and Poultry Multiplier Farm Livelihood and Dispersal Project (Php1-M), and Seaweeds Dispersal Project (Php750,000).

Handing over the checks is agency head DA-RFO 10 OIC-Regional Director Carlene C. Collado, CPA, which was received by the Local Government Unit of Ozamis City through Alma V. Toledo, city treasurer, William Thomas N. Abinales, officer-in-charge city agriculturist, Easy Xaflavaire Hope Emperio, officer-in-charge city accountant, and support staff. #

Farmers raise questions during the open forum session of the Camiguin leg of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10)’s Information Caravan 2018 last June 7, 2018.

DA-10 LAUNCHES 3RD LEG OF INFOCAR 2018 IN CAMIGUIN PROVINCE

Mambajao, Camiguin – With the aim of conveying the right information of the programs, projects and services of the Agriculture sector, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) along with its attached bureaus and agencies as well as the provincial agriculture and veterinary offices conducted an Information Caravan on June 7, 2018 in the province.

Spearheaded by the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS), the said event follows the 1st and 2nd leg of information caravans in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental, on May 29, 2018 and May 31, 2018.

With this year’s theme, “Pagpanguma ug Pagpangisda alang sa Kalambuan sa Panginabuhian,” around 200 farmers gathered in the event which featured a lecture by the representatives of the different government agencies and an open forum for farmers to raise their issues and concerns.

One of the questions asked was regarding the extent of crop damage that the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) covers. With this, Insurance Underwriter Ruth C. Capinpuyan explained that “the crop damage should be more than 10 %, below 10% is considered no loss, thus non-compensable.”

The event was also graced by Mambajao Mayor Jurdin Jesus M. Rumualdo who encouraged the farmers to actively participate in the event. He further promoted organic agriculture as a way of farming, explaining that through this, we can prevent synthetic fertilizers and chemicals from flowing to the oceans and destroying the corals.

Meanwhile, the 4th and 5th leg of Information Caravan will continue in the provinces of Misamis Oriental on June 19-20, 2018 and Bukidnon on June 22, 2018. # (AMBManto, DA-RFO 10)

AGGIE DEPT RELEASES PHP5.7-M FOR CABANGLASAN TOWN

Spurring the agri-sector in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon is further given a boost, with the checks totalling to Php5,714,708.95, for the implementation of various Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) and Rice Program projects under the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10).

The turnover was held on June 5, 2018 at the DA-RFO 10 Compound, in the city of Cagayan de Oro. Representing DA-RFO 10 OIC-Regional Director Carlene C. Collado, CPA, Assistant Regional Director Carmelita T. Bajarla, MBA, handed in the checks to the authorized representative Ma. Adora Lovella V. Lagra, market inspector of the Local Government Unit of Cabanglasan.

Under the Rice Program, the amount of Php2,755,453.96 is the second tranche fund release for the implementation of the Small Water Impounding Project of the Cabanglasan Small Water Impounding Management Beneficiaries Association, covering 82 hectares of rice areas while the Php 1,169,254.99 is for the improvement of the Mandahican Diversion Dam and Php240,000 for the 2 units Small Farmer’s Reservoir for the Barangay Mandahican Farmers and Laborers Association, Inc., cultivating 57 hectares of rice areas.

Implementation of BUB projects will also soon be underway with the Php325,000 for the distribution of 105 heads of goat for the senior citizens of the 15 barangays of the municipality, Php325,000 for the organic fertilizer production facilities and Php900,000 for the construction of bodega with solar dryer for the Iba Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association, Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

With the above interventions, DA eyes for the farmers and residents of Cabanglasan to augment their productivity and improve their postharvest operations while gaining access for source of employment and income. # (JLOlson)