Delegates of the 1st Potato Summit breaks into groups to discuss their personal challenges and successes in growing potatoes. Making her rounds during the breakout sessions is DA Usec. Laviña (top photo) and Juanita B. Salvani (bottom), research division chief of DA-RFO 10.

SUMMIT URGES QUALITY PROD’N OF POTATOES, STRENGTHENING OF FARMER-GROUPS

Dalwangan, Malaybalay City – The government serves as an enabler in building profitable potato-based agri-enterprises.

This was the key message of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for High Value Crops and Rural Credit Evelyn G. Laviña during the conduct of the first ever Mindanao Potato Summit on June 6-7, 2018 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex, in this town.

Gathering nearly 300 participants, the activity was primarily undertaken to solicit inputs from actual potato growers that would form part of the crafting of a five-year road map for the country’s potato industry. This was done through breakout sessions by the participating farmers and agri-extensionists coming from Bukidnon’s potato producing city and towns such as Malaybalay, Lantapan, Talakag, Impasug-ong and Maramag.

“It is my moral obligation to provide affordable and available food for the Filipino people,” the undersecretary quoted President Rodrigo R. Duterte, adding that the president has instructed in avoiding activities which are not anchored on the department’s fundamental directive.

Accordingly, the road map will serve as a blueprint in furthering the potato industry, reflecting the challenges and proposed actions towards resolving these. Issues raised include the limited supply of disease-free potato seeds, low productivity, high incidence of bacterial wilt, among others.

“Gusto ko that each of your municipality magpa-bonggahay sa produksiyon sa inyong patatas nga naay kalidad,” the undersecretary challenged.

She also urged in strengthening farmers’ cooperatives, saying that aside from buying the harvest of its members, they can also venture into producing potato seeds and even extend transportation services; thereby enabling their group economically while greatly helping farmer-members, at the same time.

By doing so, USec. Laviña underscored that it will empower them to sustain their operations, especially in their production of quality potatoes, stating that despite the inevitable changes in the administration, they can still ably continue to exist.

As of 2014, reports have shown that Northern Mindanao contributed to national potato output, registering 537 hectares of potato production areas, producing 6,145 metric tons in volume and posting an average yield of 11.44 metric tons.

Setting up support systems for the potato farmer-delegates, the summit tackled on the overview of the potato industry at the national and regional levels, potato seed system as well as the 2018 interventions for potato, comprising of credit programs, crop insurance, and business opportunities.

Given the high demand for potatoes both for fresh/table and the processing types, including its recognition of being a substitute staple food, the undersecretary concluded that, it would not be far that farmers will soon be successful in their respective ventures, as long as they have the quantity and quality in the production of their potatoes, coupled with having the heart for farming. #

DA HANDS OVER PHP880T CHECK FOR TANGUB CITY FISHERY-PROJECTS

To enrich the city waters’ aquatic resources diversity and other fishery related activities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turned over a check amounting to Php880,000 to the Local Government Unit of Tangub City (LGU-Tangub City), Misamis Occidental for its Sustainable Agri-Fishery Livelihood and Other Agri-Fishery Business Investment Project, earlier today, June 7, 2018 at the DA-RFO 10 Compound, Cagayan de Oro City.

Funded under CY 2014, a portion of the amount will be utilized for the labor and materials for the construction of 4 units 10m x 10m bamboo fixed cages, costing at Php262,294 each. Also covered will be the provision of bangus fingerlings and feeds, fabrication of nets, and installation of bamboo fences and caretaker’s hut. Meanwhile, the rest will be apportioned for the labor and materials for the fabrication of 4 units non-motorized banca, each amounting to Php12,928.

Slated project-recipients are the eight-member individuals, both from the Lorenzo Tan Fisherfolk’s Association and Pangabuan Fisherfolk’s Association, in barangays Lorenzo Tan and Pangabuan.

Of the Project’s total cost of Php1.1 million, LGU-Tangub City also supported the fisherfolk-beneficiaries by counterparting Php220,000.

The check turnover was led by DA-RFO 10 OIC-Regional Director Carlene C. Collado, CPA, which was then received by Tessie C. Lomanta, city administrator, in the presence of City Social Welfare and Development Officer Virgilita A. Delos Santos, OIC-Budget Officer Basiciza M. Dumpa and Project Development Officer Nida D. Tare. # (JLOlson)

DA DISTRIBUTES SEEDS IN SERBISYO CARAVAN

Bringing public service closer to the people, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) distributed an estimated Php111,200 worth of seeds to the residents and farmers of El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental (MisOr) during the conduct of the GO Serbisyo Para sa Bayan on June 2, 2018 at the Molugan National High School. Through its Provincial Operations Center of MisOr headed by Nilda B. Salas, the agency distributed around 400 packets of 5-in-1 vegetable seeds (okra, sitao, squash, eggplant and ampalaya) and raffled off 20 bags at 20-kilogram per bag Open Pollinated Variety corn seeds and 20 bags at 40-kilogram certified rice seeds. # (JLOlson)

DA-10 ENDORSES 8 NOMINEES FOR THE NAT’L. GAWAD SAKA SEARCH

The Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) Gawad Saka regional steering committee endorsed eight nominees for the National Gawad Saka Search during the final evaluation meeting conducted yesterday, May 21, 2018, in the city of Cagayan de Oro.

After a thorough evaluation, only 8 nominees out of the 14 categories submitted from the provincial level passed the criteria and will vie for the national level competition. Qualifying are the following: Victorino and Carmen Palangpangan Family from Jimenez, Misamis Occidental (Farm Family); Sinai RIC from Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental (Rural Improvement Club); Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council of Claveria, Misamis Oriental (MAFC); Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives from El Salvador, MisOr (Barangay Food Terminal); Ralph Julius Y. Paje from Lantapan, Bukidnon (Corn Farmer); James P. Longcob from Lala, Lanao del Norte (Integrated Rice Farmer); Roger R. Lacida from Iligan, Lanao del Norte (Coconut Farmer); and DOALNARA Philippines from Claveria, MisOr. (Small Farmer’s Organization). Their scrapbook and videos will then be forwarded to the national steering committee for evaluation.

Likewise, they will be given recognition on May 28, 2018 for their exemplary contribution in the development of agri-sector in the region. They will be receiving plaque of recognition and cash award ranging from Php30,000 – Php 50,000 for individual and group category, respectively.

The meeting was headed by DA-10 Regional Technical Director and over-all Chair Gawad Saka Steering Committee, Carmelita T. Bajarla, MBA. Also present is Farmer-Director Prof. Edgardo D. Layug and the evaluation team members from DA-10 and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). #EMB

DA-10 SETS ACTIVITIES FOR FARMERS’ AND FISHERFOLK’S MONTH

In observance of the celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month this May, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) sets its activities for the month.

With the theme, “Makabagong Magsasaka at Mangingisda, Maunlad na Kinabukasan,” the agency aims to recognize the efforts of farmers and fisherfolks who have made significant contributions to the country.

To kick off the celebration, DA-RFO 10 welcomed Professor Edgardo D. Layug as the Farmer-Director for the month of May. The said Farmer-Director Program was launched by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) last year which seeks to strengthen the partnership of the government and private sector.

A holy mass will then be held on May 15, 2018 in honor of St. Isidore the Laborer – patron saint of farmers and fisherfolks. This will then be followed by the opening of the Farmer’s Market, in which products from farmers and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region will be showcased directly to the consumers at an affordable price. The said fair will take place in the DA-RFO10 compound, Antonio Luna Street, Cagayan de Oro City.

Finally, the culmination program of the Farmer’s and Fisherfolk’s Month celebration will be held on May 29, 2018, in which regional achievers awardees will be recognized and awarded with certificates and plaques of recognition, cash prizes, and project grants. # (AMBManto, DA-RFO 10)

DA-RFO 10 RAED OIC-Chief Engr. Pedro U. Bergado, Jr. (left) reports on the procurement and delivery of farm machineries and equipment of the region and introduces all RAED staff to BAFE OIC-Director Engr. Cristy Cecilia P. Polido and EPDSD OIC-Chief Noemi L. Carpio in the presence of DA-RFO 10 Assistant Regional Director Engr. Roxana H. Hojas, CESO IV.

BAFE VISITS DA-RFO 10 FOR ORIENTATION, ASSESSMENT MEETING

As a newly-formed bureau under the DA, the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) visited the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) on January 25, 2018 to provide an overview of the functions of the bureau, discuss the roles of the RFOs in the new set-up, and to assess accomplishments of the region in 2017.

As mandated, BAFE will serve as the central engineering arm of the entire DA and its attached agencies, in which its functions include coordinating, overseeing and monitoring of national planning and implementation of agri-fishery engineering farm-to-market roads and other agri-fishery infrastructure projects; to assist in the mechanization programs; and to provide technical assistance to the operations of the agricultural engineering divisions of the DA-RFOs (RAED).

According to the first director of the bureau, Engr. Cristy Cecilia P. Polido, it is in this respect that BAFE has visited the RAED of DA-RFO 10 to get to know their regional counterpart in its operations and to highlight the importance of the partnership between the bureau and the RFOs in the overall engineering works of DA.

As provided in the new set-up, in addition to the current function of RAEDs which is to oversee the planning, implementation and monitoring of infrastructure and postharvest projects, three functions are added as per Section 37 of RA 10601, otherwise known as “Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law,” Director Polido mentioned.

These additional functions are to “formulate the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Mechanization Plan, to train the farmers and fisherfolk on agri-fishery mechanization technologies and practices and to assist the Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) in field testing of agri-fishery machinery and equipment,” she added.

BAFE and RAED 10 employees, led by OIC-Chief Engr. Pedro U. Bergado, Jr. also had assessment on the farm equipment, infrastructure and irrigations projects of DA-RFO 10 in 2017. Engr. Bergado reported that most of the machineries were already delivered to recipients while a few are still up for delivery. With this, Engr. Bergado committed to have these remaining machineries delivered before January 2018 ends. Infrastructure and irrigation projects that were not fully completed upon reporting at DA Central Office last December 2017 were assured by the chief to be completed before January 2018 ends, as well.

Aside from the meeting, DA-RFO 10 have also assisted BAFE in their visit to cassava processing facilities at Phil. Agro Industrial Corporation, Baungon, Bukidnon and at the National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR), Talakag, Bukidnon. The said visit was an initiative by BAFE and DA-RFO II to benchmark on the machineries and other necessary equipment used by these companies for the 25-million cassava processing facility project of DA-RFO II. #

DCACI representative Lemuel C. Luspo along with DA-10 OIC-RD Carlene C. Collado, CPA and DA-11 Market Assistant Glenn B. Gayanilo turned over relief goods to PRO-10 through PSSUPT Tyrone V. Masigon and families of evacuees in Iligan City last December 13, 2017.

ASSISTANCE TO TROOPS AND RESIDENTS IN MARAWI GIVEN

Davao Constructors Association Center, Inc. (DCACI) turned over a total of around 100,000 canned goods to the troops and residents in Marawi City through Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 and 11, last December 13, 2017.

The fifth batch of relief assistance was handed out by DCACI and Sub-zero Ice & Cold Storage representative Lemuel C. Luspo, assisted by DA-10 OIC-Regional Director Carlene C. Collado, CPA and DA-11 Market Assistant Glenn B. Gayanilo. It was then received by the Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) through Senior Superintendent Tyrone V. Masigon, 4th Infantry Division (4ID) through Brigadier General Tyne T. Bañas, 1st Logistic Support Brigade in Marawi City through Lieutenant Colonel Alexander S. Reginio, Local Government Unit (LGU) of Marawi City through Chief of Staff Dr. Jun U. Gandamra who represented Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra and 15 families of evacuees in Iligan City.

The assistance donated by the DCACI is a Halal-processed food with viand and rice that comes in three flavors, namely Chicken Curry, Chicken Adobo and Afritada. Previously, there were 28,000 canned goods given this August, while 25,000 was given in September and followed by 25,800 and 27,428 delivered last November 7 and November 22, 2017, respectively.

Further, the said assistance is part of DA Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol’s commitment in supporting the troops and evacuees in the city. # (AMBManto, DA-RFO10)