After her town received P3.2 million worth of agricultural assistance from the Department of Agriculture-Region 10 (DA-10) Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD-10) Program in 2018 and 2019, San Fernando, Bukidnon Municipal Agriculturist, Coleen Alva C. Ambos acknowledged SAAD as an instrument to the town’s agricultural development.

“SAAD sparks agricultural development in San Fernando. The program has a great impact on our effort to uplift the living condition of our farmers,” Ambos accounted in an interview during SAAD projects monitoring in the town.

Due to the high poverty incidence rate, San Fernando was among the 13 municipalities in Bukidnon included in the SAAD program of the Department of Agriculture in 2018.

Since then, the LGUs started to receive SAAD interventions and assistance to support the towns’ priority agri-livelihood projects.

SAAD interventions include provisions of hybrid corn seeds with complete fertilizers, provision of high value commercial crops seedlings (cacao and coffee), provision of vegetable seeds with organic fertilizers and garden tools, provision of swine and drugs and biologics and construction of Multi Crop Drying Pavement (MCDP).

“Our SAAD projects have been smoothly implemented. Right now we are looking forward to grow the projects to benefit more of our farming constituents. Our swine recipients are now due to pledge 3 piglets to be handed to our next-in-line beneficiaries. This is our strategy to sustain the project,” Ambos shared disclosing her office is now heightening their efforts to expand the SAAD-funded projects.

The SAAD farmer-beneficiaries in barangay Tugop have organized themselves into a DOLE-registered association.

The group is eager to start their association’s business after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.

“SAAD projects had helped poor farmers like us to be productive and help our families. Our SAAD drying center (MCDP) will be turned over hopefully in June. We will start its operation soon after so that our association can already start earning out of the project,” said Arlyn Ananangkil, Tugop SAAD Farmers Association’s President.

There were a total of 50 SAAD farmer-beneficiaries in San Fernando.

“Our long term goal is to assist our SAAD farmers to come up with their own product and convert their farms into farm tourism sites. We can provide them training in terms of processing and marketing of the product and link them to other government agencies (for product development),” Ambos vowed.

While calling for the beneficiaries’ unyielding persistence and cooperation, the young and visionary municipal agriculturist commits to provide the farmers the needed technical assistance to make them well-adopted to the agri-livelihood projects of SAAD.

“Along the way, we will encounter tribulation. But this will not stop us to serve our farmers and build them a better community,” Ambos concluded, expressing the LGU’s appreciation of DA’s agricultural assistance to the town.#(ATalib)

Cagayan de Oro City, June 1 – In support to the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) provided food assistance to returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) arriving at the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental.

DA-RFO 10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga turned over 31 trays of white chicken eggs to the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Region 10 (DILG) headed by Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe, who also chairs the IATF-MEID, to facilitate the food distribution at the airport.

RTD Madriaga said, the cooked chicken eggs were donated by Ariel G. Tan of True Chef’s Choice which will be shared to the arriving OFWs, who were stranded during the cease order of air flights in the first blast of COVID-19 in the country.

“Through the IATF-MEID and the assistance of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the OFWs will have something to eat, while thoroughly being checked and evaluated at the airport to ensure their health conditions before heading to their respective provinces,” she added.

Meanwhile, the department has also tapped San Miguel Pure Foods, Inc. (SMPFI) for a free-flowing coffee station to be set at the airport also for the benefit of the frontliners and the OFWs at the terminal.

On the other hand, the DILG-10 and the SMPFI received 100 packets each of assorted vegetable seeds for their respective urban gardening activities in support to DA’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program.

True Chef is one of the exhibitors of the DA-DTI’s Kadiwa at Diskwento Karavan, a platform bringing agri-fishery and basic necessities closer to the consumers in the barangays and subdivisions in Cagayan de Oro City.# (EMB)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 1 – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) activates its Quick Response Team following reported infestation of fall armyworm (FAW) in the region.

OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado instructed the team to conduct validation on extent of FAW infestation in the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, while continuous surveillance and monitoring of its occurence in other provinces.

Through the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) of the Integrated Laboratory Division (ILD) of the agency, provisions of insecticides and biological control agents were given to some affected farmers in Bukidnon.

DA-10’s Regulatory Division, in coordination with the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), provincial and municipal local government intensify pest monitoring and surveillance to affected and non-affected areas.

“FAW is an invasive species causing damage to crops, mostly corn. It is an invasive moth and prefers to eat maize specifically the sweet corn and open-pollinated (OPV) corn varieties,” said RED Collado.

In 2019, Collado issued a special order for the composition of DA-10 Personnel to compose the Regional Team for the Intensification of Reporting and Surveillance of Fall Armyworm, outlines proactive responses to the possible adverse impact of pest outbreak caused by FAW.

Prior to its infestation, the agency issued an advisory to all local government units, alerting them on the possible occurrence of the insect pests.

Indicating its life cycle, damaging characteristics, DA-10 thru its Regulatory Division issued pest management recommendations and the protocol of reporting in cases of pest occurrences and detection.

Continuous provision of technical assistance to LGUs, following the FAW management protocol recommended by the DA-BPI for non-infested and infested areas.

Carlota S. Madriaga, Regional Technical Director for Operations of the agency said, “DA-10’s long term measures include capacitating farmers on FAW identification, including its farm management, mobilizing communities where farmers are the ‘bantay peste’ in their respective barangays, monitoring, reporting and early management.”

Collado calls for proactive stand to all LGUs on FAW infestation, to immediately report to its municipal agriculture office or to DA-10 thru its Provincial Operations Center.#(ATCabig)

Cagayan de Oro City, May 29 – Two religious groups obtained vegetable seeds from DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), in support to the department’s urban gardening program.

Both the churches of Golden City Alliance Fellowship (GCAF) and the Team Jesus Outreach received the assorted vegetable seeds (ampalaya, eggplant, okra and pechay) from DA- 10, thru Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga.

On behalf of DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, RTD Madriaga urged the representatives of both churches to use recycled materials such as plastic bottles and other indigenous materials that can still be utilized for gardening.

GCAF Youth Minister Faith Ann Rañises, receiving the 50 packets of veggie seeds said, it will be divided among its youth members to encourage them to venture into gardening while staying home during the quarantine period.

Meanwhile, Team Jesus Senior Pastor Elma O. Cañas will also distribute the seeds to its select members. She said, they will have an urban gardening contest using recycled and indigenous materials.

With this, the creativity and ingenuity of its members in urban gardening will be showcased.# (EMB)

KITAOTAO, BUKIDNON, May 28- The Indigenous People of Kitaotao, Bukidnon received livestock worth P346,000 from the Department of Agriculture in Region 10 (DA-10) – Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program.

Bae Merry Anne S. Lindongan, Women Leader of the Lorega Ancestral Management and Development for All Generation (LAMDAG) received 10 heads of carabao and 10 heads of goats for their communal farm, mostly planted with corn.

LAMDAG is composed of Matigsalug and Manobo Tribes in barangay Lorega with 50 SAAD beneficiaries to benefit said livestock, which will serve as draft animals to sustain their food production activities, while 10 heads of goats for production.

“Kini nga mga carabao ug kanding among nadawat gikan sa SAAD dako og ikatabang sa amoang mga miyembro. Amo kining ipalambo aron makadugang sa among panginabuhian. Nalipay mi kay na approved kini nga project labi nga naay COVID-19 karon,” said Bae Lindongan.

[The carabaos and goats we’ve received from SAAD would be big help to all members, which we will develop to augment our livelihood. We’re so happy the project was approved amid the COVID-19.]

DA-SAAD is a locally-funded program of the agency that addresses poverty alleviation among the marginalized sectors in agri-fishery.

Facilitating the turnover were Kitatao OIC-Municipal Agriculture Officer Romeo D. Limbaga, Dr. Janet D. Lopez of DA-RFO 10 and Bukidnon SAAD Area Coordinator Ralph Sabud.#

To improve farmers’ livestock production amid the threat of COVID-19, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) continues to provide forage seeds thru its Livestock Program in Northern Mindanao.

Local government units and walk-in-clients received forage seeds such as Flemengia, Rensonii and Indigofera, known as a good goat feed.

Individual farmers may avail one packet each, good for one hectare, while farmer-associations may avail one pack of forage seeds containing 10 packets each which are produced by the agency’s research stations and funded by the Forage Development Program.

Livestock Program coordinator Ma. Lourdes M. Sypiecco said that the leguminous forage is rich in protein which is vital in the growth and production of livestock.

Interested clients may visit the DA-10 office to avail of the free forage seeds at a first come, first served basis.# (AMBManto)

Malaybalay City, May 28 – The Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) Provincial Management Officer Kristine Cyvill Gregorio conducts briefing on Kapital Access for Young Agripreneurs (KAYA) Program to President Jesus Antonio G. Derije of Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga of DA-RFO 10.

KAYA, a new loan program of the DA-ACPC will finance capital requirements of start-up or existing agri-based enterprises of young entrepreneurs and agri-fishery graduates aged 18-30 years old.

Each borrower may loan up to P500,000 which is payable for five years with zero interest rate, with not more than 3.5 percent management fee thru partner lending conduit GFIs, rural banks, coop banks and viable NGOs.

DA-ACPC will engage government financial institutions (GFIs) such as the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and non-GFIs to implement said program.

Interested applicants may contact hotline numbers 09065055442/09474308576 of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of DA-RFO 10 or thru 09559557333 of ACPC. # (ATCabig)

CdeO City, May 29 – The DA-National Dairy Authority – Northern Mindanao Department (DA-NDA-NMD) has given 300 bottles of fresh flavored milk to the DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) frontliners.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga received the provisions from DA-NDA-NMD Project Development Officer IV Debbie U. de San Miguel amounting to P10,500.

The bottles of fresh milk in melon and choco variants are among the products of Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives, popularly known for selling under its brand name, Highland Fresh Dairy Products.

NDA, an attached agency of DA is responsible for the development of the dairy industry in the country.

They purchased fresh milk to support the personnel of its mother agency, including those frontliners from other attached bureaus and agencies, in its collective battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In particular, de San Miguel expressed, that drinking fresh cow’s milk will help boost the immunity among the agency’s personnel, especially amid the ongoing health crisis. #

MUSUAN, MARAMAG, BUKIDNON, May 26 – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) in partnership with Central Mindanao University (CMU) and nine seed companies launched the 50 hectares hybrid rice derby and technology demonstration in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon to boost rice productivity to attain rice sufficiency.

DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and CMU President Jose Antonio G. Derije led the event in support to DA’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program or Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) kontra sa COVID-19 program.

President Derije acknowledges the strengthened partnership between CMU and DA in the agri development of the university.

“The hybrid rice derby and techno demo aims to increase national agri-fishery output through intensified use of quality seeds, appropriate inputs, modern technologies to increase levels of productivity across all commodities to ensure food productivity, availability, accessibility and affordability amidst the threat of COVID-19 pandemic,” said RED Collado.

He further explained, through DA’s Rice Resiliency Project (RRP), a quick response measure that addresses food security concerns amid the pandemic, focuses to intensify campaign for the adoption of hybrid rice technology among local farmers, which intends to produce more rice to increase the national sufficiency level from 87 percent to 93 percent.

Region 10 targeted for 94 percent sufficiency level, a 12 percent increase from its preceding year target with various mitigating programs implemented to boost rice production.

RED Collado further shared, the project pursues to convince farmers to plant hybrid rice by showcasing the best farming technologies and practices through the collective efforts of DA, CMU, PLGU and the private sector.

Through the best farming practices, farmers can feasibly adopt to increase their efficiency and productivity.

The techno demo will demonstrate the effect of various planting approaches which include mechanical, manual and direct seeding to yield using top hybrid rice varieties provided by participating companies.

The techno demo will cover 45 hectares, giving each seed company five hectares, to be planted with their most leading varieties, using their own cultural practices protocol.

The remaining five hectares will be utilized for the one common protocol for all cultural practices which will be adopted to all entry varieties.

Machineries and equipment will be provided by DA-10, while seed companies will provide the seeds, fertilizers and labor in each farming activities, including technical assistance.

The preparation of the techno the demo area will be handled by CMU.# (ATCabig)

Geared towards the promotion of agriculture and rural development, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado signs the Memorandum of Agreement with Central Mindanao University (CMU) through President Dr. Jesus Antonio G. Derije on the conduct of the ‘Masagang Ani, Mataas na Kita’ radio program over CMU’s radio, DXMU-FM 88.9 on May 26, 2020.

The said initiative is in line with Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar’s directive of sustaining a massive information and communication campaign.

Through this, DA-10 partnered with CMU in the conduct of the ‘Masagang Ani, Mataas na Kita’ community radio program as a medium for information-dissemination of DA’s programs and projects.

RED Collado said that the agency will tap the seed companies, including the provincial and municipal agriculture offices in Bukidnon and DA attached agencies to share their expertise in the radio program.

“Participating seed companies of DA-CMU’s 50-hectare hybrid rice techno demo will also be invited in the radio program for farmers to know the latest technologies that they can adopt,” Collado further said.

Meanwhile, President Derije is hopeful for the success of the project and thanked DA for its continued partnership.

In CY 2012, DA funded P4 million for the rehabilitation and conversion of Radio Station DXMU-AM to DXMU-FM in intensifying the agri-fisheries information, education and communication campaign thru broadcasting.

Collado revealed that DA-10 has committed to further develop and improve said radio station to further intensify its operation.#