DA-10 strengthens agribiz support to returning OFWs in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Aiming to provide a comprehensive introduction to agribusiness for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Northern Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), staged a two-day training on Empowering OFWs: Micro-Agrikabuhayan Para sa Balikbayan on December 3 to 4, here.

The said initiative is designed to address the unique needs of the trainees by providing them with specialized training and agribusiness support to start small-scale agricultural ventures.

As a career in agribusiness offers diverse opportunities across various sectors, including food manufacturing, processing, and retail marketing, DA-10 AMAD Assistant Division chief Ferdinand F. Carabella, stressed the importance of developing competitive business strategies that leverage advances in bioengineering, mechanization, and modern farming practices to thrive in the market.

Meanwhile, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan expressed his support for the capbuild, as it will allow the agency to contribute to the reintegration and livelihood of the returning OFWs.

“I hope that by the end of this training, you [participants] will know the kind of agricultural investment that you plan to set out so that we [DA-10] will be able to reconfigure the interventions we offer based on your needs,”Pacamalan added.

DA-10 AMAD partnered with resource speakers from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council and the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program of the agency, and Bukidnon-based company, Mushroom City to highlight sessions on resource provisions, hydroponics lettuce production, and oyster mushroom production as part of the event’s component.

Training discussions not only centered to enhance agri-production skills, but also business planning and financial literacy, equipping attendees with the essential knowledge to effectively run agricultural enterprises and manage their finances.

Further, the capbuild also staged a sharing of the returning OFWs’ major takeaways, recommendations, and action plans through the conduct of workshop and presentation of outputs.

In her message, Overseas Workers Welfare Officer ll Shellany V. Nava of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-10 (OWWA-10), expressed her appreciation to the agency for extending its services to the returning OFWs in the region.

“We’re very happy to have connected with DA-10 because our aim for the OFWs is to have a better life when they return to their homes. What we want is to secure their reintegration into the local community so the services extended by the agency offer an opportunity for the Balikbayans to progress in ways of agribusiness,” Nava said.# (EJLG)

DA-10 continues to roll out fuel assistance in Oroquieta City

OROQUIETA CITY — Some 2,050 farmers in Misamis Occidental benefit from the fuel assistance rolled out by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) on November 29, in this city.

Each farmer received a DA Intervention Monitoring Card with PhP3K worth of fuel assistance to cushion the impact of fuel costs in their mechanized farming operations.

Qualified farmer-beneficiaries must be enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) or the Farmers and Fisherfolk Registry System (FFRS) and must own or lease operational farm machinery uploaded in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Management Information System (ABEMIS).

Of the total recipients, 1,299 farmers are from Oroquieta City, while others come from surrounding municipalities: 372 from Sinacaban, Sapang Dalaga (125), Tudela (115), Aloran (83), Lopez Jaena (27) Calamba (22), and 7 from Panaon.

Further, in a message, Carlota S. Madriaga, DA-10’s Technical Director for Operations, clarified that the card can be used 24 hours after its issuance at DOE-accredited gasoline stations equipped with Point of Sale (POS) terminals.

The POS terminals accept payment from the farmer-beneficiaries by swiping their fuel assistance cards. In addition to the fuel aid, the DA-10 also conducted a distribution caravan for the Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RFFA) Program in Ozamiz City, where 694 rice farmers each received PhP5K cash grants.# (BJCE)

MisOcc rice farmers receive PhP3.47-M financial assistance

OZAMIZ CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) continued its roll out of the Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RFFA) amounting to around PhP3.47-million (M) worth of cash grants to 694 beneficiaries on November 29, here.

Since the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law creating the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund for the said purpose, this marks the fourth cycle of the RFFA initiative and the fifth batch of Misamis Occidental farmers to receive assistance in 2024. The RFFA program aims to offset the financial losses of smallholder rice farmers due to declining palay prices in 2019.

Spearheaded by the agency’s Rice Program under the Field Operations Division (FOD), the RFFA program offers P5k cash grants to rice farmers who are listed in Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), with farm size of 2 hectares and below.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga, in a message, enjoined farmers to also sell their produce to the National Food Authority (NFA).

“We [the DA] encourage you to sell your produce to the NFA to achieve food security in times of calamities and to help our economy thrive”, the assistant director said.

Earlier this October, the NFA set the palay buying prices between PhP23 and PhP25 per kilo, ensuring that farmers receive a fair share of the profits, which the range is higher than last year’s PhP16 to PhP23 per kilo.

Moreover, Dir. Madriaga also advised farmers to be strategic with their spending, urging them to invest the assistance in their farms to counter financial losses.
“Spend the amount for productivity and profitability with more resources to improve your farm operations”, she encouraged.

One of the beneficiaries, Elmer D. Mintalar, a resident of Molicay, Ozamiz City, who owns a 1.3-hectare of rice farm, expressed his gratitude.

“Ako nagpasalamat sa DA aning RFFA kay kaning kantidad nga nadawat [nako] makatabang na sa pagpalit sa mga kagamitan sa among farm, sa abono, ug mga tambal. Unta kining programa magpadayun”, said Mintalar, in an interview.

(I’m really grateful to the DA for this RFFA. The funds I received will go a long way in helping me buy farm equipment, fertilizers, and pesticides. I just hope this program keeps helping farmers.)

On the same day, the DA-10, through its Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED), also began releasing fuel assistance to farmers in Oroquieta City.# (BJCE)

Agri-10 backs DOH’s tree planting drive thru seedlings provision

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In support to the upcoming celebration of Government Employees’ Week and National Greening program, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turned over Mangosteen seedlings to the Department of Health – Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH-TRC) – Cagayan de Oro on November 29, at the agency compound, this city.

Senior Agriculturist Richan D. Lacanaria and High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) focal person Kersten S. Pagalan handed over 15 mangosteen seedlings to DOH – TRC Administrative Officer IV Hazel Grace M. Taray.

“We are grateful for the provision of fruit seedlings from the DA. This intervention will form part of our goal to plant at least 100 trees to raise awareness on environmental sustainability,” shared Taray.

Further adding that they also requested help from other agencies for the provision of coconut and native tree seedlings, aiming to contribute to the Enhanced National Greening Program pursuant to EO No. 193 issued in 2015 which seeks to rehabilitate upland areas. # (AMBM)

DA-10 joins ATI-RTC 10’s “Walk for Rice” to culminate 2024 NRAM

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In solidarity to the government’s continued effort to raise awareness toward responsible rice consumption, the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) joins the “Walk for Rice” organized by the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 10 (ATI-RTC 10) Thursday, November 28, here.

DA-10 staff from the Field Operations Division along with personnel of the National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine Crops Insurance, Corp. (PCIC), Agricultural Productivity Operations Office-CdeO City, Misamis Oriental Provincial Agriculture Office and operators of 40 Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) across Northern Mindanao took part in the activity, to culminate the 2024 National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM).

Led by ATI-RTC 10 Center Director, Maria Lydia A. Echavez, the Walk for Rice unifies the region’s rice extension workers and partners for a renewed commitment toward a shared goal of bolstering the local rice industry through government-private sector partnership.

On the same occasion, ATI-RTC 10 also lauded exemplary rice-based LSAs being supported by the agency through the various extension services program implemented under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) as mandated under the Rice Tariffication Law. Among the awardees are:

SAFEGCC Inc.- Bread Life Family Farm Entrepreneurial School – Most Collaborative LSA
Mr. Dega Farm Learning Institute, Inc. – Best in IEC
Mileage DJE’s Farm – Best in Social Media Presence
Alman God’s Gift Foundation, Inc. – Best in Community Engagement
Anpa’s Agricultural Learning Center – Most Innovative Award
JIKA Farms and Fields Café, Co. – Breakthrough Award
Jabien Integrated Farm – LSA influencer

Concomitant to the government’s push for food sufficiency by increasing the country’s rice production is the call to Be RICEponsible, urging Filipinos to consume alternative carbohydrates-rich food, to eat brown rice, to avoid rice wastage, and to support Filipino farmers by patronizing locally-produced rice.

As a parallel event, the ATI-RTC 10 also culminated the 2024 Organic Agriculture Month which centered on the theme “Kabuhayang OA, Kinabukasang OK: PGS Pinalakas para sa Bagong Pilipinas”. # (ATT)

DA-10 fosters enterprise sustainability among NorMin agri MSMEs

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Aligned with its efforts to advance sustainable agri-based enterprises in Northern Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), conducted an agribusiness forum on November 27, in this city.

During which, some 35 youth agripreneurs, student leaders, and members of various farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) in region 10 were apprised of sustainable and innovative approaches to scale up their agri-fishery enterprises.

In support of the event was DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, who underscored the importance of strengthening an enterprise’s capacity to recognize and adopt industry best practices, particularly to address critical challenges in agribusiness development, expansion, and innovation.

Further advocating for agribusiness development, Young Farmers’ Challenge (YFC) awardees Maydene V. Demesana of Demesana Diversified Vegetable Farm, and Rogen M. Montecillo of Anitu Forest Food Processing also shared their insights and best practices toward enterprise sustainability.

Through the forum’s workshop component, facilitated by Agribusiness Promotion Section (APS) officer-in-charge and Agriculturist II Rechelle B. Lacorte, participants also conducted strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis through which participants were able to underscore their groups’ present achievements, areas for improvement, and opportunities to engage with other agribusiness stakeholders.

To cap off the activity, participants also presented the agribusiness ventures they have identified based on the findings of their SWOT analysis, with feedback and inputs from the AMAD, APS.# (GDA)

Agri-10 lab division upskills staff on ISO accreditation

After having secured the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certification for the Regional Soils Laboratory (RSL) and Feed Chemical Analytical Laboratory (FCAL) in January this year, the Integrated Laboratories Division (ILD) of the DA-Region 10 (DA-10) continue to hone its personnel’s competency to maintain a competent, reliable, and impartial laboratory services for the agriculture industry in Northern Mindanao.

Recently, the ILD conducted an internal audit training for its personnel as compliance mechanism to meet management system and technical competency standards for testing and calibration laboratories.

DA-10 chemists who also serve as the laboratory technical managers, Johanna C. Pichay and Razel Elaine Grace A. Cataluña, apprised ILD personnel in planning and training internal quality audit for the DA-10 laboratories. The training also includes reporting audit findings to identify management and technical non-conformities, evaluate risks, and recommend corrective actions for improvement.

By employing methods, tools, and techniques acquired in the training, the ILD personnel are capacitated to carry out internal audits to assess the DA-10’s laboratory processes, procedures, and records in conformance with the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards.

Currently, the ILD is suiting up for ISO surveillance audit for it’s accredited laboratories and certification of the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL), with an end goal of maintaining its accreditation and making all three of the DA-10 laboratories an ISO compliant testing and calibration center.# (ATT)

Kawayanihan Movement set world record attempt for Most People Planting Bamboo Simultaneously

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – After a thorough evaluation of the Guinness World Record (GRW), Kawayanihan: A circular economy movement has officially set the world record for the Most People Planting Bamboo Simultaneously with 2,305 participants.

This was announced during the National Science and Technology Week activity of the Department of Science and Technology-10 (DOST-10) on November 28, in this city.

Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), together with its attached agencies, participated in the said movement by sending 100 bamboo planters to the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon last October 18, the day of the attempt.

Kawayanihan: A Circular Economy Movement, led by the 1st congressional district of Bukidnon in partnership with DOST-10, is an initiative to raise awareness on the potentials of bamboo to promote circular economy, climate resilience, and sustainability by starting with a world record attempt.# (CRS)

PAMAKA FDC benefit from DA-10’s KADIWA financial grant

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In support of dairy farmer-members in the production of milk, processing, and marketing of dairy products, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), has turned over two units of refrigerated van to the Pangantucan Maramag Kalilangan Farmers’ Dairy Cooperative (PAMAKA FDC) on November 26, at the agency compound, here.

Of the total project cost amounting to PhP4.375-million (M), DA-AMAD 10 funded PhP3.5-M through its KADIWA Financial Grant Assistance Program, while the coop counterparted PhP875K.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) chief, Larry E. Paraluman, led the turnover of the said assistance to PAMAKA FDC chairperson Rodolfo M. Belleza and Coop manager Gemma P. Apaap.

“I am very grateful to the DA for granting us two refrigerated vans that we can use to deliver milk products to our partnered programs in different cities and municipalities,” said PAMAKA Chairperson Belleza, in an interview.

Composed of 185 dairy farmers, PAMAKA FDC offers a range of milk-based products, including fresh milk, flavored milk, and milk bars, and is currently developing pastillas and ice cream.

The Coop operates its own display center, where they deliver majority of their products to partner government agencies, namely: Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Education that are implementing feeding programs in five towns of Misamis Occidental and three municipalities of Bukidnon such as Pangantucan, Maramag and Kalilangan, respectively.

Also witnessing the turnover were AMAD Development Section chief, Mae Carmela G. Fabela and farmer-members of the cooperative.# (MAC)

Agri-10 Corn Program streamlines services during “Usapang Agrikultura”

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In an episode of Usapang Agrikultura, aired on November 27 via Radyo Pilipinas 1 DXIM, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10’s (DA-10) Corn Program under the Field Operations Division continues to highlight its ongoing efforts for corn farmers in Northern Mindanao.

Building on a previous episode where Senior Agriculturist and Corn focal person Richan D. Lacanaria detailed the program’s production support services, agriculturists Jeamsel R. Tigbao and Richard G. Apare led the discussion on its extension support, education, and training services, agricultural machinery, equipment and facilities support services, and other support services.

Under extension support, Corn program report officer Apare emphasized the progress made in corn production within the region, noting that initiatives such as the establishment of corn model farms have showcased innovative farming technologies that led to improved yields.

For this year, he reported that barangays Anahawon and Base Camp in Maramag, Bukidnon yielded 7 metric tons per hectare (mt/ha) for yellow corn from their 50-hectare compact area per implementing guidelines, which exceeds the national target of 6 mt/ha.

For his part, Tigbao said that the Program extends its support beyond corn, encompassing other key commodities such as cassava, sorghum, and soybean. Concurrently serving as the coordinator for the said crops, he added that it also provides extension services for these crops, including the showcase of model farms and cluster development training for cassava, technology demonstrations for sorghum and soybean, and integrated pest management training.

He furthered that the Program enhances its campaigns through the development of information collaterals and other information-dissemination activities such as the conduct of information caravans and publication in newspapers to reach, engage, and educate more farmers.

For FY 2025, Apare bared that the DA-10 is set to distribute 93 units of agricultural machinery and equipment, including farm tractors, corn harvesters, corn shellers, hauling trucks, moisture meters, vacuum pack sealers, and soybean sorters.

He emphasized that potential farmer-beneficiaries must submit a letter of intent endorsed by their local government unit (LGU) and meet the minimum requirements, such as registration under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) or membership in clusters accredited by DOLE, SEC, or CDA.

While there is no equity required from farmers for the availment of interventions, Apare clarified that a memorandum of agreement (MOA) will be made with the LGU providing that the recipient’s counterpart is the sustained operation and maintenance of the agri machinery and/or equipment.

Likewise, he noted that all requests are validated to ensure compliance, with agri machinery and equipment allocation determined by the required minimum hectarage (eg., 200 ha for hauling tracks and tractors, 50 ha for corn shellers, and 5 ha for vacuum pack sealers).

Other services of the Program also include the conduct of derbies and support to farmers through market linkage.

Hosted by Cocoy C. Medina, Usapang Agrikultura airs Monday to Friday from 5 to 6 A.M. to provide Filipino farmers with updates and innovations in agriculture.# (BJCE)