Agri NorMin collabs with CdeO-based coop for Hydroponics initiatives

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In a bid to promote sustainable agriculture and empowering communities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) collaborates with the FICCO Community Outreach Foundation, Inc. (FCOF) for a Hydroponics training on January 22, in Carmen, this city.

Facilitated by the department’s National Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) through Alternate Focal Person Ronald Allan P. Camaddo, around 20 personnel from FCOF participated in the session, which covered the various benefits and techniques of hydroponics.

The training aimed to equip the participants with the knowledge to utilize vacant spaces at the FICCO Admin Building into productive areas for growing vegetables and other crops using hydroponic methods.

Additionally, participants were each given a packet of 4-in-1 garden salad seeds to kickstart their gardening initiatives.

The collaboration between DA-RFO 10 and FCOF is aligned with the department’s efforts of strengthening urban gardening initiatives to boost food security and sufficiency. # (AMBM, Photos supplied)

AMIA-10 strengthens climate resilience in Libona town through corn harvester

LIBONA, BUKIDNON — In a bid to support local farming communities through mechanization, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) turned over one unit Corn Combined Harvester to its AMIA village site this town, on January 24.

The PhP2.2-million worth machine was turned over to the Gango Kinawe Community-Based Participatory Action Research Cooperative (GKCPAR) through its chair Angelito M. Atillo by AMIA-10 Focal Person Carmelito R. Lapoot, AMIA-10 Team Leader Joel J. Gabo and Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM with Municipal Agriculturist of Libona, Carlos O. Pichay and other local officials.

The said initiative is part of the AMIA’s continued efforts to empower local farming communities in adapting to climate change through investing in modern agricultural technologies to boost farm productivity and sustainability.

On the turnover of the unit, GKCPAR chair Atillo expressed his gratitude, as it will benefit its 78 members tilling 238 hectares of corn and cassava crops.# (AMBM)

Coffee stakeholders scale up NorMin’s coffee roadmap, to brand Bukidnon as Arabica capital

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) led by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, recently convened coffee stakeholders for a private-public consultation to consolidate plans, programs, and funding for the scaling up of Northern Mindanao’s coffee roadmap.

The consultation was attended by representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry – Region 10 (DTI-10), local government units (LGU), farmers’ cooperatives, agribusiness enterprises, and DA Undersecretary for High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero.

DA-10 RED Pacamalan emphasized the need for a unified direction among stakeholders to drive the development of the region’s coffee industry.

A resolution to adopt the Bukidnon Coffee Roadmap for 2025, with the goal of making the province as the Arabica Capital of the country, is poised for approval, as disclosed by Kimberly A. Bacasma, senior trade-industry development specialist of DTI-10.

She also pointed out some challenges in coffee cultivation, such as antiquated methods, unconsolidated growers, limited marketing avenues, and inadequate financial resources for expansion as focus areas for roadmap development.

Usec. Natividad-Caballero recommended the consolidation of existing interventions at the farmer, firm, and industry levels to ensure that they are effectively operationalized.

Further, the undersecretary pushed for the strategic utilization and maximization of the Competitiveness Enhancement Measures Fund (CEMF), to attract public investments.

The CEMF, can fund coffee-related projects up to PhP50 million, subject to the eligibility of the proponents, with a 20% counterpart from qualified proponents. These grants can support initiatives in areas such as production, postharvest handling, processing, marketing, infrastructure development, and the acquisition of equipment and facilities.

For the agency’s part, RED Pacamalan vowed that the DA-10’s drone team will undertake drone mapping to identify coffee farming areas, determine coffee varieties, and profile the farmers operating in those areas.

“Through this digitization, we can establish baseline data in consolidating coffee farmers that will serve as a foundation for the region’s coffee industry development over the next 2 to 3 years” he said.

After the consultation, the executive director pushed for provincial-level dialogue to delve into specific action plans, alignment of initiatives, and determination of government infrastructure investments essential for the undertaking.

Key partners and stakeholders including Nestlé Philippines’ Coffee Project, Mindanao Development Authority’s (MinDA) Ancestral Domain Investment Plans, and DTI-10’s Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project, also shared their initiatives in line with the Northern Mindanao Coffee Roadmap.

Also present during the consultation are DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, HVCDP Director Joseph C. Manicad, national and regional DA personnel, and representatives from the Bayanihan Millenium Multipurpose Cooperative, Kauyagan Savers Multipurpose Cooperative, Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative, MM Cares, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Harbest Agribusiness, Corp., and LGU of Misamis Oriental, Iligan City, and Bukidnon.# (BJCE)

DA-10: No rice price hike, shortage in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Following the implementation of PhP58 Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) on imported rice in Metro Manila starting January 20, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) maintained that there is no rice price hike in Northern Mindanao as there is no observed rice shortage in the region.

In an interview Wednesday, January 22, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga said the agency’s daily price monitoring in major markets of Cagayan de Oro being the most populated urban settlement in the region showed that imported premium rice are sold significantly lower than the MSRP at PhP56.00

“We are not affected by the imposed MSRP. Our monitoring showed that rice price remained steady, in fact our monitoring data from December 2024 to January 2025 showed that there is a decrease in rice price.” Madriaga disclosed.

The DA was prompted by the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) to declare a food security emergency for rice to stabilize an extraordinary hike in rice prices despite an order for tariff reduction by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last year.

Dir. Madriaga said the declaration is a balancing act with which the government will be able to protect the local farmers by regulating the selling price of imported rice favoring Filipino-produced rice.

“With this, the consumer will be assured of affordable rice within their buying capacity. The declaration also allows the National Food Authority (NFA) to release their buffer stock to the local market to give the general public more options of cheaper local rice.” she furthered.

Dir. Madriaga urged the Kagay-anons to patronize the Kadiwa store located at the second floor of the Cogon Market, where consumers can buy rice with prices ranging from PhP36-PhP44 per kilo.

The said Kadiwa store was initiated by rice importers in coordination with the DA-10, Department of Trade and Industry – Region 10 (DTI-10) and the Local Government of Cagayan de Oro.

“We should not worry with regard to our rice supply in Northern Mindanao. Our projected palay harvest this March will reach up to 179,392 metric tons. This is enough to last 4 four months considering the region’s population.” she accounted.

To optimize rice production in the region, Dir. Madriaga said the DA-10 through its Rice Program has been continuously providing numerous assistance to local rice farmers in the form of rice seeds and fertilizer subsidy, financial assistance, training, irrigation system and mechanized farm support under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).# (ATT)

Agri-10 strengthens price monitoring measures for agri commodities in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In its continuous effort to strengthen the monitoring and regulation of prices for basic agricultural commodities in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), headed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, convened the Bantay Presyo Monitoring Team (BPMT) on January 17, here.

Spearheaded by the agency’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), the forum was also attended by BPMT members from the DA-attached agencies, bureaus, and corporations including Bureau of Animal Industry(BAI) ,Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Fetilizer and Pesticide Authority(FPA), National Dairy Authority (NDA), National Food Authority (NFA), and National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).

Representatives from the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC), DA banner programs, and provincial operation centers from the five provinces of the region also attended said forum.

Under the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7581, as amended by R.A. 10623 (Price Act), the DA is one of the implementing agencies tasked with monitoring, regulating, and stabilizing the prices of essential agricultural goods, especially during emergencies or instances of unreasonable price surges.

DA-10 AMAD Supervising Agriculturist Ferdinand C. Caraballe elaborated on the implementing rules and guidelines of the Price Act, emphasizing DA’s crucial role in ensuring agri-fishery products are fairly priced and accessible to consumers.

Meanwhile, DA-10 AMAD OIC-chief Mae Carmela G. Fabela highlighted Section 5 of the R.A. No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act which mandates the DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) and the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) to establish and maintain a Daily Price Index (DPI).

The DPI is a system designed to monitor and publish or broadcast the prevailing retail prices of agri-fishery products across all regions of the country on a day-to-day basis.

As discussed, retail prices will be collected from major retail establishments in key cities of each region where covered commodities are sold in local markets.

To ensure transparency and accountability, it was agreed to publish the DPI on the official websites and social media platforms of the DA-RFOs on the same day as the monitoring is conducted.

While the guidelines for the DPI were introduced during the forum, Fabela noted that DA-10 AMAD is still set to receive the official implementing rules and regulations in order for them to establish the DPI.

As experts in the same subject, representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry 10 and the city’s Local Price Coordinating Council also shared valuable insights to ensure price stability, preventing market abuses, and protection of both producers and consumers.

As a way forward, members of the BPMT agreed to beef up price monitoring and regulation initiatives to foster a fair and equitable market environment across the region.# (EJLG)

Farmers convene for Field Day demonstrating biofertilizers on upland rice prod’n

CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Farmers from Claveria and neighboring towns, including Villanueva and Jasaan in Misamis Oriental and Malitbog in Bukidnon province, convened for a Field Day demonstrating Biofertilizer Technologies on Upland Rice Production.

The event, organized by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), was held at the Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) recently, in Brgy. Lanise, here.

With Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan at the forefront, DA-10 strives to assist upland rice farmers in sustaining their production by adopting biofertilizers; likewise, mitigating soil degradation by reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers.

The 7,850-square-meter upland rice demonstration farm, participated by five companies—Romarc Enterprises, Primera, Aljay Planting Dreams, Agrifix, and CHC Agritech—presented the benefits of biofertilizer products in enhancing soil diversification and increasing rice yield.

The Field Day also served as an open forum where farmers raised queries and sought clarification on the proper usage and application methods associated with biofertilizer adoption. Experts from the participating manufacturers, along with farmer-academicians present, were on hand to address the concerns and provide guidance to the farmers.

Among those present at the event were DA-10’s Regional Technical Director for Research Cora A. Dumayaca, Research Division chief Lorena V. Duna, along with the regional and research center staff, the Municipal Agriculture Office of Claveria, and some agricultural technicians.

Aligned with the DA’s program in developing rice cultivation as a profitable industry for farmers, the techno demo seeks to catalyze the adoption of biofertilizers for sustainable upland rice production in the region.# (BJCE)

Agri-10 provides hauling assistance to IP farmers in Gingoog City

Eyed toward the provision of an improved logistical support to farmers, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), headed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, provides hauling assistance to the farmers of Bal-ason in Gingoog City.

These farmers, who are members of the Higaonon Tribe, from the Kalanawan Ancestral Domain (AD), sought transport assistance from the agency to ease the transport of their bamboo poles directly to their buyer in Cagayan de Oro City.

Ericson G. Anlagan, Cashier and Marketing in charge of the AD Development Management Office (ADDMO) for the Kalawanan, said that the assistance is a great help for the organization in covering the hauling expenses, with an estimated 115-kilometer distance from the beneficiaries’ area to their client.

“We are truly grateful to the DA-10 for their continued support to our organization. For this month [January], we are targeting to deliver 600 bamboo poles directly to our buyer and without this assistance, we would need to spend more than PhP7k per trip for hauling alone.”

DA-10 is committed to help their organization in terms of transporting their products until their last day of hauling on January 28, this year.# (CRS)

Agri dept supports urban veggie gardening efforts

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In its continuous effort to help local communities in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) supports the food and nutrition security and sufficiency initiative of Brgy. Pagatpat through the provision of agricultural inputs.

On January 16, High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) focal person, Kersten S. Pagalan, handed over 11 packets of assorted vegetable seeds (Pinakbet variant) to Irene R. Anibong, federation president of the women’s sector in Brgy. Pagatpat.

Said gesture aims to aid the community garden establishment in Zone 6B, Pamalihi Relocation, which is eyed to be implemented through the conduct of a contest.

In an interview, Anibong explained that the seeds will be planted across 11 blocks, with 12 to 14 families per block taking the responsibility of growing and maintaining the gardens.

“I am grateful for the support of the DA because we no longer need to go to the market if we can grow our own vegetables.

Through community gardening, families who have been victims of floods, fires, or demolitions can have nutritious food on their tables.” she said.

Pooled from the agency’s 2024 funds, the provisions are funded under HVCDP’s Production Support Services.# (MAC)

DA-NorMin grants accreditation to Buk’non FCA

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY ー The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) led by the Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, issued Certificate of Accreditation No. 2024-027 to the Bukidnon Association of Backyard Chicken Growers, Inc. (BABCGI), through its chairperson Ronelle J. Pama, on January 13, here.

The group met the requirements as an Implementing Civil Society Organization (CSO) and as a Beneficiary CSO for projects aimed at the development of the agri-fishery sector, in accordance with Administrative Circular No. 3, Series of 2022.

In an interview with BABCGI chairperson Pama, he expressed his gratitude to the DA- 10, stating that the agency supports their vision of producing locally produced chicken products with high prominence, integrity and quality in order to uplift the lives of small-scale poultry farmers.

Also present in the turnover were DA-10 Regional Technical Committee chairperson for Accreditation of CSOs and Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga; Regional Technical Secretariat member and Project Evaluation Officer II, Engr. Rona M. Quiao; Field Operations Division chief, Luz I. Guzman, PhD; BABCGI Board of Trustee, Jeantil Mariano; and Field Operations chief, Yasser Jan J. Pama. # (MAC)

Agri-10 hosts Financial Accountability Reports workshop

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through its Administrative and Finance Division hosted the 4th Quarter Financial Accountability Reports (FARs) Workshop from January 14 to 17, here.

Attended mostly by the Budget and Accounting personnel from the DA regional field offices (RFOs) and bureaus nationwide, including from the DA-Central Office (CO), the activity is led by the DA through the Budget Division – Financial Management Service.

It aims to ensure a bolstered communication and collaboration between the different operating units and the DA-CO in the preparation, reconciliation and consolidation of accurate and timely FARs with guidance on issuances, updates and other mandatory requirements by oversight agencies.

Pursuant to Republic Act 11975 FY 2024 General Appropriations Act, submission of financial and physical accountability reports is directed to departments and bureaus under the national government, including the DA, enjoying fiscal autonomy.

Further, COA-DBM Joint Circular No. 2019-1 dated January 1, 2019 provides the guidelines relative to budget and FARs and the corresponding submission timelines for reports.

Said bases warrant for public funds to be used more efficiently and financial operations to be transparent, accountable and in line with legal standards.

Speaking before a hundred participants, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan commended the DA’s finance team on their roles in the implementation of DA programs, projects and interventions, and also urged them to strike a balance between their regulatory and development functions.

Likewise, he noted that the department should be cognizant of developmental accounting, providing numbers as a reflection of the development aspect of the agriculture sector.

“I hope this workshop will help provide information for the decision-makers – the [DA] regional directors, the secretary, to see what really is going on with the projects that we have been financing in the last 12 months.” Dir. Pacamalan remarked.

For her part, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Cora A. Dumayaca, pushed for the workshop to be considered as an avenue to share and replicate laudable budget and accounting practices among the DA attached agencies, bureaus, corporations and RFOs.

The FARs workshop further aims to provide the DA management a clear picture of the department’s financial performance to make informed decisions in mobilizing resource-driven agricultural programs, projects and services at the ground level.# (ATT/JLO)