DCIA of Maramag, Bukidnon receives the P2.7-M recirculating dryer from DA-10. 

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) formally turned over 1 unit of rice recirculating dryer to Dagumbaan Communal Irrigators Association (DCIA) on February 27, in this town.

Funded under the Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program for LGUs and Cooperatives, the P2.7 million recirculating dryer will benefit the DCIA members who collectively till 429 hectares of rice area.

“This dryer will be very useful for us during the rainy season. When our palay are not properly dried, the quality will deteriorate and no buyer will be interested in buying them” said Romar A. Ramos, DCIA President.

For the sustained operation of the project, Ramos disclosed their association will allocate funds from its collections and earnings for the maintenance of the facility.

With a 6.2 ton capacity and 8 hours drying lead time, the recirculating dryer will help the rice farmers to minimize post-harvest losses by mechanically drying their palay as opposed to sun drying, thus enabling the farmers to optimize their farm earnings.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the grant of such a project is in line with the DA’s goal of modernizing the region’s agriculture industry to boost agricultural production.

The DCIA has previously received 1 unit of farm tractor and 1 unit of rice combine harvester from DA-10.

The association was also granted another set of 1 unit farm tractors and 1 unit rice combine harvester along with a composting facility by the DA-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).

In their effort, the DCIA has also acquired one combined harvester to cater to the growing needs of its members.

DA-10 Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center Chief, Dr. Janet D. Lopez and Maramag Municipal Agriculturist Armand S. dela Cruz in their message stressed the need for the farmers to inculcate responsive and appreciative attitude while embracing modern agricultural technologies to elevate their livelihood.

Representatives of the DA- National Irrigation Administration (DA-NIA), PhilMech and Philippine Crops Insurance Corporation (PCIC) also graced the Turnover Ceremony which was simultaneously held with the DCIA’s General Assembly.

Apart from the DCIA, other eligible farmers’ associations in Malaybalay City, Valencia City, Kitaotao, Sumilao and Kalilangan, in Bukidnon province; and Lagonglong town in Misamis Oriental also receive rice recirculating dryer from the DA-10.# (ATT)

DA-10 revisits support for the youth with the Office of Senator Imee R. Marcos.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Through a shared interest to support the next generation of farmers in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), through the leadership of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, discussed with the Office of Senator Imee R. Marcos the agency’s programs and interventions for young farmers in Northern Mindanao, on February 26, at the agency compound.

During the meeting, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga with Engr. Jaydrick Yap, representing the lawmaker’s office as focal person for Mindanao, revisited the Department’s Young Farmers Challenge Fund (YFCF) program that seeks to provide funding support for up-and-coming young farmers, as well as established agri-enterprises seeking to upscale their current production.

Cognizant of the aging population of farmers, Yap said that the lawmaker seeks to address this by encouraging a new wave of farmers to engage in agriculture and foster a renewed spirit for self-sufficiency through an entrepreneurial lens.

“Senator Imee continues to champion our young farmers through the annual YFCF search for start-ups and agri-enterprises keen on increasing their current production and profit,” Yap said.

The meeting also tackled potential areas in agriculture for collaboration between the Department and the lawmaker’s office, especially on the specific needs and concerns felt in Region 10.

“The Senator is primarily concerned with understanding the region’s needs and how her current programs can respond to them. Through this meeting, we can touch base with [the DA] and extend the necessary assistance for our farmers in the region,” he added.

In response, RTD Madriaga extended her gratitude to the lawmaker’s office and reiterated the regional office’s usual support and commitment to bolster local farmers and production in Northern Mindanao.# (GDA)

DA-10 through Corn program provides agri inputs to Maramag town coop producing corn and cassava.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Farmer-members of Base Camp Corn Cassava Farmers’ Association (BACOCAFA) of Maramag, Bukidnon are soon eyed to reap the benefits from the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10)’s provision of P390K worth of farm inputs.

Withdrawn earlier this month from the agency’s station, 50 bags of hybrid (NK6410BGT) corn seed (P6K per bag at 9 kilos) and 60 bags of inorganic fertilizer (urea) (P1.5K per bag at 50 kilos) were set aside and ceremoniously turned over recently to said association, in a simple ceremony at Purok 11, Brgy. Base Camp.

Funded under the Corn Program, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that the production support extended to BACOCAFA aims to ease the farmers’ brunt on the rising cost of agricultural inputs, with emphasis on augmenting farmers’ productivity, income and livelihood.

The agri chief exec added that the intervention will greatly aid in the association’s production of crops as mentioned hybrid corn cultivars are expected to yield 10 tons, while each bag of fertilizer can cover at least 2,500 square meters.

Chaired by Juvelyn Bunales, BACOCAFA cultivates around 214 hectares of land, devoting 140 hectares to corn and 74 hectares to cassava.# (JLO/Photos supplied)

DA Regional ACEF coordinating unit evaluates agri-based business proposals for possible funding. 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Department of Agriculture-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations and Head of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF)-Regional Coordinating Unit Carlota S. Madriaga presides over the deliberation of the business proposal for loan application under ACEF, today, February 23, here in this city.

A total of seven business proposals were reviewed and evaluated which include abaca plantation, abaca plantation and expansion, hog fattening, cacao production, coffee production and rice mill from interested recipients in Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro City.

The deliberation was attended by ACEF RCU Vice-Head Lana May S. Racines with the members composed of the division chiefs and the program focal person of DA-10’s banner programs: rice, corn, high value crops development program, organic agriculture and livestock.

The RCU agreed and recommended the enhancement of the proposals in preparation for the proponents’ presentation and defense.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado explained that the ACEF Lending Program aims to increase the productivity of farmers and fisherfolk by providing the necessary credit to farmers and fisherfolk and their cooperatives and associations, and micro and small-scale enterprises, for the acquisition and establishment of production, postharvest, and processing machineries, equipment and facilities, farm inputs and improvement.#(ATC)

DA-10 supports institutionalization of Halal ordinance in Iligan City.

ILIGAN CITY – To further enhance Iligan City’s Halal initiatives, the Department of Agriculture in Region 10 (DA-10) through its Lanao del Norte (LDN) Provincial Operations Center (POC) spearheaded a coordination meeting with the City Local Government Unit (CLGU) of Iligan to discuss the institutionalization of the Halal Ordinance here.

On February 20, DA-10 LDN POC chief Engr. Abdulharis P. Paporo, who is also the Halal alternate focal person, Kevin R. Fernan, focal person for agriculture of Iligan City Agriculture Office together with City Councilor Atty. Maria Paz Teresa V. Zalsos and National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Iligan City Field Director, Dir. Norolain Jamil Balt, convened to tackle the significance of institutionalizing a Halal ordinance in the locality.

According to Engr. Paporo, the coordination meeting catalyzed collective action toward establishing Iligan City as a beacon of Halal industry excellence, with stakeholders uniting to promote economic growth and cultural diversity in the region.

“It is the purpose of this Ordinance to promote, protect, and respect the religious belief, customs and traditions of our Muslim community here in Iligan city in their sacred concept of Halal,” he said.

The term “Halal” is commonly used in Arabic to indicate permissibility or acceptability. It refers to a set of dietary guidelines and practices followed by Muslims according to their Islamic law.

As development partners in promoting well-being and integrity among Muslim brothers and sisters in Mindanao, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado underscored the importance of cross-agency collaboration in pursuing this endeavor.

The agri chief exec also recognized the local government’s dedication as partners of DA in advancing the Halal industry, as it creates a more conducive environment for the growth and development of the agri-fishery sector.

Meanwhile, Councilor Zalsos and Dir. Balt expressed their commitment to the cause, with Councilor Zalsos even indicating her willingness to sponsor the drafting and endorsement of a local ordinance. Furthermore, the group also discussed the possibility of attending the Halal International Congress, which is slated to take place in Turkey in May 2024, in addition to local efforts to attain invaluable knowledge and networking opportunities to further strengthen Iligan City’s Halal initiatives.#

DA-10 through AMAD and BPI conducts a joint price monitoring of basic agricultural commodities in major public markets in CdeO City.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO) together with DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (Plant Quarantine Service and Plant Product Safety Services Division) conducted a joint price monitoring of basic agricultural commodities in the major public markets here.

On February 22, a monitoring team led by Giovani T. Flores, head of the monitoring of Bantay Presyo of DA-BPI PQS together with DA-AMAD 10 staff visited the Bulua, Carmen and Cogon public markets to gather relevant and accurate data on the prices of various agricultural products.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the data gathered from the respondents and stalls in the market would not only help in generating up-to-date and accurate price information for the benefit of the public but also build a reliable monitoring system for the region’s commodities.

The DA-BPI has strengthened border control to avoid the possible introduction of exotic pests and diseases in the region.

“The strengthened price monitoring of basic agricultural commodities plays a vital role in promoting sustainable agricultural development, ensuring price stability, and preventing market manipulation,” said DA BPI PQS 10 Regional Manager Arnold DelaCruz.

He added that market monitoring is also vital to ensure that agri commodities displayed in the market are safe for public consumption.

Furthermore, this approach aims to foster a more competitive and efficient market environment for agri stakeholders and consumers alike.# (RDME)

DA-10 signs MOA with PLGU Bukidnon for the hauling truck project that would aid improve farmers’ productivity.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture-RFO 10 and the Provincial Local Government Unit of Bukidnon signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Monday, February 19 for the one unit P3.2 million hauling truck.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque signed the agreement to increase the farm productivity of marginal farmers.

Director Collado said that the hauling truck will enable the PLGU to reach out to more farmers’ cooperatives and associations for an efficient transport system from farm to market.

“Such a strategy reduces postharvest losses and transport costs and facilitates faster delivery of products,” he added.

Funded by the department’s Corn Program, the provision of hauling truck is part of the government’s commitment to improving the farmers’ income.

The signing was witnessed by Bukidnon Acting Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon.#(ATC)

DA-10 and PHilMech tackle the corn mechanization status of Region 10. 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Forming part of its amplified efforts to support corn farmers in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado convened with the DA-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) to discuss the status of corn mechanization in Northern Mindanao, on February 26, at the agency compound.

During the meeting, the attached agency bared its plans to conduct a series of visits to the municipalities and cities of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte from February 26 to March 4, to conduct an inventory of existing corn mechanization interventions in the area.

Specifically, the team seeks to gather data on the areas of coverage, usage history, and present condition, among others, of available corn machinery, facilities, and equipment in identified sites to determine its operational statuses.

According to DA-PHilMech Science Research Specialist I Judy Ann G. Lacbaoan, who also leads the team for the Northern Mindanao leg of said undertaking, the data collected will be highly insightful for the agency’s strategic provision of interventions for corn farmers in the country, especially in this region.

“The first stop in our series of visits in Mindanao is in Region 10, in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte, during which we hope to get an update on the status of corn mechanization in the area, and collect data we can use for further interventions,” she said.

Identified as a top-producing region for yellow and white corn by the DA-PHilMech, the attached agency reiterates its commitment to support Northern Mindanao through the project, with visits to other provinces in Region 10 eyed during the second quarter of the year.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga expressed her thanks to the DA-PHilMech for the said project, citing its significant implications in boosting local productivity and fostering modernized agriculture in Region 10.

Present during the said meeting were DA-10 Regional Corn focal person Richan D. Lacanaria, Regional Agricultural Engineering Division – Program and Project Management Section chief Engr. Romil G. Española, and staff.# (GDA)

DA-spearheaded onion derby and farmers’ forum is eyed to improve farmers’ productivity and increase the onion supply in Region 10.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – Aiming to boost onion production in the region to attain self-sufficiency, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) stages an Allium Derby and Farmers’ Forum on February 22, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan here.

Spearheaded by DA-10’s High Value Crops Development Program in coordination with the Research Division, and private seed and chemical companies, the activity gathered 100 farmers and other relevant stakeholders to witness the showcase of different onion varieties and their corresponding farming protocols.

“We can see from the two locations that onion production is viable in Region 10,” shared DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado with the earlier conduct of the same in Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City, held last week.

He also noted that the agency will be procuring onion seeds and likewise, encouraged interested farmers’ cooperatives, and associations to submit their letter requests to avail of the said intervention.

Meanwhile, each seed and chemical company was given time to share their respective onion technologies and also distributed Information, Education and Communication materials to the attending farmers.

Assistant Sales Manager for Visayas and Mindanao, Andre Abonitalla is thankful to DA for the implementation of the field trials for Onion.

“Currently, our onions in Mindanao are from Luzon and the price per onion increases since there is an additional freight cost, however, if onions are produced locally here in region 10, this cost will be removed, thus resulting in cheaper onions,” he added.

During the derby cum forum, Allied Botanical, Corp. emerged as champions while Pilipinas Kaneko Seeds, Corp. and Ramgo Seeds are awarded first- and second-runner-up, respectively.

Criteria for judging included the biggest yield volume (in kilogram), best quality, and best economic efficiency.

For her part, Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon, acting provincial agriculturist for Bukidnon shared that they will be working closely with DA-10’s Research Division to look for more locations as potential onion-producing sites.

Also supporting the event are DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, with DA-10’s attached bureaus and agencies: Agricultural Training Institute and Bureau of Plant Industry as well as private chemical companies such as Envireau Pacific, Inc., FMC Agro Philippines, Inc., Aldiz, Inc., and Tropi-Cuke, Inc.

Another round of such event is also slated for DA-10’s Research Center for Hillyland Development in Claveria, Misamis Oriental on March 21, this year. #(AMBM)

R-10’s aggie department provides P3.2-million hauling truck to the local government of Bukidnon.

To speed up in extending agricultural services, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado turns over a hauling truck to the Provincial Local Government Unit of Bukidnon on February 22.

The P3.2 million (M) worth of hauling truck funded under the agency’s Corn Program was turned over by DA-10 officials to Acting Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon.

PA Lagamon shared that the truck will be helpful for the delivery of inputs such as seeds and fertilizers as well as aid in the province’s Kadiwa operations.

“This hauling truck will accelerate the delivery of agri-interventions to beneficiaries, especially in far-flung areas and enhance the production and marketing aspects of farmers in the province,” she added.#(AMBM)