The National Rice program conducts an assessment, emphasizing programmatic and consultative bottleneck resolution to advance rice production in the country.

Cagayan de Oro City – Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Engr. Christopher V. Morales urged DA-Regional Field Offices (DA-RFOs) to formulate programmatic and multi-year regional rice industry development plan to address rice production bottleneck for the next 4 years, during the National Rice Program (NRP) 2024 3rd Quarter Assessment, held in this city.

The assessment convened DA regional executives, rice program focal persons, LGU representatives and farmer leaders nationwide on November 4-8, as part of the agency’s initiative to address challenges impeding the rice program implementation, as well as aligning the NRP and the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program’s (MRIDP) goals with the needs and perspective of the country’s rice industry stakeholders.

The MRIDP is anchored on four core MASAGANA strategies: 1) MAtatag – Resiliency and stability in climate change adaptation; 2) SAma-sama – unity and convergence in farm clustering and consolidation; 3) GAnado – motivated and enthusiastic farmer-entrepreneurs in the rice value chain, and 4) NApapanahon – timeliness and relevant focus on digital transformation.

“The MRIDP is the overarching framework of the (rice) program with which interventions are coursed through different pathways but for the same direction and aims, harmonizing the NRP, Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the LGUs’ programs towards improvement of the rice industry” Usec. Morales said.

With the adverse climatic condition taking a toll on the rice industry this year, the DA official urged rice program implementers to rebound by exploring the possibility of “double dry” cropping method in the next dry planting season to maximize the dry season’s potential for rice yield increment.

For her part, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga welcomed the delegates to the NRP 3rd Quarter Assessment by reiterating the DA’s role to increase food production and modernizing agriculture as a major pillar of the Philippine economy.

“By increasing our rice sufficiency we will be able to lessen rice importation. This in return will help our farmers to be more prosperous and profitable with our end goal to be self-sustaining, having enough rice supply for local consumption” she remarked.

The assessment will be capped with an inter-stakeholders consultation putting forward resolutions on issues relating to project implementation guidelines, gap in communication, intervention distribution schedule and monitoring and evaluation mechanism.# (ATT)

Agri-10 promotes the Be RICEponsible campaign as it kicks off the 2024 Rice Awareness Month celebration.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) kicks off the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) celebration today, November 5, during the second day of the National Rice Program (NRP) 3rd Quarter Assessment and Bottleneck Resolution Workshop, in this city.

Spearheading the launching ceremony, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga echoed the call to sustain the future of the rice industry in the country.

“Reducing food waste not only demonstrates responsibility but also shows appreciation for those who labored. By embracing this, we all contribute to the shared pursuit of rice self-sufficiency and sustainability,” she said.

The NRAM is observed annually under Proclamation No. 524, s. 2004, highlighting rice as a staple food. With “Be RICEponsible” as its six-year theme until 2028, the celebration advocates for responsible rice consumption.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, led the Be RICEponsible pledge, an oath urging Filipinos to consume alternative carbohydrates-rich food, to eat brown rice, to consume rice responsibly, and to support Filipino farmers by purchasing local rice.

DA Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Program, Engr. Christopher V. Morales, along with other DA national and regional executives graced the NRAM launching, where attendees get to taste different rice varieties, rice value-added products, and alternative staple crops on display.

The launching ceremony also showcases entries to the 2024 NRAM Photo Contest, featuring “Rice” and “DA” categories—centered around the themes “Be RICEponsible” and “Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya, Para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” to promote food conservation and agricultural innovation. # (BJCE)

Agri-10 meets with Camiguin LGUs to brief on food safety and security rules and regulations.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY— In celebration of the Food Safety Awareness Week, the Department of Agriculture—Regional Field Office X (DA-10), through its Regulatory Division, organized an information caravan and coordination meeting to raise awareness on food safety and security on October 30, here.

Centered on this year’s theme, “Pagkaing Ligtas at Sapat, Kaagapay sa Maunlad at Matatag na Bagong Pilipinas”, the DA-10 aims to strengthen Local Government Units’ (LGU) adherence to and implementation of the food safety regulatory system, as mandated under Republic Act 10611, also known as the Food Safety Act of 2013.

Through the activity, Camiguin LGUs were apprised on regulatory rules and regulations of the DA to ensure food safety and quality produce while prioritizing environmental protection and the health, safety, and welfare of agri-fishery industry workers.

DA-10 Regulatory Division Assistant Chief, Janniver C. Chua, DVM, emphasized that the information caravan is instrumental to the agency’s effort to ensure food safety and security in the region.

“As part of its regulatory function the DA-10 together with Food Safety Regulatory Agencies (FSRAs) sought to implement consumer protection programs and services primarily to ensure safe foods from farm to fork and prevent the entry of plant and animal diseases in the region”.

Such an effort requires strong linkages with stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, local government units (LGUs), and other regulatory bodies.

To enhance and harmonize Food Safety Act implementation, the DA-10 and the FSRAs simultaneously conducted a coordination meeting to formulate proposed activities for the 2025 Food Safety Culmination Week.

The activity was attended by representatives from the Bureau of Plant Industry—Plant Product Safety Service Division (BPI-PPSSD), National Food Authority (NFA), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), National Dairy Authority (NDA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and staff from Provincial Veterinary office, and municipal agriculture offices from Camiguin province. # (MAC)

DA-10 provides corn seeds to the Office of 2nd district of CdeO rep, Rodriguez for distribution to farmers.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan handed over almost PhP229.5k worth of hybrid yellow corn seeds (TSG 81) to the Office of 2nd district of CdeO representative, Rufus B. Rodriguez, on October 23, in Brgy. Nazareth, here.

Pooled from the current funds under the agency’s Production Support Services, the Corn program delivered 100 bags of corn seeds to the said office, which was received by Lina O. Navarro for distribution to Oro farmers.

Packed at 9 kilos per bag, the agri inputs are to be planted to a half-hectare of land with an average yield of 8 to 12 metric tons per hectare.

The DA’s grant of production support not only eyes to cushion the impact of rising costs of inputs, but to also augment the productivity and income of corn farmers, and as a further means to contribute to the region’s corn sufficiency.# (JLO/Photos supplied)

DA-10 provides agri inputs for NNC’s garden awards.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In support to its food security and nutrition initiatives, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) turned over gardening care packages to the National Nutrition Council-Region X (NNC-X) on October 28, at the agency compound, here.

Said provision is composed of gardening tools, organic fertilizer, seedling trays, and seedlings.

Leading the conferment of agri inputs is Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga together with Engr. Reggie T. Vivas, regional nutrition focal person, and High Value Crops Development Program focal person, Kersten S. Pagalan of DA-10 to NNC-X through Patrick John Gonzales, project development officer for distribution to the winners of the Regional Search for the Best Garden of Go, Grow and Glow (G4).

The G4 initiative, launched as a banner project of the Regional Nutrition Committee-X in July 2005 and fully backed up by the Regional Development Council-X (RDC-X) through Resolution No. 33, Series of 2005, is an approach of reinforcing efforts toward achieving food production and sufficiency, reducing malnutrition, and improving nutritional status.

As nutritional advocate partners, the agri department granted gardening care packages to bolster the revival of the G4 initiative as championed by the RDC-X through Resolution No. 7, Series of 2018. Of which, said project is implemented by the local government units, tapping and choosing household-level gardens to represent the different localities for the regional search.

Declared winners, namely: Benirando Ibale from Malaybalay City; Bernadette C. Golis (Gingoog City); and Cristina R. Malonggayon from Valencia City received the prizes during the regional nutrition awarding ceremony hosted by NNC-X.# (MAC)

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon — As a key stride to establish a resilient and sustainable coffee value chain in the country, Department of Agriculture Secretary, Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the need to embrace collaboration for collective action between the government and the private sector.

During the DA-Nestlé joint fertilizer turnover ceremony Tuesday, October 29, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), Secretary Tiu Laurel stressed the call for collaborative efforts to enhance farmers’ resiliency and profitability in the face of myriad challenges besetting the agriculture sector, the climatic impact in foremost.

As support to coffee growers in Northern Mindanao, the DA chief together with DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan spearheaded the distribution of PhP6.5-million worth of fertilizer to 16 coffee farmers cooperatives, associations (FCAs) in the region. The fertilizer support is funded under the DA’s High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP).

Aside from fertilizer subsidy, the DA has partnered with Nestlé through the Mindanao Robusta Coffee Project in conducting capacity building activities and research on integrated coffee nutrient management, establishment of integrated coffee centers, and providing logistics and marketing assistance to coffee growers in the region.

“As coffee consumption in the country and internationally continues to rise, and as the demand for this beverage becomes more bountiful, these multi-agency and sectoral partnerships are driven to the forefront. We look forward to much wider and more penetrating positive impacts of collaborative initiatives like these in the immediate future,” the DA chief said.

Concomitant with the goal to increase coffee farmers’ productivity, Secretary Tiu Laurel vowed the agency’s continued support for collaborative initiative in espousing regenerative agriculture through the adoption of sustainable farming practices, promotion of climate-resilient coffee production and innovative and nature-based solutions.

Grounded on Mindanao Robusta Coffee Project, the DA together with Nestlé is aiming to increase coffee farmers’ yield in the region to 1 metric ton per hectare by 2027. # (ATT/GDA, Photo credits: EJLG/BJCE)

The agribiz mktg arms of DA-CO and the different DA-RFOs meet for a seamless implementation of their respective programs, activities and projects.

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) hosts the three-day Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) and its regional counterparts through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) 3rd Quarter Assessment-Workshop on October 22 to 25, here.

The activity aimed to revisit the group’s performance for the implementation of programs, activities and projects (PAPs) for the third quarter, and present accomplishments of the DA-AMAS and AMADs for the previous semester. It also sought to identify and assess operational and administrative issues and concerns, and craft remedial actions to enhance the implementation of PAPs.

As the agribiz and marketing arm of the DA, the AMAS and AMADs are mandated in the delivery of market information, market linkage and product promotion, agribusiness promotion, and agribusiness development services, among others to farmer-clienteles and other key agricultural stakeholders involved in the food value chain.

During the assessment, the role of AMAS-AMAD was reiterated, as the implementation of their PAPs are aligned with three out of the nine strategies laid down by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.’s plan of achieving food security and developing the agriculture sector as a profitable industry—develop efficient logistics systems for both input and production output, improve and expand local and international market access, and science and information-driven decision making through digitalization.

Milestones and ways forward centered on the PAPs such as market-related infrastructures and logistics improvement, KADIWA program, product promotion and market matching, agribusiness opportunities promotion, market study, agribiz development services, KADIWA financial grant assistance program, Young Farmers Challenge program, market info services, Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Information System (FFEDIS).

Attended by officials and staff of DA-AMAS and the AMADs from across 15 regions, the event served as a collaborative venue for the DA-Central Office and different DA regional field offices to discuss, review and strategize in unifying efforts toward a seamless implementation of their respective PAPs.# (MAC)

DA-10 through its Corn program spearheads a cassava livelihood training and institutionalization of digital agriculture for enhanced market linkage and forecasting.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON — Banking on digital agriculture as means to improve farmers’ efficiency and sustainability in cassava production and marketing, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through its Corn program spearheads the conduct of a three-day Cassava Livelihood Training and Institutionalization of Digital Agriculture for Enhanced Market Linkage and Forecasting starting on October 28, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex, in Dalwangan, here.

Gathering about 40 farmers and agricultural extension workers, the capbuild aims to scale-up the livelihood of cassava farmers through discussions and demonstration primarily centered on cassava production and value-adding technologies, pests and diseases management, as well as an introduction of digital platform in agriculture for better marketing tie-ups between cassava producers and processing plants.

In his remarks, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan urged the attendees to maximize the activity, going beyond from simply growing cassava and exploring other opportunities in order for them to utilize the crop as a primary ingredient for food.

On the marketing aspect, the guidelines, quality standards and volume requirements of existing cassava processors in region 10 were presented, targeting to capture producers’ harvest for the tapioca starch, and cassava granules, meal and tuber needs of the same.

By employing digitalization, the agri department also eyes to harmonize the planting schedules of farmers, so as to determine the periods for cassava harvest along with its volume, thereby ensuring growers’ quality of their harvest as well as enough supply of the commodity to satisfy the demands of different cassava processing plants.

For her part, Luz I. Guzman, PhD also cited the paramount importance of crafting a long-term plan, given the formulation of a re-entry plan of the trainees as a precursor in conferring interventions to augment cassava farmers’ productivity and income in locally growing and developing cassava and its by-products.

Under Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.’s helm, the activity is also aligned with the strategies of attaining food security and making agriculture as a viable industry—expand and improve available agri areas for increased production; improve and expand local and international market access; science and information-driven decision-making through digitalization; and strong partnership with the farmers, fisherfolk, private sector, and other stakeholders.# (JLO/Photo credits: GDA)

DA-10 through NUPAP spearheads a training on Urban Vegetable Gardening: Hydroponics in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON — Aiming to promote urban agriculture practices, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 conducts a training on Urban Vegetable Gardening: Hydroponics on October 24-25, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), Dalwangan, this city.

National Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) Alternate Focal Person Ronald Allan P. Camaddo shared that the program is continuing its efforts to strengthen urban gardening through the provision of trainings.

He added that the initiative is seen as a means to boost food security, promote self-sufficiency, and foster community resilience in densely populated urban areas.

Some 40 agricultural extension workers and farmers from the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental were trained, where they have learned on the basic concepts of urban gardening, hydroponics, food safety law, and marketing opportunities.

To jumpstart their gardening activities, participants were also given hydroponics starter kit composed of nutrient solutions, cocopeat, plastic seedling tray, hydroponic box and styro cups, pH meter and lettuce seeds.# (AMBM/Photos supplied)

Agri-10 supports the Info and Serbisyo Caravan thru the provision of veggie seeds.

TAGOLOAN, LANAO DEL NORTE — In a bid to support community development initiatives, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) participated in the Information and Serbisyo Caravan through the provision of vegetable seeds to the residents of Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte on October 30, in Brgy. Kiazar, here.

Spearheaded by the Communication and Advocacy Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency-10 (PIA-10), Regional Association of Government Communicators (RAGCOM), Philippine Army (PA), local government unit of Tagoloan, and the provincial government of Lanao del Norte, about 1k households from barangays Kiazar and Darimbang were gathered for the said initiative.

DA-10 provided some 100 packets of 5-in-1 Sinigang (radish, sitaw, okra, tomato and kangkong) seeds for the barangay residents to contribute to local food production.

Tagoloan mayor Engr. Maminta S. Dimakuta highlighted that the said caravan is one among the government’s efforts to end local communist-armed conflicts. “We are bringing government services closer to people, especially to those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” the official stated.# (AMBM/Photos supplied: PIA-10)