BAFE director, Engr. Ariodear C. Rico highlights that FMRs aid in the upliftment in the lives of farmers and fishers.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Northern Mindanao local government units (LGUs) are eyed to come up with a localized National Farm-to-Market Road Network Plan (FMRNP) for 2023-2028, emphasizing their key role in boosting the agricultural and fishery sector in their respective localities.

Of which, FMRs are regarded as imperative interventions to address challenges on the agricultural supply chain by connecting production areas to markets, and enhancing the efficiency of transporting agricultural products.

Organized by the DA-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) and its field implementing arm, the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), a two-day workshop is staged in batches, from July 16-19, here, to be guided on the crafting of the said plan.

Gathered are the local chief executives and representatives from the offices of the provincial/municipal/city agriculturist, planning and development coordinator and engineer regionwide, including the involved agencies – DA, DPWH, DILG, DOT, DTI, DAR and NEDA – in the formulation, implementation, and updating of the FMR network plan.

This initiative is in response to the presidential directive for the DA to strengthen its coordination with the concerned offices to identify new FMR projects, and prioritize existing FMRs that need to be rehabilitated.

“Sa pamamagitan nito [FMRNP], atin pang pagtutulungan na magbukas nang mas maayos, mas mabilis at mas epektibong koneksyon mula sa bukirin hanggang sa pamilihan. Ang FMRNP hindi lamang tungkol sa mga kalsada kundi isa itong susi upang mapataas ang antas at kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka [at mangingisda].” BAFE director, Engr. Ariodear C. Rico remarked.

The significance of the activity is also reinforced by DILG Undersecretary for Project Development Management, Atty. Odilon L. Pasaraba, who stressed, in his video message, the vital importance of FMRs in ensuring food security and economic growth. “By boosting mobility and broadening the reach of produce, such infrastructure projects benefit both farmers and consumers.”

Highlighted during the workshop is the GeoAgri, an interactive web mapping application that displays information on FMR projects, including a geo-mapping visualization of roads and its connectivity. It is used to automate the prioritization of proposed FMRs based on set criteria, warranting that resources are apportioned to the most impactful FMR projects.

Prioritization indicators include the estimated road influence area, agricultural potential indicators, present road condition, number of beneficiaries, average daily traffic and climate change resiliency or adaptation.

Participants have likewise undertaken hands-on activities on the data build-up/updating of network map by province/district/city/municipality in agricultural and fisheries production areas, coastal landing sites, postharvest facilities and markets, followed by a presentation of select municipalities for their initial output.
Importantly, the key components of the local FMRNP was outlined such as the situational analysis, targets and objectives, plan implementation, analysis and recommendations, which will later form part of the regional FMRNP.

As ways forward, the RAED of DA-RFO 10 shall consolidate these local FMRNP into the regional FMRNP. Such plans shall also provide the investment plan from 2024-2028 for funding, while the BAFE shall consolidate the regional FMRNP investment plans into a national FMRNP investment plan.

Capping off the discussions, the Civil Service Commission – X also reiterated the significance on the strengthening and establishment of the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering groups of the LGUs per DA-DBM-CSC-DILG JMC No. 2, series of 2020 as pivotal to modernizing and mechanizing the country’s agriculture and fishery sector.

From 2016 to 2022, the DA-10 through its FMR Development program has already completed 211.31 kilometers of FMRs amounting to PhP3.351-billion for a total of 364 projects, in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the different LGUs.# (JLO)

DA-10 provides assorted veggie seeds to the DOJ – Parole and Probation Office in support of their parole and probation rehabilitation program.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In support of the 48th anniversary of the Probation Law of 1976, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turned over an assortment of vegetable seeds to the Department of Justice – Parole and Probation Administration 10 (DOJ-PPA 10) on July 23, at the agency compound, in this city.

Funded under the agency’s High Value Crops Development Program, a total of 324 packets of vegetable (Pinakbet) seeds were turned over by Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project – Region 10 (MIADP-10) Deputy Project Director Joel S. Rudinas to Alfred Bondoc of the Misamis Oriental Parole and Probation Office.

According to Bondoc, the seeds will benefit probationers and parolees under their charge, providing them an opportunity to engage in agricultural activities as part of their rehabilitation program.

“Thank you [to the] Department of Agriculture for providing us these seeds [as they are] a great help to our probationers and parolees. [We] hope to receive more support from the DA in the future,” he said.

This initiative underscores the DA’s commitment to supporting the rehabilitation of probationers and parolees through sustainable agricultural practices, offering them the opportunity to rebuild their lives and put forward positive contribution to their communities.

Provision of said inputs is aligned with the present thrust of the DA under the leadership of Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. for increased engagement with relevant stakeholders towards a Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas.# (BJCE)

Agri-10 turns over P10.7-million INSPIRE project to the provincial government of Camiguin to help restore the livelihood of ASF-stricken hog raisers.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Northern Mindanao distributed 843 upgraded swine and 1,571 bags of feeds to 590 backyard farmers in Camiguin on Friday, July 19, aiming to bolster the province’s agriculture sector.
The initiative, valued at P10.7 million, is part of the DA’s National Swine Production Initiative for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) – Sentinel Protocol, designed to revive areas impacted by African Swine Fever (ASF).

Governor Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo received the turnover certificate from DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, marking the start of efforts to rebuild and enhance Camiguin’s local swine industry.

The project seeks to strengthen the province’s ability to locally produce an adequate supply of hogs and pork.

Jamaica Docdoc, DA-10 Livestock Program Focal Person, highlighted that these interventions will assist hog raisers in restoring their livelihoods affected by ASF.

She elaborated that the Sentinel Protocol employs a scientific approach to detect the presence of ASF virus and to facilitate areas’ release from ASF Quarantine.

George Gumban from Maac, Guinsiliban, Camiguin expressed gratitude, stating, “I am thankful to have received pigs from the DA to support my additional livelihood.”#(ATC)

Agri-10 through its Regulatory Division pushes for more NorMin farms to be PhilGAP-certified.

DALWANGAN, MALAYBALAY CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) staged a training on the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) Certification and Inspection Protocol on July 17 to 18, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Spearheaded by its Regulatory Division and conducted in partnership with the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (DA-FPA), the training apprised farmers and various agricultural stakeholders from the province of Bukidnon of key information on GAP standards, and the technical requirements to apply for a PhilGAP certification.

This, aligned with DA’s aim of increasing the number of GAP-certified farms in Northern Mindanao, thereby ensuring the continuous production of safe and quality agricultural produce in the region.

On behalf of DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, Provincial Operations Center – Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM welcomed the participants and said that the training forms part of the agency’s thrust for increased agricultural productivity in the region, while retaining its assurance of safe, high quality, and nutritious food for consumers within and beyond Northern Mindanao.

During the training, Roxette Ann D. Quindala from the DA-BPI Plant Product Safety Services Division (BPI-PPSSD) educated the farmers on the general hygienic practices for production and processing of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those grown in hydroponic systems or greenhouses, as outlined in the Philippine National Standard GAP for Fruits and Vegetable Farming – Code of Practice.

Underscoring the PhilGAP standards as a mechanism to ensure the safe and sustainable production of agricultural produce, the BPI-PPSSD also discussed the four modules of the PhilGAP certification program, namely: food safety, environmental management, workers’ welfare, and quality produce.

Meanwhile, Romnick N. Boctot of the FPA also discussed the proper handling of fertilizers and pesticides.

Further expounding on PhilGAP certification guidelines, Chamberlie Gay M. Regis, Agriculturist II of the DA-10 Regulatory Division, also discussed the guidelines of the Use of the PhilGAP Certified Mark as stipulated in Department Circular No. 12, Series of 2020.

Capping off the two-day training, Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca enjoined the participants to make use of their knowledge gained from the sessions to innovate on their existing farm practices, such that they comply with GAP standards.

RTD Dumayaca also led the turnover of PhilGAP Certification to Del Monte Philippines, Inc. (DMPI), received by Compliance Manager Maria Sheila D. Guiret and Compliance Supervisor Federico Banaga, Jr.

Joining farmers in the two-day training were representatives from various agri organizations, namely: Dole Philippines, Inc. (Stanfilco Division), DMPI, Greenproduce Farms, Sweetbee Farms, Agrinanas Development Co., Inc., and the PhilGAP Farmers Association in Bukidnon.

The event also drew the support of concerned DA-10 operating units such as the Field Operations Division through its chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD, and the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division through Assistant division chief Ferdinand F. Caraballe.# (GDA/Photos supplied)

Manolo Fortich AMIA village secures the AMIA village Presenter Award during the 1st AMIA-10 Congress in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – To showcase the different climate-resilient communities in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) conducts an awarding for the AMIA villages during its 1st AMIA-10 Congress on July 11-12, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex, in Dalwangan, here.

With this year’s theme, “Klima atimana para sa malahutayong pag-uma ug ekonomiya,” the event gathered farmer-beneficiaries, local government units, and other stakeholders to share the success and innovations of the 11 AMIA villages in the region.

Climate Resilient Agriculture Office National Director Alicia G. Ilaga noted that apart from building climate-resilient communities, the AMIA program also seeks to eradicate poverty.

“Mithiin nating mai-level up ang ating mga AMIA village mula sa pagiging maliliit na production units, papunta sa market-oriented climate-resilient enterprises o yung tinatawag nating AMIA Climate-Resilient Agri-Fishery Technology-based Enterprises (AMIA CREATE),” the CRAO director added.

As such, AMIA-10 held a Booth Display contest with the criteria: number of products displayed (30%), quality of products displayed (25%), landscape and display (25%), question and answer (20%).

Of which, Libona AMIA village of Bukidnon emerged as the first placer, followed by Manolo Fortich of Bukidnon and Magsaysay AMIA Village of Misamis Oriental, as second and third placers, respectively.

Meanwhile, select AMIA villages in its Phase 3 level of implementation also presented their best practices and adjudged with the criteria: productivity and income (30%), technologies and practices employed (25%), readiness to entrepreneurship (20%), ability to present (15%) and question and answer (10%).

Manolo Fortich AMIA village topped for the AMIA village Presenter Award, while Magsaysay, Libona and Baungon AMIA villages followed as the second, third and fourth placers, respectively.# (AMBM)

DA-10 helps capacitate LFTs on report writing.

Cagayan de Oro City – As the DA’s frontliners in delivering agricultural extension services to the farmers, the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) through its Various Production Support Services Unit (VPSSU) convened Northern Mindanao’s Local Farmer Technicians (LFTs) for a Report Writing Training on July 11-12, in this city.

In line with the DA’s sustained commitment to increase the country’s rice production, the LFTs were tasked to conduct farmer-to-farmer extension service at the grassroots level to promote the adoption of best rice farming practices in their community.

As one of the bases in planning and programming appropriate agricultural interventions for rice farmers in the region, the LTFs are required to submit monthly reports encapsulating the current farming scenarios in their community.

According to Marnelly Ann P. Flores, DA-10 VPSSU focal person, the reports submitted by the LFTs are crucial documents for the DA to craft appropriate policies to address pressing agricultural issues in the farming communities.

As part of the training, the LFTs were retooled in writing substantive reports of their field activities and accomplishments to comply with the DA-required data.

The LFTs were also apprised on Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) program of the DA to assist farmers’ associations, cooperatives (FCAs) in their locality in merging as clusters and engage in consolidated farm production and marketing modalities.# (ATT)

Agri-10 pours more than P45.9-M of agri assistance to farmers in Lanao del Norte.

TUBOD, LANAO DEL NORTE – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) headed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, together with the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), and the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), turned over various interventions to the different farmers and farmer cooperatives, associations (FCAs) of Lanao del Norte on July 5, here.

Under the National Rice Program, DA-10 turned over Fertilizer Discount Vouchers (FDV) to farmers from Kapatagan, Lala, Sapad, and Sultan Naga Dimaporo worth over P35.5-M. This forms part of the more than P50.4-M allocation for the said province, which will be benefited by 8,766 farmers.

Meanwhile, PHilMech turned over four units of four-wheel drive tractor with rotavator in the total amount of over P9.1-M to four FCAs in the province, namely: Cabasagan United Laborers and Farmers Association, Inc., Raw-an United Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative, and Darumawang – Ilaya Multipurpose Cooperative, all from Lala town, and to the Limwag Farmers Association of the municipality of Baroy.

ACPC also gave a credit fund for loan release worth P1-M to the Oryza Sativa Workers and Growers of Simpak Multipurpose Cooperative of Lala and loan assistance under the Agri Negosyo Loan program worth P200k to Rolando M. Atamosa from Kapatagan town.

In addition, PhilFIDA also gave 500 abaca seedlings worth P5k to Alen R. Ong of Baroy and four Modified Abaca Stripping Knives worth P40k to the Tambo Marketing Cooperative of the municipality of Munai.

The turnover was graced by ACPC Director Noel Clarence M. Ducusin, PHilMech Deputy Director Joel V. Dator with Engr. Edgar B. Testa, Mindanao A-cluster head, PhilFIDA Officer-in-charge Engr. Eugene N. Galela and Percy S. Salugsugan, fiber development officer, Lala Mayor Angel L. Yap, and DA-10 Provincial Operations Center Chief of Lanao del Norte Engr. Abdulharis P. Paporo.# (CRS)

Agri-10 provides fertilizer assistance to mitigate the impact of rising fertilizer prices.

VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON – To mitigate the impact of escalating fertilizer prices, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the helm of Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan launches its Fertilizer Discount Voucher distribution for this year, on July 5, this city.

Said fertilizer assistance program aims to distribute Php3.4K worth of fertilizer subsidy per hectare of area to eligible rice farmers.

For its first batch of distribution, Rice Program focal person Chona H. Nacalaban shared that around 2,109 farmers tilling 3,275 hectares from Valencia City, the largest rice-producing city in the province of Bukidnon, will be given Php11-million worth of fertilizer vouchers.

Rice farmers may choose between Urea (46-0-0) and Complete (14-14-14) fertilizer which can be claimed from their preferred DA-accredited merchants using their vouchers.

DA-10 eyes to distribute Php34-million during the wet season while a total of Php68-million has been allotted for 2024 for the city.

Beneficiaries are those rice farmers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) who have also received hybrid seeds from the DA and inbred seeds from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

Rice farmers in clustered areas may receive fertilizer support up to ten hectares while those in non-clustered areas may receive up to a maximum of five hectares.

For his part, Jose R. Panes, President of the Pulangi River Irrigation System Confederation of Irrigators Association (PRISCIA) shared, “We are thankful for the DA’s fertilizer subsidy program which will augment our fertilizer needs.”

Meanwhile, Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM relayed that the agency is thankful for farmers who keep on planting rice. She also assured them that the DA-10 will continue to have programs and projects that will help rice farmers’ production.# (AMBM)

NorMin’s DA and DTI eye for a collaboration to support the coconut farmers and industry of Balingasag town.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 continues to pursue efforts to better support the coconut industry in Northern Mindanao.

On July 3, at the agency compound, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan convened with the Department of Trade and Industry – Region 10 (DTI-10) headed by OIC-Regional Director Ruel B. Paclipan, to discuss the agency’s present thrusts to bolster the region’s coconut industry.

Recalling his experience and best practices leading to the establishment of an Integrated Coconut Processing Plant in Balingasag town, RED Pacamalan emphasized that the town’s coconut production could further improve with the various programs, projects, and interventions provided by the DA and other relevant government agencies.

To this, the agri chief executive proposed a collaborative effort between the two agencies to provide production support, establish support and processing infrastructure, and develop mechanisms for market research and marketing of various coconut-based products.

Said products include coconut oil, coconut flour, as well as coconut juice and milk, all of which are eyed to be commercially available and sold at economical prices.

DA-10 also eyes the strategic provision of funding support for infrastructure and equipment for coconut, as well as other commodities such as coffee and cacao, through the clustering efforts of its Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program, as well as through the enterprise development component (I-REAP) of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

Further, through the agri dept’s data digitization efforts, RED Pacamalan also proposed the collaboration between both agencies to generate agri-production data and other pertinent information to guide its development and co-implementation of support mechanisms for farmers and producers in region 10.

DTI, who spearheads market research for said commodity, has signified its support for the initiative, and agreed to meet with concerned technical staff of the DA to determine the ways forward, respective of both agency’s established programs and interventions.

Also joining the meeting were DTI-10 Chief Trade-Industry Development Specialist Maricris I. Gabia, Supervising Trade-Industry Development Specialist Jocelyn N. Rosales, and Senior Trade-Industry Development Specialists Jill E. Maestre and Kimberly A. Bacasma.# (GDA)

DA-10 provides veggie seeds to an Oro community.

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, continues its efforts to support local farming communities in Northern Mindanao through the distribution of vegetable seeds to various localities in the region.

On June 18, Luz I. Guzman, PhD, Field Operations Division chief, and High Value Crops Development Program focal person Kersten S. Pagalan, handed over 200 repacked assorted vegetable seeds to Christopher Ryan Bag-aw, representative from the Office of CdeO City Councilor Imee Rose P. Moreno, vice-chairperson and member of the committees on Education and Agriculture and Cultural Communities, respectively.

“Dako gyud kini nga tabang [sa mga mag-uuma] kay kini pod parte ni sa program ni Councilor Imee. Moadto siya sa bukid aron ihatag kini nga mga seed sa mga mag-uuma nga makapaminos sa ilang gastuhon sa pagpananum,” Bag-aw said.

(This is a big help for the farmers since this is also part of Councilor Imee’s program, where she goes to the countryside and distributes seeds to farmers that will enable them to plant at reduced cost.)

The DA-RFO 10’s seed distribution program directly contributes to the eight-point plan laid out by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. which aims to strengthen the region’s agricultural industry through strong partnerships with farmers, fisherfolk, and the private sector.# (JLPC)