The Philippine Mining Development, Corp. pays a visit to DA-10 headed by RED Collado

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Mining Development Corporation (PMDC) led by Catherine Tzaris J. Pagatpatan, Business Development Department Manager paid a courtesy visit to the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture-RFO 10, Carlene C. Collado on Monday, October 9, in this city.

The visit is in line with their request for a joint ground validation in connection with their Gold Exploration Permit application with the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau – Region 10 for a mining tenement identified as the Cagayan de Oro – Opol Gold Project which was initially evaluated by the said agency.

Apart from the area, they are requesting also for the Rogongon Copper, Gold exploration in Iligan City.

According to Pagatpatan, a portion of the area is within the Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zone (SAFDZ), thus, they requested the said assistance to determine whether the area can be opened for mining and will enable the processing of the Exploration Permit application.

The Technical Working Group for SAFDZ Joint Ground Validation is composed of DENR-MGB 10, DA-RFO10 and DA-BSWM Central Office.

The PMDC is a government corporation attached to the DENR mandated to closely monitor and oversee the efficient and effective implementation of the country’s utilization and development of its mineral resources.#(ATC)

DA-PRDP 10 holds a management meeting for its FMR subproject, in the municipality of Naawan.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To fast-track the implementation of the Construction of Mapulong-Tuboran farm-to-market road with arch bridges in Naawan, Misamis Oriental, PRDP 10 Project Director, and DA-10 Regional Director Carlene C. Collado directed the management meeting on Wednesday, October 4, this city.

The said meeting aims to address the issues and concerns encountered in the implementation of the P85.60 million subproject.

Director Collado emphasized the need to foster better coordination among the concerned stakeholders to enhance the project execution and the timely disbursement of funds.

The discussion also includes the challenges encountered in the implementation and its impact on the project’s timeline.

Meanwhile, the LGU committed to catch up the delays of project execution and to accomplish it until December this year.

In attendance were LGU Naawan represented by its Project-in-Charge Randy Calubag, Municipal Engr. Rus Jerove C. Mugot and MPDC Salvador Almiñe with PRDP RPCO 10 Rural Infrastructure Engr. Antonio Teves and PRDP GGU Engr. Bryan Cubita and Jejor’s Construction Operation Manager, Christopher Coro.#(ATC)

DA-SAAD crafts its Data Privacy Manual thru the regional IT and Database Development and Public Relations and Development Communications personnel from 15 SAAD-implementing regions nationwide.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In compliance with Republic Act 10173, the country’s Data Privacy Law, the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) enhanced its internal protocol on data privacy and management by crafting its Data Privacy Manual.

SAAD convened its regional IT and Database Development and Public Relations and Development Communications personnel from 15 SAAD-implementing regions nationwide, for a training-workshop on Data Privacy and Management on October 2-6 here.

The program’s National Director Ulysses J. Lustria, Jr. said the activity is reflective of the program’s intent to train its personnel on the Data Privacy Act (DPA) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations to protect farmers and fishers’ information housed in the program’s database system.

“The training workshop helps improve our implementation of SAAD. [Moving onward], we know how to collect, store, process, and dispose of data properly,” he said, stressing the importance of proper data handling to protect SAAD’s data subjects and clients – the farmers and fisherfolk.

Dir Lustria stressed that after SAAD [phase 2] implementation in 2028, others can use the data for research, policy-making, and [implementation] of other projects similar to SAAD.

Data Privacy expert Atty. Jose Angelo Tiglao and Atty. Willie Ann Angsiy, DA legal service director, who concurrently serves as the agency’s Data Protection Officer, apprised the participants of the salient features of DPA and protocols for responsible and accountable data management.

The training specifically emphasized proactive measures in preventing, managing, and responding to data breach incidents to avoid unlawful and harmful data leaks.

Significantly, the training enables SAAD’s IT and Communications personnel to foster DPA-compliant procedures in collecting, storing, processing, using and publishing farmers’ and fishers’ data in carrying out their respective functions in consonance with the SAAD mandate.

For his part, DA-10 Regional Executive Director and SAAD-Northern Mindanao focal person Carlene C. Collado, enjoined SAAD personnel in the region to be receptive to their duty not only to help the farmers and fisherfolk, but also to protect them from any harm such as data breach.

He also urged ways to improve SAAD-10’s data management protocol to better protect the farmers’ information under its care.

Said event was also participated by SAAD personnel from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), information officers from the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) and the Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (AFID), and personnel from the Office of the DA Secretary.# (ATTalib)

Farmers from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon complete DA-10’s FFS on corn production.

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) conducted recently the completion rites for 28 farmers who have completed the Farmers’ Field School (FFS) on Corn Production, in Barangay Minsuro, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the FFS aims to equip farmers with the necessary technical knowledge and skills for corn production and empower them to make critical and informed decisions toward profitable and sustainable farming.

The four-month season-long field school included topics such as corn plant structures and function, seed selection, soil sampling and analysis, land preparation for corn, crop establishment, and the application of fertilizers and herbicides.

Further, farmers were also apprised of the management of various insects and pests common with corn, as well as weeds management.

In her message, DA-10 Provincial Operations Center Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM encouraged the proactive application of all learnings attained through the FFS, citing its impact in boosting the agricultural productivity of Bukidnon and Northern Mindanao.

FFS farmer-graduates Nelvin Emben and Rowena Pontasan expressed their gratitude for being part of the activity, and reiterated their shared commitment with other graduates to foster community, stimulate local innovation, and attain sustainable agriculture.

Supporting the activity were Municipal Vice Mayor Reynaldo L. Bagayas, Jr., Municipal Agriculturist Gemma G. Cania, Barangay Chairperson Mary Jane P. Guilayan, DA-10 Integrated Pest Management focal person Marnelly Ann P. Flores, and staff.# (GDA/Photos supplied)

DA-10 together with private seed companies host a corn derby in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, in the hopes of increasing farmers’ yield and income.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado in partnership with private seed companies, staged a technology showcasing of promising hybrid corn cultivars in barangay Dalwangan here on Friday, October 6, in a bid to provide farmers with opportunities to reap higher yield and income.

With the apportioned 1.3 hectares at the DA-10’s Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), some 17 hybrid corn varieties from eight seed companies were exhibited, as their entries vie to prevail over the select cultivars in terms of yield, net return and adaptability during the second leg of corn derby field day for this year’s wet season.

Employing their respective planting protocols, yellow corn varieties were featured by Corteva AgriScience with P3660YHR, P3645YR and P4124YHR as their entries; Bayer Crop Science Philippines (DK8899S, DK8131S), Vigour Seeds Development, Inc. (MAIS SWERTE, MAIZE D30), and Syngenta Philippines, Inc. (NK6505BGT).

Added to the line-up of yellow corn cultivars are Maharlika 315 and Maharlika 44 of RJR Agro-Industrial Enterprises; AH SUPREME 5150 and J505 of Asian Hybrid Seed Technology, Inc.; EVO 9307 of Evo Gene Seeds, Corp.; and H101G and B9909G of BioSeed Research Philippines, Inc.

Two white corn varieties were also demonstrated, namely: Maharlika 8888 and MAISTISA of RJR and Vigour, respectively.

“Your participation [in the corn derby] will not be a futile effort, as this is one of our bases in the procurement of our seeds for next year,” DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga underscored before over a 200-membered mixed crowd of seed company representatives, farmers and agricultural extension workers of Bukidnon province.

For 2024, DA-10’s hybrid yellow corn seeds fund allocation is pegged at PhP144 million for the said province, which includes the areas of the attendees from the towns of Impasug-ong, Baungon, Manolo Fortich, Talakag, Cabanglasan, Lantapan, and the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia.

Based from the crop cut results generated by DA-NMACLRC of the Research Division, the top yielder harvested an average yield of 12.53 metric tons per hectare (mt/ha) with a production cost of PhP59,600.00 and a net return of PhP159,657.50, followed by 10.91 mt/ha amounting to PhP61,110.00 and a net return of PhP129,780.00, and coming in third, 10.62 mt/ha with a production cost of PhP59,635.00 and a net return of PhP126,232.50.

Wherein, parameters that were factored in include plant harvested per hectare, number of corn ear rot, average ear and plant height, ear diameter and length, average weight of seeds at 14% moisture content, shelling recovery and yield per hectare to determine the performing yellow corn varieties.

Similar agronomic characteristics and yield components were also used for the white corn variety entries, ranking first with 9.01 mt/ha with a production cost of PhP57,435.00 and a net return of PhP100,310.00, and trailing behind is 7.04 mt/ha costing PhP41,790.00 with a net return of PhP81,410.00.

Recognizing that the conduct of corn derbies remain relevant to DA’s thrust of attaining food security and self-sufficiency, RTD Madriaga also urged the participants to serve as the agri department’s ambassadors and ambassadresses on the ground, as they have seen the actual performance of the latest available hybrid corn varieties of different seed companies.

“Share your learnings and experiences na nakuha ninyo diri karon aron daghan mabulahan sa maong impormasyon ug kini mapaambit sa uban,” the assistant director added.

Meanwhile, Justin R. Ferrer, Barangay Agricultural Technician Managing Agricultural Networks of the Municipal Agriculture’s Office of Manolo Fortich, pins his hopes that the learnings and exposure of the farmers he assisted were reinforced, especially so that almost 30 of them completed the Farmers’ Field School in Corn Production in barangay Minsuro just a few days ago.

“Nanghinaot ko nga kining pag anhi nila magamit gyud nila, ilabina sa pagpili sa unsay angay nilang paliton nga binhi ug ma-apply pod nila kung unsa ilang nakat-unan nga technology diri [sa corn derby] sa ilang pagpanguma,” Ferrer remarked.

PSA data for hybrid corn production in Bukidnon for the year 2022 stands at 842,207.04 metric tons from 174,326.62 hectares of area harvested.

Jointly implemented by the Operations and Research divisions, the corn derby field day was also supported by Research Division chief Lorena V. Duna, NMACLRC chief Carmelito R. Lapoot, Provincial Operations Chief for Bukidnon Janet D. Lopez, DVM, Research Center for Hillyland Development Berly F. Tatoy, PhD, Regional Corn Program focal person Richan D. Lacanaria and other DA-10 staff. # (JLO/Photo credits: RDMElloren)

Agri-10 and the city government of CdeO sign a MOA for the establishment of a City-led Agriculture and FIsheries Extension System.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Forming part of its concerted efforts to empower local governments in the delivery of social services and foster local economic growth, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro (CLGU-CdeO) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the establishment of a City-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (CAFES) on September 26, 2023, at the agency compound, this city.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado signed the MOA with City Agriculturist Paterno L. Gonzales Jr., representing LGU-CdeO and witnessed by DA-Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 10 (ATI-10) Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez, DA-10 Field Operations Division chief Eduardo N. Pit, PhD.

As project convener, DA-10 will bring together program partners, namely the National Irrigation Administration (NIA-10) and the Highly Urbanized City Agricultural and Fishery Council, to establish and implement the CAFES, consistent with the priorities identified in the Collaborative City Agricultural and Fisheries Extension Program (CCAFEP).

Director Collado said the agreement fosters the synergistic approach of the Department, the local government, and its partners toward a more productive agri-fisheries sector and community-driven agricultural development, consistent with Executive Order No. 138.

Further, DA-10 will coordinate the provision of inputs, farm machineries and equipment, and support services, as well as extend assistance to LGU-CdeO in market linkages for farmers and fisherfolk through available KADIWA centers.

The CLGU-CdeO will lead the implementation of the CCAFEP guided by the city’s Strategic Plan for Agriculture, City Commodity Investment Plan (CCIP), and Value Chain Analysis (VCA) of priority commodities in the city, and integrate the CCAFEP with the Comprehensive City Development Plan.

As the lead authority on irrigation, NIA-10 will plan, design, and construct irrigation projects and systems in the city, and provide technical assistance in irrigation and water management to the City Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center (CAFEC).# (GDA)

DA-10 conducts its yearly Research for Development Review at NMACLRC in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Research Division, spearheaded the agency’s Research for Development (R4D) Review on October 2-3, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), Dalwangan here.

Evaluators from the member agencies of the Northern Mindanao Research Development and Extension Network (NOMIRDEN) reviewed the 12 presented research studies/projects, comprising 10 completed and two ongoing.

The annual R4D review mainly aims to evaluate the methodology used in research projects, the attainment of objectives, and the generation of comments and suggestions to the identified challenges affecting research project adoption.

The proposed research projects include crops, developmental research, integrated farming systems, pest and nutrient management, value-added products development, adaptability yield trials, technology adoption, and other fields of studies concerning the agriculture sector.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado extended his gratitude to the evaluators for their time and effort in helping the agency’s research initiative be approved until submission to the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) based on the evaluations.

“DA management is fully supportive of our research initiatives and hopefully, all of these proposals will contribute to an empowered research and development system, which will lead to expanded economic opportunities for those who engage in agriculture and fisheries, particularly small and subsistence farmers and fisherfolk,” he said.

Dir. Collado challenged the researchers to transfer the products of technology down to the farmers’ level and hoped that the personnel could identify success stories from their studies.

Meanwhile, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga shared the significance of generating scientific findings and their relevance to the mandates and thrust of DA, which is food security.

“As One DA, we will invite other Regional Management Committee (RMC) members to present for the next research review so that we can really have that One DA system,” she conveyed.

Closing the activity is the awarding of the best research papers, of which Maridith A. Flores, Senior Science Research Specialist of DA-10 Research division won first place for her study, “Market-driven Varietal Testing and Validation for Effective Positioning of Varieties in Target Rice Ecosystems and Seed Chains in Region 10.”

Placing second and third were: Berly F. Tatoy, PhD, Research Center for Hilly Land Development chief for her study, “Surveillance, Monitoring and Management of Arthropods and Diseases of Corn in Mindanao,” and Carmelito R. Lapoot, NMACLRC chief for the “Soil Health Management for Sustained Yield of Cassava”, respectively.

The three best research paper awardees will advance for presentation and competition to this year’s regional research symposium, which is annually conducted by the Northern Mindanao Consortium on Agriculture, Aquaculture Research and Development (NOMCAARD).

The panel of Evaluators were Elmer E. Enicola of the Institute of Plant Breeding – University of the Philippines – Los Baños (IPB-UPLB); Floro V. Dalapag of the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC); Mercedita G. Barbarona and Lydia E. Tiongco of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Maria Estella B. Detalla, PhD and Lowella R. Angcos, PhD of the Central Mindanao University (CMU); and Ma. Estrella Luz Penaloza of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

DA-10 RTD for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca supported the activity with the Research Division and its research stations. # (RDMElloren)

DA-10 AMAD updates MisOr and CdeO agribusiness coordinators on agribusiness-related services of the department.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the helm of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado recently held a coordination meeting and planning workshop for agribusiness coordinators and municipal agriculturists from the province of Misamis Oriental.

Attendees were from the 13 MisOr municipalities and CdeO City, where they presented their accomplishments in support of the delivery of projects, interventions, and services of DA-10 through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD).

This ranges from market information, market linkage and product promotion, agribiz promotion, and agribiz development services.

Larry E. Paraluman, DA-10 AMAD chief said that the activity aims to develop initiatives that address identified challenges and opportunities in agriculture with clear goals and timelines.

He added that AMAD seeks to promote the expansion and development of agricultural operations by offering farmers, agribusiness owners, and other relevant stakeholders various forms of support, direction, and resources.

Presentations of updates and the different programs and activities for availment from the three sections of DA-AMAD, such as the Agribusiness and Industry Support Section (AISS), Agribusiness and Promotion Section (APS), and the Market Development Section (MDS), being offered to their targeted beneficiaries were also done.

The next batch of the said activity will be in Bukidnon on the last week of October.# (MPMT)

DA-10 links SMFI-Visayas with FCAs in MisOr, Bukidnon and CdeO City for potential market for their corn and cassava

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In its pursuit of providing them with a direct and additional market for their produce at reasonable prices, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) recently linked San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI)-Visayas to the different cassava- and corn-producing farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) from Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon provinces, and from the city here.

In a brief meeting held at the agency compound, the SMFI-Visayas team led by Eduardo Co, logistics in-charge, bared that their company eyes to tap FCAs in Region 10 to augment the volume of their existing shipments and also maximize their operations, from CdeO City to Cebu City.

Having an audience with the invited 11 FCAs, Co emphasized that it is also their company’s manifestation that they join in the agri department’s bid to help boost farmers’ incomes and the quality of their lives; thus, also hearing out the challenges they have encountered on the ground.

In response, Carlene C. Collado, DA-10 regional executive director underscored that the FCAs should consider tapping said company, as they can deal with them; thereby, cutting the trading layers when marketing their corn and cassava harvest.

Likewise, he assured that the agency will continue to provide the needed support for the FCAs such as the provision of seeds, fertilizers, farm tractors, postharvest facilities, and capitalization, among others, to empower their groups and enable them to forge a long-term business partnership with SMFI-Visayas.

Further, the agri official highlighted the submission of the FCAs’ respective letters of intent, as the top priority in requesting assistance from DA, as validation on-site will then follow.# (JLO)

Tein of South City Central School emerges as the champion in the recently concluded 2023 World Food Day Poster Making Contest. She was assisted by her coach, Ryan Z. Roa.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) recognized the top three winning entries of the World Food Day (WFD) Regional On-the-Spot Making Contest on September 29, in this city.

The three successful participants who placed in this year’s competition are Gerlie Faith S. Tein and Renee Abegail E. Arroyo from the South City Central School ranking first and second, respectively; and Angel Szyatche S. Luzares from the Agusan Elementary School ranking third.

Forty-five grades 5 to 6 student participants from public and select private schools demonstrated their artistic skill through hand-drawn illustrations and with oil pastels as the coloring medium, centered on this year’s theme: “Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind.”

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the contest aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the responsible use and conservation of water, a finite resource and essential component of human life, among the youth.

Further, he said that the event is aligned with the Department’s thrust to promote sustainable agriculture, whose processes mainly concern the use of the said natural resource.

The first-place winner will represent Region 10, where her winning masterpiece will be sent to the DA-Central Office for judging during the national tilt slated later this week.

DA is the country’s lead agency in the annual celebration of the WFD in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN-FAO), and the Department of Education (Deped). # (GDA)