Farmers from Magsaysay, MisOr graduate from FFS on IPM in hybrid corn production.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Twenty-five farmers completed the Farmers’ Field School (FFS) on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Hybrid Corn Production of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) in Barangay Cabubuhan, Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental, on September 12.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that the FFS intends to educate corn planters about matured technologies, with a focus on IPM-based pest and disease management, which maintains crop health leading to healthier and higher quality crops.

The four-month-long FFS included topics on land preparation and crop establishment, fertilizer rate and computation, soil sampling techniques, the morphology of corn seeds, insect pests of corn, integrated weed management, pesticide hazard to health and environment, and natural resources biodiversity and watershed management.

Also tackled were farm record keeping and economic analysis, which were carried out through the conduct of field days, assessments, and summarizing best practices in corn production.

DA-10 Field Operations Division chief Eduardo N. Pit, Ph.D., shared that the activity through the agency’s Various Production Support Services (VPSS) aims to help farmers gain sustainable and effective methods to manage pests and diseases in their corn fields while maximizing crop yield.

Marites B. Jayectin, one of the FFS graduates, is grateful for the opportunity to join said activity, where she has gained a comprehensive understanding of the key concepts and principles underlying IPM. Of which, she expects higher yields, directly translating into increased profits, she added.

Also gracing the event were DA-10 Agriculturist II Jesson R. Ucat, Magsaysay Sangguniang Bayan Council Chairman on Agriculture Genaro A. Nisperos, Municipal Agriculturist Patrick Ralph R. Pahalla, and Corn Agricultural Technologist and Technician Robert R. Nisperos and Francisco O. Naldoza, respectively.# (MPMTablon)

DA-10 extends mentoring assistance to this year’s Young Farmers Challenge – Upscale Program applicants.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) conducted its mentoring and coaching for applicants of the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) 2023 Upscale Competition on September 13 to 15.

Facilitated by the division’s Agribusiness Promotion Section, two agri-fishery enterprises from barangays San Simon and Pagatpat in CdeO City, and three from the municipalities of Impasugong, Kadingilan, and Valencia City in Bukidnon, received mentorship on enterprise implementation and the optimization of resources in response to growing market demands.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that through the mentoring assistance, the Department works closely with agri-fishery enterprises to build on their existing goals and objectives, and innovate their products and services, aligned with the rationale of the program.

Said enterprises also received suggestions on the necessary refinements to their business plan and pitch deck prior to the YFC competition proper slated later this year.

The YFC-Upscale Program is an initiative of DA for previous YFC awardees which aims to upscale the operations of their existing agri-fishery enterprise, invest in new technology for product development, and generate employment through the provision of additional capital in the form of competitive financial grant assistance.# (GDA)

Agri-10 and the local governments of Bukidnon craft a five-year development plan for the rice industry.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – RFO 10 through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado facilitates the crafting of the 2024-2028 Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP) plan for the province of Bukidnon.

Chona H. Nacalaban, Rice Program focal person of DA-10 explained, “The MRIDP is formulated to address the present challenges in the rice industry and it is set to improve agricultural production in the country to achieve the government target of 97 percent rice self-sufficiency by 2028.”

Following the program’s briefing earlier this August, the DA-10’s Rice Program led the convergence planning workshop of OneDA, comprising of ATI, PhilMech, NIA, and PhilRice which seeks to create a rice industry in the region that is thriving, resilient, and sustainable while boosting the productivity of farmers.

The program was designed to prioritize the welfare of Filipino farmers, boost the rice value chain, and improve agricultural production across the Philippines.

The Provincial Agriculture’s Office of Bukidnon together with the 21 local government units (LGUs) prepared their plans focusing on markets, innovations, scale, mainstreaming, and outcome.

The said plan will determine solutions to pressing issues on rice which include farm income, productivity, supply of rice, and competitiveness in the world market.

With the existence of the farm clusters in Bukidnon, the government can easily provide its interventions from inputs (seeds, fertilizers), machinery, and even marketing assistance.
To work on the detailed integrated plans, there is a need for innovative approaches to engage farmers and the private sector.

Citing the existence of the province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES) in the province will aid in the implementation of the program.

The provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte will be pilot-tested for the program, being the rice producers in Northern Mindanao. Bukidnon, the region’s top rice-producing province has an annual production of 295.686 metric tons in CY 2022 based on PSA with a sufficiency level of 216.51 percent.

In terms of physical area, Bukidnon has a total area of 40,799 hectares both for irrigated and rainfed areas or 56.48 percent of Region 10’s total physical area of 75,883 hectares.#(ATC)

Agri-10 bares updates relative to supporting the region’s agricultural sector during the 3rd quarter RDC-X Economic Development meeting

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To update stakeholders on agricultural matters, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) presented updates on its programs and services during the 3rd quarter Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao (RDC-X) Economic Development Committee meeting, held on Thursday, September 14 here.

Lana May S. Racines, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division officer-in-charge, reported that the region’s rice requirement for food from August to December this year is around 227,820 metric tons (MT) while the total available rice is 267,289 MT.

“We are sufficient on rice up to December this year by 117%,” shared Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, further noting that buffer stocks of DA-National Food Authority will augment the same those sourced from rice importations, in case of any disasters.

With regards to Executive Order (EO) No. 39 which sets the price cap of regular milled rice to Php 41 per kilogram (kg) and Php 45/kg for well-milled rice, the director assured that retailers are compliant.

“We have conducted a lot of meetings and price monitoring activities with the Bantay Presyo Task Force and have seen that a lot of retailers have followed said price caps,” the executive director relayed.

Seen as an alternative to rice, he also noted that for this year, the agency is set to procure hybrid white corn seeds and establish corn silos to assure quality corn produce.

Likewise, the DA official remarked that the agency has been strengthening its programs and projects, particularly on the provision of rice seeds and fertilizers to farmers as well as the establishment of postharvest facilities to reduce production costs.

In terms of securing local rice production, Collado conveyed, “We are helping stakeholders to establish rice mill facilities. We also encourage the local government units to avail of such facilities through the DA-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).”

Further, the RDC-X Economic Development Committee also endorsed a resolution to ask Congress for the extension of the RCEF implementation.

It can be recalled that the RCEF is a rice production development program created under Republic Act 11203, otherwise known as the Rice Tariffication Law, which allots annually P10 billion for six years starting in 2019, aimed to improve the competitiveness of rice farmers. # (AMBManto)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To help farmers contribute to the development of a high value crop producing-region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) holds a ceremonial planting for the conduct of an Allium derby on September 11 and 14, in barangays Tablon and Mambuaya.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado stated that the said event would serve as a testament to Region 10’s capability to plant a wide variety of onions, upscaling local farmers’ productivity and their means of livelihood.

“Our concentration for the production area for onion is in Bukidnon province, but there are still a lot of unexplored areas here in CdeO that we can develop into potential areas for onion farming,” said Dir. Collado.

The derby is participated by five seed companies, namely: Allied Botanical, Corp., Kaneko Seeds, Corp., Greenseeds, Corp., Ramgo International, Corp., and the East-West Seed Company.

For barangay Tablon (District 2), each seed company will showcase their onion varieties in three greenhouses (1K square meter each), while in barangay Mambuaya (District 1), they will feature their entries in an open space at 500 sq m each .

It is expected to run for around four months, and the generated results will be one of the bases for the procurement of seeds according to compatibility with soil conditions and employed farming technologies.

“DA will make sure to contribute to any additional needs. We will expand, so we can make CdeO one of the primary producers of onions,” Dir. Collado added.

In his message, CdeO City 2nd District Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez expressed his confidence in the undertaking and enjoined the cooperation of the local and national governments to ensure its continued success.

The occasion was also attended by Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, Kersten S. Pagalan, High Value Crops Development Program focal person, and other staff of DA-10; other CdeO city government officials, including Acting Administrator, Atty. Roy Hilario P. Raagas and Vice-Mayor Jocelyn B. Rodriguez, National Irrigation Administration LAMISCA IMO Division Manager Elpidio D. Lucernas, Jr. and other staff, barangay officials and locals.# (CMCutamora)

Agri-10 breaks ground for the P1.89-million cattle feedlot in one of its research stations to help boost the production and quality of cattle stocks. 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To strengthen the production of cattle in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) breaks ground for the construction of the P1.89 million (M) worth cattle feedlot at the agency’s Malaybalay Stock Farm in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that the facility provides a controlled environment for raised cattle to receive a balanced and nutritionally optimized diet to promote rapid growth and weight gain.

The facility has a total land area of 356.38 square meters with a capacity of 60 heads and is funded under the Livestock Program 2023 headed by its focal person Jamaica L. Docdoc.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga added that the facility aims to improve the operation of the farm and boost the production of quality stocks which will be used for distribution to target beneficiaries regionwide.

Supporting the ceremony were DA-10 RTD for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM, Research Division chief Lorena V. Duna, and other of the agency’s personnel.# (MPMTablon)

R-10 farmers’ coops, associates and food terminal operators undergo training on food safety regulations. 

DALWANGAN, MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON — To promote the sale of food safety-compliant agricultural commodities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) conducted a training on food safety awareness on September 13, 2023, this city.

Food Terminal (FT) operators and farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) were apprised by resource speakers from the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry on the importance of food safety and postharvest handling of fruits and vegetables.

The participants were also oriented on the proper handling of animal meat products and trained on good agricultural practices (GAPs) through resource speakers from the National Meat Inspection Service and the DA-10 Regulatory Division, respectively.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that the training forms part of the necessary measures taken by the Department to ensure the safety and quality of agricultural commodities being sold in the market, especially through the food terminals in Region 10.

AMAD chief Larry E. Paraluman also said that the awareness training on food safety aims to empower FCAs and FT operators here in institutionalizing GAPs in their daily operations, which, in turn, also inspires confidence among consumers on the quality and safety of agricultural commodities for sale.

Also supporting the activity were DA-10 Provincial Operations Center Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM, AMAD Supervising Agriculturist Ferdinand F. Caraballe, Agribusiness and Industry Support Services (AMAD-AISS) section chief Jenny D. Alcobilla, and other AMAD staff.# (GDA)

DA-PRDP 10 through its IPLAN component supports CdeO for CCIP enhancement.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To address the challenges and create intervention strategies for the commodities of the city, the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10) through the IPLAN component, in partnership with the City Local Government Unit of Cagayan de Oro, holds a City Commodity Investment Plan (CCIP) updating workshop on September 15, 2023, in this city.

The CCIP is a document that provides direction for LGUs in prioritizing investments to develop the agri-fishery sector.

The CIP is used as a basis to pinpoint interventions for a certain sector. The said workshop enables the stakeholders to gather and discuss concerns and identify interventions for commodities such as abaca, banana cardava, cacao, coffee, and vegetables.

The identified interventions are based on the gaps, constraints, and challenges of each commodity with value chain analysis (VCA).

The workshop also integrates factors with climate considerations such as risks and its mitigating measures.

“We have so many challenges right now because of climate change. We hope that through this workshop, we can identify the challenges of each commodity so we can address each problem from the planning stage to the production stage,” said Paterno L. Gonzales, CdeO City agriculturist, in his message.

He added, “We hope that we can proceed and implement the plan for our five industries; abaca, banana cardava, cacao, coffee and vegetables, which are our focus for this workshop.”

Meanwhile, DA-10 Regional Executive Director and DA-PRDP 10 Project Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized that it is vital for the city to update the CIP to align with future project proposals under PRDP Scale-up.

The Jamaican Training and Assessment Center, one of DA-PRDP’s value chain coffee players, exhibited its products during the workshop, showcasing the potential of locally-produced coffee in the market to the stakeholders.

Joining the event are CdeO’s Agricultural Productivity Operations Office (APOO), Planning & Development Office (CPDO), Local Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO), Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Veterinary Office, Engineering Office, and local farmers. # (IAgawin)

DA-10 spearheads a field day on OneRicePH in Barangay Kahapunan, Valencia City, Bukidnon. 

VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Research Division, conducted recently a field day on OneRicePH: Expanded On-farm Technology Demonstration for the wet season, in Barangay Kahapunan.

According to PhilRice Central Office representative Pinklet Athen Canilang, OneRicePH is a collaborative project of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), DA, and the local government units (LGUs) to unify rice breeding dissemination strategies that will increase genetic gain and improve grain quality and nutrition.

“The project aims for the development of a product concept for target rice market segments and the establishment of a national breeding network,” she said.

With a total area of 5.1 hectares implemented by co-operators, comprising of a seed grower and three farmers, said techno demo showcased inbred rice varieties such as NSIC Rc 512, NSIC Rc 506, and NSIC Rc 508, which are intended for irrigated lowland ecosystem.

The performance of the said varieties as a result of also employing optimum nutrient management and associated rice cultivation technologies, was witnessed and evaluated by farmer representatives of the different 13 Irrigators’ Associations in the city.

Initially, the results of the participatory varietal selection were presented, yielding higher results compared to the targeted 7.50 tons per hectare.

Maridith A. Flores, senior science research specialist and OneRicePH focal person of DA-10, remarked that the activity also paves the way to showcase the benefits of using recommended rice varieties and their yield potential, streamlining the country’s rice breeding strategies and variety dissemination.

Likewise, supporting the activity are Research Division Chief Lorena V. Duna and Provincial Operations Center-Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM of DA-10, Mayor Azucena P. Huervas, City Councilor Rogelio P. Hera, committee on agriculture, and other City LGU Valencia officials and staff.# (RDMElloren)

Agri-10 train agri extension workers on Hydroponics veggie production.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – To promote hydroponics among farming communities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the helm of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado held a training for hydroponics vegetable production at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

The training brought together 28 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from the different municipalities and cities of Bukidnon through DA-10’s Various Production Support Services (VPSS).

According to DA-10 VPSS focal person Marnelly Ann P. Flores, the activity will equip the trainees with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish and manage hydroponic vegetable production and enable them to convey the advantages of the technology to their fellow local farmers.

Meanwhile, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga expressed her gratitude to the participating AEWs for attending the training, “I am thankful that you are here to learn the technology firsthand, and I hope you’ll use it in some creative way in your endeavor.”

Hydroponics expert Jerwin B. Quiñal, owner of Quiñal Hydroponics Farm and Supplies, shared the principles and concepts of hydroponics technology, Plant Nutrients Solutions, Pest and Disease Management, and other types of hydroponics, among others while also engaging them in a hands-on activity.

Present during the activity are DA-10 Field Operations Division (FOD) chief Eduardo N. Pit, Ph.D., Provincial Operations Center (POC)-Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM, and other DA staff. # (RDMElloren)