Agri-10 and BPI undertake joint post-entry monitoring of imported potato seedlings and tubers in Bukidnon province.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To reinforce the agency’s support for plant quarantine regulations, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, in coordination with DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has jointly undertaken a post-entry monitoring of the imported potato seedlings and tubers planted in some areas of Bukidnon province on October 19-20.

The team visited and took random samples from Talakag, Lantapan, Malaybalay and Sumilao, where some farmers have benefitted from the provision of planting materials from the sustainable potato development program of DA and a private company, which were sourced from Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Said samples will be sent to the Central Post-Entry Quarantine Station in Los Baños, Laguna for analysis to ensure that the potato propagating materials are free from pests.

Further, to determine the occurrence of any pests, including potato warts that mainly appear on tubers that reduce yield and can make potatoes unmarketable.

The group on-site is composed of DA through the High Value Crops Development Program of the Field Operations Division, and BPI through its National Plant Quarantine Services Division.# (ACU/Photo supplied)

DA-10 through its Regulatory Division underscores food safety and quality agri produce through the conduct of a PhilGAP training in Bukidnon province.

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON – To ensure safe and quality crops from on-farm production to post-production stages, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the helm of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado conducts a training for Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) certification guidelines and inspection protocols, safe handling of pesticides, and the importance of food safety on October 18-19 here.

DA-10’s Regulatory Division headed by its chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD, spearheaded the activity which was attended by over 30 farmers of Bukidnon.

The said training aims to enhance the capability of farmers to comply with the provisions of PhilGAP standards and to increase the number of GAP-certified farms in Northern Mindanao.

Guzman said that PhilGAP ensures the sustainability of farmers’ good farming practices and food supply, and capacitates the former to become productive and globally competitive.

To sum up, it addresses the need for more quality, safe, and nutritious food, which covers the responsible use of water, soil, and chemicals, which can lead to long-term sustainability for the farmers and the environment.

The topics presented were the importance of food safety, basic information and safe handling of pesticides, good agricultural practices for rice, Organic Crop Production, Postharvest, and Processing (ICS 65:020), PhilGAP certification and inspection protocol, and guidelines on the use of the PhilGAP certified mark (DC No. 12 series of 2020), which are relevant for farmers’ application process.

Serving as resource speakers for the said event were representatives from the DA-Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) and the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, Plant Product Safety Services Division (BPI-PPSSD).

The next batch of training will be Misamis Occidental on October 25–26, this year.# (MPMT)

Agri-10 hands over certificate of accreditation to five FCAs from across Region 10.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, grants the certificate of accreditation to five Farmers’ Cooperatives, Associations (FCAs) across Northern Mindanao during the opening of the World Food Day celebration cum Young Farmers Challenge awarding on Monday, October 16.

The FCAs granted with accreditation are Bliss Lingion Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers’ Cooperative of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon; Kabangasan Mapua Dahilig Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative of Balingoan, Misamis Oriental; Canitoan Multi-Purpose Cooperative of CdeO City; and Miarayon Highland Farmers’ Association of Talakag, Bukidnon.

Per DA Administrative Circular No. 3, Series of 2022, FCAs have complied and passed the requirements set forth by the agri department as beneficiary or implementing Civil Society Organizations (CSO) for the further development of the agri-fishery sector.

During the course of the evaluation, the validation team considered an applicant’s presence in its stated address and area of operation; with identified membership and leadership and organizational structure; in good standing with all government agencies from which they have received public funds with emphasis on not incurring default or delay in the liquidation of such; and they must have proven track record of performance and good standing in undertaking civil society works, among others.

“It is important to recognize these organizations to encourage people’s participation in agricultural development and for them to be given priority in receiving interventions from DA,” DA-10 Regional Technical Committee Chairperson for Accreditation of CSOs and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga further said.# (MGBS)

DA-PRDP 10 holds a procurement training-workshop for proponent groups in Initao, Misamis Oriental

INITAO, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – In preparation for the procurement process prior to project implementation, the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10) together with the Mindanao Project Support Office (PSO-Mindanao) held a two-day Procurement Training and Workshop on the World Bank Harmonized Procurement Guidelines on October 11-12, 2023.

The said training strengthens the knowledge of the proponent groups (PGs) on the preparation of the supporting documents for the purchase request of their project equipment and materials which is in line with the guidelines set by the World Bank and PRDP’s Cross Reference Manual Second Additional Financing and EU Co-financing grant and is concurrent to the IRR of RA 9184-known as the Philippine Government Procurement.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director and DA-PRDP 10 Project Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized that the training is essential to the PGs who received the No Objection Letter 1 (NOL-1) that denotes the start of the project.

“Here, they will learn the flow of the procurement beginning from the preparation of Purchase Request (PR) until a perfected contract is issued to the winning bidder,” said Director Collado.

He further reminded the participants to prepare the enabling documents to fast-track the procurement process before the project commences.

The IREAP subprojects issued with NOL 1 are the Migcawan Tribal Agricultural Cooperative (MTAC) for Crumb Rubber Processing and Marketing with estimated project cost of (EPC) P80.9-M; the Mindanao Cooperative Trades and Industries (MCTI) for Coconut Sugar Processing and Marketing with EPC P16.2- M; and the Mindulao Farmers Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative (MINFARCCO) for Coconut Sauce Processing and Marketing with EPC of P23.5-M.

The identified stakeholders are required to attend the training and workshop to familiarize and identify the specifications of the equipment and or materials within the standard quality and Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC).

Joining as resource speakers were PSO-Mindanao Procurement Officers Chona Jarabata and Jennelaine Jos; and BDO June Mark Love Madin together with DA-PRDP 10 Procurement Unit Head Jeffrey B. Baja, ODO Marilyn Gargueña, and Finance Officer Andrew Salon.

Also present were representatives from PLGU Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte. # (IAgawin)

Agri 10 observes this year’s World Food Day celebration highlighting this year’s theme on the sustainable use of water in agriculture. 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In harmony with the annual celebration of World Food Day (WFD) every October 16, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) with its attached bureaus, agencies and corporations, kicked off its local celebration, underscoring the importance of sustainable usage of water in agriculture.

Centered on the theme, “Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind,” the celebration slated from October 16 to 18 features a showcase of winning entries from the recently conducted regional poster-making competition, as well as photographs from the One DA family, promoting water as a vital agricultural resource and component of food.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado inspired a collective call to build a future where water is accessible and used responsibly by all.

“We must champion initiatives that foster innovation and promote the efficient utilization of water in agriculture, industry, and daily life,” the director further said.

For his part, DA-10 Executive Assistant III Joel S. Rudinas also said that the public is currently in a position to put into action its desire for an efficient, effective, and well distribution of water.

During the opening program, the DA-10 also recognized newly accredited civil society organizations (CSOs), as well as promising young farmers from the five provinces in Region 10, all of whom were encouraged to integrate responsible water usage in their production processes.

In line with the celebration, a KADIWA food exhibit is also being staged, highlighting several agri-enterprises, including those by previous Young Farmers Challenge awardees, and their products sold at reasonable prices.

World Food Day is an annual celebration spearheaded by the United Nations – Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO) and the DA here to raise awareness and inspire action to overcome hunger and food crises.

Said activity was supported by members of the One DA NorMin, including the ATI, NDA, NFA, PCA, NIA, BPI-PQS, PhilMech, PhilFIDA, and NMIS; PCIC; DA-10 Management Committee; and AMAD staff.# (GDA)

Bliss Lingion coop of Manolo Fortich is validated on the ground by the national evaluators of the Cassava Cluster Management Excellence Award

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON – Serving as Northern Mindanao’s entry, the Bliss Lingion Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) headed by its chairman, Dante M. Dosayco, is validated on the ground by the national evaluators for the Cassava Cluster Management Excellence Award (CaCMEA) on October 12 here.

Said competition is spearheaded by the DA-Agricultural Training Institute in collaboration with the National Corn Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to recognize the laudable contributions and achievements of cassava clusters throughout the country for the advancement of the cassava industry, with emphasis on their strengthened partnership with the agency in the production of safe and quality cassava.

Founded in 1994 with only seven members, Bliss Lingion MPC initiated forming the group to address the absence of retail stores in their locality, which led them to establish a consumer store and later on, added outlets to provide the community with essential products.

However, due to some setbacks, they have closed their consumer stores at some point and have refocused on offering credit services and extending loans to their members.

Hurdling the challenges, Bliss Lingion MPC pursued several external financing to help the coop bounce back.

Inspired by their progress, they have tapped the local government of Manolo Fortich and DA for the acquisition of farm equipment for pre- and -post-harvest facilities to jumpstart their agricultural ventures.

Currently, the 353-membered coop is composed of 317 farmer-members. Two hundred fifty-eight are engaged in cassava growing with an aggregate production of 237.65 hectares, an annual production of 1,748 metric tons of cassava, and with an average yield for their fresh tubers at 38 metric tons per hectare.

They make deliveries of cassava tubers, dried chips and granules to established feed millers and other market outlets, with which some of the former they have sealed marketing agreements with.

Eyed to increase its assets in the future, Bliss Lingion MPC continues to target to acquire more pre- and -postharvest facilities and extend other services such as the purchase of agricultural inputs in bulk, venture into agribusiness and trade, promoting value-adding technologies, providing loan assistance, among others, which overall encourage and promote engagement and cooperation among members for mutual support and contribution to their community, as well.

Should the coop take any of the three coveted spots of the CaCMEA contest, they may be granted either P2 million (M), P1.2-M and 650K as the Cluster Management Excellence champion, 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up, respectively, in the form of projects to scale-up their farming operations.

The team of national evaluators is composed of Virgina V. Villa, senior agriculturist, Project Assistant III Harvey D. Ramos and Agriculturist II Hershey Turda.

Of which, they were assisted by DA-10 led by Senior Science Research Specialist II and former DA cassava focal person Mischelle F. Egama, with representatives from the Corn program and Feed Chemical Analytical Laboratory.# (JLO/Photos supplied)

DA evaluates MARBFC as a finalist for the Corn Cluster Management Excellence Awards

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON – In a bid to choose the top three outstanding corn cluster organizations from all the regional entries across the country, the national team of evaluators of the Department of Agriculture (DA) conducted a field validation of the Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers’ Cooperative (MARBFC) for the Corn Cluster Management Excellence Award (CoCMEA) on October 11.

For more than three decades since they were registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), MARBFC serves as Northern Mindanao’s entry for said competition as they have engaged in the production, processing, and marketing of safe and quality corn through a bolstered partnership with the national and local governments, including DA-10 headed by Director Carlene C. Collado, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and other entities.

Chaired by Gemma B. Basubas, it is close to being a 300-membered coop where majority (216) of its members have an aggregate area of 228.75 hectares and are planting corn, with an additional 140 hectares from its corn sub-clusters.

Guided by the vision of becoming a strong and viable coop, MARBFC has over the years provided services to members and non-members alike in terms of agricultural loan programs and custom services of pre-and post-harvest machineries and equipment.

Said services helped farmers to sustain their farming activities and importantly, ensure economic resilience by commanding fair prices for their corn produce, especially with their forged marketing agreements with established feedmillers.

Originally known as the Mantibugao Small Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, MARBFC now stands with assets amounting to about P18 million, whose members continue to work towards primarily uplifting their lives from poverty through expanding opportunities, creating jobs, and warranting sustainability in their respective endeavors.

The CoCMEA recognizes the active involvement of corn cluster organizations in support of the development of the corn industry.

If the coop is selected among the awardees, they will be granted P2 million (M), P1.2-M and 650K for being the Cluster Management Excellence champion, first runner-up, and second runner-up, respectively, in the form of a project grant.

Heading the delegation of DA national evaluators is Virgina V. Villa, senior agriculturist together with Project Assistant III Harvey D. Ramos and Agriculturist II Hershey Turda and supported by Dr. Candido B. Damo, TWG of said awards and DA consultant, and assisted by DA-10 team.# (JLO/Photos supplied)

Farmers from barangay Indalasa of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon undertakes an experiential learning tour in DA-RCPC to know more on BCAs and pest management. 

BANGCUD, MALAYBALAY CITY – The Regional Crop Protection Center of the Department of Agriculture – RFO 10 welcomes the 16 farmers from barangay Indalasa, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Tuesday, October 10 for their experiential tour in the center.

The said activity aims to expose and provide the farmers with knowledge of pest management and crop protection.

Lucille T. Minguez, RCPC chief briefed them on the station’s major Biological Control Agents (BCA) technologies or BioCon which are beneficial living organisms regulating the population of pest organisms that are specialized in predation, parasitization, and infection using entomopathogens.

The center produces various BCAs which include Trichogramma species evanescence, japonicum and chilonis, Entomopathogens such as Beauveria bassiana (White Muscardine Fungus), Metarhizium anisopliae (Green Muscardine Fungus), and Trichoderma, and predatory insects like Earwigs, Green Lacewing, Beetles (both Chilocorus nigrita and Chilocorus circumdatus), Telsimia nitida, and predatory bug Eucanthecona furcellata.

Farmers can avail of the BCAs for free upon request and by visiting the center.

The DA-RCPC 10 is responsible for crop protection in the region to ensure the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) among farmers’ practices using environment-friendly BCAs.#

DA-10 in partnership with private seed companies conduct a corn derby to provide better options [latest corn varieties] for corn farmers to increase their yield and income.

CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – To provide better options for corn farmers in Misamis Oriental, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through the Corn Program conducted a technology showcase of corn cultivars at the Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) in barangay Lanise, Claveria in the said province on October 10.

Carmelito T. Lapoot, chief of the DA-Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) who also represented Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, emphasized in his message, that the conduct of these technology showcase and seed derbies is to guide the farmers with the right kind of corn varieties to be used and learn new and innovative technologies which they can apply in their respective areas, so they can gain more yield and income.

The showcase is in partnership with eight seed companies which include Corteva AgriScience (Pioneer 4124 YR, Pioneer 3645, and Pioneer 3660 YHR), Vigour Seeds Development, Inc. (Maize D30), Bayer Crop Science Philippines (DK 8131S and DK 8899S), Syngenta Philippines, Inc. (Syngenta 6505), RJR Agro-Industrial Enterprises (Maharlika 514, Maharlika 315, and Maharlika 8888), Asian Hybrid Seed Technology, Inc. (Asian Hybrid, Supreme 5150, and Asian Hybrid J505), Evo Gene Seeds, Corp. (EVO 9307) and BioSeed Research Philippines, Inc. (Bioseed H101G and Bioseed 9909).

These companies displayed their respective hybrid yellow and white corn varieties following their respective planting protocols.

Berly F. Tatoy, PhD, RCHD chief said, “We hope that through this derby, you see the performance of the various seed varieties and choose the right one that will give you a better yield. We also hope that you can bring home some farming technologies that will help you gain more and avoid planting failure.”

The seed variety with the highest yield was able to produce 7.88 metric tons per hectare (mt/ha). The second and third-highest yielders came close with 7.28 mt/ha and 7.22 mt/ha, respectively.

These results are based on the crop cut data generated by the research staff of DA-10, in the presence of the agricultural technicians from the different seed companies.

Further, results gathered were according to the agronomic and yield components such as shelled grains, weight of cob, weight of seeds, and moisture content, among others.

Also gracing the activity are Research Center for Upland Development chief Catalino S. Soriano, Jr., DA-10 Accounting Section chief Claudia B. Artazo, former RCHD chief Clotilde B. Jumalon, and RCHD and DA-10 staff. # (CRS/Photo: CRS/TJL)

Agri-10 through AMAD hands in the P4.5-M worth of check of Baliangao, Misamis Occidental for the establishment of their trading post project.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado turned over the check amounting to P4.5 million (M) to the Local Government of Baliangao, Misamis Occidental for its trading post project on October 5, at the agency compound.

Said check was handed over by DA-10 through Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga to Haneya Theresa L. Yap-Chiong, Baliangao mayor, in the presence of Assistant Division chief Ferdinand F. Caraballe and Mae Carmela G. Fabela, Market Development Section chief of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD).

Through AMAD, the fund is intended for the establishment of a trading post project to be situated in Poblacion of said municipality, where it will provide a venue for local farmers and fisherfolk to earn decent incomes and buyers to command quality agri-fishery products at reasonable prices.

Of the total P6.25-M project cost, the DA-10 apportioned P5-M through its Enhanced Kadiwa Financial Grant for FY 2023, while LGU Baliangao counterparted 20% in the amount of P1.25-M.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to DA-10 through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado for approving this trading post project. To the agency na permanente gatimbayayong namo sa munisipyo, dako kaayo ni na tabang gikan sa buhatan,” Baliangao mayor Yap-Chiong said.

She added that said intervention would greatly help farmers and spur the economic growth of the town.
With the turned-over check serving as the first tranche of release, RTD Madriaga urged the local government through Mayor Yap-Chiong’s leadership to fast-track the liquidation of said fund release in order for the release of the succeeding tranche.

Also supporting the event are Administrative and Finance Division Chief Patrick Ian F. Pedarse, Rice Program focal person Chona H. Nacalaban, and other AMAD staff. # (TJL)