Agri NorMin supports restoration projects thru veggie seeds provision

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In a bid to support restoration projects in the barangays of CdeO, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) provided vegetable seeds to the Safer River, Life Saver Foundation, Inc. (SRLSFI) on February 5.

A total of 250 packets of vegetable seeds comprising of Pinakbet (150 packets), Okra (50) and Pole Sitao (50 packets) were given to the SRLSFI through Boat Pilot Le Patigas by DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and High Value Crops Development Program focal person Kersten S. Pagalan.

The said provisions are aimed at helping the riverbank communities in Mambuaya, Lumbia and Tignapoloan to promote environmental preservation while also promoting food security. # (AMBM)

DA-10 strengthens 4ID’s food resiliency efforts with veggie seeds prov’n

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) reinforced food sufficiency to the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division through vegetable seeds provision on February 4 at the agency compound.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, alongside High Value Crops Development Program focal person Kersten S. Pagalan, handed over some 30 packets of okra and bush sitao apiece, 23 4-in-1 chopsuey vegetables, and 7 packets of garden salad to PFC Ana Lou L. Llacuna.

Rooted in the DA’s mission of championing gardening across all spaces, the initiative arms uniformed personnel with food sustenance in their own compounds, boosting self-sufficiency amid service exigencies.# (BJCE)

Agri-10 boosts affordability and access toAgri-10 boosts affordability and access to rice in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Emphasizing its goal of stabilizing rice prices and ensuring sufficient supply in the market, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), headed by Regional Executive Director (RED) Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, reiterated the agency’s aim to safeguard both consumers and local farmers from the adverse effects of price volatility.

In an interview on Wednesday, January 29, RED Pacamalan explained that both the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) and the Food Security Emergency are policies designed to secure the country’s rice supply by improving access, lowering prices, mitigating risks, and stabilizing the food supply in times of crisis.

With the 15 percent reduction in tariffs on rice imports, the agri chief exec urged local retailers to strictly comply with lowering their rice prices to help ease inflation.

“Mao na karun nga naa gyud tay supplier nga naa sa PhP37 [per kilo] ang presyo kay mao gyud nay immediate effect sa pagreduce sa taripa. Kung ang presyo karun sa imported sa retail naa sa PhP40, tungod kay gireduce ang taripa natu gikan sa 35 to 15 percent, ang epekto niini naa sa PhP5 ang reduction sa price (That’s why we now have a supplier whose price is at PhP37 [per kilo] because that is the immediate effect of reducing the tariff. If the current retail price of imported rice is PhP40, the tariff reduction from 35 to 15 percent has resulted in approximately PhP5 price drop),” the director said.

Meanwhile, in addressing the food security emergency, RED Pacamalan highlighted that the declaration will allow government agencies to prioritize food production and distribution to meet demand, as well as implement stricter price monitoring and regulation to prevent unreasonable price hikes.

Moreover, the declaration will also grant the National Food Authority (NFA) the legal provision to release its existing buffer stocks to the local market, providing consumers with more options for lower-priced local rice.

“Ang impact niini, ang mga local government unit pwede na mo request [rice supply] pinaagi sa DA paingon sa NFA para sa ilang mga KADIWA center aron kining mga bugas nga ang presyo mokabat lamang sa PhP38, matagamtam usab sa atung mga konsumedor (The impact of this is that local government units can now request [rice supply] through the DA to be sourced from the NFA for their KADIWA centers, allowing consumers to access local rice priced at PhP38),” he added.

In closing, the regional head also shared that in line with the initiatives provided by the agency to the local rice farmers, the DA has now increased the subsidies intended for these farmer-beneficiaries to enhance productivity and reduce production costs.

Some of the key assistance programs include but are not limited to, fertilizer and input subsidies, mechanization support, financial assistance, crop insurance, market and price support, irrigation and infrastructure, and research and training.

“Ang subsidy sa DA more or less naa between 12 to 15 percent ang ma minus sa iyang [rice farmer] cost of production. Eventually, pagmerkado niini mo ubos gyud ang presyo sa humay aron dili kaayu ma apektohan ang atung mga konsumedor. Kana nga balanse mao gina paningkamotan sa DA-10 (The DA subsidy will reduce the [rice farmer’s] cost of production by about 12 to 15 percent. Eventually, as the rice reaches the market, its price will decrease, ensuring that consumers are not heavily affected. This balance is what DA-10 is striving to achieve),” he concluded.# (EJLG)

DA-10 intensifies Baungon NHS’s Gulayan support with seed provision

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Reinforcing school-based food productions, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) upheld Baungon National High School’s (BNHS) “Gulayan sa Paaralan” by turning over 30 packets of 5-in-1 Pinakbet vegetable seeds on January 31.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga handed the seeds to Mary Grace B. Redondo, BNHS’s Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) department chairperson.

Underscoring DA-10’s consistent commitment to agricultural integration in education, Redondo recalled the agency’s previous PhP1.5-million grant in 2023 for appropriation of agri facilities, inputs, and equipment, following the school’s recognition as one of the “Best Gulayan sa Paaralan Implementer[s]” in Bukidnon province.

The seeds will cultivate BNHS’s expansive 7,500-square-meter garden (demo farm), ensuring a school-produced supply of vegetables for their feeding program.# (BJCE)

US-based coffeehouse franchise explores sourcing prospects with Buk’n growers

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON — Supported by the agency in initiatives such as market linkage, product promotion, and equipment provision, the Rural Improvement Club Federation of Kape Maramag, Inc. moves closer to the global market as operators of a US-based coffeehouse franchise Biggby Coffee paid a visit on January 25 to explore potential farm-direct sourcing opportunities with its local growers.

Said federation is composed of farmers in the town with a focus on coffee value chain development.

Coordinated by the Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS) and facilitated by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of Region 10 (DA-AMAD 10), the visit sought discussions with local growers to understand their practices and challenges, with the all-encompassing aim of establishing a supply chain link between Biggby Coffee and Bukidnon’s growing coffee industry.

The 15-year local coffee grower and member of the federation, Lucia T. Cabacoy, demonstrated to the visiting operators her 2-hectare farm of Catimor, Arabica, and Sweet Coffee varieties in Barangay Silang.

Adding potential sourcing prospects, the visiting operators also engaged with other coffee farmers in the province, including Corazon M. Llauderes of the Impalutao-Dalwangan-Sawaga Agrarian Reform Cooperative and Edeamae Onduran from Miarayon, Talakag.

Aligned with the agency’s initiative to help farmers link their production with broader markets, the visit solidifies DA’s ongoing efforts to push and promote Bukidnon’s coffee into the global trade.# (BJCE)

Agri-10 eyes strengthened beef cattle marketing innovations among NorMin industry stakeholders

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON — As demand grows for production and marketing of beef cattle, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10), led by the Regional Executive Director, Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, through its livestock program, hosted a beef cattle marketing innovations seminar cum workshop, to foster networking and collaboration among stakeholders, on January 24, here.

Pursuant to the memorandum order issued by the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary, which highlights the need for innovative marketing strategies and technological advancements to support the growth and sustainability of the beef cattle industry, DA-10 eyes to equip beef cattle producers with modern marketing tools to enhance product visibility and consumer engagement.

In his message, DA Assistant Secretary for Ruminant Livestock, Benjamin C. Albarece, DVM, emphasized the importance of the market as a starting point for improving livelihoods within the livestock industry.

“We are gathered here today to address the challenges in marketing and explore how we can collaborate to create effective marketing plans, which will serve as a foundation for our guidelines and policies. It is essential to hear from the farmers, from the grassroots level what we can do to help them,” he stated.

Guest speakers Raymund Mirabueno and Allan Noel S. Bernales stressed the role of social media platforms in marketing, as well as the cattle breeds available and marketable in the region such as Brahman based bloodline.

With the industry facing challenges such as changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and increased global competition, the seminar-workshop provided a venue on how to navigate social media, which is seen to contribute to the long-term success of the beef cattle industry.

For her part, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Market Specialist I, Mariflor A. Balabat, detailed the key market destinations for large animals between September and November 2024, notably in Mindanao such as Agusan del Sur with 426 heads, Davao del Sur (195) and Davao del Norte with 112 heads.

Meanwhile, Livestock focal person Jamaica L. Docdoc presented the livestock growth rate in terms of production volume, with Northern Mindanao leading as the top cattle producing region during the second quarter of 2024, producing 10,635.8 metric tons, overall contributing 17.4% to the national produce.

As agreed, the consolidated data excerpt from the seminar will be submitted to the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary, which will form part as reference for multi year plan , future guidelines and policies to support livestock industry.

Said event was attended by representatives from the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary, the National Livestock Program Directorate, the Provincial Veterinary Office of Bukidnon, Local Government of Manolo Fortich, large ruminant commercial raisers, and beneficiaries of the Artificial Insemination Program. # (MAC)

Agri-10 4K program pours agri interventions to Maramag-based IP org

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON — In support to empowering Indigenous People (IP) communities in Northern Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K) program provides almost PhP318K worth of agricultural interventions to the Panalsalan Dagumbaan Talaandig Tribe Association (PADATTA).

On January 24, in Sitio Kawilihan, Dagumbaan, here, the department helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan through the Program focal person, April Grace M. Racines, in coordination with the Municipal Agriculture Office of Maramag, Bukidnon, finally handed over the 6 head of carabaos (PhP300K) and assorted vegetable seeds (PhP17,995.00) to PADATTA represented by its president Bae Vilma Morena.

Under the Production and Livelihood component of the Program, the agri provisions, which were earlier withdrawn from the DA-10’s research complex, target to elevate the IP farmers’ productivity and profitability by developing sustainable agricultural enterprises through a strengthened engagement among association members toward agri development.

The said turnover also marks another wave of assistance to PADATTA, as it can be recalled last November, select members of the association have undergone a training on corn production and postharvest technologies, held in Malaybalay City.# (JLO/Photos supplied)

Agri NorMin collabs with CdeO-based coop for Hydroponics initiatives

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In a bid to promote sustainable agriculture and empowering communities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) collaborates with the FICCO Community Outreach Foundation, Inc. (FCOF) for a Hydroponics training on January 22, in Carmen, this city.

Facilitated by the department’s National Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) through Alternate Focal Person Ronald Allan P. Camaddo, around 20 personnel from FCOF participated in the session, which covered the various benefits and techniques of hydroponics.

The training aimed to equip the participants with the knowledge to utilize vacant spaces at the FICCO Admin Building into productive areas for growing vegetables and other crops using hydroponic methods.

Additionally, participants were each given a packet of 4-in-1 garden salad seeds to kickstart their gardening initiatives.

The collaboration between DA-RFO 10 and FCOF is aligned with the department’s efforts of strengthening urban gardening initiatives to boost food security and sufficiency. # (AMBM, Photos supplied)

AMIA-10 strengthens climate resilience in Libona town through corn harvester

LIBONA, BUKIDNON — In a bid to support local farming communities through mechanization, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) turned over one unit Corn Combined Harvester to its AMIA village site this town, on January 24.

The PhP2.2-million worth machine was turned over to the Gango Kinawe Community-Based Participatory Action Research Cooperative (GKCPAR) through its chair Angelito M. Atillo by AMIA-10 Focal Person Carmelito R. Lapoot, AMIA-10 Team Leader Joel J. Gabo and Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM with Municipal Agriculturist of Libona, Carlos O. Pichay and other local officials.

The said initiative is part of the AMIA’s continued efforts to empower local farming communities in adapting to climate change through investing in modern agricultural technologies to boost farm productivity and sustainability.

On the turnover of the unit, GKCPAR chair Atillo expressed his gratitude, as it will benefit its 78 members tilling 238 hectares of corn and cassava crops.# (AMBM)

Coffee stakeholders scale up NorMin’s coffee roadmap, to brand Bukidnon as Arabica capital

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) led by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, recently convened coffee stakeholders for a private-public consultation to consolidate plans, programs, and funding for the scaling up of Northern Mindanao’s coffee roadmap.

The consultation was attended by representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry – Region 10 (DTI-10), local government units (LGU), farmers’ cooperatives, agribusiness enterprises, and DA Undersecretary for High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero.

DA-10 RED Pacamalan emphasized the need for a unified direction among stakeholders to drive the development of the region’s coffee industry.

A resolution to adopt the Bukidnon Coffee Roadmap for 2025, with the goal of making the province as the Arabica Capital of the country, is poised for approval, as disclosed by Kimberly A. Bacasma, senior trade-industry development specialist of DTI-10.

She also pointed out some challenges in coffee cultivation, such as antiquated methods, unconsolidated growers, limited marketing avenues, and inadequate financial resources for expansion as focus areas for roadmap development.

Usec. Natividad-Caballero recommended the consolidation of existing interventions at the farmer, firm, and industry levels to ensure that they are effectively operationalized.

Further, the undersecretary pushed for the strategic utilization and maximization of the Competitiveness Enhancement Measures Fund (CEMF), to attract public investments.

The CEMF, can fund coffee-related projects up to PhP50 million, subject to the eligibility of the proponents, with a 20% counterpart from qualified proponents. These grants can support initiatives in areas such as production, postharvest handling, processing, marketing, infrastructure development, and the acquisition of equipment and facilities.

For the agency’s part, RED Pacamalan vowed that the DA-10’s drone team will undertake drone mapping to identify coffee farming areas, determine coffee varieties, and profile the farmers operating in those areas.

“Through this digitization, we can establish baseline data in consolidating coffee farmers that will serve as a foundation for the region’s coffee industry development over the next 2 to 3 years” he said.

After the consultation, the executive director pushed for provincial-level dialogue to delve into specific action plans, alignment of initiatives, and determination of government infrastructure investments essential for the undertaking.

Key partners and stakeholders including Nestlé Philippines’ Coffee Project, Mindanao Development Authority’s (MinDA) Ancestral Domain Investment Plans, and DTI-10’s Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project, also shared their initiatives in line with the Northern Mindanao Coffee Roadmap.

Also present during the consultation are DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, HVCDP Director Joseph C. Manicad, national and regional DA personnel, and representatives from the Bayanihan Millenium Multipurpose Cooperative, Kauyagan Savers Multipurpose Cooperative, Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative, MM Cares, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Harbest Agribusiness, Corp., and LGU of Misamis Oriental, Iligan City, and Bukidnon.# (BJCE)