DA-spearheaded onion derby and farmers’ forum is eyed to improve farmers’ productivity and increase the onion supply in Region 10.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – Aiming to boost onion production in the region to attain self-sufficiency, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) stages an Allium Derby and Farmers’ Forum on February 22, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan here.

Spearheaded by DA-10’s High Value Crops Development Program in coordination with the Research Division, and private seed and chemical companies, the activity gathered 100 farmers and other relevant stakeholders to witness the showcase of different onion varieties and their corresponding farming protocols.

“We can see from the two locations that onion production is viable in Region 10,” shared DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado with the earlier conduct of the same in Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City, held last week.

He also noted that the agency will be procuring onion seeds and likewise, encouraged interested farmers’ cooperatives, and associations to submit their letter requests to avail of the said intervention.

Meanwhile, each seed and chemical company was given time to share their respective onion technologies and also distributed Information, Education and Communication materials to the attending farmers.

Assistant Sales Manager for Visayas and Mindanao, Andre Abonitalla is thankful to DA for the implementation of the field trials for Onion.

“Currently, our onions in Mindanao are from Luzon and the price per onion increases since there is an additional freight cost, however, if onions are produced locally here in region 10, this cost will be removed, thus resulting in cheaper onions,” he added.

During the derby cum forum, Allied Botanical, Corp. emerged as champions while Pilipinas Kaneko Seeds, Corp. and Ramgo Seeds are awarded first- and second-runner-up, respectively.

Criteria for judging included the biggest yield volume (in kilogram), best quality, and best economic efficiency.

For her part, Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon, acting provincial agriculturist for Bukidnon shared that they will be working closely with DA-10’s Research Division to look for more locations as potential onion-producing sites.

Also supporting the event are DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, with DA-10’s attached bureaus and agencies: Agricultural Training Institute and Bureau of Plant Industry as well as private chemical companies such as Envireau Pacific, Inc., FMC Agro Philippines, Inc., Aldiz, Inc., and Tropi-Cuke, Inc.

Another round of such event is also slated for DA-10’s Research Center for Hillyland Development in Claveria, Misamis Oriental on March 21, this year. #(AMBM)

R-10’s aggie department provides P3.2-million hauling truck to the local government of Bukidnon.

To speed up in extending agricultural services, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado turns over a hauling truck to the Provincial Local Government Unit of Bukidnon on February 22.

The P3.2 million (M) worth of hauling truck funded under the agency’s Corn Program was turned over by DA-10 officials to Acting Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon.

PA Lagamon shared that the truck will be helpful for the delivery of inputs such as seeds and fertilizers as well as aid in the province’s Kadiwa operations.

“This hauling truck will accelerate the delivery of agri-interventions to beneficiaries, especially in far-flung areas and enhance the production and marketing aspects of farmers in the province,” she added.#(AMBM)

DAEA-10 joins DAEA’s simultaneous 20th anniversary celebration.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture Employees Association-10 (DAEA-10) participates in the simultaneous celebration of DAEA’s 20th anniversary on February 19-23, nationwide.

The celebration aims to foster a sense of community and support the welfare of the department employees, anchored on this year’s theme, “Dalawang DAEAkadang Sama-samang Paglilingkod”.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado recognized the organization’s vital role in working collaboratively with the management to enhance productivity, create a positive work environment, and improve employees’ welfare.

As part of the weeklong celebration, DAEA-10 with its former president, Lourdes P. Rudinas, serving from 2016 until 2023 in Region 10, received the “Gawad Parangal sa Natatanging DAEANs” from DA, held at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management Convention Hall in Quezon City.

Said award symbolizes the recognition and appreciation of the efforts and accomplishments for competent service during her term creating and maintaining harmonious relationships between the management and employees.

At the region, a poster-making contest was conducted and participated in by the employees of DA-10, and the winning poster will be digitally forwarded to the national, as one of DAEA-10’s highlighted activities.

To cap the celebration, DAEA-10 will also be conducting a zumba activity on February 23, which will be attended by the members.#(MPMT)

DA-PhilMech and the Provincial Government of Bukidnon holds a groundbreaking ceremony for the P101.5-M grains center in Valencia City, Bukidnon.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A P101.5 million grains center will soon provide services to the milling needs of the farmers in Bukidnon and its neighboring areas with its groundbreaking on Monday, February 19 in Sinabuagan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

Bukidnon Provincial Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque with DA-PhilMech Facility Management and Field Operations Division (FMFOD) Chief Mayville B. Castro with Valencia City Mayor Azucenas P. Huervas led the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the groundbreaking of the said project.

Witnessing the MOA signing are DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, DA-PhilMech Mindanao A Cluster Head, Engr. Edgar Testa, Vice Governor Clive D. Quiño and Acting Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon.

The Provincial Government of Bukidnon, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) availed the Rice Processing System (RPS) II facility under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) mechanization program to establish a grains center in the province.

Of the P101.5 million, the DA-Philmech allocates P61.5 million for the rice processing system while the PLGU Bukidnon counterparts the P40 million for building construction.

The PLGU Bukidnon will directly manage and operate the grains center which will be situated in barangay Sinabuagan of said city.

With the RPS package, the province will be provided with state-of-the-art components that include a 1-unit 4-5 tons per hour rice mill with mist polisher, length grader, and color sorter.

The RPS package also includes four units of 6 tons per batch of mechanical recirculating dryers.

Said project aims to minimize post-harvest losses of rice in the province and to increase the income of rice farmers by buying their palay at a reasonable price.# (ATC/Engr. IMadjus/Photos:DA-PhilMech)

DA-10 joins TESDA and DTI to boost support to mango farmers.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the tutelage of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado coordinated with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the conduct of capacity building activities for mango processing on February 20, at the agency compound.

The brief meeting focused on the endorsement of DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries National Sectoral Committee on Fruits and Vegetables Resolution No. 09, Series of 2023, recommending TESDA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to prioritize the creation of capacity building program for farmers in upscaling mango processing, branding and packaging for more competitive and sustainable mango products.

Before the team from TESDA headed by Chief TESD Specialist Austolio V. Igot, the department through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) initially committed the provision of a list and profile of mango growers’ association, and ensuing this, the conduct of consultation meetings with the different mango stakeholders.

RED Collado added that there is a need to also coordinate with the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council – 10 (RAFC-10) with the pool of knowledge of the council of the issues and concerns of mango producers in Northern Mindanao that will also contribute to determining the best interventions to upscale the operations of mango farmers, catering to small-scale and large-scale producers.

Courses of action undertaken are geared toward empowering farmers to improve the quality and competitiveness of their mango products, leading to increased incomes and improved livelihoods, as cited by PCAF.

Also present in the meeting are Agriculturist II Ronald Allan P. Camaddo, Supervising TESD Specialist Elisa May H. de Pedro and Technical Support Staff Louisse Diamond Phillip Macale.# (TJTL)

One DA NorMin commits P185-M agri-fishery projects to Camiguin province

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN – Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado handed over a Certificate of Commitment to Camiguin Governor Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo for the implementation of P185-million (M) worth of agri-fishery projects on Tuesday, February 20, in this town.

The committed projects will be implemented this year by the One DA line agencies and bureaus, namely: the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Region 10 (BFAR-10), National Irrigation Administration – Region 10 (NIA-10) and the Philippine Coconut Authority – Region 10 (PCA-10).

According to Dir. Collado, for FY 2024, DA-10 alone has committed P175-M worth of agricultural development projects under its Rice, Corn, Livestock, High Value Crops Development and organic agriculture programs; as well as its special programs such as farm-to-market road development, Special Area for Agricultural Development and mainstreaming of climate-resilient agriculture for Camiguin province.

BFAR-10 through its fishery development and fishery extension programs has appropriated P5-M funds for its fishery projects in the province.

NIA-10 and PCA-10, on their part, committed P3-M and P2-M worth of projects, respectively, for the restoration of the communal irrigation canal and sustainable planting/replanting of local coconut cultivars in Camiguin.

During the handover ceremony, Dir. Collado and Governor Romualdo also signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the provision of office space to be utilized as DA-10’s Provincial Operations Center (POC) in the province, setting forth the formal operation of POC-Camiguin starting this month.

“With the operationalization of our POC in Camiguin, we will be able to further speed up our project implementation in the province. This will also greatly help us in expediting our field monitoring activities so that we can timely deploy necessary agricultural services and interventions to the farmers in Camiguin.” the agri chief exec remarked. # (ATT)

R-10 aggie department manifests its continued support to the municipality of Binuangan for the development of its agri sector.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado welcomed Binuangan Mayor Engr. Dann Isaiah D. Lusterio in his courtesy visit, discussed potential availment of agricultural interventions for the said town on February 21, at the agency compound.

With the local chief executive’s vision for the advancement in agri development in his locality, he and his team brought initial proposals, including the availment of fertilizers, hybrid seeds, and expansion of livestock output, amongst others.

Dir. Collado committed to having their proposals thoroughly reviewed and validated, adding that the department will be closely working hand-in-hand with the local government unit’s agricultural staff to realize said interventions.

Also present during the meeting were Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division chief Lana May S. Racines, Atty. Alberto R. Lagamon, Jr. and Binuangan Municipal Agriculturist Charise C. Mamaat.# (TJTL)

DA-10 turns over P299K portable feed pelletizer machine to MINFARCCO, a Magsaysay-town based cooperative.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through its Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (CC-AMIA) program handed over P299K worth of portable feed pelletizer machine to a Magsaysay town-based cooperative on February 20.

Held at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan here, the department turned over said unit with a 204-kilogram per hour pelleting capacity to the Mindulao Farmers Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative (MINFARCCO).

Formed in April 2021, MINFARCCO is primarily engaged in cassava and corn production, among other crops, and at the same time, is into raising ready-to-lay chicken, goats and cattle.

With CC-AMIA as the flagship program of DA for climate adaptation and mitigation, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado remarked that the intervention will strengthen the livestock production activities of the coop, especially since such is regarded as an adaptive mechanism for farmers come unpredictable weather and more frequent typhoons.

RED Collado added that the assistance will empower the coop to produce their animal feed, allowing the farmer-members to customize the nutritional content of feed according to their animals’ needs as well as reduce production costs.

Likewise, he noted that producing balanced animal feed helps boost the productivity and survival of native livestock breeds that are well-suited to the local climate.

With the pelletizer that promotes climate-smart feed production, MINFARCCO is eyed to be more self-reliant and sustain an increase in their income through greater access to affordable and quality feed for livestock.#

PLGU Bukidnon wins as the Best AI implementor province awarded during the UNIAP forum.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), through the Livestock Program, honors the top performing province and technicians of Artificial Insemination (AI) during the Unified Artificial Insemination Program (UNAIP) forum held on February 16 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), this city.

Emerging as the winner for Best AI implementor province among the five provinces in Northern Mindanao is Bukidnon.

Johnson C. Petalcurin, DA-10 Regional AI Coordinator explained that the winner was selected based on the number of calves dropped and animals inseminated for the population of breedable animals in a province.

Among other factors considered, he added, is the number of UNAIP-related activities conducted such as meetings, heat synchronization, paraphernalia distribution, information dissemination, and activation of AI technicians.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga commended Bukidnon and the other provinces for advocating AI in their respective areas.

She also assured the technicians that the department, through the leadership of DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, will fully support the livestock industry in the region.

Meanwhile, outstanding AI technicians were also named during the event for the Most Number of Animals Inseminated and Calf Drop categories.

Nix D. Melendez, AI technician of Quezon, Bukidnon, who recently retired from government service, bagged the first place for both categories with a record of 591 animals inseminated and 86 calves dropped.

Coming in second place for the calf drop category is Francis Ray B. Ditona of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon with 67 calves.

Alejandro C. Bag-ao of Libona, Bukidnon also won the third place for both categories with 219 animals inseminated and 66 calves dropped.

AI technician of the Provincial Veterinary Office of Camiguin, Cristopher Jiss C. Tabor, who inseminated 218 animals and won the second place for the said category, citing that AI is important for the province amid challenges on the limited number of bulls and the declining number of livestock head.

“With AI, we can increase the number [of heads], and help our farmers earn more. I’ve been told by some of my clients that they were able to send their kids to school because of their income by selling their cattle and that was possible because of AI. Indeed, AI is a great program that needs to be supported because of its impact, not just to the technicians, but to the farmers who need it as well,” Tabor added.

After the awarding, the Livestock program also distributed various AI paraphernalia worth P277,872 to AI technicians and AI coordinators, which included 108 bottles of lubricant, 101 packs of straw sheath, 4 boxes of arm length gloves, and 159 packs of drugs and biologics.

The UNAIP forum was participated by AI technicians from the different municipalities in the region and provincial AI coordinators of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental.

Gracing the activity are DA-10 Field Operations Division Chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD, chiefs and representatives of the DA-10 Provincial Operations Centers and DA-10 research stations, and DA-10 Livestock Program staff headed by their focal person, Jamaica L. Docdoc # (CRS)

DA-10’s 2025 proposed budget gets approval from RDC-X economic development committee.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao’s (DA-NorMin) P20.32 billion proposed budget for the year 2025 was approved for endorsement Tuesday, February 20 by the Economic Development Committee of the Regional Development Council – Region 10.

As presented by DA-NorMin Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado, 24% of the said budget is proposed under Tier 1 of the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), while the remaining 76% will be lodged under Tier 2.

As part of its priority programs for 2025, DA-NorMin seeks to fund catalytic projects such as farm-to-market road development; agricultural machinery, equipment, and facilities support services; irrigation network services; production support services; Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD); metropolitan and agri-based products cluster approach; corn processing center expansion; and biosecurity and climate-resilient production facility.

According to Dir. Collado, the proposed budget is a product of consultative planning, encompassing the needs and priorities of the agricultural stakeholders in the region.

“We craft the budget using a bottom-up approach. The projects we propose are mainly based on the endorsement of the LGUs and the validated intents we received from farmers’ cooperatives and associations in the region,” Collado said.

Statutory appropriation for gender and development, PWDs, elderly and the youth, capacity development programs and capacity building for devolved functions and services (Mandanas-Garcia ruling implementation) are also among the programs proposed for funding by the agency in 2025.

Under the proposed budget, DA-NorMin also seeks to complete the construction of its regional office, upgrade its research facilities, and establish a new Integrated Laboratory complex in the region.

This year, DA-NorMin secured a 19% GAA-approved budget from the RDC-X endorsed budget proposal.# (ATT)