Agri-10 enhances digitization program in NorMin

LIBONA, BUKIDNON — Aiming to strengthen farming assistance tailored to the region’s local agri producers, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), headed by Regional Executive Director (RED) Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, held an orientation on the Farmers and Fisherfolk Management Information System (F2MIS) on Friday, March 21, in this town.

The F2MIS is a digitization initiative of the agency designed to create a centralized and updated registry of farmers across the region. Through this system, DA-10 will be able to track cropping and harvest schedules, identify potential market linkages, and efficiently distribute agricultural interventions.

By integrating data-driven solutions, the program aims to streamline government support and ensure that timely assistance reaches intended beneficiaries.

Further, the platform would serve as a basis for future agricultural programs, including subsidy allocation, farm-to-market coordination, and risk management strategies during unforeseen challenges such as price fluctuations or extreme weather conditions.

With its implementation, the department envisions a more responsive and transparent approach to agricultural development, reducing the gap between production and market demand.

RED Pacamalan encourages all farmers whether members of cooperatives or independent producers, to coordinate with their respective Municipal or City Agriculture Offices for registration in the F2MIS.

This initiative will not only enhance the agency’s ability to monitor agricultural activities but also ensure that farmers receive government-led support, fostering a more resilient and sustainable agri sector.# (EJLG)

NorMin’s top young farmer enterprise prepares for YFC Upscale national judging

DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY – Following the recent regional-level judging of the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Upscale component, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), sent off the region’s YFC 2024 Upscale National Finalist for a mentoring and coaching activity at the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), here.

The five-day event, held from March 17 to 21, provided participants from all competing regions with essential training in business pitching etiquette, enterprise development, financial planning and reporting, marketing and communication, as well as understanding their duties and responsibilities.

Representing Northern Mindanao in the upcoming YFC Upscale National Level Competition is OZ Fresh Greens Hydroponics, which secured the highest score during the regional competition among all the participating enterprises.

The YFC Upscale mentoring serves as the first phase of the national competition, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills before they present their business pitches to a panel of national judges.

National awardee/s will receive an additional 500k financial grant to further develop their enterprises.

With the agency’s continued support, region 10’s finalist is set to showcase innovation, sustainability, and excellence in agribusiness at the national level.# (EJLG)

DA-SAAD NorMin boosts agri support to Lanao Norte farmers

LANAO DEL NORTE – As part of its continuing commitment to bolster inclusive agricultural development, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development Program Northern Mindanao (DA-SAAD NorMin) turned over recently an assortment of vegetable seeds to the Small Banisilon Farmers Association (SBFA) of Tangcal town, here.

The agricultural inputs provided include 20 packets each of kangkong, ampalaya, squash, red chili and pechay; 10 packets each of white gourd, eggplant, tomato and okra. Additionally, the association received 2 sacks peanut seeds and 10 rolls UV-treated plastic in support of its high value crops production project.

To maximize the potential of the one-hectare cumulative production area tilled by members of the SBFA, the DA-SAAD NorMin assisted the association in constructing a plant nursery by utilizing the granted UV plastic. As their counterpart, the association will provide readily and locally available materials such as bamboo and timber to build the nursery.

While capacitating the farmers in producing their own food for household consumption, the DA-SAAD NorMin also engaged the farmers to embrace agricultural entrepreneurship by assisting them in establishing community-based enterprise in their community.

According to Cairon Mapandi, SBFA president, the association has recently started processing chili garlic sauce. They have produced some 400 bottles of said product and sold them mainly in the town’s local market.

The SBFA reportedly earned over Php9k from chili garlic sauce production. The association is targeting to increase their production volume and expand their market reach to neighboring localities.

The SBFA is founded by 25 farmers who belong to Meranaw tribe – a muslim Filipino ethnic group, residing in the municipality of Tangcal.

Tangcal is a 5th class municipality with a poverty incidence rate of 44.1% according to the 2018 census of the PSA.# (ATT/Photo credits: AMS)

Malaybalay City assoc receives P1.28-M chicken multiplier farm project

To help in the increase of local chicken inventory and poultry meat supply in the province, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10, through the Livestock Program, turned over the chicken multiplier farm project to the Buoy Nahalagan Clan Association, Inc. (BNCA) on March 13, in Barangay Kulaman, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Under the Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) Program, said project is worth PhP1.28-million which includes a unit of poultry house, 400 head of free-range chickens, egg incubator, grower feeds, and drugs and biologics.

Likewise, the project is expected to contribute in the supply of safe and nutritious poultry meat, promote quality chicken in Northern Mindanao, at the same time, provide additional source of food and income to the farmer beneficiaries.

The activity was attended by BNCA officials, Local Government Unit of Malaybalay City staff, Malaybalay City Veterinary Office personnel, and the DA-10 workforce.# (CRS/Photos supplied)

DA-10 supports veggie garden initiative of LAGTAS Battalion

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – As partners in promoting peace and development, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10), under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, has turned over agricultural inputs to the 504th Combat Engineer (LAGTAS) Battalion, Combat Engineer “Pacers” Regiment, Philippine Army (PA), on March 20, at the agency compound.

In support to the vegetable initiative of the said unit, the agency handed over packets of 5-in-1 Sinigang seeds, and tin cans of snap beans, eggplant, ampalaya, sweet pepper, pechay, squash, and cucumber seeds, as well as farm tools such as 10 trowels, gloves, and bolos apiece.

“This initiative is part of the Philippine Army’s Army Green Camps Program, which aims to provide fresh produce for personnel while promoting self-sufficiency and wellness. I am grateful to the department and to RED Pacamalan for supporting our initiative by providing these inputs.” Staff Sgt McJohn F. Pedarse, PA said, who received the provisions on behalf of the company.

Also present during the turnover were High Value Crops Development Program Coordinator Kersten S. Pagalan and Administrative and Finance Division Chief Patrick Ian F. Pedarse.# (MAC)

Maramag farmers receive agri intervention thru DA-10 HVCDP

Five farmers’ associations have received a mini chainsaw from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), funded by the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) on March 10, in Maramag, Bukidnon.

Overall valued at PhP76,250.00, a mini chainsaw was distributed each to the representatives of La Roxas Growers Association, New Mahawan Highland Coffee Growers Association, Mahawan Farmers, Lapasak-Mindawat Taalandig Community Agro-Farm of Abaca, Bamboo, Coffee Planters Association, and Catal Lumad Development Association.

The provision of said compact and lightweight tool is primarily seen to help rejuvenate old coffee and cacao trees, as well as activities such as clearing, pruning and maintenance, among other purposes.

The turnover ceremony was facilitated by the Municipal Agriculture Office of Maramag headed by Municipal Agriculturist Armand S. dela Cruz.# (CRS/Photo credits: MAO Maramag)

Lanao farmers expand SAAD livelihood project with peanut farming

To diversify their income stream, the Department of Agriculture Special Area for Agricultural Development Program – Northern Mindanao (DA-SAAD NorMin) recently trained members of Kadoldolan Farmers Association (KFA) of Linamon town and the Sustainable Agri-Integrated Farmers Association (SAIFA) of Matungao town, Lanao del Norte in peanut production.

Peanut production is deemed an expansion to the existing Integrated Livelihood Project granted by the DA-SAAD NorMin to the KFA and SAIFA.

Banking on the capacity of their members, currently both associations are engaged in producing and marketing vegetables such as okra, string beans, pechay, eggplant and white gourd as part of the effort to establish community-based agricultural enterprise in their locality.

The KFA has also started producing its trademark product, the Spicy Suka Sawsawan to pool added income for the association.

“Dako kayong amoang pasalamat sa SAAD Program sa paghatag sa amoa og mga seeds ug garden tools apil pud sa mga training para mapadaghan pa amo produksyon sa vegetable garden apil pud ning sa mani para amoa pud masulayan pagtanum dinhi sa amoang area ug mahimo kini dugang nga income para sa amoang mga farmer beneficiary,” said Hermocilla Generalao, SAIFA president.

(We are truly grateful to the SAAD Program for providing us [vegetable] seeds and garden tools, as well as training which enable us to increase our vegetable garden production, and now we get to try peanut farming in our locality as extra source of income for our farmer beneficiaries)

As bonafide beneficiary of the DA-SAAD NorMin, the KFA was granted agricultural interventions such as cattle, veterinary drugs and biologics, vegetable seeds, garden tools, organic fertilizer, technical capacity training and value-added product processing.

On the other hand, the SAIFA received abaca stripper, hybrid corn seeds, vegetable seeds, garden tools, urea, fertilizer and technical capacity training.

To advocate sustainable agriculture in low-income and isolated areas, the DA-SAAD NorMin capacitated the farmers to embrace diversified farming by producing varied locally viable products with high market potential.# (ATT)

DA-10 supports emerging rabbit industry in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through Regional Executive Director, Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, bares the agency’s plans to expand support for the growing rabbit meat industry in Northern Mindanao.

In a recent interview facilitated by the Philippine Information Agency – Northern Mindanao (PIA-10), the agri chief exec conveyed that the department sees rabbit farming as a promising alternative to traditional sources of meat. It provides an affordable and healthy option for consumers, while benefiting the needs of both farmers and the market.

“We need to develop practices that are easy to understand for our growers and conduct further research. We also need to improve consumer perception, as rabbits are often seen only as pets, but they can also be a viable source of protein,” said RED Pacamalan.

The DA official added, “Exploring alternatives like rabbit farming is essential. We look forward to prioritizing it in the coming years, including educating ourselves and our team to ensure we have the necessary technical knowledge to support rabbit farming.”

By the end of this year, the DA plans to strengthen its support for the establishment of breeding stocks and enhancing the technical expertise of local farmers. The goal is to solidify rabbit farming as an integral part of the country’s meat industry, contributing to the country’s food security and sustainable agriculture.

Further, the agency eyes to help rabbit raisers market their products through KADIWA centers located in strategic areas across the region.# (MAC)

Opol town to benefit from KADIWA-funded trading post

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Aiming to provide access to fresh and quality produce, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turns over PhP4.5 million (M) check to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Opol on March 18, here.

Out from the total of PhP5-M, the said amount is the first tranche of fund release under the agency’s KADIWA Financial Grant through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), which aims to establish a trading post in Opol town that will serve as a major consolidation and trading point for various agricultural products from production areas within its nearby areas.

With an overall project cost of PhP6.25-M, the PhP5-M grant will be used for the construction of the trading post while the LGU of Opol will provide a counterpart of PhP1.25-M. The remaining PhP500k, however, will be granted upon liquidation of the initial funds released.

The local government office shared that the project will benefit at least 75% of the total 5,300 registered farmers and fisherfolk which includes 5 farmers’ cooperatives, 5 fisherfolk’s associations, and 44 farmers’ associations.

Handing over the check is DA-10 AMAD OIC-chief Mae Carmela G. Fabela along with DA technical consultant Joel S. Rudinas to the LGU of Opol team headed by Municipal Agriculturist Eddie C. Maape, Jr and Danilo R. Yana from the Municipal Treasurer’s Office.

Said initiative also forms part of DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr’s ten-point agenda of improving and expanding local market access in a bid toward achieving food security and developing the agri fishery sector. # (AMBM)

Agri-10 conducts joint validation to potential Buk’non bens for agri support

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) conducted a joint validation on March 11 to 13, in Bukidnon province, to assess and identify eligible farmers’ cooperative, associations (FCAs) for its agricultural machinery, equipment and input assistance.

Said activity, led by the Corn program, is undertaken together with the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K) program and the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED), validating 12 potential farmer-group recipients producing corn, cassava and soybean for priority availment of agri support under the said program.

The validation team visited FCAs from the towns of Talakag, Maramag, Kalilangan, Manolo Fortich and Libona, all of Bukidnon province. These farmer-groups clamored for the availment of agri assistance ranging from recirculating dryer, corn sheller, cassava chipper, cassava granulator, soybean sorter machine, farm tractor, moisture meter, vacuum pack sealer, hauling truck, pumps and engine set, and farm inputs.

Assisted by the municipal agri offices of the concerned towns, officials and members of the different FCAs, the DA continues to extend farm machinery, equipment and input assistance to enable farmers to augment their productivity, thereby escalating their livelihood and income.# (JLO/Photos supplied)