DA’s Nat’l. Livestock Program sets aside P4.5-M for the upgrading of poultry nucleus farms in R-10 to boost free range prod’n in DA-10’s research stations for distribution to qualified recipients.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The National Livestock Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has allotted a total of P4.5 million for the upgrading of the poultry nucleus farms in Region 10 under the Bayanihan Act II Program.

The fund was utilized through the Regional Livestock Program to procure additional Free Range Chicken stocks, feeds, various drugs and biologics and the construction of Free Range Chicken Poultry House in DA’s research stations: Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in Dangcagan, Bukidnon and the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City in Bukidnon.

“The project aims to produce more free range chicken in the Region to be distributed to the qualified recipients which include the local government units (LGUs), farmer associations or academe as their source of livelihood or income-generating project,” said DA-Regional Field Office 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado.

Meanwhile, a total of 716 modules or 4,296 heads (1 male:5 female per module) and feeds will also be distributed under the program for the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental which are intended for COVID-19 affected households as validated by the Regional Livestock Program and the Provincial Local Government.

Said project is also funded under Bayanihan II which aims to provide livelihood to validated recipients.

DA-10 Livestock Program Coordinator Ma. Lourdes M. Sypiecco shared, those who are interested to avail the said program may approach their respective Municipal/City Agriculture/Veterinary Office to assist them with the process or directly contact the Livestock Program of DA-10.

All intents will be subjected for a thorough validation with the Regional Technical staff and LGU representatives.#

The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10, through the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4Ks) Program, conducted a Community Needs Assessment (CNA) to the Higaonon tribe of Mintapod in Hagpa, Impasug-ong Bukidnon on May 24-27, 2021.

DA-10 4k Focal Person April Grace M. Racines said that the four-day activity aims to identify the appropriate projects that the community need through Community-Based Participatory Action Research.

“We will be gathering data directly from our beneficiaries through a series of activities in order to gauge what interventions can be given to them and identify what are the available resources in their area. We also tapped the help of Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) because a lot of women in Mintapod are weavers of abaca fiber.”

In his message, Datu Benny D. Cumatang, Impasug-ong Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR), emphasized that the government also hears the requests of those situated in far-flung areas.

“As someone who is from Mintapod, I always hear complains about the government not reaching our areas and focuses only to those who are easy to access. Now, we are being visited by DA because they want to give projects in our community. I would like to request for everyone’s cooperation and have an open mind with the ideas and interventions being presented because this is what they think can help us. Soon, we will achieve peace and development.”

After the said activity, a written report containing the findings will then be submitted to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado for further action.

4Ks is a three year special project of the DA where it provides assistance to the Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICC) and Indigenous Peoples (IP) in the form of agricultural and fisheries related livelihood opportunities. It aims to capacitate the IPs through community organizing, agricultural skills training and workshops to increase knowledge and productivity.

Assisting for the success of the activity are Dr. Janet Lopez, Chief of Provincial Operations Center of Bukidnon, Dr. Berly F. Tatoy, Agricultural Center Chief III of DA-10 Research Division, Carmelito R. Lapoot, Chief of Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex 10 (NMACLRC 10), Candelaria T. Donasco, Agricultural Technician of Municipal Agriculture Office of Impasug-ong, Engr. Herbert C. Penonia, Provincial Fiber Officer of PhilFIDA, and Samiahan Eslao, Staff of National Commision for Indigenous People – Manolo Fortich Community Service Center, together with the 16^th Infantry Battalion headed by 2^nd Lt. Jane T. Velasco. #

RED Collado administers the oathtaking ceremony for DA-10’s newly promoted and appointed personnel on May 31, 2021 at the agency compound in CdeO City.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Three newly appointed and one newly promoted individuals will be added to the workforce of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) as they took their oath of office on May 31, 2021 in this city.

The following are the newly promoted and appointed DA-10 personnel with their corresponding positions and assignments:

1. Jocelyn F. Octat – Senior Science Research Specialist (Regional Crop Pest Management Center – Office of the Regional Director)
2. Ryan Kim B. Janobas – Information System Analyst I (Information Management System – Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division)
3. Azbie T. Talib – Information Officer I (Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section – Office of the Regional Director)
4. Marlon T. Colita – Warehouseman I (Research Center for Upland Development – Research Division)

DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado administered the ceremony together with the respective section chiefs of the newly sworn as witnesses. # (CRSeraspe)

NMACLRC, DA-10’s research station, receives its partial delivery of 548 heads of Free Range Chicken for their multiplier farm to facilitate easier chicken dispersal to SAAD covered towns in NorMin.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – In the continued support of the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) to the COVID-19 Response in Northern Mindanao, at least 548 heads of Free Range Chicken (339 male and 209 female) were partially delivered to DA-10’s research station amounting to P440,000.00 under SAAD FY 2020.

The Multiplier Farm aims to initiate the chicken dispersals to SAAD covered municipalities in Northern Mindanao.

Said farm is located in one of DA-10’s research stations – the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. #

DA-10 F2C2 program technical and support staff undergoes a training on Bookkeeping and Business Plan preparation for them to re-echo the knowledge to select FCAs from the different provinces in Region 10.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducted a capability building for the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) program technical and support staff.

DA-RFO 10 Field Operations Division OIC-Chief Audy G. Maagad said, the two-day training will capacitate the technical team on the Basic Bookkeeping and Business Plan Preparation in order to re-echo the knowledge to select farmer’s and fisherfolk’s cooperatives and associations (FCAs) from the different provinces.

Maagad remarked, that aside from the agri-interventions provided by the department, there is a need to reinforce on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship to aid in augmenting the revenues of FCAs and other relevant stakeholders.

Via online, MASS-SPECC Deputy CEO-External Affairs Engr. Dennis Z. Santander shared his experience in organizing and facilitating clustered cooperatives by means of inter-coop collaboration.

According to Engr. Santander, it is important to build a stronger relationship among affiliate cooperatives in value chain promotion and to set a commitment in attaining sustained enterprises.

With the capabuild, DA-10 F2C2 Focal Person Gay Nanette Aleria hoped for said activity to add to their current roster of skills as they will be deployed in their areas of assignment and eventually, come up with a farm cluster development plan.

Under Administrative Order No. 27 of DA, the F2C2 program will help the government in providing assistance such as credit, modern production methods, farm machinery, post-harvest and program facilities, transport and logistics, packaging support, as well as information and communication technologies, to farm and fishery clusters.

Other resource speakers of said training were Rose Diane C. Basco, CPA and Agriculturist II Michelle F. Egama.# (EMBentulan)

DA-10 headed by RED Collado turns over P5-M massive seedling project to CMU.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Region 10 has turned over P5 million worth of check for the implementation of massive seedling project to Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Musuan, Bukidnon.

The project funded under Bayanihan 2 of the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) of DA covers two components: vegetable seed production of pinakbet commodities (P2 million) and planting material production of different durian varieties (P3 million).

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said, the project intends for productivity enhancement of the farmers in the region.

A seed processing facility will be established that will produce 400 kilograms of pinakbet seeds or 80 kilograms each of ampalaya, squash, okra, string beans and eggplant commodities.

A fruit nursery will also be established for 50,000 hills of grafted planting materials of different durian varieties for distribution to farmers and other stakeholders of the region.

CMU under the helm of President Jesus Antonio G. Derije is an academic paradise in the south, and the center for excellence in agriculture.

The project is under DA’s ‘Plant, Plant, Plant program’ or Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS COVID 19) kontra sa COVID-19 to increase farm productivity and ensure food sufficiency amid the pandemic.# (ATCabig)

During its Monday Mini Program on May 24, DA-NorMin recognizes the efforts of its food security partners in time this Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Month. 

CAGAYAN ORO CITY – The agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) honors its food security partners, as it continually deliver services to enable every Filipino access to quality, safe, nutritious and affordable food.

Said initiatives, in particular, are the ‘One DA’ Community Pantry and Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita at Diskwento Karavan (KDK) which were undertaken thru a collaborative effort among DA-10, its attached bureaus and agencies, and the private sector.

In recognition for their invaluable contributions, certificates of appreciation were given to the mentioned partners on May 24 during the agency’s Monday Mini program.

Recipients were the following:

KDK (April 15-16, 2021)

• ANT Products
• CNQ Agriventures
• Manzano Farm
• Miarayon Highland Farmers’ Association (MHFA)
• Tagpuangi Farmers and Fisherfolk Association
• Farmgrown Association of Claveria
• Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources -10 (BFAR-10)
• Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives (NMFDC)
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) -10
• Fivel & Big 8
• Vitalized
• San Miguel/Purefoods, Inc.

One DA Community Pantry (May 10, 2021)

• Lilian Antigua – Reanne’s Food Products
• Dr. Jesus Antonio Dereje – Central Mindanao University
• Minda L. Agbo – MHFA
• Wilma Y. Buray – NMFDC
• Benjohn Majestrado – Alomah’s Place and Nature Farm
• Joanie Legaspi Amoran – RJ Agricultural Products
• Peter B. Sumabong – CDO Farmers Market and Terminal, Association
• Jocelyn Q. Peñalosa- East-Westbound Terminals and Public Market
• Ariel Tan – True Chef’s Choice • BFAR-10
• National Dairy Authority -10
• Philippine Coconut Authority – 10
• Bureau of Plant Industry – Plant Quarantine Service -10
• Philippine Crop Insurance, Corp. -10
• Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority -10
• Bureau of Soils and Water Management -10
• National Tobacco Administration -10
• Northern Mindanao Hog Raisers Association

KDK (May 17-18, 2021)

• ANT Products
• CNQ Agriventures
• Manzano Farm
• RJ Agricultural Products
• Tagpuangi Farmers and Fisherfolk Association
• NMFDC • DTI -10
• Fivel & Big 8
• Vitalized
• San Miguel/Purefoods, Inc.

DA-10 Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division head, Larry E. Paraluman also cited the efforts and support of the DA research stations, adding that more private-public partnership brings more people closer while opening up new channels for communication, thus making everyone involved to be more efficient workers.

Said program was attended virtually by DA-10 Regional Technical Director Carmelita T. Bajarla and various division chiefs and staff of the agency. # (JCAnito)

DA-10 supports DAR’s FBS program as it recently provides them with packets of assorted veggie seeds.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 26 – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turned over 100 packets of assorted vegetable seeds to the Department of Agrarian Reform 10- Provincial Agrarian Reform Office (DAR-PARO) for their Farm Business School (FBS) program.

The packets of veggie seeds, comprising of pole sitao, squash, ampalaya, eggplant and okra were handed over by DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director (RED) Carlene C. Collado to DAR Misamis Oriental Point Person Marivic A. Gallamaso.

The FBS, which started in 2017 is DAR’s initiative to boost the entrepreneurial skills of farmer-beneficiaries by enhancing their capabilities in managing their produce to optimize profitability.

Gallamoso said, the vegetable seeds will be grown in their one-hectare demonstration farm, and the rest will be distributed to its 35 farmer-students of the FBS in Brgy. Aya-Aya, Lugait, Misamis Oriental.

“DA’s provision of assorted vegetable seeds is beneficial to DAR’s FBS program. The agrarian reform beneficiaries, who are mostly small farmers will not only learn agricultural entrepreneurship, but will also receive quality assorted vegetable seeds as they complete the training course,” she expressed.

DA-RFO 10 High Value Crops Development Program Coordinator Kersten S. Pagalan noted, each packet weighing 29 grams can cover a 1000-square meter of farmland. # (EMBentulan)

The aggie dept stages the NFSS to solicit doable strategies and policy recommendations to help the agri-fishery sector overcome its challenges as well as update commodity industry roadmaps and craft the country’s food security blueprint.

Serving as the culmination of the regional summits held in April and May, the Department of Agriculture (DA) staged the two-day 2021 National Food Security Summit (NFSS), held at the BSWM Convention Hall, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City and via virtual platform.

Centered on this year’s theme: “Food for Today and Beyond: Transforming Philippine agriculture”, said convention aimed to solicit doable strategies and policy recommendations to help address the major challenges besetting the agri-fishery sector, update commodity industry roadmaps and craft the country’s food security blueprint.

“A pandemic with devastating impact on global health continues to ravage economies and societies, threatening to put more people into extreme poverty, and many more into chronic hunger and malnutrition.

Further, unsustainable agri-food systems put pressure on our dwindling land and water resources, biodiversity, the environment, and climate,” Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar relayed to the Summit delegates.

Likewise, he noted, these will impact the nation’s ability to feed its growing population and in bringing about meaningful progress in the countryside now and in the future.

“Therefore, it is imperative to sustain and strengthen our food production, distribution and logistics systems to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic and natural and man-made disasters do not threaten food security and nutrition, and improve resilience to future shocks,” the DA chief underscored.

Drawing about 15,000, including from the Northern Mindanao region, the NFSS gathered a myriad of participants, from the national and local government agencies, international organizations, the private sector, farmer’s cooperatives and associations, agricultural and fishery councils, non-governmental and civil society organizations, youth and the academe.

Of which, they have witnessed talks from different homegrown food security experts and from abroad, including benchmarking from shared stories of key officials, successful farmers, fishers, agripreneurs and the youth.

Parallel sector workshops were also held to seek inputs for the country’s major agri-fishery commodities such as rice, livestock, poultry, vegetables, aquaculture, capture fisheries, banana, pineapple, mango, coconut, sugarcane, coffee and cacao.

Accordingly, with the NFSS outputs, Sec. Dar said, these will accompany the agency’s One DA reform agenda, which is anchored on the four major pillars – consolidation, modernization, industrialization and professionalism – along its various key strategies underneath.

The agriculture secretary likewise emphasized, that the department will continue to implement the Plant, Plant, Plant program under the current administration, which scales up the sustainable production of basic food commodities.

“We continue to build the foundation to make farming and fishing more productive, profitable, sustainable, and globally competitive,” the DA official added.

Also attributing its positive growth during the second and third quarters of last year, the DA chief deemed that the agri-fishery sector is a key in reviving the Philippine economy, especially so with the strengthened discussions on Public-Private-People Partnership and Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System during the two-day summit.

“Nawa’y patuloy natin isa-buhay ang tradisyon ng Bayanihan, sa diwa ng pagtutulungan para sa pangkalahatang layunin natin na maisulong ang sektor ng sakahan at pangisdaan,” the agriculture secretary highlighted.

This year, DA aims to attain a modest record of 2.5% growth for the agriculture sector. #

On May 17, DA-NorMin meets with farmer-leaders to activate the SUCBEM cluster of the RTF-ELCAC in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) convened with the farmer-leaders to activate the Sectoral Unification, Capacity-Building Empowerment and Mobilization (SUCBEM) cluster of the Regional Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) on May 17.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director (RED) Carlene C. Collado discussed with the farmer-leaders, who are the municipal agri-fishery council (MAFC) chairs of of the region to identify and discuss issues and concerns in their respective areas.

SUCBEM is one of the 12 clusters of RTF-ELCAC which was created under Executive Order (EO) No. 70. It recognizes insurgency and local communist armed conflict as not only a military and security concern but also the National and local government agencies working as one.

Nick P. Campomanes, Mindanao head of the National Anti-Poverty Commission said, SUCBEM’s first step is to detail policy gaps at the local level to process an output that can be streamlined to form part of the peace and development agenda of the sector.

The output of SUCBEM consultation was presented to the Department of Interior and Local Government, thru the Regional Conference for Peace and Development (RCPD) consultation with other line agencies and sectors to come up with SUCBEM cluster State of the Nation Address (SONA) Campaign Plan, which will be part of the President’s legislative agenda.

RED Collado remarked that peace and development is hard to achieve without promoting agricultural development and the help of extension workers and farmer-leaders, especially in the far-flung areas.

“With the support of the attached agencies thru ‘One DA approach’ and the assistance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, various agri-interventions were brought in to remote communities, changing the lives of indigenous peoples and the former rebels in said areas,” he said.

Attending the RCPD to represent the region’s agri-fishery sector were the MAFC chairs Marcelino M. Patindol (Claveria), Rosauro M. Suazo (Balingasag), Richard Olmilla (Damulog), and Raul S. Ybañez (Maramag).

MAFC chair Marcelino M. Patindol of Claveria, Misamis Oriental shared, “The government has provided the farmers with various agri-fishery interventions and livelihood. It is our obligation to look out and preserve the projects for them to sustain longer, while we live harmoniously in our community.”

The MAFC chairs were joined by DA-RFO 10 Provincial Operations Center Chief for Bukidnon Dr. Janet D. Lopez and Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division Project Evaluation Officer III Lana May S. Racines as they inked the Northern Mindanao Peace and Development Manifesto to attest their commitment to President Rodrigo Duterte.

SUCBEM-RCPD was attended by the youth, women and other sectors of the region, which was held at Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon on May 18.# (EMBentulan)