Agri-10 launches upland hybrid rice demo farms in barangays Sumpong and Can-ayan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To further boost Northern Mindanao’s rice production capacity, the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado formally launched its first hybrid upland rice production technology demonstration farm in Bukidnon province.

Together with the Bukidnon Tagoloanon Mulahay Ha Kabukalagan Agriculture Cooperative (BUKTAMACO), Bukidnon Provincial Agriculture Office, Malaybalay City Agriculture Office and Seedwork Philippines, DA-10 recently held its inaugural planting of the three-hectare upland rice production technology trial demo farm in barangays Sumpong and Can-ayan, in Malaybalay City.

The project is designed to undergo a trial phase before full-scale implementation of the eyed 300-hectare demonstration farm, to give way for production technology fine-tuning and area compatibility assessment.

In her message, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Cora A. Dumayaca said the project is pivotal to the DA’s goal to increase the region’s rice sufficiency by utilizing upland production areas.

Using an area modeling approach, the project will optimize the potential and opportunities in developing the Ancestral Domains of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) as an upland rice production area in the region.

DA-10 Deputy Director for Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP), Joel S. Rudinas, said the project provides the base for future agricultural development.

He said by employing an area-based development system, this undertaking can spin out to other commodities in the value chain and integrate other agricultural livelihood activities that can significantly address poverty situations among the IP communities.

Using Seedworks Philippines’ TH-82 hybrid rice production technology, the upland rice demo farm is set to be fully established during the 2024 wet cropping season.

Also in attendance during the hybrid upland rice technology demo farm launching ceremony are Atty. Burt M. Estrada, BUKTAMACO General Manager, Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon, Bukidnon Provincial Agriculturist, Engr. Richard B. Leono, Malaybalay City Agriculturist, Janet D. Lopez, DVM, DA-10 Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief, Lucille T. Minguez, DA-10 Regional Crops Protection Center chief.# (ATT)

IP students in Quezon, Bukidnon receive veggie seeds to boost food and nutrition security in the town.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The ROTA Philippines Inc. on Thursday, February 1 received from the Department of Agriculture-RFO 10 several packets of vegetable seeds and garden tools intended for the high school students of Sulads Comprehensive High School for the Lumads in Sto. Domingo, Quezon, Bukidnon.

During the turnover, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga said that the department’s provision of vegetable seeds ensures food security in schools and communities aside from assuring available, accessible and affordable food in the locality.

DA-10 through its High Value Crops Development Program also provided garden tools which include a light hoe, plastic seedling tray, shovel, sprinkler and weeding bolo.

William Bill C. Semorlan II, Executive Director of Rota Phils. Inc. said, their effort in starting a community garden project will commence on February 2-4 in the said school to promote sustainable agriculture, community engagement, and healthy living.

“Around 230 IP students coming from different areas in Mindanao who study in Sulads CHS will profit from the project,” Semorlan added.

He shared that the community garden will not only provide fresh and locally grown produce but will also foster a sense of unity and shared responsibility among residents.

He emphasized that through DA’s support, ROTA will be making a positive impact in the community.

Supporting the activity is Richan Lacanaria, Senior Agriculturist and corn program focal person of the Field Operations Division of DA-10.#(ATC)

DA, DAR  strengthen EO 75 implementation in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-10) Regional Director Zoraida O. Macadindang, Al Hadj, JD with its officials paid a courtesy visit to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado in his office, here in Cagayan de Oro City, today, January 30.

The officials discussed solidifying its partnership in the implementation of Executive Order (EO) No. 75, series of 2019 through a DAR-DA joint administrative order No. 8, series of 2021.

The guidelines determine the suitability for agricultural purposes of government-owned lands (GOLs) under EO 75.

Director Collado emphasized boosting the region’s agriculture industry and strengthening the food supply, including the production areas of livestock.

Joining them were Atty. Alberto R. Lagamon, Jr., DAR-10 Assistant Regional Director Engr. Norberto R. Paquingan, DM with PARPO II Jammal G. Pangandaman, MARPO Engr. Jocelyn Valmores and PARPO I Maybelle Alcala.#(ATC)

DA-10 aids in boosting nutritious food production thru the provision of veggie seeds.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To grow and produce nutritious food, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado distributes vegetable seeds to Mambuaya National Highschool (MNHS) on February 6, at the agency compound.

Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project Deputy Director Joel S. Rudinas together with Ronald Allan P. Camaddo, Agriculturist II of DA’s High Value Crops Development Program (DA-HVCDP) handed over 50 packets of 5-in1 pinakbet seeds to Lynne D. Soleria, Teacher I of MHNS, in this city.

Soleria said that the provision will be utilized in the school’s garden and its feeding program for the benefit of the students in the said institution.

By allocating vegetable seeds, the beneficiaries can foster the production in the range of crops, enhancing the diversity and nutritious diet for local communities. #(MPMT)

DA-PRDP turns over 5th warehouse with MPDP to Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. 

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON – With a vast agricultural land that the municipality has to offer, the fifth Warehouse with Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement was handed over by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and PRDP Project Director to the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich on January 30, here.

In her message, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations and DA-PRDP 10 Deputy Project Director Carlota S. Madriaga said that Cebukawan deserves to have the subproject in the area.

“With large areas dedicated to agriculture, it is indeed ideal to have a warehouse with MPDP in place here. This will help our farmers have an access to post-harvest facilities that will maintain and improve the quality of their produce, thus increasing their income,” said Madriaga.

She added that the effort is the ultimate goal of DA-PRDP: bridging the gap and touching lives. She pinned her hopes that the local officials, the farmers, and the residents would give importance to the subproject.

Manolo Fortich Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño is thankful for the continuous support given by DA-PRDP, especially the numerous interventions.

“We already received various subprojects from DA-PRDP and we will continue availing projects that will bring progress to our farmers.”

Meanwhile, the son of the lot owner and one of the beneficiaries, Charles A. Relosa, expressed his heartfelt thanks for the subproject that will bring better lives to farmers in Cebukawan.

“This will be beneficial to us, farmers, having the facility close to our area. We will no longer travel to other places to dry our produce; thus, we can already save hauling costs and with that, we are thankful. “

He emphasized that his father was happy having donated his land so other farmers can also benefit from it.

Under the IBUILD Component, the warehouse with MPDP is located in sitio Cebukawan in barangay Lunocan in this municipality with a contract amount of Php 4,653,734.95 that will greatly benefit corn and cassava farmers in the area.

The same subproject can be found in barangays Sto. Niño, Kalugmanan, Mambatangan, and Minsuro of Manolo Fortich.

Gracing the activity are Manolo Fortich Vice Mayor Reynaldo L. Bagayas Jr., the members of the Sangguniang Bayan, local officials, farmers, residents of Lunocan, and DA-PRDP 10 staff. # (CRS)

DA-10 and LGU Iligan City meet to discuss the availment of more agri interventions for the development of the agri sector of said city.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, convened with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Iligan City, led by Kevin R. Fernan, consultant focal on agriculture for the availment of more agricultural assistance.

Held on February 1 at the agency compound, the meeting focused on developing the city’s agriculture, especially in upland areas targeted to be planted with rice and corn at the same time as their proposed small-scale irrigation project.

Also in attendance is Katrina Mercado from Pilmico Foods, Corp., DA’s partner in aiding various farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) by serving as an assured market of farmers’ produce.

To warrant quality harvests and meet market demands among farmers, the agri department eyes the provision of agri inputs such as seeds and fertilizers to test trial varieties that are best suited in highland farming.# (TJL)

Manolo Fortich rice farmers receive financial aid from DA-10’s RFFA.

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON – Some 38 rice farmers in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon received their Farmers’ Interventions Monitoring Cards (FIMCs) from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through the Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RFFA) on January 30, this town.

During the turnover of the greenhouse project and various agricultural inputs, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, together with the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich headed by Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño and Municipal Agriculturist Gemma G. Cania, handed over the FIMCs worth P5-K each to eligible rice farmers of Barangay Dicklum, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the cash assistance is accorded to qualified rice farmers, tilling an area ranging from 0.5 to 2 hectares, and are duly registered in the updated Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

With the card in their possession, the RFFA shall be deposited directly to the rice farmers’ account and withdrawable in any USSC outlet or Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of any BancNet-recognized Philippine banks across the country.

To date, DA-Normin has a total of 10,351 top-up accounts under RFFA 4 for Bukidnon province, of which 148 accounts were for Manolo Fortich rice farmers.

Said activity is part of DA’s continuing effort and strategy to increase rice production volume in the country amid the observed increase in prices of farm inputs and challenging weather conditions.# (RDME)

Agri-10 aids Manolo Fortich town corn farmers thru the provision of hybrid corn seeds.

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado handed over 28 bags of hybrid yellow corn seeds (NK 6410) to graduates of the Farmers’ Field School (FFS) on Corn Production, on January 30, in Barangay Dicklum, this town.

Funded under the agency’s Corn program, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga led the turnover to Manolo Fortich Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño, which will benefit the corn farmers to cushion the impact of the rising costs of agricultural inputs.

Further, said turnover aims to provide farmers with access to improved corn seed varieties to enhance their crop productivity at the same time reduce the overall cost of cultivation.

The activity was supported by Municipal Agriculturist Gemma G. Cania with local officals and DA-10 staff. # (RDME)

DA-10 turns over the greenhouse project to the municipality of Manolo Fortich

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON – Aligned with the government’s initiative in pushing for modernized agricultural farming methods, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado hands over the Greenhouse project with Micro-sprinkler to the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich on January 30, in this town.

Located in Barangay Dicklum, the said project costs P914,529.08 and is funded under the High Value Crops Development Program.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga lauded the LGU Manolo Fortich for being consistent in availing projects from the department.

“Manolo Fortich is one of the municipalities in the region which is very active in terms of requesting for agriculture interventions. We always wanted to support those who make an effort to continuously develop the lives of our farmers and the efforts of Manolo Fortich is very evident. This project is in line with the goal of DA Secretary Francisco T. Laurel, Jr., which is mechanization and digitalization for our farmers to increase their production and profitability more efficiently.”

Meanwhile, Manolo Fortich mayor Rogelio N. Quiño thanked DA-10 for the continuous support the agency has given to the farmers in their municipality.

“I am very thankful to DA-10, especially to the Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, for their never-ending support to the farmers of Manolo Fortich. We will continue to develop our agriculture landscape here in the municipality for the betterment of our farmers,” the local chief executive said.

Manolo Fortich Vice-Mayor Reynaldo L. Bagayas, Jr. added that the six-hectare area where the greenhouse is built will be developed into a center for agriculture, where farmers in the town and its neighbors can visit to learn, train, and be educated with new farming technologies.

Various agricultural production support worth P715,700.00 from DA-10 HVCDP was also distributed to the farmers during the said turnover program.

This includes 10 units of battery-operated knapsack sprayer, 30 units plastic water drum, 175 units plastic crate, 21 units fermentation crate, 10 rolls of plastic mulch, 10 rolls of polyethylene UV film, 50 bags of organic fertilizer, and 120 bags of flower inducer.

The event was attended by the members of the Sangguniang Bayan, officials and staff of LGU Manolo Fortich, officials and residents of barangay Dicklum, and other farmers from the different parts of the municipality, and DA-10 staff.# (CRS)

Agri-10 RED Collado administers the oathtaking of the first batch of newly promoted and appointed personnel for this year.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – For this year’s first batch, nine newly promoted and appointed employees of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) took their oath of office earlier today, January 29, at the agency compound.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado administered the oathtaking, in the presence of Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga, who also chairs the Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board, RTD for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, concerned division chiefs and other agri staff during the Monday mini program.

Below is the list of the DA-RFO 10 personnel who have advanced with their corresponding positions and assignments:

Promoted:

1. Racines, Lana May S. – Project Evaluation Officer V (Planning and Monitoring Evaluation Division – PMED)
2. Baja, Jeffrey B. – Project Evaluation Officer IV (PMED)
3. Chiu, Rhea Villa R. – Veterinarian III (Regulatory Division)
4. Polina, Kenneth D. – Science Research Specialist II (Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex – NMACLRC)
5. Tejada, Ralph Vincent A. – Agriculturist II (Field Operations Division – FOD)

Appointed:
1. Largo, Decheryvie P. – Warehouseman I (Research Center for Hillyland Development – RCHD)
2. Bedro, June Vencent B. – Agricultural Technician I (NMACLRC)
3. Dagondon, Zyrelle Mae C. – Administrative Aide IV (Administrative and Finance Division)
4. Elle, Cheryll D. – Laboratory Aide II (Integrated Laboratory Division – Regional Soils Laboratory)

According to Dir. Collado, the oathtaking ceremony holds great significance, as it symbolizes the commitment and dedication of individuals toward their roles and responsibilities in serving the nation and upholding the values and principles of DA.
Per records of DA-10 through its Human Resource Management Section, a total of 304 personnel have been already appointed and promoted since October 2017 under the helm of Dir. Collado.# (RDME)