DA-NorMin observes the agency’s 125th founding anniversary, while commending its workforce.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Bearing this year’s theme, “Kagawaran ng Agrikultura: 125 Taong Naglilingkod Tungo sa Masaganang Agrikultura at Maunlad na Ekonomiya,” the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) celebrated the agency’s founding anniversary.

On June 23, 2023, at the El Garaje, DA-10 Compound, in this city, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado led the said observance and recognized the dedication and commitment of the DA-NorMin personnel in hurdling the challenges in the delivery of services towards the promotion of agricultural development.

“Looking back, the COVID-19 pandemic has tested us with our measures on how to sustain the unhampered movement of agricultural products and services,” the agri exec remarked.

With the heightened food demand is equally the public’s appreciation on valuing the significance of producing their own food, he went on to note.

“We gained improvements with our performance in our quest to enhance and serve with excellence the different local government units (LGUs), farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs), national government agencies (NGAs) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure food security,” Dir. Collado accounted, saying his almost seven-year stint with the Agri-10 department has been an enriching experience.

Meanwhile, in an excerpt from the DA anniversary video message of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. shown during the said program, “Marami talaga na wala talagang iniisip at wala ng ibang ginagawa kung hindi makahanap ng paraan para pagandahin ang buhay ng ating mga magsasaka, para patibayin ang ating tinatawag na food supply.” he said, who concurrently serves as the agriculture secretary.

The agri chief also lauded the DA workforce’s help in harnessing the agricultural sector as a potent tool in ‘ensuring food sustainability, generating employment opportunities, and mitigating poverty’.

Reportedly, the agriculture sector posted a growth of 2.2%, contributing to 9.1% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

PBBM further pinned his hopes that factoring in the different elements – expertise, experience, and motivation, DA will continue to champion the welfare of farmers, fishers, and rural communities in the coming years.

“Alalahanin natin lagi: napakalaki at napakahalagang bahagi ang ginagampanan ng agriculture sector at ang pagpaganda ng agriculture sector ay kasama na ‘yan, katumbas na niyan ang pagpaganda sa Pilipinas,” the president said, capping off his message.

Founded as the Department of Agriculture and Manufacturing, DA became one of the first government agencies created just eleven days after the proclamation of the Philippine Independence in 1898.

Supporting the quasquicentennial celebration of the agri department is Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and RTD for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, the Management Committee (ManCom) members, personnel and support staff of DA-10. # (JLO/Photo credits: RDMElloren, MPMTablon)

Two NorMin FCAs are now DA-accredited implementing CSOs: ICGEMPC and LVFMC

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Department of Agriculture – 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga handed over the Certificates of Accreditation to two farmer cooperatives, associations (FCAs) in Northern Mindanao during the 125th DA Anniversary celebration at the agency compound on June 23, 2023.

The accredited FCAs are the Iligan City Government Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ICGEMPC) of Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, and the Lantapan Vegetable Farmers Marketing Cooperative (LVFMC) of Lantapan, Bukidnon.

Per DA Administrative Circular No. 3, Series of 2022, the FCAs have successfully fulfilled the conditions for projects for the development of the agri-fishery sector as beneficiary or implementing civil society organizations (CSOs).

Joel T. Rivera of LVFMC conveyed his appreciation to the agency, as this will bring them to greater heights, benefiting their FCA.

“Dako na kaayo ni og tabang sa amoang FCA kay madali na namo ang pag access sa mga programa sa DA para sa kalambuan sa among grupo,” Rivera added.

[This is a great help for our FCA, as we can easily access the programs of DA for the development of our group.]#(MPMTablon)

DA-10 support’s DILG-10’s HAPAG project through the provision of assorted vegetable seeds.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To intensify the capacities of barangays through sustainable agriculture, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, granted the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region X (DILG X) 50 packets of assorted vegetable (pinakbet, sinigang) seeds on June 16, 2023 at the agency compound, this city.

Funded under the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), said provision is in support of DILG X’s regional launching of the Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay (HAPAG) sa Barangay Project on June 19, 2023.

Said distribution aims to sustain the advocacy of said project and further promote active community participation and public awareness through the establishment of community gardens in barangays.

The seed packets were handed over by DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca and Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD to DILG X Administrative Assistant Karen Nicole A. Casiño.# (RDMElloren)

DA-PRDP 10 conducts a RAEB for the P13.34-kilometer Maikay-Cahayag-Buenavista FMR in Tudela town.

TUDELA, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL – With the aim of ensuring maximum benefits for the beneficiaries, the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10), together with the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division of DA-10, conducted a Rapid Appraisal for Emerging Benefits (RAEB) for the 13.34km Maikay – Cahayag – Buenavista Farm to Market Road (FMR).

DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director and PRDP 10 Project Director Carlene C. Collado said, that RAEB is implemented to determine the impact and success brought about by the subprojects of DA-PRDP to its beneficiaries.

RAEB aims to validate the success of subproject benefits and determine other socio-economic benefits emerging in the community.

It further assesses the ongoing and future efforts of LGUs and other stakeholders supporting the subproject with the use of various assessment tools such as Key Informant Interviews (KII), Focused Group Discussions (FGD), Household Interviews (HH) and Spot Interviews (SI).

Gleen Japay of barangay Maikay shared, “Before, when we deliver our goods to the town proper, we pay a peso or two for every kilo of our produce, which sometimes reached Php 300 and it would take us an hour to reach the market.”

With the new road, he happily shared that it takes only 15 minutes to reach the market in delivering their produce, since they were able to buy their own motorcycle.

“We have saved a lot from hauling and delivery fees because of the road,” he added.

The Maikay – Cahayag – Buenavista FMR with a total project cost of Php 128,739,916.70 was officially turned over to the municipality on November 26, 2020, which has served around 1,544 beneficiaries which include farmers of coconut, abaca, banana, cacao, cassava, among others. #

DA-RCPC 10 benchmarks LAMP technique in DA-RCPC VI in Jaro, Iloilo City.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture (DA) – Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) 10 recently conducted a benchmarking on Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) technique in DA-RCPC VI in Jaro, Iloilo City.

The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) granted DA-10 with P5 million worth of funding for the establishment of a Plant Health Hub (PHH) facility in Barangay Bangcud, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Considering that LAMP is part of the new PHH facility in NorMin, DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado sent the team headed by DA-RCPC 10 chief Lucille T. Minguez along with three other technical personnel to Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESVIARC).

The benchmarking aims to equip the DA-RCPC 10 staff on the recent standard laboratory protocols on the use of LAMP equipment in detecting viral pathogens and early disease detection affecting crops.

The team was exposed to the demonstration of the assay procedure of the LAMP kit with different primers for a specific virus strain, its reagents, and concentration, used in the detection of rice viruses.

Based on the results of the benchmarking, comparing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques that demand an expensive thermal cycler, it showed how LAMP amplifies the virus or virus strain in plants and insect vectors using a simple, cost-effective, and easy-to-operate isothermal hot or water bath.

Through the benchmarking, DA-RCPC 10 is seen to more capably aid farmers in diagnosing viral diseases and recommending appropriate control measures to mitigate the spread of diseases on plants.#

DA-10 RED Collado spearheads the MRIDP meeting to help create a rice industry that is thriving, resilient, and sustainable while boosting the productivity and income of farmers.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Department of Agriculture – 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado conducts a meeting on the Convergence Initiatives for Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP) on May 25, at the agency compound.

In his message, RED Collado said that the program seeks to create a rice industry that is thriving, resilient, and sustainable while boosting the productivity and income of farmers.

Discussions centered on regional convergence, targets and strategies of clustering and consolidation, and value chain development and digitalization.

Through the activity, RED Collado is hopeful to strengthen the synergy among agencies engaged in the whole rice value chain for the successful implementation of MRIDP.

Select Regional Management Committee members in Northern Mindanao attended the meeting on-site and via the virtual platform, namely: Bureau of Plant Industry – Plant Quarantine Services (BPI-PQS), BPI-Satellite Pesticide Analytical Laboratory (BPI-SPAL), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), Philippine Crop Insurance, Corp. (PCIC), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Food Authority (NFA) and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

Supporting the activity are DA-10 consultant Joel S. Rudinas, Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD, Rice focal person Chona H. Nacalaban and other personnel of the agency.# (MPMTablon)

More than 3.9K farmers in Lanao del Norte receive cash aid thru DA-10’s RFFA program.

LANAO DEL NORTE – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) led by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado continues the third distribution of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) Program for CY 2022, in the province of Lanao del Norte (LDN) on May 23-24, 2023.

Through the RFFA 3 program of DA-10, a total of P19.7-million was allotted to 3,940 rice farmers from Lanao del Norte, in support of the Rice Tariffication Law, strengthening rice farmers through financial aid, and underpinning increased quality and productivity of rice from Filipino farmers.

The RFFA 3 held in Tubod, LDN has distributed P5,000.00 cash assistance to eligible rice farmers from the province, assuring said farmers have registered to the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and tilling or owning rice area not exceeding two hectares.

On May 23, 2023, a total of 2,464 new RFFA rice farmer-beneficiaries from Lala, LDN received the cash support.

According to Nonito D. Punzalan, a farmer for 49 years and a first-time RFFA beneficiary, the RFFA is a great help in sustaining his rice production.

“I am very grateful to DA for supporting us rice farmers through this financial assistance. This will really help us with the finances of our rice production.”

[Pasalamat kaayo ko nga nahatagan mi sa DA og financial assistance, kay makaabag-abag gyud ni sa mga gasto namo sa among basakan.]

Subsequently, 1,476 qualified farmers from Kapatagan, Maigo, Matungao, Pantao Ragat, Poona Piagapo, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, and Tangcal also received financial aid on May 24, 2023 at the Tubod Municipal Evacuation Center.

The third cash out of the RFFA in Lanao del Norte was realized through the support of the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte and the Universal Storefront Services, Corp. (USSC). # (RLTolentino)

Agri-10 thru AMAD convenes with FOPA 10 for market linkages.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Aiming to strengthen the partnership with local producers in Northern Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), meets with the Food Processors’ Association of Northern Mindanao (FOPA NorMin) to discuss potential local and national market linkages for its members.

On May 15, 2023, AMAD led by its chief, Larry E. Paraluman, delivered the various interventions that DA-10 can offer ranging from market information, market linkage and products promotion, agribusiness promotion and development services, especially for the agri-based processed products that FOPA members produce.

FOPA NorMin officers who joined the meeting were President Craig Mari Padla of De Oro’s Best, Vice-President Ana Marie Viscayno of Sivako Foods, Secretary May Jacobo of May’s Golden Pies, Treasurer Agnes Gonzales of SG Ventures, Inc., and Nenita Tan of Bestfiend Goodies.

Recognizing areas for support, the AMAD has committed to assist the said association towards communication and partnership with farmers across Region 10.

Said efforts also aims to maximize the use of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Information System (FFEDIS) for convenient market linkages, not only in Northern Mindanao, but reaching the island-region of Mindanao and the whole of Philippines.# (RLTolentino)

Rice farmers from Salvador, Lanao del Norte receive hybrid seeds from DA-NorMin.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the helm of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, distributes hybrid rice seeds to farmers in Salvador, Lanao del Norte on May 22-23, 2023.

RED Collado shared, funded under the National Rice Program, the agency has allocated a total of 800 bags of hybrid rice seeds worth P4 million and handed them over to the local government unit (LGU).

The beneficiaries are registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), in which a farmer with 1 hectare received 1 sack (15 kilos) of hybrid rice seeds for wet season planting.

At the same time, the Rice Seed Monitoring System (RSMS) was introduced to farmers, which is a digital monitoring system created by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

It aims to help efficiently monitor the distributed rice seeds and collect, combine, process, and analyze reliable and nearly real-time data regarding the positioning and distribution of DA-provided rice seeds for rice growers in an area.

Rice farmer Ernesto V. Torilla of Poblacion, Salvador, Lanao del Norte expressed his appreciation for the agency’s aid in increasing the production of hybrid rice for the local farmers in their area.

“Dako kayo ako pasalamat sa tabang [hybrid rice seeds] nga gihatag sa DA-10. Makatabang kini sa pagdugang sa produksiyon sa hybrid rice alang sa mga lokal nga mag-uuma sa among lugar,” Torilla said.

The said activity will also be conducted in other rice-producing areas in Bukidnon province.# (MPMTablon)

DA-10 through its RCUD together with the seed companies, conducts the third of a series of corn derby for this wet cropping season.

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 through its Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) together with private seed companies conducted a ceremonial planting for its Corn Derby on May 23, 2023, in Dangcagan, Bukidnon.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized that such a move aims to showcase the performance of the different yellow and white corn varieties as farmers’ basis in selecting their preferred corn variety.

RCUD chief Catalino S. Soriano, Jr. shared that the research station has allocated two hectares of land to be planted by the nine participating seed companies.

The private seed entities include: Syngenta Philippines, Inc., Bayer, Bioseed Research Philippines, Asian Hybrid Seed Technologies, Inc., Corteva Agriscience, JR Agro-Industrial Enterprises, Vigour Seeds Dev. Inc., Evo Gene Seeds, Corp., and Advanta Seeds.

“We are thankful to DA for always inviting us to join in these activities since 2018. Up until now, it has been a big help for us since we are able to showcase our corn cultivars and technology in different areas and share them with our farmers,” said Yvhan Michael Opeña, field agronomist of Syngenta Philippines, Inc.

Said event also follows the recently conducted ceremonial planting at DA-10’s Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex and Research Center for Hillyland Development last May 16 and 18, respectively. # (AMBManto)