F2C2 Regional Cluster underscores the farming and fishing approach in advancing agri development and enhancing local food production.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Intensifying its efforts to bolster farmers’ cooperatives, and associations (FCAs) in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) staged the first Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Regional Cluster on November 20 to 21, 2023, in this city.

In his message, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado underscored the significance of the regional confab in advancing agricultural development and enhancing local food production.

“The first F2C2 program regional cluster summit in Northern Mindanao is historic and a remarkable achievement, as we unify the management of activities of farmers and fisherfolk that would result in enhanced quality of produce,” the agri exec chief said.

Moreover, RED Collado reiterated the thrust of DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. to modernize agriculture to increase food production and empower farmers and fisherfolk, and enjoined the clusters to align their efforts and activities with the same.

About 60 FCAs from the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, and Lanao del Norte participated in the event, which featured plenary sessions on programs for cluster development offered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), as well as agri-credit and insurance programs offered by the Development Bank of the Philippines.

In addition, the participants also took part in breakout workshop sessions on cooperative building and improving value chains, market linkage and expansion through digitalization, and credit and finance, with resource speakers from the CDA, DTI, DA-Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 10 (ATI-RTC 10), Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), and the DA-10 Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division.

In support of the two-day summit, also present were Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, Executive Assistant III Joel S. Rudinas, Bukidnon with Provincial Operations Center chiefs, Field Operations Division chief Eduardo N. Pit, PhD., F2C2 focal person Gay Nanette R. Aleria, and F2C2 staff of DA-10.

Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 27, Series of 2020, the F2C2 seeks to advance the interest and condition of Filipino small farmers and fishers by encouraging them to adopt a clustering strategy and consolidation of their production, processing, and marketing activities to benefit from economies of scale in commodity production and ensure greater availability and wider utilization of agri-aqua technologies, farm mechanization, logistic and transport support, and postharvest facilities.

Ultimately, the F2C2 program aims to raise the overall productivity of the agri sector and the incomes of farmers and fishers in the country.#

NorMin farm and fishery clusters pledge to be RICEponsible during its regional cluster summit.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In time with the observance of National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM), 60 officers of Northern Mindanao’s agri-fishery clusters took a RICEponsible pledge on November 20, in this city.

Led by DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) Rice Program focal person, Chona H. Nacalaban, the region’s farm and fishery cluster leaders from the five provinces of the region vowed to advocate for rice sufficiency by consuming alternative staple crops and buying locally produced rice, to complement the government’s heightened effort in boosting local rice production.

The leaders of the different clusters pledged during the first NorMin Farm and Fishery Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program Regional Cluster Summit, attended by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and other members of DA-10 management committee.#(ATT)

MARBFC has over the years provided services in terms of agricultural loans and custom services of pre- and post-harvest machineries and equipment. These have helped farmers sustain their farming activities and importantly, ensure economic resilience by commanding fair prices for their corn harvest.  

QUEZON CITY – Two of the assisted farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) of the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) were honored after being adjudged as the champions in the 2023 Corn and Cassava Cluster Management Excellence Awards on November 17, at the Salvador H. Escudero Hall, National Meat Inspection Service, Visayas Avenue, Diliman here.

Both from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, the Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers’ Cooperative (MARBFC) and Bliss Lingion Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BLMPC) won the corn and cassava accolades, respectively for being DA’s partners in the production of safe and quality corn and cassava, promotion of value chain approach, development of the corn and cassava industries, as well as the provision of various services by the cluster organizations to their members.

During the awarding ceremony, reading the message on behalf of Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, U-Nichols A. Manalo, national corn coordinator and OIC-Director of DA-Field Operations Service relayed how innovation, convergent efforts, and the adoption of farm clustering approach play a pivotal role in advancing the corn and cassava sectors.

“We come together to celebrate the synergy between innovation, dedication, and collaboration among groups, individuals, and agencies,” she expressed.

The senator is also a staunch ally in farm clustering saying that it increases production and ensures a sustainable supply of safe and high-quality agricultural products, and provides an enabling environment for farmers to become more productive, innovative and competitive.

“You have not only met the challenges and expectations posed by the ever-evolving agricultural landscape, but you have surpassed expectations. It resonates in the lives of rural communities and in the sustenance of our nation.” Sen. Villar said, as she lauds the feats of farm clusters, even citing them as the drivers of economic growth and social development.

In her acceptance speech, MARBFC manager Evangeline P. Frasco is grateful that their FCA’s hard work was recognized and rewarded.

“Thank you, DA for the cash award where we can expand our inputs provision to our corn farmers where more funds means more farms to be assisted, and an increase in the volume of production to satisfy our markets,” Frasco said.

On the other hand, Dante M. Dosayco, BLMPC chairperson remarked: “This is a token for our past efforts and also a push for our future endeavors. We assure you (DA) that our future deeds will only just get better.”

For bagging the coveted top spots in said awards, both Manolo farm cluster organizations received P2 million for the purchase of farm inputs, farm equipment and machinery, and postharvest facilities that would help them boost their farming operations, livelihood and income.

Trailing MARBFC for the corn excellence awards are first and second runners-up: Samahang Gumagawa Tungong Tagumpay MPC of Occidental Mindoro and Maningalao-Lingayao Agriculture Cooperative of Agusan del Norte, respectively. Following BLMPC in the cassava awards are first and second runners-up: Zamboanga del Norte Cassava Growers and Processors, Inc. of Zamboanga del Norte and Villa Luna MPC of Isabela, respectively.

“Rest assured that I will continue to pursue legislative mechanisms and policies that will solidify the linkage of production and market access across the rich and diverse commodities in our country,” Sen. Villar’s commitment, as she caps off her message.

Besides the honored farming clusters, the different technical working groups for the corn and cassava clusters at the national and regional levels were also recognized and presented with certificates.

Supporting the winners from the DA-10 delegation is headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, together with Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, Corn focal person Richan D. Lacanaria, and Science Research Specialist II Mischelle F. Egama, who is also the former Cassava focal person, DA-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) – Regional Training Center Ma. Lydia Echavez, and the municipal agriculturist of Manolo Fortich, Gemma G. Cania.

Other national agri officials were also in attendance, including Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter, DA-ATI director and the newly installed Engr. Roger V. Navarro, officer-in-charge for the Office of the Undersecretary for Operations.# (JLO/Photos by: AFID)

Agri-10 hosts a year-end assessment among BPMS data contributors to refine the conduct of price monitoring in NorMin.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON — To refine its conduct of price monitoring in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, staged its year-end assessment for data contributors to the Bantay Presyo Monitoring System (BPMS) on November 16, in this city.

Spearheaded by the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, the assessment served as an avenue for data contributors across Region 10 to report on their provinces’ submissions of price data, and share best practices toward increased responsiveness to concerns resolution, and improved data collection and reporting.

In her message, Agribusiness and Industry Support Services (AISS) section chief Jenny D. Alcobilla emphasized that the knowledge and information shared during the event will guide administrators of the BPMS to ensure a more reliable and responsive implementation of the program in Northern Mindanao.

In response to the issues and concerns reported by data contributors concerning 11 public markets in the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Oriental, the AMAD-AISS provided recommendations and suggestions to effectively address the same.

Moreover, three top-performing data contributors of the BPMS were also recognized, from the local government units of Ozamis City in Misamis Occidental, San Fernando in Bukidnon, and Gingoog City, in Misamis Oriental.

The event was supported by the Provincial Operations Center – Bukidnon represented by Engr. Arlene Almo, and AMAD staff.# (GDA)

ARTA conducts an onsite inspection at DA-10 to check its adherence to RA 11032.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Anti Red-Tape Authority (ARTA) conducted an onsite inspection at the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado to evaluate both its internal and external processes in adherence to Republic Act No. 11032, otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

Cora A. Dumayaca, Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, together with other agency personnel welcomed the ARTA team led by Supervising Administrative Officer Dominic I. Sanchez and Project Development Officer II Harold Oga.

The ARTA team inspected the external process flow of the services offered by the department under the Integrated Laboratories Division (ILD), particularly the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, which provides services that are vital to the development of the livestock and poultry industry.

Accordingly, Viralou Tuquib, DVM presented the procedure in receiving samples from external clients, at the same time on how they perform prompt and accurate diagnostic tests of major animal diseases that curb disease outbreaks.

On the other hand, the Regional Feed Chemical Analysis Laboratory bared its procedure on how it tests samples on poultry and livestock feedstuff on different chemical testing parameters in compliance with BAI feed quality standard.
The ARTA also lauded the department’s proactive practices, highlighting the presence of the Citizen’s Charter and the Public Assistance and Complaints Desk (PACD).

Notably, the PACD was commended for the delegation of agency staff to be assigned each day through the issuance of a department memorandum. Generally, the department was compliant with minimal findings.

RTD Dumayaca expressed her gratitude to the ARTA team and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to maintaining its good practices and acting on the recommendations made as it moves forward for an enhanced delivery of its services to agri-clienteles.# (TJL)

Opol Mayor Jayfrancis D. Bago receives the certificate for the rice recirculating dryer for OPIA that would help boost the association’s farm productivity and income.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, together with the Local Government Unit of Opol turned over a P2.78 million worth of Rice Recirculating Dryer to Opol Farmer Irrigators Association (OPIA) on November 10, 2023 at Sitio Camaroc, Malanang, Opol, Misamis Oriental.

The recirculating dryer has a 6.2 tons full capacity, and a drying lead time of 8 hours. With such facility, farmers can mechanically dry their produce with reduced postharvest losses, thus optimizing their efficiency and profitability.

RED Collado emphasized the importance of attaining food security through increased productivity and enhanced interventions for the agriculture sector, especially the local rice farmers.

He also urged the farmers to be ecologically-receptive in producing food without putting the environment at risk.

As its counterpart, the LGU Opol apportioned P330K funds for the construction of a structure to shed the recirculating dryer.

Opol town Mayor, Atty. Jayfrancis D. Bago expressed his gratitude to the DA for the grant of the project.

He said the project complements the LGU’s vision to bolster thriving and sustainable agriculture to boost the local rice farmers’ income.

The LGU has identified the OPIA as the recipient of the project being the federation of three major rice farmers associations in the town – the Camaroc FA, Pobibo FA, Taboc FA, with an aggregate rice area of 130 hectares.

The project is funded by the DA-RFO 10’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) under the Bayanihan II: Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program.#(DLV)

Agri-10 supports the Gulayan sa Paaralan project of MOGCHS thru agri inputs provision.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To promote food security and proper nutrition in schools, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado turned over vegetable seeds and molasses to the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) on November 7, 2023.

Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca and High Value Crops Development Program focal person Kersten S. Pagalan handed a total of 20 packets of 5-in-1 (Pinakbet) vegetable seeds and 5 containers of molasses to Maria Fe R. Fernandez, MOGCHS Gulayan sa Paaralan consultant.

Fernandez shared, “This will be helpful in our pursuit of producing naturally grown vegetables and its produce will be used for our feeding program.”#(AMBM)

Agri-10 provides over P533-M agri interventions and services to Bukidnon province during the conduct of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair. 

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON — In consonance with the national government’s efforts to ensure ease of access to government assistance and services in the countryside, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) participated in the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) on November 11 to 12, 2023 at the Bukidnon State University, in this city.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez led the turnover of agricultural interventions and financial support, worth more than P533 million to Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque and to the farmers and farmers’ cooperatives, and associations (FCAs) in the province during the opening program of the BPSF.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the agency’s participation in the BPSF manifests its commitment to empowering farmers in Northern Mindanao by providing support through its programs and services.

Furthermore, he said that the interventions and financial assistance turned over during the BPSF form part of DA’s thrust towards a ‘Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya, Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas’.

Said agri-interventions include funding support for the establishment of an INSPIRE swine production facility, and a postharvest facility for corn in San Fernando and Dangcagan towns.

The Department also distributed hybrid rice seeds and fertilizers benefitting a total of 14,198 rice farmers, as well as Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) white corn seeds to 200 corn farmers in the province.

Under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance program of the Department, a cash assistance of P5K each was also granted to 18,831 rice farmers in the province, tilling land of less than two hectares.

DA also turned over tractors, harvesters, hauling trucks, plastic crates, and other farming equipment and supplies to select FCAs in the province.

Regional winners of the Young Farmers Challenge 2023 were also awarded financial grants of P150K for the Start-Up category and P300K for the Upscale category.

Moreover, services such as the distribution of vegetable seeds through the agency’s High Value Crops Development Program, as well as the Kadiwa ng Pangulo spearheaded by the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, were also offered to walk-in consumers during the two-day fair.

Also present in support of the event were DA-10 Executive Assistant III Joel S. Rudinas and Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM.# (GDA)

DA-PRDP 10 holds a coordination meeting discussing IBUILD subprojects in Valencia City.

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Department of Agriculture-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director and PRDP Project Director Carlene C. Collado along with RPCO 10 and PSO Mindanao teams hold a coordination meeting with the CLGU Valencia on November 9, 2023 in Valencia City, Bukidnon.

The meeting aims to discuss the updates and concerns regarding the implementation of the four IBUILD subprojects under the European Union grant. Further, to fast-track the targets during the implementation period of the subprojects (SPs).

Currently, CLGU Valencia has two ongoing warehouses with multi-purpose drying pavement (MPDP) and two ongoing farm-to-market road SPs.

The said SPs include: the Construction of a Warehouse with MPDP in Sitio Tandacol, Brgy. Lilingayon and the Construction of Warehouse wwith MPDP in Brgy. Banlag, the 7.73 km Concreting of Mt. Nebo-Sitio Migtulod FMR; and the 16.27 km Concreting of Jct. Brgy. Mabuhay to Brgy. Banlag Proper to Sitio Pantaron FMR. #

ADB targets to boost assistance for DA-10’s AMIA Village. 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A team from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Technical Assistance Project paid a courtesy visit to DA-Northern Mindanao (DA-NorMin) Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado, for a table discussion on the possible scaling up of agribusiness value chain of DA-NorMin’s Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) Village, in the province of Bukidnon, Tuesday, November 7, in this city.

The Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) Program of the Department of Agriculture is designed to capacitate agri-fishery dependent communities to be resilient to Climate Change through the provision of strategic interventions for site-specific climate information and decision-making, access to credit and insurance and market linkages.

The ADB has identified the DA’s AMIA villages among its priority localities for the institutionalization of Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) through its Technical Assistance Project.

Together with DA-NorMin AMIA Program Focal Person, Carmelito Lapoot, ADB’s Value chain expert, Mr. David Moles and Ms. Eleanore Lantican visited AMIA Village in barangay Lingion, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, to survey the village’s condition and viability of agricultural enterprise in the area.

Based on the survey, appropriate recommendations will be endorsed by the experts for possible intervention under the ADB Technical Assistance Project, to bolster agricultural potential of the AMIA Village.

In a post survey meeting, Director Collado and DA-NorMin Executive Assistant for Operations and Planning, Joel S. Rudinas also apprised the ADB experts on the prospects and bearing of foreign and locally-funded DA programs implemented and pipelined in the region, highlighting projects such as construction of post-harvest facilities and strategic programs for the youth and Indigenous People (IP).

Partnership, consolidation and clustering, and technology-based agriculture are among the subjects underscored in the meeting as possible groundwork for collaborative and inclusive agricultural development.

The Lingion AMIA Village has been established and supported by the DA-NorMin for a period of 4 years to date.

The village is one of the four AMIA Villages in Bukidnon that are actively engaged in Cassava and Corn enterprise.#(ATT)