MisOcc rice farmers receive PhP3.47-M financial assistance

OZAMIZ CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) continued its roll out of the Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RFFA) amounting to around PhP3.47-million (M) worth of cash grants to 694 beneficiaries on November 29, here.

Since the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law creating the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund for the said purpose, this marks the fourth cycle of the RFFA initiative and the fifth batch of Misamis Occidental farmers to receive assistance in 2024. The RFFA program aims to offset the financial losses of smallholder rice farmers due to declining palay prices in 2019.

Spearheaded by the agency’s Rice Program under the Field Operations Division (FOD), the RFFA program offers P5k cash grants to rice farmers who are listed in Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), with farm size of 2 hectares and below.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga, in a message, enjoined farmers to also sell their produce to the National Food Authority (NFA).

“We [the DA] encourage you to sell your produce to the NFA to achieve food security in times of calamities and to help our economy thrive”, the assistant director said.

Earlier this October, the NFA set the palay buying prices between PhP23 and PhP25 per kilo, ensuring that farmers receive a fair share of the profits, which the range is higher than last year’s PhP16 to PhP23 per kilo.

Moreover, Dir. Madriaga also advised farmers to be strategic with their spending, urging them to invest the assistance in their farms to counter financial losses.
“Spend the amount for productivity and profitability with more resources to improve your farm operations”, she encouraged.

One of the beneficiaries, Elmer D. Mintalar, a resident of Molicay, Ozamiz City, who owns a 1.3-hectare of rice farm, expressed his gratitude.

“Ako nagpasalamat sa DA aning RFFA kay kaning kantidad nga nadawat [nako] makatabang na sa pagpalit sa mga kagamitan sa among farm, sa abono, ug mga tambal. Unta kining programa magpadayun”, said Mintalar, in an interview.

(I’m really grateful to the DA for this RFFA. The funds I received will go a long way in helping me buy farm equipment, fertilizers, and pesticides. I just hope this program keeps helping farmers.)

On the same day, the DA-10, through its Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED), also began releasing fuel assistance to farmers in Oroquieta City.# (BJCE)

Agri-10 backs DOH’s tree planting drive thru seedlings provision

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In support to the upcoming celebration of Government Employees’ Week and National Greening program, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turned over Mangosteen seedlings to the Department of Health – Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH-TRC) – Cagayan de Oro on November 29, at the agency compound, this city.

Senior Agriculturist Richan D. Lacanaria and High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) focal person Kersten S. Pagalan handed over 15 mangosteen seedlings to DOH – TRC Administrative Officer IV Hazel Grace M. Taray.

“We are grateful for the provision of fruit seedlings from the DA. This intervention will form part of our goal to plant at least 100 trees to raise awareness on environmental sustainability,” shared Taray.

Further adding that they also requested help from other agencies for the provision of coconut and native tree seedlings, aiming to contribute to the Enhanced National Greening Program pursuant to EO No. 193 issued in 2015 which seeks to rehabilitate upland areas. # (AMBM)

DA-10 joins ATI-RTC 10’s “Walk for Rice” to culminate 2024 NRAM

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In solidarity to the government’s continued effort to raise awareness toward responsible rice consumption, the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) joins the “Walk for Rice” organized by the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 10 (ATI-RTC 10) Thursday, November 28, here.

DA-10 staff from the Field Operations Division along with personnel of the National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine Crops Insurance, Corp. (PCIC), Agricultural Productivity Operations Office-CdeO City, Misamis Oriental Provincial Agriculture Office and operators of 40 Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) across Northern Mindanao took part in the activity, to culminate the 2024 National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM).

Led by ATI-RTC 10 Center Director, Maria Lydia A. Echavez, the Walk for Rice unifies the region’s rice extension workers and partners for a renewed commitment toward a shared goal of bolstering the local rice industry through government-private sector partnership.

On the same occasion, ATI-RTC 10 also lauded exemplary rice-based LSAs being supported by the agency through the various extension services program implemented under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) as mandated under the Rice Tariffication Law. Among the awardees are:

SAFEGCC Inc.- Bread Life Family Farm Entrepreneurial School – Most Collaborative LSA
Mr. Dega Farm Learning Institute, Inc. – Best in IEC
Mileage DJE’s Farm – Best in Social Media Presence
Alman God’s Gift Foundation, Inc. – Best in Community Engagement
Anpa’s Agricultural Learning Center – Most Innovative Award
JIKA Farms and Fields Café, Co. – Breakthrough Award
Jabien Integrated Farm – LSA influencer

Concomitant to the government’s push for food sufficiency by increasing the country’s rice production is the call to Be RICEponsible, urging Filipinos to consume alternative carbohydrates-rich food, to eat brown rice, to avoid rice wastage, and to support Filipino farmers by patronizing locally-produced rice.

As a parallel event, the ATI-RTC 10 also culminated the 2024 Organic Agriculture Month which centered on the theme “Kabuhayang OA, Kinabukasang OK: PGS Pinalakas para sa Bagong Pilipinas”. # (ATT)

DA-10 fosters enterprise sustainability among NorMin agri MSMEs

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Aligned with its efforts to advance sustainable agri-based enterprises in Northern Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), conducted an agribusiness forum on November 27, in this city.

During which, some 35 youth agripreneurs, student leaders, and members of various farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) in region 10 were apprised of sustainable and innovative approaches to scale up their agri-fishery enterprises.

In support of the event was DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, who underscored the importance of strengthening an enterprise’s capacity to recognize and adopt industry best practices, particularly to address critical challenges in agribusiness development, expansion, and innovation.

Further advocating for agribusiness development, Young Farmers’ Challenge (YFC) awardees Maydene V. Demesana of Demesana Diversified Vegetable Farm, and Rogen M. Montecillo of Anitu Forest Food Processing also shared their insights and best practices toward enterprise sustainability.

Through the forum’s workshop component, facilitated by Agribusiness Promotion Section (APS) officer-in-charge and Agriculturist II Rechelle B. Lacorte, participants also conducted strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis through which participants were able to underscore their groups’ present achievements, areas for improvement, and opportunities to engage with other agribusiness stakeholders.

To cap off the activity, participants also presented the agribusiness ventures they have identified based on the findings of their SWOT analysis, with feedback and inputs from the AMAD, APS.# (GDA)

Agri-10 lab division upskills staff on ISO accreditation

After having secured the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certification for the Regional Soils Laboratory (RSL) and Feed Chemical Analytical Laboratory (FCAL) in January this year, the Integrated Laboratories Division (ILD) of the DA-Region 10 (DA-10) continue to hone its personnel’s competency to maintain a competent, reliable, and impartial laboratory services for the agriculture industry in Northern Mindanao.

Recently, the ILD conducted an internal audit training for its personnel as compliance mechanism to meet management system and technical competency standards for testing and calibration laboratories.

DA-10 chemists who also serve as the laboratory technical managers, Johanna C. Pichay and Razel Elaine Grace A. Cataluña, apprised ILD personnel in planning and training internal quality audit for the DA-10 laboratories. The training also includes reporting audit findings to identify management and technical non-conformities, evaluate risks, and recommend corrective actions for improvement.

By employing methods, tools, and techniques acquired in the training, the ILD personnel are capacitated to carry out internal audits to assess the DA-10’s laboratory processes, procedures, and records in conformance with the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards.

Currently, the ILD is suiting up for ISO surveillance audit for it’s accredited laboratories and certification of the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL), with an end goal of maintaining its accreditation and making all three of the DA-10 laboratories an ISO compliant testing and calibration center.# (ATT)

Kawayanihan Movement set world record attempt for Most People Planting Bamboo Simultaneously

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – After a thorough evaluation of the Guinness World Record (GRW), Kawayanihan: A circular economy movement has officially set the world record for the Most People Planting Bamboo Simultaneously with 2,305 participants.

This was announced during the National Science and Technology Week activity of the Department of Science and Technology-10 (DOST-10) on November 28, in this city.

Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), together with its attached agencies, participated in the said movement by sending 100 bamboo planters to the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon last October 18, the day of the attempt.

Kawayanihan: A Circular Economy Movement, led by the 1st congressional district of Bukidnon in partnership with DOST-10, is an initiative to raise awareness on the potentials of bamboo to promote circular economy, climate resilience, and sustainability by starting with a world record attempt.# (CRS)

PAMAKA FDC benefit from DA-10’s KADIWA financial grant

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In support of dairy farmer-members in the production of milk, processing, and marketing of dairy products, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), has turned over two units of refrigerated van to the Pangantucan Maramag Kalilangan Farmers’ Dairy Cooperative (PAMAKA FDC) on November 26, at the agency compound, here.

Of the total project cost amounting to PhP4.375-million (M), DA-AMAD 10 funded PhP3.5-M through its KADIWA Financial Grant Assistance Program, while the coop counterparted PhP875K.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) chief, Larry E. Paraluman, led the turnover of the said assistance to PAMAKA FDC chairperson Rodolfo M. Belleza and Coop manager Gemma P. Apaap.

“I am very grateful to the DA for granting us two refrigerated vans that we can use to deliver milk products to our partnered programs in different cities and municipalities,” said PAMAKA Chairperson Belleza, in an interview.

Composed of 185 dairy farmers, PAMAKA FDC offers a range of milk-based products, including fresh milk, flavored milk, and milk bars, and is currently developing pastillas and ice cream.

The Coop operates its own display center, where they deliver majority of their products to partner government agencies, namely: Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Education that are implementing feeding programs in five towns of Misamis Occidental and three municipalities of Bukidnon such as Pangantucan, Maramag and Kalilangan, respectively.

Also witnessing the turnover were AMAD Development Section chief, Mae Carmela G. Fabela and farmer-members of the cooperative.# (MAC)

Agri-10 Corn Program streamlines services during “Usapang Agrikultura”

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In an episode of Usapang Agrikultura, aired on November 27 via Radyo Pilipinas 1 DXIM, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10’s (DA-10) Corn Program under the Field Operations Division continues to highlight its ongoing efforts for corn farmers in Northern Mindanao.

Building on a previous episode where Senior Agriculturist and Corn focal person Richan D. Lacanaria detailed the program’s production support services, agriculturists Jeamsel R. Tigbao and Richard G. Apare led the discussion on its extension support, education, and training services, agricultural machinery, equipment and facilities support services, and other support services.

Under extension support, Corn program report officer Apare emphasized the progress made in corn production within the region, noting that initiatives such as the establishment of corn model farms have showcased innovative farming technologies that led to improved yields.

For this year, he reported that barangays Anahawon and Base Camp in Maramag, Bukidnon yielded 7 metric tons per hectare (mt/ha) for yellow corn from their 50-hectare compact area per implementing guidelines, which exceeds the national target of 6 mt/ha.

For his part, Tigbao said that the Program extends its support beyond corn, encompassing other key commodities such as cassava, sorghum, and soybean. Concurrently serving as the coordinator for the said crops, he added that it also provides extension services for these crops, including the showcase of model farms and cluster development training for cassava, technology demonstrations for sorghum and soybean, and integrated pest management training.

He furthered that the Program enhances its campaigns through the development of information collaterals and other information-dissemination activities such as the conduct of information caravans and publication in newspapers to reach, engage, and educate more farmers.

For FY 2025, Apare bared that the DA-10 is set to distribute 93 units of agricultural machinery and equipment, including farm tractors, corn harvesters, corn shellers, hauling trucks, moisture meters, vacuum pack sealers, and soybean sorters.

He emphasized that potential farmer-beneficiaries must submit a letter of intent endorsed by their local government unit (LGU) and meet the minimum requirements, such as registration under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) or membership in clusters accredited by DOLE, SEC, or CDA.

While there is no equity required from farmers for the availment of interventions, Apare clarified that a memorandum of agreement (MOA) will be made with the LGU providing that the recipient’s counterpart is the sustained operation and maintenance of the agri machinery and/or equipment.

Likewise, he noted that all requests are validated to ensure compliance, with agri machinery and equipment allocation determined by the required minimum hectarage (eg., 200 ha for hauling tracks and tractors, 50 ha for corn shellers, and 5 ha for vacuum pack sealers).

Other services of the Program also include the conduct of derbies and support to farmers through market linkage.

Hosted by Cocoy C. Medina, Usapang Agrikultura airs Monday to Friday from 5 to 6 A.M. to provide Filipino farmers with updates and innovations in agriculture.# (BJCE)

NorMin organic adopters joins 1st Participatory Guarantee System Summit

QUEZON CITY — Aiming to strengthen the adoption of Organic Agriculture (OA), the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) convened its organic practitioners for the 1st International PGS Summit on November 26 to 29, here.

Spearheaded by the DA-National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) in collaboration with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), the event aims to provide a platform for knowledge sharing on experiences between the local and international stakeholders in the implementation of PGS in different countries with the theme, “Celebrating 20 years of PGS Development, Growth, and Achievements.

” In his message, as conveyed by DA Undersecretary for High Value Crops Development Program and National Organic Agriculture Board chair Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero, DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr said that it is a testament to the collective commitment to sustainability, community empowerment and to the continuous development of the OA industry in the Philippines.

“PGS embodies the spirit of collaboration, trust and shared responsibility, fostering a sense of participation and engagement among all stakeholders,” the DA chief added.

The Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) is an alternative certification system organized in accordance to Republic Act (RA) No. 10068 as amended by RA 11511, otherwise known as “Amendment to Organic Agriculture Act of 2010” which aims to make rtification more accessible and affordable particularly for marginal farmers.

For Northern Mindanao, 17 delegates from the regional offices of DA and ATI, provincial agri offices of Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon, and members of the Malaybalay City Organic Farmers’ Association (MACOFA) and Tatak Organic Kauswagan Farmers’ Association (TOKFA) attended the event who also brought with them products such as herbs, rice and rice by-products for the event’s product display.

Among the Summit highlights include the launching of the OA marketplace which can be accessed via online through organic.da.gov.ph.

NOAP Director Bernadette F. San Juan shared that the development of this web-based organic platform is a joint effort of the DA and the Asian Development Bank.

“The OA marketplace connects consumers to the finest organic and naturally grown products while empowering our farmers to reach markets with ease,” the director added.

Meanwhile, the activity will run until the 29th with plenary sessions, discussions and workshops and is also aligned with the celebration of November as the Organic Agriculture Month pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1030 issued in 2015.# (AMBM, Photos Supplied)

Agri-10 eyes to augment quality corn prod’n; increase farmers’ productivity, income via interventions

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Aimed at reaching out to more corn farmers in availing assistance from the agency, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through its Corn program took part in an episode of the DA and Radyo Pilipinas’ collaborative radio program dubbed as “Usapang Agrikultura”, earlier today, November 26, baring its various interventions to radio listeners and webisode viewers.

According to Corn program focal person and Senior Agriculturist Richan D. Lacanaria, the said Program is tailored to augment the quality and quantity production of corn in Region 10, with focus in ensuring farmers’ increased productivity and profitability, as means of feeds supply in support to the livestock industry and as a source of alternative staple food crop and other value-added products.

In pursuit of such goals, the corn coordinator emphasized for farmers to enroll in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), enabling the government through the DA to identify those involved in the corn industry, and for the agency to extend them with the appropriate aid.

These range from production support services, extension support, education and training services, research and development, and agricultural machinery, equipment and facilities support services, infrastructure and irrigation network services.

Under the Production Enhancement project, Lacanaria said that the agency grants seeds (at 9 kilograms per bag) and complete fertilizers (at 50 kg per bag) to each yellow and white corn producer, especially amid the rising cost of inputs.

Given the limited funds, however, he highlighted that the priority beneficiaries for these provisions are those individual farmers whose landholding are from 0.5 to 1 hectare, adding that it only augments the input production requirement of corn farmers.

On recommending cost-effective and sustainable corn practices and technologies, the DA official added that the Program in collaboration with the local agriculture offices and model corn farms, employs the conduct of demonstration sites.

These feature packages of technology to scale up farmers’ knowledge and skills for eventual adoption in their respective corn areas, thereby maximizing yield and income, he added.

To attain economies of scale, he also urged corn farmers to form into clusters, as it is pivotal in accessing big-ticket projects from the DA such as farm tractors and corn harvesters and in achieving higher efficiencies in operations, further stressing in forging market linkages with institutional buyers.

Tying up with big feedmillers and processors, the corn focal person noted, will empower corn clusters to command premium prices for their harvests.

Overall, the interventions are geared toward contributing to the National Corn program’s directive of reaching an average grain yield of 5 to 6 metric tons, of which Northern Mindanao now stands at 4.86 metric tons/hectare (mt/ha) for yellow corn and 2.72 mt/ha for white corn.

Capping off the discussions, Lacanaria enjoined corn farmers to coordinate with their assigned agriculture offices should they take interest in benefitting from the roster of interventions mentioned, reiterating that Letters of Intent should be endorsed by their respective local government units subject for validation.

To date, there are 178,176 registered corn farmers in the RSBSA and per 2023 PSA data, Region 10 is the second highest corn producing region with a combined production of about 1.52 million metric tons.# (JLO)