DA-BAFE and FAO stages training in CdeO to determine level of mechanization.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A six-membered team from the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) of DA and the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) are here to stage a training relative to the implementation of the project entitled, Improving Capacities on the Adoption of a Harmonized Mechanization Index to Increase the Level of Mechanization Efficiency of Rice and Corn Production from May 22 to 24.

Led by Kelvin Michael A. Crystal, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer (ABE) and Project Coordinator of FAO Philippines, the team paid a courtesy visit to the DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) earlier today, May 22, in the presence of Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and Assistant Division chief of the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED), Engr. Junel W. Ablanque, as it seeks for the department’s participation to standardize and roll out the procedure in gauging the level of mechanization at the national, regional, and local levels.

As DA-RFO 10 completes the conduct of its inventory of the machinery, the agency’s RAED personnel involved in the National Agricultural Machinery Inventory (NAMIn) are set to employ the draft mechanization index interface tailored for integration into the ABE Management Information System.

Further, said initiative is anchored on DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr.’s plan to augment agricultural productivity, reduce food cost, ensure food security, and make farming and fisheries a more viable investment through mechanizing and modernizing agriculture and fishery production systems and digitalization.#

The agri department in NorMin reaffirms its support for the growth and development of the bamboo industry in the region and country, as well. 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, reaffirms its support for the development and growth of the bamboo industry in the country, particularly in Northern Mindanao.

In a special meeting with bamboo industry stakeholders from the private sector held on May 10 to 11, RED Pacamalan joined DA Undersecretary for Livestock Deogracias Victor B. Savellano and DA Undersecretary for Special Concerns and Official Development Assistant Jerome V. Oliveros to discuss a proposed plan for the development of bamboo in the Philippines as an industrial crop.

During the meeting, participants tackled contextual information on the bamboo industry in the country, various strategies that are seen to drive the growth of bamboo production, as well as previously established bamboo development programs and past production efforts undertaken by private stakeholders concerning said crop.

Further, the meeting delved on the possible impacts of the industry’s growth on climate, planet, and people across concerned countries; perceived constraints to growth; and considerations for development actions aligned with the Philippines’ bamboo development roadmap.

Florida-based bamboo building materials company, RIZOME, through its President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Russel Smith expressed optimism in the shared endeavor, enjoining stakeholders from both the public and private sector to invest and co-create opportunities for local farmers and contribute to a sustainable enterprise.

“[Investing] in bamboo agroforestry and its value chain can help create opportunities for farmers to transform their local community and introduce this product into the market as a raw good, or a pre-processed, low-impact building material, creating sustainable village-level business,” the company executive said.

As a funding agency with interests in poverty eradication, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) also recognized the significance of investing in the industry development plan, citing its shared appreciation of the agricultural value chain as a major contributor to socio-economic and community development.

For his part, USec Savellano, whose office also oversees regular meetings of bamboo stakeholders in government, highlighted DA’s integral role as a coordinating body with other government agencies, research institutions, and industry stakeholders to foster a conducive environment for the bamboo sector.

“As we [in the government] move forward with our ‘one-nation’ approach, the inputs shared in this activity is worth considering. Everyone should participate and all government initiatives [aligned with this undertaking] should be unified, all in support of the bamboo industry,” the DA official said.

During the meeting, RIZOME has also bared its bamboo development pipeline that tags the province of Bukidnon and the BARMM region as prime areas for production expansion, alongside Agusan del Sur in Mindanao; Samar island in Visayas; and Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya in Luzon.

With Mindanao’s large potential for bamboo growth and development, RED Pacamalan extended his support for the initiative, underscoring the agency’s tailor-fit agri-industrial programs and strategies to increase agricultural production while simultaneously producing more value-added products, providing farmers and their families with additional business and job opportunities, and higher incomes.

Cognizant of its potential as a high-value crop whose presence is mostly observed in rural, indigenous areas of the region, RED Pacamalan also assured the sustained support of DA-10 through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) and the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP).

Supporting the meeting were RIZOME Community Development head Eileen Gamo; First Community Cooperative (FICCO) CEO Edgardo A. Micayabas; Kapwa Agroforestry, Corp. partner for bamboo development Pax Doromal; and Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) Executive Director Butch Madarang.

Also present was the delegation of sector and department representatives from the ADB, led by ADB Country Director for the Philippines Pavit Ramachandran, and ADB General Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department Director Bruno Carrasco.

Also joining RED Pacamalan from DA-10 were HVCDP Assistant focal person Ronald Allan P. Camaddo, Livestock Program focal person Jamaica L. Docdoc, and staff.# (RDME/GDA)

Agri-10 targets digitalization of agri-data. 

The Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) thru its Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan unveiled plans for digitalization of the agency’s data system in two separate meetings with DA partner-stakeholders on May 15, at the DA compound in Cagayan de Oro City.

RED Pacamalan shared plans for bamboo industry expansion during the courtesy visit of a team from Cagayan de Oro Confederation of Farmers, Fisherfolks, Urban Communities, Cooperatives and Micro-Entrepreneurs (CDO Confederation of FFUCC and ME) headed by its president, Robert C. Questadio.

He said that the DA will geo-tag bamboo production areas in Cagayan de Oro City in an effort to organize bamboo supply-market linkage.

Meanwhile, in a meeting with the National Economic and Development Authority – Region 10 (NEDA-10) Chief of Economic Development Specialist, Archimedes C. Lazaro, RED Pacamalan bared the agency’s plans in improving its reporting system and harmonization of agri-related data with other government agencies and local government units.

He maintained such initiatives will not only modernize the region’s agriculture sector database, but also ensure efficient planning and allocation of resources for improved farmers’ productivity. # (AMBM)

Agri-10 explores more opportunities to promote onion production in Region 10.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Seeking to promote onion production in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) meets with the Impasugong Samahang Nayon Multipurpose Cooperative (ISNMPC) on May 13, at the agency compound, here.

In a courtesy visit to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, ISNMPC members headed by Chairperson Oliver Maria A. Aldovino discussed on ways to expand onion production in the region, particularly in the province of Bukidnon.

For their part, Chairperson Aldovino shared that their cooperative has already started a demonstration farm in Barangay Poblacion to teach and encourage other farmers to adopt technologies on onion farming while RED Pacamalan tackled on the possible agri-interventions to support said initiative.

Also present in the meeting are DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and Farmer-Director for the month of May, Nilda B. Salas. #(AMBM)

DA-10 spearheads a training for plant nursery operators for accreditation and plant material certification.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducts a training on Plant Nursery Accreditation and Plant Material Certification with emphasis on Propagation on May 2-3, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan, here.

DA-10 Regulatory Division chief Eduardo N. Pit, PhD said that the activity aims to develop an understanding of regulatory requirements and standards governing plant nurseries and propagation activities.

The capabuild tackled the establishment of plant nurseries for fruits, coffee and cacao, foundation scion groves, and common propagation techniques which provide nursery operators in Northern Mindanao with the latest knowledge and techniques in plant propagation.

Also discussed were the protocols and guidelines on plant nursery accreditation and plant material certification to ensure operators and nurseries comply with the requirements set forth by the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) for accreditation to produce quality planting materials.

Serving as the resource speakers were from the DA-BPI-National Seed Quality Control Services Senior Agriculturist Rhea Connie C. Villas and Agriculturist II Manilyn Z. Ofiana, and DA-BPI-Plant Quarantine Services Section Head – Seaport of Cagayan de Oro City Kim James F. Sombilon.

Villas said that the training is one of the requirements for accreditation for nursery establishment and operation, including plant material certification in which the issued certificate is valid within two years prior to one’s application.
The nursery must be operational and established for at least a year before applying, and it must create an operating manual specific to the crop the nursery operator is applying for, she added.

Applicants qualified for accreditation and certification must be cooperative, association, corporation, partnership, private individuals, and government agencies.
As part of the training, the participants also visited the Bukidnon Integrated Coffee Center of Nestlé Philippines, Inc. in the same barangay, where they had learned the proper propagation techniques for coffee.#(MPMT)

DA-10 is now under new management headed by Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In a show of support for the agency’s transition under new management, employees of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) welcomes its newly installed Regional Executive Director (RED) Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan on May 13, at the agency compound, here.

Pacamalan is designated as RED of DA-10 per Special Order No. 667, issued on May 6, 2024 and signed by Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr.

In his welcome address delivered during his first ever attendance to the agency’s convocation, the agri chief exec expressed his optimism for the usual cooperation and support of the DA-10 workforce in meeting the objectives and targets for the delivery of agricultural assistance for Northern Mindanao and to the country, as well.

Likewise, he assured that under his leadership, DA-10 will remain committed to becoming a lead region in the provision of support and services for agri-fishery stakeholders, building on the successes of the NorMin agri department in the past years.

“I hope that as we move forward, we will focus on things that are valued by our farmers and by working together, we can make Region 10 a benchmark for other regions,” he added.

Prior his headship in the DA-10, Pacamalan has obtained an agriculture degree and went on to advocate sustainable agricultural practices and community development in food security efforts.

He is also known for contributing to the rice farming industry by pioneering the Integrated Rice-Duck Farming System and founded the Rice-Duck Movement, Inc. which offers subsistence farmers an organic climate-smart, accessible and more viable rice production system.

Having closely worked with non-governmental organizations in the early 90s, he joined the government service in 2019 and helmed the Provincial Agriculture’s Office of Misamis Oriental, serving as the DA’s partner for the said province on the ground.

Also present in support were Farmer-Director Nilda B. Salas, Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga, RTD for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, division and section heads, and personnel of DA-10. # (MPMT)

DA-10 finally secures its PAB accreditation certificate.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Regional Soils Laboratory (RSL) and Feed Chemical Analytical Laboratory (FCAL) of the Integrated Laboratories Division (ILD) has finally secured its Department of Trade and Industry – Philippine Accreditation Bureau (DTI-PAB) accreditation certificate.

On May 15, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan and Farmer-Director Nilda B. Salas handed over the certificate of accreditation in accordance with PNS ISO/IEC 17025:2017 to ILD chief Viralou L. Tuquib, DVM, also in the presence of the former chief of the ILD, Alanita A. Jumalon, DVM.

According to the scope of accreditation, RSL and FCAL have been evaluated and determined to comply with the PAB standards for laboratory accreditation in the field of chemical testing as well as PNS ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements.

The international standard ISO/IEC 17025 sets forth the basic requirements for the capable, unbiased, and reliable functioning of testing and calibration laboratories.

Tuquib said that the accreditation reflects with delivering products and services of the highest quality consistently meeting and exceeding the expectations of the agri clienteles and other relevant stakeholders.

“As we move forward, we must have the commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and excellence, and embrace each other with enthusiasm, determination, and a shared vision of building a brighter future for the organization,” she remarked.

DA-10’s RSL is the second, while its FCAL is the third laboratory among the regional field offices across the country that has been accredited by the PAB.#(MPMT)

DA-10 distributes assorted veggie seeds during the LAB for All caravan led by FL Marcos, in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental.

EL SALVADOR, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Aiming to ensure food security, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) headed by its Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan distributes vegetable seeds during the Libreng Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot Para sa Lahat (LAB for ALL) caravan on May 16, here.

DA-10 High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) distributed 5K packets of assorted vegetable seeds, which includes eggplant, pole sitao, squash, kangkong, pechay, ampalaya, cucumber, upo, tomato, and bell pepper.

Through the distribution and accessibility of a wide variety of vegetable seeds, communities can grow their own food; thereby, ensuring its security and sufficiency.

The caravan is an initiative program of the First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos which was attended by various national agencies and the provincial local government of Misamis Oriental under the leadership of Governor Peter M. Unabia.

Present in the activity were DA Undersecretary for Livestock Deogracias Victor B. Savellano, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, RTD for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, Farmer-Director Nilda B. Salas, and other personnel of the agency.#(MPMT)

Agri-10 welcomes its fourth batch of newly appointed and promoted employees for this year, on May 15, at the agency compound.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Five newly hired and promoted employees of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) took their oath of office on May 15, at the agency compound.

Administering the oathtaking ceremony is DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan together with Farmer-Director Nilda B. Salas of the following personnel and their corresponding assignments:

Promoted

1. Viralou L. Tuquib, DVM – Chief Agriculturist, Integrated Laboratories Division
2. Samuel C. Natindim, Jr. – Agricultural Center Chief III, Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD), Research Division
3. Alyssa Marie Y. Cailing – Science Research Specialist I, RCHD, Research Division
Newly appointed
1. Lawrence S. Tumapon – Science Aide, Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex, Research Division
2. Ronalyn R. Abistano – Accountant I, Accounting Section, Administrative and Finance Division

Witnessing the ceremony were concerned division chiefs, section heads and other personnel of DA-10.# (MPMT)

Agri-10 and NORMINHOG strengthen areas for collab against ASF.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 continues to intensify its efforts to curb the incidence of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the five provinces of Northern Mindanao.

This, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan reassured, in a meeting with Northern Mindanao Hog Raisers Association, Inc. (NORMINHOG) President, Leon G. Tan, Jr. and association members on May 6, at the agency compound.

As a show of support for the newly installed agri chief executive, the swine industry stakeholder reiterated their association’s initiatives that complement DA’s present strategy on the prevention and control of ASF in the region, which include the close monitoring of suspected cases.

DA-10, through its Regulatory Division and Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL), also provides guidance and shares best practices on raising hogs and preventing ASF; collection and testing of samples; depopulation; quarantine and other key measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

During the meeting, NORMINHOG also proposed to intensify the joint efforts of the public and private sector on the dissemination of information on ASF, especially to backyard hog raisers to ensure compliance with the set standards and safety measures against the same.

In response, RED Pacamalan said that the DA-10 will revisit its current approach on tackling said disease, putting into consideration inputs from partners from the local government units and the industry.

“We have to revisit our strategies on how we handle [ASF] in the region. We also have to touch base with our local government units, especially those who we deem as high-risk, and consult on the next best steps to take on this,” he said.

Further, the agri chief exec underscored the need for a more proactive sampling and testing, and for an online-based reports system which will consolidate pertinent information on ASF incidence on the city, municipal, provincial, and regional level.

“If we make use of an online reporting system, we are able to generate analytics and visualize the trends in the communities we monitor, which in turn will influence how we at the regional level act and make decisions accordingly,” the DA official added.

Present in support of the meeting were DA-10 Farmer-Director for the month of May, Nilda B. Salas, Regulatory Division chief Eduardo N. Pit, PhD, Supervising Agriculturist Janniver C. Chua, DVM, Veterinarian III Rhea Villa R. Chiu, DVM, and members of the NORMINHOG.# (GDA)