Agri 10, in partnership with private seed companies, conducts a corn derby to showcase the performance of different corn varieties and their corresponding package of technologies at the agency’s research complex in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.  

Carlene C. Collado, DA-10 officer-in-charge, regional executive director remarked, that now with the dynamic and extensive product lines of different seed companies, farmers will have an opportunity to make informed decisions in the selection of corn varieties to be planted through the corn derby.

He added that the activity paves way for the presentation of the latest corn varieties and their corresponding package of technologies enabling farmers to get the most value out from their investments in attaining maximum yield and profit.

Highlighted in the corn derby are the varieties, namely: H101G, Bio Corn Hi Fly and BC108G from BioSeed Research Philippines, Inc.; Supreme 5150 RRYYG and J505 RRYG (Asian Hybrid Seed Technologies, Inc.); P4124YHR and P3660YHR (Corteva AgriScience); EVO709 and EVO9310 (Evo Gene Seeds, Corp.); DK8899S and DK8131S (Bayer Crop Science Philippines); and NK6505BGT and NK306BGT from Syngenta Philippines, Inc.

Agronomic and yield components, ranging from average ear and plant height, ear diameter and length, weight of seeds, shelling recovery, and yield per hectare were revealed based on the generated results from the crop cut.

With bulk of next year’s budget under DA’s Corn program focusing on seeds, the agri chief executive further said, that the corn derby results will count as one the department’s basis in the procurement of seeds, at the same time considering farmers and local governments’ requests.

Almost 160 participants, comprising of corn farmers and agricultural technicians from the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia, and the towns of Lantapan, Manolo Fortich, Cabanglasan, and Impasugong, all from Bukidnon province, have attended the field day.

On top of the seed companies’ showcase, mustered participants also learned the most recent innovations from agriculture farm chemical and motor companies, of which their products are also seen to complement farmers’ preferred hybrid corn variety in boosting farmers’ productivity and earnings.

“As a front-line, it is important to know the performing hybrid corn varieties readily available in the market so that we could at least suggest to our farmers, especially those that will fit in their respective barangays,” Myra S. Abejuela, Malaybalay City corn coordinator conveyed.

Likewise, she pinned her hopes that through the farmers she brought with her in the corn derby, including their corn federation president and officials from corn growers’ associations, that they will also share the basket of technologies from the event to their fellow corn farmers and eventually, altogether adopt the hybrid technology. Also gracing the activity from DA-10 are Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD and Regional Corn coordinator Richan D. Lacanaria; Research Division chief Cora A. Dumayaca and Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex chief Carmelito R. Lapoot; Provincial Operations Chief for Bukidnon Janet D. Lopez, DVM; Research Center for Hillyland Development Berly F. Tatoy, PhD; and Guillermo L. Duran, senior science research specialist of the Research Center for Upland Development; and OIC-Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia Lagamon. # (JLO)

Agri 10 through its RAED hosts the BAFE-RAED assessment-workshop in Camiguin province.

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) hosted the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) – RAED Assessment and Workshop on October 3-7, in this town.

With the current administration, the workshop aims to inform developments on the latest issuances and guidelines for the implementation of various agricultural mechanization assistance and infrastructure, at the same time arising issues and concerns on the course of their implementation.

Further, said activity serve as a venue to evaluate and assess the performance of the different RAEDs nationwide.

In his remarks, DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado extended his appreciation in the contribution of RAED and BAFE in uplifting the lives of Filipino farmers.

“RAED and BAFE have very important roles, especially in the regional operations because they make sure that specifications of the interventions given will reap better results for a community, particularly to our farmers.

With this assessment and workshop, I hope that all pressing matters may be addressed so we can serve better our nation.” Dir. Collado added.

The event was led by BAFE headed by its Director, Engr. Ariodear C. Rico and was attended by the different heads and representatives of RAED across the country. # (CRSeraspe)

ABEs from the different LGUs across R-10 undergo a workshop on the formulation of LAFMP.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) of the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) conducted a workshop on the formulation of Local Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Plan (LAFMP) on September 29-30, 2022, this city.

Around 80 Agricultural Biosystem Engineers (ABEs) from the city, municipal, and provincial Local government units (LGUs) in the region convened to formulate their LAFMP as a vital component of their local development plans.

DA-10 RAED chief Engr. Deliza T. Camaro said, the activity aims to strengthen and provide planning guidelines to ABE offices/divisions/sections of the LGUs in the formulation of their LAFMP.

In line with RA 10601, otherwise known as the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law and DA-DILG Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2020 (Guidelines in the Formulation of AFMech Plan), the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) and Regional Agricultural Engineering Divisions (RAEDs), emphasize the support and assistance to the Agricultural Engineering Division/Section of the LGUs.

In his message, DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado underscored the modernization of agriculture through mechanization as a mechanism to improve the efficiency of production and promote cost-effective technologies; thereby, improving farmers’ income.

Furthermore, Dir. Collado said, with the formulated AFMech plans and programs, the efforts of various stakeholders related to agriculture and fisheries mechanization are deemed attainable.

“Increasing agricultural operating income is not only an important step in improving agricultural work for farmers in the new era but is also a powerful way to promote rural revitalization,” he added.

Meanwhile, DA-10 RAED Programs and Projects Management Section chief Engineer III Romil G. Española tackled on the Guidelines on the Formulation of AFMP and updates, Gap analysis computation and the functional (national AFMP Components) plans and targets.

As reported, region 10’s progress for the ongoing National Agricultural Machinery Inventory counts to 7,193 units of machinery, equipment and facilities as of Sept. 29, 2022 for the level of mechanization on specific commodities such as Corn, Rice and High Value Crops.

On the other hand, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga conveyed the importance of having an agri-fishery mechanization plan, especially in empowering LGUs to help identify the equipment, production and postharvest machinery and facilities needed in an area.

Also discussed by the other speakers are the templates for the preparation of LAFMP, computations on the level of mechanization, computations of reduction on the cost production, and the status of ABEs in the region.

Moreover, BAFE Director IV Engr. Ariodear C. Rico urged the LGUs to create their own ABE offices, particularly those first to third class municipalities.

The ABE section/division will serve as the planning, coordinating, regulating and implementing bodies at the provincial, city and municipal levels on agricultural and fisheries engineering, mechanization and infrastructure programs and projects, Engr. Rico cited. #(Rollin Dave M. Elloren)

LGU Plaridel crafts their municipal dev’t plan with help from NGAs, including DA-10.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The local government of Plaridel, Misamis Occidental crafted their municipal development plan during the Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA) on September 29, 2022, in this city.

To refine such plan, Plaridel Mayor Gadwin E. Handumon invited the national government agencies (NGAs) as panelists at the same time to present their respective programs, projects and interventions that the town could avail of.

Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado encouraged the LGU to consider the roster of interventions offered by the agency to boost the major agricultural production in the town such as rice, cacao, coffee and coconut.

On the other hand, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga, presented the different interventions under DA’s banner programs, namely: Rice, Corn, Livestock and High Value Crops Development as well as the foreign-assisted and locally funded projects.

Present during the workshop were the town’s executive and legislative members, department heads, NGAs such as BFAR, DOT, DOH, NHA, NEDA and COA, among others.#

Agri dept through its Corn program caps the conduct of a corn derby in Southern Bukidnon for the wet cropping season.

Dangcagan, Bukidnon – The hybrid corn variety P3660YHR of the Corteva Agri Science was declared the most profitable variety with 3.2 Pesos Return on Investment (ROI) per 1 Peso production cost, as the DA-Region 10 (DA-10) capped its wet cropping Corn Derby in its Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in the town of Dangcagan, Bukidnon on September 16.

The hybrid varieties DK8899S of Bayer Crop Science and NK6410BGT of Syngentha Philippines were ranked second, with an identical 3 Pesos ROI per 1 Peso investment. Close in third is Bayer Crops Science’s DK8131S with 2.9 Pesos ROI per 1 Peso investment.

The said hybrid corn varieties were highly recommended for planting by the corn farmers in Southern Bukidnon, taking into account the topography and the climate in the area.

The Corn Derby is an annual technology demonstration spearheaded by the DA-10’s Corn program with the objective of helping corn farmers in the region in identifying the most-suited hybrid corn variety in their location, and equip them with cutting edge corn production technologies.

In his message, DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director, Milo D. delos Reyes underscored the many potentials of Bukidnon for corn production. He also urged the farmers to take full advantage of the promising farmgate price of corn in the province presently pinned at 22 Pesos per kilo.

“Let us continue to plant corn and take advantage of the high buying price. All you need now is to be diligent, persistent and a little investment,” he said.

He also urged the corn farmers to diversify their crops and avoid monoculture for optimal earning. He further encouraged the farmers to instill in their children the appreciation for agriculture at a young age as a way of nurturing the farming tradition.

For his part, DA-10 OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Audy G. Maagad emphasized the local government units’ (LGUs)key roles in organizing and clustering the corn farmers.

“We are hoping that the LGUs will continuously back our effort to organize our corn farmers. With organized farmers, we can easily cascade farming information and technologies to the grassroots level,” he averred.

The Corn Derby harvest ceremony was attended by farmers and personnel of the municipal agriculture offices from the towns of Quezon, Kitaotao, Kibawe, Damulog, Dangcagan, and Don Carlos in Southern Bukidnon.

The derby was participated by six hybrid corn seed developers namely, Asian Hybrid Seed Technology, Inc., Evogene Seed Philippines, Bayer Crop Science, Bioseed Research Philippines, Syngenta Philippines, and Corteva Agri Science, who featured 13 hybrid corn seed entries planted in a 1.3-hectare demonstration farm inside the RCUD.

Champion variety of the wet cropping Corn Derby will be announced after the harvest ceremony in two other DA-10 research stations – the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and Research Center for Hilly Land Development (RCHD) in Claveria, Misamis Oriental late this month and early October. # (ATalib)

Agri dept joins the CCB 10^th anniversary celebration thru its personnel’s attendance in a virtual summit set up at the agency’s compound.

Cagayan de Oro City – In solidarity to the 10th anniversary celebration of the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB), the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) participated in the Isang Dekada ng Paglilingkod Virtual Summit organized by CSC on Tuesday, September 27.

The Human Resource Management Section (HRMS) of DA-10 gathered select employees of the agency representing each division to take part in said summit through a virtual set-up in its compound.

CCB is the pioneering Philippine government’s feedback facilities, serving as the bridge between the government and the people. Since its launching on September 27, 2012, it has been an avenue for Filipino citizens to lodge their concerns on government transactions.

Grounded on the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 (Republic Act No. 9485) and the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 (Republic Act 11032), CCB is instrumental to government offices’ effort to be more responsive of the peoples’ needs by attending to and resolving their complaints over government services.

To mark its 10th founding year, it honored top 20 performing government agencies with the highest resolution rates of the complaints lodged to CCB.

The agencies are namely: DPWH, MMDA, POEA, DOLE, DFA, BOI, PNP, LTFRB, Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), BOC, DSWD, DILG, NBI, PSA, DENR, LRA, SSS, PRC, DepEd and Pag-IBIG.

With the recognition received by said government agencies, DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado also encouraged the DA personnel to follow their footsteps, putting more premium in the better delivery of service to agricultural stakeholders.

Through the occasion, CSC further called on government offices to champion ethics, accountability and integrity in building citizen-centric Philippine government.# (ATalib)

The agri dept in coordination with USSC distributes the fuel discount cards to around 1,286 qualified corn farmers from six municipalities and one city from Bukidnon province.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – As part of its continuing effort to help ease the impact of rising oil prices, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Corn program has allocated a total of P3.85-million worth of fuel subsidy to the third batch of corn farmers in Bukidnon province.

On September 19-21, around 1,286 qualified corn farmers from the municipalities of San Fernando, Don Carlos, Kibawe, Damulog, Kadingilan, Sumilao and Valencia City, received their fuel discount cards issued by the Universal Storefront Services, Corp. (USSC) worth P3,000 each.

According to DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the Fuel Discount program will help farmers lessen their expenses in corn production from land preparation to postharvest and processing activities to gas up their respective farm machinery.

Fuel subsidy beneficiaries can use their fuel discount card to purchase either gasoline or diesel from participating gas stations accredited by the Department of Energy, he added.

During the distribution, corn farmers have also expressed their gratitude as the program helps them in reducing their fuel costs, especially this corn’s harvesting and planting season.

To qualify for the fuel subsidy, corn farmers must be registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and included in the Farmers and Fisherfolk Registry System, and an individual or his/her farmer’s cooperative or association must also own functional machinery with proof of ownership and must be further listed in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Management Information System (ABEMIS).

Said fuel subsidy caravan will be held next in the province of Misamis Occidental starting on September 27, 2022. # (RDMElloren)

Representatives of the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard (BAFS) paid a courtesy visit to DA-RFO 10 OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research, Regulations and Integrated Laboratories, Audy G. Maagad on September 26, 2022, on behalf of OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado.

The BAFS personnel is on a one-week field data gathering assignment in Northern Mindanao relative to the development of an Explanatory Manual for the Philippine National Standards (PNS) Code on Good Animal Husbandry Practice (GAHP) for Beef Cattle and Buffalo.

The team will be visiting identified cattle and buffalo farm owners/operators in the region on September 26-30, 2022, with the assistance of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of DA-10 in terms of coordination and data gathering support. # (ATalib)

Some 617 LDN corn farmers and fishers get their fuel discount cards loaded at P3K each to purchase gasoline or diesel to help them continue operating their farm machineries and motorized boats.

Tubod, Lanao del Norte – The Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Corn program and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) distributed P1.851-million worth of fuel discount cards under the Fuel Discount for Farmers and Fisherfolk (FDFF) program to 617 qualified corn farmers and fishers of Lanao del Norte province to cushion the effect of escalating fuel prices in ensuring food security.

DA-Northern Mindanao (DA-10) Regional Executive Director Milo D. delos Reyes assured the farmers and fishers of the department’s production support, especially in terms of providing fuel subsidy to enable them to continue operating their farm machineries used in corn production from land preparation to postharvest activities as well as motorized boats for fishing operations.

Recipients consisted of 241 corn farmers and 376 fishers from the towns of Baroy, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Salvador, Kauswagan, Tubod, and Lala.

Each discount card was loaded with Php3,000.00, where farmers and fishers can purchase diesel or gasoline from any Department of Energy (DOE)-accredited gasoline stations.

FDFF beneficiaries must be registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), and included in the Farmers and Fisherfolk Registry System (FFRS) or registered under FishR, and own agricultural and fishery machinery with proof of ownership.

Previously, only corn farmers and fishers are eligible to receive the fuel discount vouchers under DA’s FDFF, but as per DA Memorandum Circular 32, DA now is increasing its recipients’ portfolio.

“The coverage of the fuel discount shall be expanded to include all agricultural commodities. The program will therefore cover all farm machinery with attached proof of ownership that is being used for crop production as well as motorized banca for fishing operations,” BFAR Provincial Fishery Officer for Lanao del Norte Noel M. Saldajeno explained.

Meolina G. Yorong, one of the recipients from the municipality of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, expressed that despite challenges on fuel price hikes and soaring prices of fertilizers, DA still found a way to assist and empower them as producers of food.

The FDFF Program created through Special Provision No. 20 of the General Appropriations Act of 2022, is implemented in partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines, Universal Storefront Services, Corp., DOE, and local government units, among others. # (JCAnito)

Agri 10thru AMAD  convenes Buk’non veggie farmers for strengthened market linkages.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) recently spearheaded a consultation meeting for the planning and strategizing of market linkages for Bukidnon high value crop producers.

Held at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex, DA-10 AMAD chief Larry E. Paraluman cited that said province is a major contributor to the regional economy, being major producers of food and other agricultural products in Northern Mindanao (NorMin).

Accordingly, the activity set opened discussion on the prospects of value-adding through manufacturing or processing of vegetable and fruit products at the same time creating market linkages for Bukidnon high value crop farmers, Paraluman furthered.

Accounting their experience, NorMin Vegetable Producers Association (NorMin Veggies) president Marcelino Remotigue bared the importance of marketing cluster and the corresponding strategies they have employed, as working as a group of producers enable them in meeting market demand, cutting costs, and maximizing farmers’ income.

NorminVeggies is composed of individual producers, development foundations, corporate farms, farmers’ associations, farmers’ cooperatives, input and service providers, and institutional partners. Its aim is for a competitive vegetable industry growing high-valued commodities for both domestic and international markets.

Out from the meeting, a harvesting calendar was also drafted providing information on planting, sowing and harvesting periods of crops in specific agro-ecological zones to help farmer-producers in acting on informed decisions on crops production and proper market linkage by the agency.

Further, an interfacing session transpired with the different participating Bukidnon veggie farmers raising their issues and concerns revolving marketing. # (JCAnito)