The GAD program of DA-10 spearheads a capabuild to women senior citizens who are engaging in agribusiness, to know the available windows of assistance for them.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – As part of the Women’s Month celebration this March, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Gender and Development Program conducted a capability building to women senior citizens on March 22, 2022, in this city.

Around 20 participants who are both in service and retirees of DA-10 who are engaging in agribusiness were updated on the AgriPinay Loan Program of the DA-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) focusing on financial assistance for women in agriculture.

DA-ACPC Provincial Management Officer for Misamis Oriental Kristine Cyvil Gregorio explained the program is part of the agency’s Gender and Development integration efforts which seeks to improve women’s access to rural credit and ensure their inclusion in the agri-fishery value chain in order to better rehabilitate their livelihood during the pandemic.

She added that the program aims to intensify gender equality in agribusiness and promote the empowerment of women in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

In her message, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla, shared that women in agriculture are ageless, provided with their experiences and wisdom gained throughout the years.

She added that the DA ensures the senior citizens especially women have access to the agri-fishery programs, valuing their contributions and partnership as active members of the community.

Meanwhile, Ronnie Tabucanon, Financial Analyst IV of DA-ACPC guided them on how to make a simple business plan.

Aside from the credit opportunities, Mylin V. Tayapad, an organic farmer and owner of Mylin Herbal, turmeric product shares her story to inspire and empower them in investing through organic farming.

“Women should strategize on how they can help their family. I didn’t expect what started as a personal health medicine would expand and become my business which opened more opportunities, ” shared Ms. Tayapad.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said the capacity building is an integral approach of the agency to gender equality.#(MPTablon)

Agri NorMin turns over the P20-M monolithic dome-type cold storage and packing facility to the city government of CdeO for proper storage of agri inputs of high-value crops.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao turns over the first monolithic dome-type cold storage and packing facility in the region to the City of Cagayan de Oro on Thursday, March 24, 2022.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado handed the certificate of turnover of the said project worth P20 million to Mayor Oscar S. Moreno, as a component of DA’s proper storage of agricultural inputs of high-value crops.

Dir. Collado said the facility will aid the local farmers and market vendors in the city in maximizing the quality of their produce.

“It will extend the shelf life of highly-perishable commodities and reduce post-harvest losses of the farmers and ensures to establish a resilient food system, especially during this pandemic,” the director added.

Located in barangay Kauswagan, the whole facility has a land area of 1,300 square meters which is the counterpart of the city with a capacity of 300 metric tons of vegetables in crates and palettes.

The dome will serve as the region’s storage and packing facility with two loading docks, a pre-cooling room, areas for washing and rinsing, sorting, palletizing, and an office.

Mayor Moreno said that the monolithic dome facility is meant to ensure that high-value crops of farmers seek to serve two ends: the supply and demand sides.

“On the part of the supply side, the farmers can hope that their products will remain fresh in spite of the passing of time. While on the demand side, the consuming public can be assured that the product would remain fresh and nutritious,” added Mayor Moreno.

The facility is one of a kind in the region through advanced engineering or construction technology, adopting a climate-smart technology, a state-of-the-art storage facility which was funded under DA’s CY 2020 – Agriculture Stimulus Package Bayanihan II of DA High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP).

Supporting the event were DA-10 Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga, HVCDP Program Coordinator Kersten S. Pagalan, city local officials, and Agriculture Productivity Operations Office (APOO).#(ATC)

DA-10 RED Collado receives a recognition from PCOO Sec. and CORDS X Andanar for his support in the implementation of RTF-ELCAC in Region 10.

Department of Agriculture – 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado receives a Plaque of Recognition from Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin M. Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office and the Chairperson of the Cabinet Officer for Development and Security in Northern Mindanao on March 24, 2022.

Dir. Collado was recognized for his unwavering support in the implementation of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in Northern Mindanao.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga joined RED Collado during the Appreciation Lunch with RTF-ELCAC members in Cagayan de Oro City.# (ATC)

Dr. Guzman will now head the operations division of Agri NorMin.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Outgoing OIC-Field Operations Division (FOD) Chief, Audy G. Maagad hands over the key of responsibility to Dr. Luz I. Guzman, who is now the Development Management Officer V and will now head the concerned division in a ceremony on March 21, 2022.

Meanwhile, Maagad will return to his original post as the chief agriculturist of the agency’s Regulatory Division.

The operations division of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) primarily plans, directs and coordinates the implementation of agricultural programs on grains, crops, livestock, and poultry, as well as provide technical assistance cutting across all commodities.

Witnessing the turnover were DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Carmelita T. Bajarla, in the presence of banner program and focal persons of said division, and other division heads of the department. #(JLO)

DA-10 leads a virtual organization meeting to bare the programs and activities of the FSRAs for the current year to stabilize the food safety regulatory system.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To stabilize the food safety regulatory system throughout Northern Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through the Regulatory Division led a Virtual Organizational Meeting of the Regional Food Safety Committee at the agency compound on March 18.

The meeting tackled the responsibilities and activities of the Food Safety Regulatory Agencies (FSRA) for 2022 relative to the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 10611, otherwise known as the Food Safety Act of 2013.

The Corn, Livestock, High Value Crops Development, and other programs presented their respective activities for the current year and on how they can contribute to food safety regionwide.

Under said Act, the following agencies comprise the FSRA: Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) for food derived from animals, including eggs and honey production; National Dairy Authority (NDA) for milk production and postharvest handling; and National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) for meats.

Also, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for fresh fish and other seafood, including those grown by aquaculture; Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) for plant foods; Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) for pesticides and fertilizers used in plant and animal food production; Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) for fresh coconut; and Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) for sugarcane production and marketing.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Carmelita T. Bajarla, urged the team to ensure food safety and nutrition while ensuring that food items should always be affordable and available for farmers and consumers.

She added that the final output will be the consolidated regional committee activity plan, baring the proposed activities prior to the endorsement by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and for approval of the agriculture secretary.#(MPTablon)

The cluster hybrid rice techno demo of DA-10 in Kalilangan town showcases the performance of 15 hybrid rice varieties to increase farmers’ adoption. 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In a nine-hectare rice farm in barangay Pamotolon of Kalilangan, Bukidnon lies the cluster hybrid rice technology demonstration of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) showcasing the performance of the 15 hybrid rice varieties.

It was concluded in a harvest festival on Monday, March 21 in partnership with private seed companies and a seed producer cooperative, five farmer cooperators, and the local government unit of the said town.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that the use of hybrid rice is an approach to improve the yield to more than 6-8 metric tons per hectare given that appropriate farming technologies and good agricultural practices are applied.

Kalilangan town has around 913 registered rice farmers but with less than 10 percent adopters of hybrid rice.

Kalilangan Mayor Omaradji C. Pizarro challenged his farmer constituents to embrace new technologies, “Let us change our old farming practices and let us follow the scientific studies. We must believe in agriculture modernization.”

Mayor Pizarro urged the farmers to observe the showcased technology for them to identify the appropriate hybrid seed varieties suitable in their locality.

“The techno demonstration provides opportunities to the farmers to see the advantages of hybrid rice and the adoption of new technologies that can help improve the farmers’ livelihood and make the rice industry sustainable and sufficient,” said DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, in her message.

The participating 10 private seed companies include Bayer Crops Science, Inc., Ramgo International, Corp., Davao Oriental Seed Producers Cooperative, SL AGRITECH, Corp., Long Ping Tropical Rice Development, Inc., Corteva Agri Science, Seed Works Phils., Inc., Leads Agricultural Products, Corp., Green and Grow Technologies, Aktiv Multi Trading Co. Phils., Inc., and Bioseed Research Philippines, Inc.

One of the farmer cooperators, Shirley A. Tabilla shared, “Matagal na po akong inbred rice seed user pero na amaze talaga ako sa mataas na kita ng hybrid seeds, kaya pumayag ako na maging farmer cooperator sa techno demo. Sana mag hybrid na lahat ang mga kasamahan ko sa aming lugar.”

In Northern Mindanao, three cluster hybrid rice techno demo were conducted in the towns of Maramag and Kalilangan and Valencia City.# (ATC)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In line with the National Women’s Month celebration this March, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducted a Training on Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG), Project Implementation and Management and Monitoring and Evaluation (PIMME) on March 16-17, 2022, this city.

“Said training is held to understand the concepts of GAD, gender issues and gender analyses to properly develop programs and projects with the concept of gender mainstreaming,” shared DA-10 Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga, in her message.

Resource speaker, Gender and Development Specialist/Inclusive Education Specialist of the Asian Development Bank, Ernesto B. Villegas discussed on how gender equality gaps should be properly addressed during programs and projects preparation, monitoring and implementation.

Participating in the two-day activity are report officers from the different banner programs and operating units of the agency. # (AMBManto)

The province-led hybrid rice techno demo in Brgy. Violeta, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon showcases appropriate technologies, management practices, among others to increase farmers’ productivity and efficiency.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture -Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Rice Program capped the Province-Led Hybrid Rice Technology Demonstration in barangay Violeta, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Thursday, March 17.

In line with the DA’s battlecry, “Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita”, the hybrid rice techno demo was organized by the agency as a way to top up local rice farmers’ yield and income by upholding the cultivation of hybrid rice variety in their area.

The techno demo ran throughout the course of the 2021-2022 dry cropping season, with the participation of 14 local farmer-cooperators who are members of the Lalawan Sawaga Simaya Communal Irrigators Association, Inc. (LASSIA).

A total of 37.69 hectares of fully irrigated, clustered rice areas in barangay Violeta were piloted as hybrid rice demo farms which served as learning sites for the rice farmers to be adept in advancing hybrid rice production technologies and management practices.

Hybrid rice varieties are known to be superior than “farmers’ saved seeds” in terms of total yield, resistance to diseases and insects, and vigor against weeds.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado said that the first province-led hybrid rice techno demo in Northern Mindanao demonstrates the yield potential of the different hybrid rice varieties that will motivate the farmers to adopt the appropriate technology in their locality that eventually will increase their productivity and efficiency.

Director Collado added that the techno demo exhibits the use of irrigation technology, machinery, pest and diseases, and nutrient management.

Dr. Frisco Malabanan, DA’s adviser for Hybrid Rice Program said the Provincial Hybrid Rice Technology Demonstration is being conducted in the whole country, particularly in provinces identified as hybrid rice producers.

“Through this technology, we will cluster the rice farmers into farmers association or cooperative. The clusters will be given full assistance from the DA in partnership with the LGUs. We will capacitate the farmers to process their own products instead of just selling raw materials,” Dr. Malabanan said, bearing the DA’s approach in capacitating the country’s rice farmers.

Some 12 seed companies partnered with DA-RFO 10 in staging the dry season Hybrid Rice Technology Demonstration: Bayer Crop Science, Inc., Ramgo International, Davao Oriental Seed Producers Cooperative, SL AGRITECH, Corp., Long Ping Tropical Rice Development Inc., Corteva Agriscience, Seed works Philippines, Inc., Leads Agricultural Products, Corp., Green and Grow Teknologies, Syngenta, Aktiv Multi Trading Co Phils. Inc., Bioseed Research Philippines, Inc.

Each seed company showcased a maximum of 3 hybrid rice varieties as entry to the techno demo.

Featured varieties are: Bigante Plus, Kimbee 58, Mestiso 20, Mestiso 82, SL – 19H, LP 534, LP 2096, LP 205, PHB 77, SL – 20H, Jackpot 102, BIORICE 453, NK 5017, HYVAR S26, TH 82, US 88 and Habilis Plus planted in December of last year utilizing the manual and mechanical transplanting approaches.

To cap the techno demo, a forum was held where each participating seed company champions the best qualities of their entry hybrid rice seeds and shares their applied technologies to the rice farmers.

The yield result per hectare will be revealed after harvesting by end of March this year, which will serve as the bases for identifying the best- performing variety, and ultimately, be declared as the best-suited hybrid rice variety in the subject locality.

The activity was in partnership with the Provincial Local Government of Bukidnon through its Provincial Agriculture Office and the City of Malaybalay and barangay Violeta.# (MGBS, ATalib)

RAFC-10 meet NorMin’s agri-fishery sectoral reps for a planning workshop and consultation to craft appropriate agri-fishery policies and plans, recommend relevant programs and projects, to address issues and concerns besetting the agri-fishery sector.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To recalibrate Northern Mindanao’s Agricultural Policy Agenda, the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council-Region 10 (RAFC-10) convened the region’s agri-fishery sectoral representatives for a two-day Planning Workshop and Consultation on March 10-11, 2022 in this city.

The consultation primarily aims for the formulation of appropriate agri-fishery policies and plans, and recommends relevant programs and projects to address emerging agri-fishery issues and concerns in the region.

In the gathering, industry representatives of various agri-fishery commodities – coffee, cacao, fisheries and aquaculture, rice, corn, poultry, livestock, coconut, fruits and vegetables, and rubber, assessed the industries’ current situation to forge ways forward in scaling up the agri-fishery production, post-production, and marketing.

Proposed programs and projects were conceptualized by revisiting the region’s preceding policy agenda, taking into account the impact of climate change and opportunities for international trade and export and agri-fishery mechanization (AFMEC), in consonance with the country’s agri-fishery development frameworks.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga urged the sectoral representatives to take off from the current industry practices and initiatives to implement breakthrough approaches to augment the region’s agri-fishery output.

“This workshop is a way for us to come up with a policy framework applicable for our region. This is an avenue for the government and industry players to come to terms in identifying what to be done and how it must be done to improve our agri-fishery production” she said.

In his part, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, enjoined the region’s agri-fishery sectoral representatives to consolidate the output of the consultation, and come up with a unified agri-fishery development proposal for endorsement and for funding of the agency.

“The role of the Agricultural Fishery Council (AFC) is indispensable to our efforts in promoting inclusive and progressive agricultural development in the region. Our continued partnership goes a long way in helping our farmers to attain quality livelihood,” he emphasized.

The planning-consultation calls for the creation of a regionwide commodity-focused organization that will serve as a lead group to access potential assistance, and forge multi-sectoral partnership in capacitating small farmers and fishers towards being competitive players across the whole agri-fishery value chain.

Farm and fishery clustering and mechanization, post-harvest processing modernization, marketing assistance, access to financial support, product development research, agri-fishery infrastructure, and public-private partnership are among the identified focus areas for policy recommendation of the RAFC.

The recalibrated Northern Mindanao agri-fishery policy agenda will be endorsed to the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) as a reference in crafting policy guidelines for the regional agri-fishery development framework.

The RAFC-10 Planning Workshop and Consultation was facilitated by RAFC-10 Chair, Reynaldo Cabanao and Cora Dumayaca, RAFC-10 Regional Executive Officer.#(ATalib)

In support to the region’s swine recovery and repopulation program, DA thru USec Medrano and RED Collado in partnership with CMU headed by Dr. Derije, lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the establishment of a Swine Multiplier Farm in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To aid Northern Mindanao’s swine recovery and repopulation program, the Department of Agriculture-10 (DA-10) in partnership with Central Mindanao University (CMU) break ground for the Swine Multiplier Farm in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon on March 9, 2022.

DA Undersecretary for Livestock William C. Medrano, PhD with DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and CMU President Jesus Antonio G. Derije, DVM led the ceremony of the P1.4 million project comprising of 1 unit 10-sow level pig pen (with a ratio of 1 male to 10 female highbred cross hogs), 1 unit feed mixer and agri-supplies (feeds, drugs, and biologics).

The project is part of the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) of the National Livestock Program which is intended to speed up the recovery of the hog sector and ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability of pork and pork products.

“CMU being the recipient of the project will set aside 40 percent of the produced weanlings, and repay DA within three years to start 3 months after the completed delivery of the procured breeding stocks,” said Director Collado.

He added that its weanlings will then be used as sentinel animals or as breeding stocks for the additional Swine Multiplier projects in the region.

Sentinel pigs are the initial contingent of pigs sent to repopulate African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected areas.

DA-10 Livestock Program Focal Maria Lourdes M. Sypiecco explained, that the project can be implemented in areas where ASF is not present but adjacent to an infected zone or previously infected but the virus has not been detected for at least 90 days and has recovered from infected status.

Since December 2021, DA-10 has implemented two swine multiplier farm projects at DA-10’s Research Center for Upland Development in Dangcagan, Bukidnon, and Northwestern Mindanao State College of Science and Technology in Tangub City.#(EMBentulan)