DA-10 in partnership with seed companies exhibit promising corn cultivars in RCUD, Dangcagan, Bukidnon.

BARONGCOT, DANGCAGAN, BUKIDNON – The agriculture department of Northern Mindanao (DA-10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado in partnership with private seed companies stages the first in the series of its Corn Derby Field Day for this year’s wet season, showcasing promising hybrid corn cultivars here on Friday, September 22.

Seated at about a 1.9-hectare portion of DA-10’s Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD), 15 different corn varieties from seven companies were exhibited, to gauge their performance and adaptability in a low elevated area.

“Mapuslanon ni siya [technology showcasing] para sa atong mga mag-uuma,” Carlota S. Madriaga, DA-10 regional technical director for operations, in her message to about the 150 farmers and agricultural extensionists participating from the towns of Dangcagan, Damulog, Kibawe, Don Carlos, Kadingilan, Kitaotao, Maramag, and Kalilangan of Bukidnon province.

Yellow corn varieties along with their corresponding package of technologies include NK6140BGT and NK6130BGT from Syngenta Philippines, Inc.; DK8131S and DK8899S (Bayer Crop Science Philippines); H101G and B9909G (BioSeed Research Philippines, Inc.); and AH SUPREME 5150 RRYYG and J505 RRYG (Asian Hybrid Seed Technology Inc.).

Rounding up the list of yellow corn varieties exhibited are P3582YHR and P3530YHR (Corteva AgriScience); EVO 9115 (Evo Gene Seeds, Corp.); and MAIS SWERTE and MAIZE D30, and MAIS-TISA, a white corn variety from Vigour Seeds Development, Inc.

Importantly, the crop cut results were presented, factoring in agronomic and yield components such as number of plants, ears, and yield per plot; gaob incidence; total cob and kernel weights; shelling recovery; field moisture content; yield and weight of grains; population density; ear length and diameter; number of kernel line and kernels per ear.

She likewise underscored the significance of conducting corn derbies over the years with the private seed companies.

“Labaw na sa amoa na kami [department] karon nga gi-manduan sa national government pinaagi sa atong President [Marcos] na mao atong [DA] secretary na tagaan og dakong pagtagad ang agrikultura,” RTD Madriaga remarked.

Generated results show that the corn varieties employed yielded the highest at 10.03 tons per hectare at 14% moisture content (MC) to the lowest of 5.69 tons/ha at 14% MC.

As the agency through the Corn Program will procure P281 million of hybrid corn seeds, comprising GM hybrid yellow corn seeds and hybrid white corn flint seeds next year, Dir. Madriaga highlighted that the corn derby results would form part of the basis of the department’s procurement of seeds.

Moreso, DA-10 is set to procure P19.7 million worth of GM hybrid yellow corn seeds and hybrid white corn seeds to serve as buffer stocks, in case of disasters and calamities.

As the techno demo displayed different corn varieties and planting protocols to augment farmers’ productivity and earnings, the DA-10 official also urged the farmers to form into corn clusters to attain economies of scale.

This will enable them to greatly trim down their cost of operations, reap bountiful harvests, link to large-scale buyers, and earn bigger incomes.

“Dako kaayo akong pasalamat sa DA-10 sa ilang gipahigayon nga programa sa mga ka-mais, diin adunay bag-ong mga technology nga gi-showcase nga milangkob sa low ug high elevation nga corn cultivars ug magdepende sab ang performance sa klase sa yuta gikan sa mga nagkalain-laing kompanya sa mais,” conveyed Lilibeth P. Galandez, president of the Narukdukan Kisanday Banana, Cassava, Coconut, Corn Farmers’ Association (NAKBACCCOFA) of Maramag town.

Following said corn derby, DA-10 is slated to conduct the same activity at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, and Research Center for Hillyland Development in Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental in early October, this year.

Also supporting the event were Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, Provincial Operations Center of Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM, RCUD chief Catalino S. Soriano, Jr. and other DA-10 staff. # (JLO/Photo credits: RDMElloren)

DA-10 through its RAED conducts the FMR Network Planning.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To enhance dynamism and efficiency in implementing Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) projects, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED), spearheaded the FMR Network Planning on September 19-22, in this city.

The activity was conducted in consonance with Joint Administrative Order No. 1, series of 2023, which mandated government agencies implementing FMR projects – DA, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), to work in convergence for the formulation, implementation, and updating of the National Network of FMRs.

In partnership with the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE), DA-RFO 10 through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado convened its partner agencies and stakeholders for a multilateral dialogue on the regional FMR road map.

Essentially, the planning workshop is an avenue to apprise the city and municipal agriculturists, agricultural biosystem engineers, and the DPWH district engineers on GEOAGRI.

The GEOAGRI is a web-based Management Information System portal jointly developed by BAFE and Caraga State University to consolidate, store/manage, process, and analyze data of FMR projects implemented by National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Local Government Units (LGUs).

As advanced by BAFE, the system is part of the government’s effort to promote transparency, maximize resource allocation, and minimize duplication and overlapping of FMR projects.

FMRs have been regarded as imperative interventions to address agricultural supply chain problems by connecting production areas to markets.

This enables farmers and fishers to broaden their reach and command better prices for their products.

In her message, DA- RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga DA, LGUs, and DPWH to come to a consensus in crafting remedial measures to address challenges encountered on the ground, for effective FMR implementation in the region.

Since 2015, DA-RFO 10 appropriated P4.56 billion in funds for the implementation of 452 FMR projects across the five provinces in Northern Mindanao, in partnership with DPWH and the LGUs.

Criteria such as estimated road influence area, number of farmers/fisherfolk beneficiaries, agricultural potential indicators, present road condition, climate change adaptation and average daily traffic are determinants in prioritizing and funding FMR projects.

In support of the FMR implementation and monitoring activities in the region, BAFE turned over two laptop and mobile phone units to DA-RFO 10 RAED during the planning workshop.# (ATTalib)

DA-10 through its AMAD orients target beneficiaries on Enhanced Kadiwa.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division conducted a consultative meeting for beneficiaries of the Enhanced Kadiwa Financial Grant Assistance Program on September 21, in this city.

Spearheaded by the Market Development Section (MDS), the meeting oriented four farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) and eight local government units (LGUs) from the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, and Lanao del Norte on the implementing guidelines of the Kadiwa Financial Grant Assistance, including its objectives, scope and coverage, and documentary requirements for pre-, peri-, and post-implementation of the program.

Through the Enhanced Kadiwa, DA aids FCAs and other stakeholders to become reliable and efficient food commodity suppliers.

Eligible proponents may apply for a grant of up to P5 million for procurement of raw materials for processing; equipment and vehicles; establishment and rehabilitation of facilities and processing centers; and upscaling of agri-fishery enterprises.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga said that, while the meeting aims to share updates on DA’s implementation of the Kadiwa project, it also serves as an avenue for LGUs and FCAs to share their concerns and challenges relative to the implementation of DA’s programs and projects.

AMAD chief Larry E. Paraluman added that the meeting seeks to harmonize agreements, efforts, and cooperation of DA with the program’s stakeholders to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of services and interventions.

Supporting the event were Agribusiness and Industry Support Services section chief Jenny D. Alcobilla, MDS chief Mae Carmela G. Fabela, and other AMAD staff.# (GDA)

The Bantay Presyo Monitoring Composite Team undergoes orientation on the classification of milled rice according to its milling degree.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Bantay Presyo Monitoring Composite Team chaired by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado convenes for the orientation on the classification of milled rice according to its milling degree on September 19, in this city.

In view of Executive Order 39, which imposes price caps on rice, the activity aims to further strengthen, empower and qualify people on how to classify rice, which promotes quality assurance, marketability, and better practices, meeting the needs of both producers and consumers alike.

According to Evangeline D. Viadnes, Misamis Oriental branch standards and quality assurance officer of the DA-National Food Authority-10, the degrees of milling are undermilled, regular milled, well-milled, and overmilled, which are based on the number of bran streaks of sampled rice.

Participants have determined the degree of milling of rice using alcohol-alkaline, a staining solution.

Viadnes added that classifying rice based on milling quality helps in maintaining consistent quality standards and ensures that rice products meet specific quality standards.

Also tackled were the regulations on the licensing of dry storage warehouses, which were presented by the Bureau of Plant Industry- Plant Product Safety Services Division (BPI-PPSD) through Chemist III Rexter D. Malaque.

Said team is composed of DA-10 through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (DA-AMAD), BPI- Plant Quarantine Service (BPI-PQS), BPI-PPSD, Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Food Authority (NFA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Cagayan de Oro City Price Coordinating Council (CdeO-CPCC), City Councilor George Gualberto S. Goking, chair of committee on trade and commerce, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Customs – Port of CdeO.# (MPMT)

DA-10 through its HVCDP supports NTC via seeds provision.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Assorted vegetable seeds were turned over by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on September 19, at the agency compound, this city.

Some 50 packets of vegetable (Pole Sitao, Okra, Squash, Eggplant, Ampalaya) seed funded under the department’s Various Production Support Services (VPSS) were handed over by DA-10’s Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga to NTC Supply Officer Maria Chona Ramos.

According to Ramos, the seeds will be planted by its employees as part of their Gender and Development (GAD) activity on “Nurturing Humanity through our Common Home” at Lagtang, Alubijid, Misamis Oriental, and also in support of the Archdiocese of CdeO’s celebration on the “Season of Creation”.# (CMCutamora)

‘Pasidungog 2023’ recognizes the partnership and support of DA-10 in public service.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Office of Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez has recognized its partners in development during the ‘Pasidungog 2023’ on Wednesday, September 13, in this city.

Department of Agriculture – RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga received a plaque and certificate in recognition for their unwavering partnership, support, and assistance to the programs and projects of the office of Rep. Rodriguez.

Partner agencies, including DA-10, were recognized for their contributions to the immense success and accomplishment of his congressional office during his term in the 19th Congress (2022-2023).

For CY 2022- 2023, DA has allocated a total of P99 million farm-to-market roads covering the following barangays: Indahag, Cugman, Balubal, and Tablon in the 2nd district.

Further, the DA-10 has distributed a total of 973 sacks of hybrid yellow corn seeds for CY 2022-2023 amounting to P4.86 million to farmers in hinterland barangays: Dansolihon and Mambuaya and barangays Malasag, Cugman, Puerto, Palalan, Tablon and FS Catanico.

More than 90 officials from different national government agencies were recognized during the said event with the launching of the ‘Primero’ Report and the relaunching of the Cagayan de Oro – Misamis Oriental – Camiguin Historical Trail Book.#(ATC/Supplied Photos)

Agri-10 supports MisOr’s FAITH project thru the provision of vegetable seeds.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A selection of vegetable seeds was turned over by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) led by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado to the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail (MOPJ) on September 15, at the agency compound, this city.

Funded by the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), a total of 50 packets of vegetable (Pole Sitao, Okra, Squash, Eggplant, Ampalaya) seeds were handed over by DA-10’s HVCDP focal person Kersten S. Pagalan and Executive Assistant III Joel S. Rudinas to MisOr Provincial Office Administrative Aide I Judith L. Agan.

According to MisOr Provincial Warden Robert Roy Bahian, the said provision is in support of the Food Always in The Home (FAITH) project of the said province, where farmer-beneficiaries can grow their own crops for consumption and profit.

Bahian said that the said seeds will be distributed to the farmers and residents of barangay Mandahilag, in the municipality of Talisayan.# (CMCutamora)

Farmers from Magsaysay, MisOr graduate from FFS on IPM in hybrid corn production.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Twenty-five farmers completed the Farmers’ Field School (FFS) on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Hybrid Corn Production of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) in Barangay Cabubuhan, Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental, on September 12.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that the FFS intends to educate corn planters about matured technologies, with a focus on IPM-based pest and disease management, which maintains crop health leading to healthier and higher quality crops.

The four-month-long FFS included topics on land preparation and crop establishment, fertilizer rate and computation, soil sampling techniques, the morphology of corn seeds, insect pests of corn, integrated weed management, pesticide hazard to health and environment, and natural resources biodiversity and watershed management.

Also tackled were farm record keeping and economic analysis, which were carried out through the conduct of field days, assessments, and summarizing best practices in corn production.

DA-10 Field Operations Division chief Eduardo N. Pit, Ph.D., shared that the activity through the agency’s Various Production Support Services (VPSS) aims to help farmers gain sustainable and effective methods to manage pests and diseases in their corn fields while maximizing crop yield.

Marites B. Jayectin, one of the FFS graduates, is grateful for the opportunity to join said activity, where she has gained a comprehensive understanding of the key concepts and principles underlying IPM. Of which, she expects higher yields, directly translating into increased profits, she added.

Also gracing the event were DA-10 Agriculturist II Jesson R. Ucat, Magsaysay Sangguniang Bayan Council Chairman on Agriculture Genaro A. Nisperos, Municipal Agriculturist Patrick Ralph R. Pahalla, and Corn Agricultural Technologist and Technician Robert R. Nisperos and Francisco O. Naldoza, respectively.# (MPMTablon)

DA-10 extends mentoring assistance to this year’s Young Farmers Challenge – Upscale Program applicants.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) conducted its mentoring and coaching for applicants of the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) 2023 Upscale Competition on September 13 to 15.

Facilitated by the division’s Agribusiness Promotion Section, two agri-fishery enterprises from barangays San Simon and Pagatpat in CdeO City, and three from the municipalities of Impasugong, Kadingilan, and Valencia City in Bukidnon, received mentorship on enterprise implementation and the optimization of resources in response to growing market demands.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that through the mentoring assistance, the Department works closely with agri-fishery enterprises to build on their existing goals and objectives, and innovate their products and services, aligned with the rationale of the program.

Said enterprises also received suggestions on the necessary refinements to their business plan and pitch deck prior to the YFC competition proper slated later this year.

The YFC-Upscale Program is an initiative of DA for previous YFC awardees which aims to upscale the operations of their existing agri-fishery enterprise, invest in new technology for product development, and generate employment through the provision of additional capital in the form of competitive financial grant assistance.# (GDA)

Agri-10 and the local governments of Bukidnon craft a five-year development plan for the rice industry.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – RFO 10 through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado facilitates the crafting of the 2024-2028 Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP) plan for the province of Bukidnon.

Chona H. Nacalaban, Rice Program focal person of DA-10 explained, “The MRIDP is formulated to address the present challenges in the rice industry and it is set to improve agricultural production in the country to achieve the government target of 97 percent rice self-sufficiency by 2028.”

Following the program’s briefing earlier this August, the DA-10’s Rice Program led the convergence planning workshop of OneDA, comprising of ATI, PhilMech, NIA, and PhilRice which seeks to create a rice industry in the region that is thriving, resilient, and sustainable while boosting the productivity of farmers.

The program was designed to prioritize the welfare of Filipino farmers, boost the rice value chain, and improve agricultural production across the Philippines.

The Provincial Agriculture’s Office of Bukidnon together with the 21 local government units (LGUs) prepared their plans focusing on markets, innovations, scale, mainstreaming, and outcome.

The said plan will determine solutions to pressing issues on rice which include farm income, productivity, supply of rice, and competitiveness in the world market.

With the existence of the farm clusters in Bukidnon, the government can easily provide its interventions from inputs (seeds, fertilizers), machinery, and even marketing assistance.
To work on the detailed integrated plans, there is a need for innovative approaches to engage farmers and the private sector.

Citing the existence of the province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES) in the province will aid in the implementation of the program.

The provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte will be pilot-tested for the program, being the rice producers in Northern Mindanao. Bukidnon, the region’s top rice-producing province has an annual production of 295.686 metric tons in CY 2022 based on PSA with a sufficiency level of 216.51 percent.

In terms of physical area, Bukidnon has a total area of 40,799 hectares both for irrigated and rainfed areas or 56.48 percent of Region 10’s total physical area of 75,883 hectares.#(ATC)