DA-10 seals PhP10-M grant to Taparak farmers in Alubijid town for swine prod’n

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), led by the Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Barangay Local Government Unit of Taparak, represented by Brgy. Captain Arnold E. Palasan and the Taparak Farmers’ Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC) of Alubijid, Misamis Oriental, represented by its President, Gaudencio B. Jadol, for a grant of a 30-sow level production farm.

With an approved budget amounting to PhP10-million (M) under the 2024 Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program, the said project will fund the establishment of 1 unit biosecurity facility (PhP6-M), and the purchase of 38 vaccinated gilts (PhP1.71-M), animal and zoological supplies (PhP2.19-M), and a package of semen (PhP95K).

Aligned with Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.’s directive, the DA issued the revised guidelines for the INSPIRE program in 2024. This, through Memorandum Circular 28, Series of 2024, now called the Modified INSPIRE program, aims to reduce 10% of imported pork (approximately 60k metric tons) by boosting domestic production.

With the production farm grant, Taparak Farmers’ MPC is eyed to boost the local swine industry by supporting repopulation efforts, enhancing biosecurity, and implementing disease control measures. These initiatives will aid recovery from African Swine Fever (ASF), ensure quality breeder stocks in the barangay, and help stabilize pork prices in the retail market.

The MOA signing was also attended by Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga and Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Cora A. Dumayaca of DA-10; Board Secretary, Pedro L. Leano Jr.; and Taparak’s local officials, Brgy. Secretary Josie P. Ebabacol, and Brgy. Treasurer Zosimo O. Ellevera. # (BJCE)

DA-NorMin boosts agri support for ancestral land development

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To expand Northern Mindanao’s agricultural production areas, the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-NorMin) primed the rollout of agricultural project to eligible Indigenous Cultural Community/Indigenous People (ICC/IP) in the region.

In a consultation meeting Monday, February 10, DA-NorMin Regional Executive Director, Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan and Joel S. Rudinas, DA technical consultant, audienced with leaders of the Kalanawan 2 Indigenous Political Structure (IPS) of San Luis, Malitbog, Bukidnon led by Datu Man-Untolan Rogelio D. Sumonda to tackle agricultural projects for implementation by the DA under its regular programs and the DA-MIADP (Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project), this year.

The consultation provides for bilateral dialogue to lay down the DA policies and procedure for the grant of agricultural projects and the counterpart roles of the of the Kalanawan 2 IPS being the project recipient.

To increase agricultural productivity, the ICC/IP will be provided agri-livelihood projects by the DA-MIADP, a World Bank-funded project, as confined in the Ancestral Domain Agriculture Implementation Framework (ADAIF), a development plan crafted in accordance with the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) of the ICC/IP.

While a comprehensive resource-based agricultural projects will be pipelined under the DA-MIADP, as leadoff, RED Pacamalan initiated for the Kalanawan 2 IPS to receive immediate agricultural interventions from the DA regular programs such as corn and adlay seeds, fertilizer, sprayer, grass cutter, drum, corn sheller and goat.

The community will also be capacitated in soybean production and processing, as well as natural pest control technology using biological control agents (BCA).

Similarly, he urged the Kalanawan 2 clan members to be registered with the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) of the DA for appropriate profiling.

The Kalanawan 2 IPS spanned across over 8,000 hectares of ancestral land under Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title-203 (CADT-203), inhabited by not less than 103 families.

Per directive of President Marcos, the DA under the helm of Secretary Francisco P. Tiu-Laurel Jr. eyes in pouring more assistance toward a more prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive future in the country’s agri sector.# (ATT)

Public Advisory| Please be guided.

SAAD-NorMin set to earmark PhP43.4M agri-livelihood projects in 2025

The Department of Agriculture Special Area for Agricultural Development Program – Northern Mindanao (DA SAAD-NorMin) is poised to implement PhP43.4-million agricultural livelihood projects in 2025 to scale the start-up projects previously granted to smallholder farmers in 26 remote and low-income towns across the provinces of Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin.

Not less than 675 farmers who are members of 27 farmers’ associations (FAs) received the livelihood project grants from DA SAAD-NorMin in 2024.

Over PhP39-M worth of interventions were provided by the program to rollout various projects in the prior year, namely: 10 Enhanced High Value Crops Production, 7 Integrated Poultry and High Value Crops Production, 3 Integrated Corn and High Value Crops Production, 3 Integrated Livestock and High Value Crops Production, 2 Integrated Poultry, Corn, and High Value Crops Production, and 1 Balut Production project.

As part of the grant, the farmers were provided farm inputs such as corn, peanut and vegetable seeds, high value crops planting materials, fertilizer, herbicide, insecticide, garden tools, veterinary drugs and biologics, chicken feeds, farm machinery and equipment, goat, cattle, carabao, chicken and duck.

The farmers were also provided specialized training on agricultural commodity production, postproduction and good marketing practices to hone their agri-entrepreneurial skills.

To capacitate them in managing their projects, the farmers underwent SAAD’s social preparation activities for organizational development and strengthening, as well as self-awareness and management.

According to Mark Anthony D. Lagamon, head of DA SAAD-NorMin Operational Planning, Budget, Monitoring, and Evaluation (OPBME) Unit, for the third-year implementation of SAAD phase 2 in 2025, the program will focus on assisting the farmers in terms of product processing and marketing after boosting their productive capacity in the first two years.

The DA-SAAD Program is set on transforming the farmers from producers to entrepreneurs. As its end goal, the program aims to capacitate the farmers in establishing community-based agricultural enterprises out of the livelihood projects granted to their associations.# (ATT)

Agri NorMin supports restoration projects thru veggie seeds provision

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In a bid to support restoration projects in the barangays of CdeO, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) provided vegetable seeds to the Safer River, Life Saver Foundation, Inc. (SRLSFI) on February 5.

A total of 250 packets of vegetable seeds comprising of Pinakbet (150 packets), Okra (50) and Pole Sitao (50 packets) were given to the SRLSFI through Boat Pilot Le Patigas by DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and High Value Crops Development Program focal person Kersten S. Pagalan.

The said provisions are aimed at helping the riverbank communities in Mambuaya, Lumbia and Tignapoloan to promote environmental preservation while also promoting food security. # (AMBM)

DA-10 strengthens 4ID’s food resiliency efforts with veggie seeds prov’n

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) reinforced food sufficiency to the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division through vegetable seeds provision on February 4 at the agency compound.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, alongside High Value Crops Development Program focal person Kersten S. Pagalan, handed over some 30 packets of okra and bush sitao apiece, 23 4-in-1 chopsuey vegetables, and 7 packets of garden salad to PFC Ana Lou L. Llacuna.

Rooted in the DA’s mission of championing gardening across all spaces, the initiative arms uniformed personnel with food sustenance in their own compounds, boosting self-sufficiency amid service exigencies.# (BJCE)

Agri-10 boosts affordability and access toAgri-10 boosts affordability and access to rice in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Emphasizing its goal of stabilizing rice prices and ensuring sufficient supply in the market, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), headed by Regional Executive Director (RED) Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, reiterated the agency’s aim to safeguard both consumers and local farmers from the adverse effects of price volatility.

In an interview on Wednesday, January 29, RED Pacamalan explained that both the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) and the Food Security Emergency are policies designed to secure the country’s rice supply by improving access, lowering prices, mitigating risks, and stabilizing the food supply in times of crisis.

With the 15 percent reduction in tariffs on rice imports, the agri chief exec urged local retailers to strictly comply with lowering their rice prices to help ease inflation.

“Mao na karun nga naa gyud tay supplier nga naa sa PhP37 [per kilo] ang presyo kay mao gyud nay immediate effect sa pagreduce sa taripa. Kung ang presyo karun sa imported sa retail naa sa PhP40, tungod kay gireduce ang taripa natu gikan sa 35 to 15 percent, ang epekto niini naa sa PhP5 ang reduction sa price (That’s why we now have a supplier whose price is at PhP37 [per kilo] because that is the immediate effect of reducing the tariff. If the current retail price of imported rice is PhP40, the tariff reduction from 35 to 15 percent has resulted in approximately PhP5 price drop),” the director said.

Meanwhile, in addressing the food security emergency, RED Pacamalan highlighted that the declaration will allow government agencies to prioritize food production and distribution to meet demand, as well as implement stricter price monitoring and regulation to prevent unreasonable price hikes.

Moreover, the declaration will also grant the National Food Authority (NFA) the legal provision to release its existing buffer stocks to the local market, providing consumers with more options for lower-priced local rice.

“Ang impact niini, ang mga local government unit pwede na mo request [rice supply] pinaagi sa DA paingon sa NFA para sa ilang mga KADIWA center aron kining mga bugas nga ang presyo mokabat lamang sa PhP38, matagamtam usab sa atung mga konsumedor (The impact of this is that local government units can now request [rice supply] through the DA to be sourced from the NFA for their KADIWA centers, allowing consumers to access local rice priced at PhP38),” he added.

In closing, the regional head also shared that in line with the initiatives provided by the agency to the local rice farmers, the DA has now increased the subsidies intended for these farmer-beneficiaries to enhance productivity and reduce production costs.

Some of the key assistance programs include but are not limited to, fertilizer and input subsidies, mechanization support, financial assistance, crop insurance, market and price support, irrigation and infrastructure, and research and training.

“Ang subsidy sa DA more or less naa between 12 to 15 percent ang ma minus sa iyang [rice farmer] cost of production. Eventually, pagmerkado niini mo ubos gyud ang presyo sa humay aron dili kaayu ma apektohan ang atung mga konsumedor. Kana nga balanse mao gina paningkamotan sa DA-10 (The DA subsidy will reduce the [rice farmer’s] cost of production by about 12 to 15 percent. Eventually, as the rice reaches the market, its price will decrease, ensuring that consumers are not heavily affected. This balance is what DA-10 is striving to achieve),” he concluded.# (EJLG)

DA-10 intensifies Baungon NHS’s Gulayan support with seed provision

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Reinforcing school-based food productions, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) upheld Baungon National High School’s (BNHS) “Gulayan sa Paaralan” by turning over 30 packets of 5-in-1 Pinakbet vegetable seeds on January 31.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga handed the seeds to Mary Grace B. Redondo, BNHS’s Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) department chairperson.

Underscoring DA-10’s consistent commitment to agricultural integration in education, Redondo recalled the agency’s previous PhP1.5-million grant in 2023 for appropriation of agri facilities, inputs, and equipment, following the school’s recognition as one of the “Best Gulayan sa Paaralan Implementer[s]” in Bukidnon province.

The seeds will cultivate BNHS’s expansive 7,500-square-meter garden (demo farm), ensuring a school-produced supply of vegetables for their feeding program.# (BJCE)

US-based coffeehouse franchise explores sourcing prospects with Buk’n growers

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON — Supported by the agency in initiatives such as market linkage, product promotion, and equipment provision, the Rural Improvement Club Federation of Kape Maramag, Inc. moves closer to the global market as operators of a US-based coffeehouse franchise Biggby Coffee paid a visit on January 25 to explore potential farm-direct sourcing opportunities with its local growers.

Said federation is composed of farmers in the town with a focus on coffee value chain development.

Coordinated by the Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS) and facilitated by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of Region 10 (DA-AMAD 10), the visit sought discussions with local growers to understand their practices and challenges, with the all-encompassing aim of establishing a supply chain link between Biggby Coffee and Bukidnon’s growing coffee industry.

The 15-year local coffee grower and member of the federation, Lucia T. Cabacoy, demonstrated to the visiting operators her 2-hectare farm of Catimor, Arabica, and Sweet Coffee varieties in Barangay Silang.

Adding potential sourcing prospects, the visiting operators also engaged with other coffee farmers in the province, including Corazon M. Llauderes of the Impalutao-Dalwangan-Sawaga Agrarian Reform Cooperative and Edeamae Onduran from Miarayon, Talakag.

Aligned with the agency’s initiative to help farmers link their production with broader markets, the visit solidifies DA’s ongoing efforts to push and promote Bukidnon’s coffee into the global trade.# (BJCE)

Agri-10 eyes strengthened beef cattle marketing innovations among NorMin industry stakeholders

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON — As demand grows for production and marketing of beef cattle, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10), led by the Regional Executive Director, Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, through its livestock program, hosted a beef cattle marketing innovations seminar cum workshop, to foster networking and collaboration among stakeholders, on January 24, here.

Pursuant to the memorandum order issued by the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary, which highlights the need for innovative marketing strategies and technological advancements to support the growth and sustainability of the beef cattle industry, DA-10 eyes to equip beef cattle producers with modern marketing tools to enhance product visibility and consumer engagement.

In his message, DA Assistant Secretary for Ruminant Livestock, Benjamin C. Albarece, DVM, emphasized the importance of the market as a starting point for improving livelihoods within the livestock industry.

“We are gathered here today to address the challenges in marketing and explore how we can collaborate to create effective marketing plans, which will serve as a foundation for our guidelines and policies. It is essential to hear from the farmers, from the grassroots level what we can do to help them,” he stated.

Guest speakers Raymund Mirabueno and Allan Noel S. Bernales stressed the role of social media platforms in marketing, as well as the cattle breeds available and marketable in the region such as Brahman based bloodline.

With the industry facing challenges such as changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and increased global competition, the seminar-workshop provided a venue on how to navigate social media, which is seen to contribute to the long-term success of the beef cattle industry.

For her part, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Market Specialist I, Mariflor A. Balabat, detailed the key market destinations for large animals between September and November 2024, notably in Mindanao such as Agusan del Sur with 426 heads, Davao del Sur (195) and Davao del Norte with 112 heads.

Meanwhile, Livestock focal person Jamaica L. Docdoc presented the livestock growth rate in terms of production volume, with Northern Mindanao leading as the top cattle producing region during the second quarter of 2024, producing 10,635.8 metric tons, overall contributing 17.4% to the national produce.

As agreed, the consolidated data excerpt from the seminar will be submitted to the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary, which will form part as reference for multi year plan , future guidelines and policies to support livestock industry.

Said event was attended by representatives from the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary, the National Livestock Program Directorate, the Provincial Veterinary Office of Bukidnon, Local Government of Manolo Fortich, large ruminant commercial raisers, and beneficiaries of the Artificial Insemination Program. # (MAC)