DA-NUPAP 10 capacitates PRC employees on hydroponics

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Aiming to promote urban gardening, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) conducted an orientation on hydroponics for the employees of the Philippine Regulatory Commission-10 (PRC 10) on February 25, this city.

Around 30 PRC employees were briefed on the basics of hydroponics followed by a hands-on demonstration facilitated by NUPAP-10 Alternate Focal Person Ronald Allan P. Camaddo and Project Evaluation Officer I Geonara C. Abejero.

Camaddo highlighted the importance of sustainable farming practices such as hydroponics to contribute to food security, a nutrient-water based and space-efficient method of growing plants that could benefit people with little to no-gardening space.

As complement support to the participants, information collaterals on hydroponics were distributed, which includes a step-by-step guide and practical tips for starting their own hydroponic gardens. Additionally, each received a packet of 5-in-1 Sinigang vegetable seeds.

Said initiative also forms part of DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr’s ten-point agenda of achieving food security for the Filipino people through boosting local agricultural production and ensuring accessibility to affordable and nutritious food. # (AMBM/Photos supplied)

USec Oliveros leads visit to NorMin DA-PRDP subprojects

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary (USec) for Special Concerns and for Official Development Assistance for foreign Aid/Grant Jerome V. Oliveros visited two subprojects under the DA- Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10) on February 24 and 25.

One of the subprojects visited is the Mantibugao – Minsuro Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon under the I-BUILD component which was turned over on February 3, 2022.

Engr. Joie Caesar M. Gaid, Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich Administrator, told USec Oliveros the positive impacts brought by the subprojects to the community such as lesser travel time, reduced post-harvest losses, and cheaper hauling cost.

Meanwhile, USec Oliveros visited the Dairy Milk Processing and Marketing Enterprise under the I-REAP Component in El Salvador City. This is managed by Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives (NMFDC) and was turned over on March 21, 2023.

Learning the success of the cooperative, USec Oliveros advised NMFDC Chairman Robert B. Enerio to properly promote their story on a national level and said that their story can give motivation and inspiration to other proponent groups, especially those still starting to venture into dairy industry.

During his visit, USec Oliveros was assisted by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan and DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, along with several DA-PRDP staff.#

DA-10 hosts DA’s foreign-assisted projects assessment

Cagayan de Oro City – As a mechanism to review and assess the physical and financial performance of the DA’s foreign-assisted projects (FAPs), the Department of Agriculture Special Projects Coordination and Management Assistance Division (SPCMAD) kicked off the FAPs 2024 year-end assessment, on Monday, February 24, here.

Hosted by the Department of Agriculture-Region 10 (DA-10), the assessment paved ways for pragmatic and programmatic dialogue pushing for strategic and collaborative implementation of the DA’s FAPs.

The assessment provides an avenue for multilateral discussion among the DA operating units, and FAP-implementing regional field units and DA-attached agencies and bureaus, to address issues, concerns and challenges in the FAPs implementation from the national to ground level.

In his message, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan pushed for synergistic implementation of the DA regular programs and the FAPs to provide full-scale agricultural assistance to DA stakeholders.

The agri exec stressed that the DA’s resources should be strategically utilized to crank up farm gate prices of agricultural commodities.

DA Undersecretary for Special Concerns and Official Development Office – Foreign Aid/Grants, Jerome Oliveros urged the FAP-implementing units, agency and bureau of the DA to work together for the aligning of strategies, and strengthening of efforts toward agricultural development and modernization.

He underscored the need for collaborative initiative to accelerate productivity, enhanced market competitiveness, and improved livelihood in line with the department’s goal to attain food security.

The FAPs 2024 year-end assessment will be capped on February 28 after a site visit to DA’s foreign-funded project site at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) and Daraghuyan Ancestral Domain in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.# (ATT/Photo credits: CRS)

Agri-10, Pilmico eye to tap more corn producing FCAs

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — With a shared vision of empowering farming communities, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao headed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, convenes with a food and agribusiness subsidiary of Aboitiz for potential marketing tie-ups with corn-producing farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) in the region.

On February 24, at the agency compound, a team from Pilmico Foods, Corp. led by Alexis Revantad, vice president for operations, met with DA officials, including Corn focal person, Richan D. Lacanaria, as the said company eyes to tap and assist more NorMin FCAs. The goal is to seal a marketing agreement that would allow FCAs to supply a portion of Pilmico’s requirements.

To capacitate more farmers’ groups to have an assured market with Pilmico, the mentioned parties are looking into the downpour of more agri interventions, especially the provision of drying and postharvest facilities, to ensure quality corn outputs.

As way forward, RED Pacamalan urged to organize a meeting with farmer-leaders from the different FCAs next month, while also tackling potential key areas for collaboration such as boosting livestock and poultry production, where DA and Pilmico can complement efforts toward uplifting farmers’ income and livelihood.# (JLO

SAMA-SAMA sa SAAD

At the forefront of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program’s campaign to uplift Filipino farmers above the poverty line is Inclusivity.

SAAD embraced the sama-sama ideology in the quest to empower the marginalized Filipino communities toward sustainable and inclusive agricultural development.

A testament to such a cause is Patricio Rosal, a local of the Catarman town, in Camiguin Province.
Fondly known as Pat, Patricio Rosal is a valued no-ordinary treasurer of the Tangaro Young Farmers Association (TYFA).

Apart from his candid and friendly bearing, Pat is looked up to by the TYFA members for his admirable dedication and commitment to their shared goals for improved livelihood.

Pat was born with a walking disability. But he is no less than a catalytic member of the TYFA.

Early life in a family of farmers

Born to a family of farmers, Pat imbibed the knack for farming from his parents. He and four other siblings were raised by his parents mainly by planting coconut, banana and vegetables.
“There were five of us siblings and all of us are PWD. With our condition my parents struggled to provide for us. I am just lucky because my condition is somewhat better than my other siblings” he said.

As he was orphaned at a young age, Pat was left to fend for himself early in his life after his older siblings also kicked the bucket.

Despite his rough past, now at 34 Pat remained steadfast. Pat is a farmer who makes a living out of a parcel of land he inherited from his parents.

“I am slow at some tasks, but it is not undoable. Although I may need assistance with other chores, but I can still manage to get the work done” he professed.

On being SAAD beneficiary

“I am glad to be part of SAAD because I have no family, I have less to do with my time. I reckoned I would contribute to our association whatever it is in my capacity” Pat vowed.

As a bonafide SAAD-assisted association, the TYFA is a recipient of Integrated Poultry and High Value Crops Production Project.

“As treasurer to our SAAD project I am in-charge of monitoring the poultry – the chicken, feeds, egg production, as well as our sales and income. Sometimes I would be the one to deliver the eggs to nearby location” Pat shared.

In September 2023, Pat and 24 other members of the TYFA received a package of ready-to-lay chicken project after undergoing Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Beneficiary Needs Assessment (BNA) conducted by SAAD.

With the continued support from SAAD in cooperation with the Local Government Unit of Catarman, and SAAD’s partner NGO, the Greenminds Inc., the TFYA was able to expand their egg production enterprise and engage in the production of free-range chicken, vegetables, organic fertilizer, peanut and peanut value-added products, longganisa, and stingless bee honey.

To date, the TYFA has amassed over P360k in revenue from the SAAD-granted livelihood project.

“With SAAD I truly see how beneficial it is to be a part of a group. I can see unity and harmony among the members. In my experience, so far we are doing good” Pat enthused.

Development for all with SAAD

As a developmental and transformative program of the Department of Agriculture (DA), SAAD’s primary goal is to capacitate underprivileged farmers to be an active player of the country’s agricultural economy.

“Our goal is to reach out to the marginal and vulnerable sectors to extend the services and assistance of the DA. In SAAD we believe development is for everyone. So, it is our mission to capacitate our small farmers and transform them as able contributors to economic development in their communities” said Mark Anthony Lagamon, SAAD-Northern Mindanao Operational Planning, Budget, Monitoring an Evaluation (OPBME) Lead.

To bolster Northern Mindanao’s agricultural development, the SAAD program seeks to include the youth, women, persons with disability, indigenous people, senior citizens and solo parents in the implementation of its community-based livelihood projects in 26 towns across 4 provinces of the region with high recorded poverty incidence. # (ATT)

SAAD engages MisOcc farmers in diversified farming with fruit trees seedlings grant

To empower local farmers in producing diversified farm products, the Department of Agriculture Special Area for Agricultural Development Program – Northern Mindanao recently provided Php833K worth of fruit trees seedlings and peanut seeds to six farmers’ associations (FAs) in Misamis Occidental.

A total of 130 bags of peanut seeds, 500 citrus seedlings, 500 mangosteen seedlings, and 500 durian seedlings were distributed to the following FAs – Gandawan Strawberry Growers Association of Don Victoriano Chiongban town; Punta Sulong SAAD Beneficiaries Association of Baliangao town; Maligubaan Farmers’ Association of Concepcion town; San Roque SAAD Farmers’ Association of Panaon town; Salimpuno SAAD sa Mag-Uuma Association of Sapang Dalaga town; and San Isidro Bajo Sinacaban SAAD Farmers’ Association of Sinacaban town.

The provision of said inputs is consistent with SAAD Program’s mandate to increase food production in low-income and geographically isolated areas in Northern Mindanao as a mitigating intervention to alleviate poverty.

The fruit trees seedlings and peanut seeds were provided on top of the primary livelihood projects provided by the DA-SAAD NorMin to intensify the FAs’ farm production by integrating fruit production to corn, vegetable, livestock and poultry farming.

“Farm diversification is our go-to strategy in our attempt to scale up the SAAD-assisted FAs’ means of livelihood. As we strive to transform the farmers from producers to entrepreneurs, it is imperative that they can produce varied farm products, hence the grant of SAAD’s integrated agri-livelihood projects.” said Mark Anthony D. Lagamon, DA-SAAD NorMin head of the Operational, Planning, Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit.

Having received the inputs, the farmers can augment their farm’s productivity. Essentially, this will enable them to provide nutritious food for their household while gaining additional sources of income to support their daily needs. # (JAS/ATT)

Agri exec visits LGU Impasugong town for future agri plans, projects

IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON — In line with the goal of the agency of providing better services to the farmers and fisherfolk, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) headed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan paid a visit to Impasugong mayor Anthony A. Uy on February 17, in this town.

The agri exec sought the support of the local chief executive in the implementation of subprojects under the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP) with the ancestral domain of Kibuwa as the target area, primarily benefiting the Higaonon tribes residing in the said domain.

Further, he tackled with the Impasugong official on the status of the projects requested by the LGU, including their Farm-to-Market Road under the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), among others.# (CRS)

Newly promoted DA-10 personnel take oath

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Six newly promoted employees of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) took their oath of office on February 21, at the agency compound, here.

Administering the oath is DA Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization, and Rural Credit, Engr. Roger V. Navarro, and assisted by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan.

The newly promoted are:

1. Bryan R. Cubita – Agricultural Center Chief II (Field Operations Division)

2. Mae Odimyrl A. Morales – Senior Science Research Specialist (Research Division)

3. Jocelyn A. Yagong – Senior Science Research Specialist (Research Division)

4. Jean Maurine O. Galao – Science Research Specialist I (Research Division)

5. Marlon T. Colita – Science Research Specialist I (Research Division)

6. Rochelle G. Lao – Planning Officer II (Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation Division)

Witnessing the ceremony is the Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board represented by its vice-chair, Patrick Ian F. Pedarse, and the division chiefs of the promoted employees.# (CRS)

DA-10 boosts onion prod’n, marks 2nd Allium Harvest Festival in Claveria town

CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Bolstering Northern Mindanao’s foothold in onion production, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) held its 2nd Allium Harvest Festival on February 14 at the Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD), here.

Following the inaugural festival in Bukidnon last December and now in Misamis Oriental, DA-10 aims to expand onion cultivation across the region, stated Kersten S. Pagalan, DA-10’s High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) focal person.

Four seed companies—Pilipinas Kaneko Seeds, Corp., East-West Seed Company, Ramgo International, Corp., and Allied Botanical, Corp.—participated, planting red and white onion varieties on a 485-square-meter demo farm. Entries were evaluated based on yield, quality, and cost-efficiency, with results as follows:

Red Onion Category
East-West Seed Company (Super Pinoy)
Allied Botanical, Corp. (Red Nirvana)
East-West Seed Company (Red Pinoy)

White Onion Category
East-West Seed Company (Golden Pinoy)
Ramgo International, Corp. (Yellow Superex)
Allied Botanical, Corp. (Vedalia)

Further highlighting agri innovations, fertilizer companies Enviro Scope Synergy, Inc. and ThaiPhil Advance Agritech, Corp. and cold storage company Glacier Megafridge, Inc. also attended the event, respectively showcasing their fertilizer products and demonstrating the importance of cold storage in postharvest management.

Present in the event were farmers, local government units, and representatives from the Bureau of Plant Industry – Region 10, DA-Provincial Operations Center in Bukidnon, Regional Crop Protection Center 10, Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council-10, and the 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion.# (BJCE)

Agri-10 holds capbuild to equip info officers, technical personnel on radio guesting

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In a bid to accelerate the program and projects implementation for the development of the agri-fishery sector through information-dissemination activities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS) spearheads the conduct of a Capability Building on Radio Guesting: Best Practices and Insights on February 19 to 20, here.

Said training aims to equip some 30 designated information officers and technical personnel under the DA and the National Irrigation Administration in serving as resource speakers during the conduct of the DA and Radyo Pilipinas’ collaborative radio program dubbed “Usapang Agrikultura”.

Since last June 3, the program has served as a platform to feature the key initiatives of the DA in support to the agricultural transformation agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. under the Bagong Pilipinas brand of leadership and governance, at the same time to highlight the progress and milestones at the grassroots level.

Airing daily over Radyo Pilipinas 1 DXIM, Usapang Agrikultura is scheduled from 5:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M., Mondays through Fridays, with Cocoy A. Medina serving as the host.# (JLO)