DA-PAA 10 collab promotes urban agri using hydroponics prod’n technology.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao in partnership with the Philippine Association of Agriculturist Region 10 (PAA), Pineapple Chapter conducted training on Hydroponics Production Technology for Urban Agriculture on January 21, 2022.

Fifty participants composed of farmers, LGU agri technicians were trained from the cities of Cagayan de Oro and El Salvador which aims to augment food security amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and CdeO Mayor Oscar Moreno signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the Urban Agriculture Project, where one of its sub-projects is the hydroponics nursery (construction of greenhouse with micro-sprinkler irrigation system).

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations and PAA Region 10 Chapter President Carlota S. Madriaga shared, the training is a component of the P3 million urban agriculture project funded under the Agriculture Stimulus Package Bayanihan II of the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP).

Dr. Primitivo Santos, a professor of the University of the Philippines Lost Baños, Laguna discussed the principles of hydroponics system, while the economics of using hydroponics was shared by Mr. Arturo Barria.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jessica Rey explained the concept, overview of hydroponics system and its advantages.

She also demonstrated the set up SNAP hydroponics using styro boxes where the participants had a hands-on training.

Urban hydroponics is growing plants in soilless cultivation in various substrates in a nutrient solution that allows faster growth and higher yields.

The participants were provided with starter kits to start their own hydroponics project.

The training is in collaboration with the PAA National Chapter represented by Dr. Rey, Dr. Santos and Mr. Barria and DA-ATI NorMin.#(ATC)

The P18-M SWIP in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon is also a source of additional food and income among farmers as they can diversify their farming activities.  

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Department of Agriculture – 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado led the ceremonial turnover of a Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) or Rainwater Harvesting Structure (RWS) in Sitio Lunokan, Miglamin, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on January 20, 2022.

The P18 million worth project funded by the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) Region 10 under its Locally Funded Project – Rainwater Harvesting Structure (LFP-RWS) and implemented by DA-10 will benefit around 87 rice farmers who are members of the Lunokan Farmers Small Water Irrigation System Association (LUFASWISA).

Director Collado said, the provision of the said project will irrigate the existing 65 hectares rice area, and 55 hectares of the potential service area for other rainfed crop production such as sugarcane and corn, among others.

He added, with a total of 120 hectares, the cropping intensity will be enhanced to twice or thrice a year, including its crop yield which can increase farmers’ income.

Guided by the OneDA approach, the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 10 (DA-BFAR 10) also stocked the area with 25K pieces of tilapia (23K) and carp (2K) fingerlings to provide an additional source of food to the community.

With the existing SWIP, a farmer can establish a 500-square meter fishpond for every hectare of the rice field as additional food and income by diversifying farm activities and increasing yields of both rice and fish crops.

BFAR-10 Provincial Fisheries Officer for Bukidnon, Marlou Fernandez shared that tilapia culture using cage system is also possible in the area as a good source of livelihood.

Supporting the activity were DA-BSWM National Soil & Water Resources Research & Development Center for Highland Pedo-Ecological Zone Center Chief Henry A. Apolinares; Malaybalay City ABE Head Engr. Joel delos Reyes with DA-RFO 10 Regional Agricultural Engineering Division Chief Engr. Deliza T. Camaro and DA-BFAR-10 Bukidnon PFO Fernandez who represented Regional Director Teodoro A. Bacolod, Jr.# (EMBentulan)

Agri NorMin turns over P117.9-M worth of interventions under RDP-MIC to Claveria town.

CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 turned over P117.9 million worth of interventions under the Rural Development Project for the Multi-Industry Cluster (RDP-MIC) Zone in the Philippines on January 18, 2022, in this town.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga handed over the certificate of turnover to Mayor Meraluna S. Abrogar and Vice Mayor Reynante L. Salvaleon of Claveria, Misamis Oriental, in the presence of Dong IL Engineering Consultants Co. Project Manager Sea Chul Son.

In his message, Dir. Collado said that they look forward to enhancing the quality of life and increasing agricultural productivity in rural areas.

“We are hoping that the communities will utilize and benefit from the gains of this partnership and that it may be sustained in our aim towards a food secure and resilient nation,” he shared.

On the other hand, Project Manager Son thanked its partner-agencies for their unwavering support and that the project was pushed through amidst encountering challenges.

The collaboration between the Philippine and Korean governments through the RDP-MIC is geared towards increasing farmers’ income, reducing post-harvest losses, ensuring stable supply and price of cassava, vegetables, and other crops, reducing transport time and cost of farm inputs and produce, and decreasing the incidence of water-borne diseases.

Of which, interventions include the construction of the greenhouse, warehouse, multi-purpose covered court, small bridge, farm-to-market road, and water system as well as the provision of solar and cassava mechanical dryers for barangays Aposkahoy, Hinaplanan, and Gumaod.

On receiving the project, Mayor Abrogar shared her gratitude to Claveria for being chosen for the project and said that such interventions will greatly benefit their farmers. # (AMBManto)

DA-NorMin conducts a year-end review for its 2021 PPAs.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao conducts its FY 2021 Year-end review on January 17, 2022, in Cagayan de Oro City to assess the implementation of its 2021 programs, projects, and activities.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized, that the review will further boost the agency’s performance in the implementation of its programs, projects through its banner programs, and provincial operations centers in the region in coordination with the local government units and other stakeholders.

DA’s implementation is guided by the OneDA reform agenda with its four pillars: consolidation, modernization, industrialization, and professionalization and its 18 key strategies.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Carmelita T. Bajarla said the review will assess the agency’s physical and financial performance and strategize this year’s improvement in the agri-fishery sector’s implementation.

In attendance are the DA-10 banner program and project coordinators, division chiefs, station heads, and provincial operations center chief.# (ATC)

Agri dept in NorMin together with its attached bureaus, agencies and corporations convene to come up a unified Reg’l. Food Security and Logistics Plan for CY 2022 that would overall direct collective efforts in uplifting the lives of farmers and fisherfolk amid the ongoing pandemic.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies, bureaus, and corporations in Northern Mindanao met on Wednesday, January 12, to craft a unified Regional Food Security and Logistics Plan for the year 2022.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado called on the said gathering in response to the identified action areas to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, African Swine Fever, and Typhoon Odette on the region’s food production and movement of basic food commodities.

The plan is guided by the region’s supply and demand situation with the ultimate goal of food availability and affordability.

The key activities of the said plan include the continuation of the issuance of food passes, improvement and mobilization of Kadiwa, close monitoring of planting and production areas, ascertaining NFA buffer stocks, availability of buffer seeds stocks (rice, corn, and vegetables) for the wet season.

Further, fast-tracking of TY Odette rehabilitation programs and projects, minimizing impediments to free flow of goods especially to TY Odette-affected areas, strategic campaigns for urban, vertical, and backyard gardening, and coordination with concerned stakeholders to augment cargo allocation for hogs from the region to Luzon.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga said the services of the OneDA agencies should remain unhampered despite the challenges faced by the agriculture sector.

“The pandemic is not ending any soon. We need to learn to live with the virus. We need to be resilient,” she said.

RTD Madriaga emphasized that to be resilient, there is a need to come up with a Food Security Plan that will direct the collective actions in achieving the goals of uplifting the lives of the region’s farmers and fisherfolk in the new normal era.#(ATalib)

Gov’t agencies tapped more FCAs to supply cassava fresh tubers to a Korean company eyeing to establish a starch manufacturing plant in MisOr.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) from Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon may have alternative markets for their fresh cassava tubers with a Korean company eyeing to establish a starch manufacturing plant in Misamis Oriental.

The Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Investments (DTI-BOI), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) convened five more cassava producing FCAs on January 11-12, 2022 in CdeO City and via online.

These additional groups are from the towns of Alubijid, Balingoan and Balingasag of MisOr, and Manolo Fortich of Bukidnon, likely bringing to a total of 30 endorsed FCAs to the interested buyer, targeting to implement their cassava processing manufacturing project at barangay Sta. Ana, Tagoloan.

DA-10 Cassava focal person Jurrybe J. Lachica led the discussions on the provisions of the proposed Memorandum of Agreement between the company and the pre-identified raw material supplier organizations, with the assistance from DTI-BOI.

Among the salient concerns tackled are volume of deliveries, pricing mechanics, delivery period, quality parameters, and payment term, and the different potential windows of assistance from the agencies were likewise bared.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the focus on the tackled concerns is on optimizing the yield per area planted by the cassava clusters and capital needs to scale up their cassava operations.

Should the dealings be finalized, a signing of the discoursed agreement will hopefully be pursued this month between the company and that of the FCAs, in the presence of the representatives from the mentioned national government agencies and local government units of the tapped cassava clusters. # (JLO)

DA-10 extends P3-M funds for the swine prod’n center in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The city government of Malaybalay received a P3 million worth project for the development and upgrading of its swine production center on Monday, January 10, 2022.

Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado handed the certificate of turnover to Malaybalay City veterinarian Dr. Michelle C. Miquiabas who represented Mayor Florencio T. Flores, Jr. in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City.

Director Collado emphasized that the project funded by the agency’s Livestock Program covers the construction of pigpens, containment wall, semen processing laboratory, office area, feed storage room, and sleeping quarters.

He added that the agency aims to modernize and industrialize agriculture’s value chains in an inclusive way to enhance productivity.

Meanwhile, Dr. Miquiabas said that the target beneficiaries are the swine breeding technicians and the farmers throughout the region.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga together with the agency’s provincial operations center in Bukidnon, livestock program, and the LGU representatives were present during the turnover.#(ATC)

DA-10 RED Collado administers the oathtaking of the first batch of newly promoted employees for CY 2022 of the agency.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Four newly promoted and appointed employees of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) took their oath of office today, January 6, 2022.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado administered the first batch of promoted employees for the year at the agency’s conference room.

The promoted employees are the following:

1. Cora A. Dumayaca – Chief Science Research Specialist
2. Sherlyn I. Binayao – Planning Officer II
3. Jan Marielle S. Salugsugan – Administrative Aide VI

Newly appointed

1. 1. Estella I. Jalandoni – Agriculturist I

Also attending the ceremony is Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, who at the same time the Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board Chair and concerned division chiefs.# (EMBentulan)

For the sustainability of the interventions under RDP-MIC, a consultation meeting was conducted for the crafting of the guidelines for its implementation, operation and maintenance.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) conducted a consultation meeting with the stakeholders of the Rural Development Project for Multi-Industry Cluster Zone (RDP-MIC) in the Philippines located in Claveria, Misamis Oriental for the crafting of the guidelines for implementation, operation, and maintenance of its interventions.

In her message, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations and RDP-MIC Project Manager Carlota S. Madriaga said, that the consultation is important for the sustainability of the Project in the municipality of Claveria.

“When the government of Korea hands these projects to us, it will be operated by the benefiting local governments; hence, it is important to come up with operational guidelines so we can continue serving our farmers, which is our very goal in starting this Project.”

Meanwhile, Sea Chol-Son, project manager of Dong IL Engineering Consultants, the lead implementor of the project, hoped that the people of Claveria, particularly those from the benefiting barangays, will be able to manage the facilities well so they can use them for a long time.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado shared that totaling to P117.9-million, RDP-MIC is implemented through a fund grant by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs through the Korea Rural Community, Corp., and the Philippine government through DA, provincial local government of Misamis Oriental and the municipal local government of Claveria, with Dong IL Engineering Consultants as the project implementer.

Included interventions are the construction of a greenhouse, warehouse, multi-purpose covered court, and the provision of a water system in barangay Aposkahoy.

Also, construction of a farm-to-market road, multi-purpose covered court, and the provision of solar and cassava mechanical dryers in barangay Hinaplanan; and the construction of a small bridge in barangay Gumaod.

The interventions under the RDP-MIC are set to be turned over on January 18, 2022, while the training for the operational use of the facilities will be arranged beforehand.

Present in the said consultation are the barangay officials of the benefiting barangays, officials of the engineering and agriculture departments of the municipal local government of Claveria headed by Engr. Rolando M. Alfanta and Pat F. Dumaloan, respectively, representative from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines – Claveria Campus and DA-10 staff.# (CRSeraspe)

DA-10 preps for the implementation of the Swine Sentinel program in NorMin’s ASF-affected areas.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao is set to roll out its Swine Sentinel Program in identified ASF-plagued areas in the region, in the first quarter of this year.

In a meeting on Friday, January 7, the DA-10 ASF Task Force led by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado will pilot the program in identified areas in the region, mainly considering the LGUs’ readiness and capacity to implement ASF rehabilitation programs.

Under the said program, qualified ASF-affected hog raisers will be provided with a total of 945 sentinel hogs which they may raise while their locations are under probation period, and close monitoring by the ASF Task Force for any occurrence of ASF outbreak.

Before the sentinel hogs will be distributed to the beneficiary hog raisers, cleaning and disinfection of their area within a 30-day period must be carried out with the supervision of the LGUs.

Thereafter, a 20-day environmental swabbing will be undertaken by the DA-10 through its Regulatory Division along with the LGUs. In which, samples will be tested by the agency’s Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL).

The sentinel hogs will be distributed to the raisers only if their location tested negative for ASF swabbing.

Within 40 days into the Sentinel Program without any recorded ASF outbreak, the ASF-infested area may be released from quarantine, declared ASF-free, and cleared for swine repopulation.

The agency’s concerned divisions: Field Operations, Regulatory, and the Integrated Laboratories will be at the forefront of the agency’s Swine Sentinel Program as preliminary step for Swine Repopulation in ASF-hit areas.

To discuss salient steps of the DA Swine Sentinel Program, a Coordination Meeting with the LGUs is slated for January 11, 2022.

“We are currently taking major steps towards ASF recovery in the region. In hindsight, the success of this endeavor greatly hinges on the performance of our respective and collective duties. Hence, I am expecting everyone to keep their best foot forward” Director Collado addressed the DA-10 ASF Task Force.

The DA-10 ASF Recovery Program is undertaken in light of the DA Administrative Order No. 6 Series of 2021, known as the Guidelines on the Implementation of the Rehabilitation and Repopulation Assistance Program for ASF-affected and non-ASF Affected Areas.#(ATalib)