Cassava clusters and a consolidator from MisOr and Buk’non, ink a deal with Daesang to deliver fresh cassava tubers to their starch manufacturing plant in Tagoloan town, which is expected to be completed in November, this year. Officials from different partner government agencies also sign the MOA committing to channel their respective interventions to further empower the cassava clusters engaged in the marketing agreement.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A total of five cassava clusters and a consolidator from the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon, now have an alternative and assured market for their quality produce through a Korean food processing company, Daesang Philippines, Corp.

On April 12, 2022, said parties have officially sealed a business venture thru the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, with officials from the different partner government agencies – Departments of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (Bureau of Investments), and Department of Agrarian Reform, and the Cooperative Development Authority, involved in providing support to empower cassava farmers for market linkages.

As per the agreement, fresh cassava tubers are to be delivered to the company’s starch manufacturing plant to meet a portion of Daesang’s 500 tons per day requirement, which is set to rise by November, this year at the PHIVIDECH Industrial Estate in Sta. Ana, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

Initially committing an overall 48,650 metric tons to Daesang are Bliss Lingion Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) Cooperative, and Edwin Labrada, all from Manolo Fortich town, in Bukidnon province.

Completing the roster of linked cassava clusters are from MisOr municipalities – Mindulao Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative of Magsaysay; Kabangasan Mapua Dahilig Community Cooperative (KMDCC) of Balingoan; and Sampatulog ARB Farmers Cooperative of Alubijid.

Said undertaking is particularly aligned to DA’s pursuit of transformative agriculture using the key strategies on mobilization and empowerment of farmers as well as farm clustering and consolidation.

“The agri department pursues a policy of active participation and partnership with the private sector to establish more agri-based industries in the countryside and develop markets for agri products,” Carlene C. Collado, regional executive director of DA-Northern Mindanao said.

He added that the agency underscores cooperatives development, where the government integrates its interventions to achieve optimum yield and quality of desired crops.

On the other hand, Incherl Han, Daesang president conveyed his gratitude to have finally inked a deal with the various cassava clusters with help from the local and national government agencies, as a series of field visits and consultations went on for some time since they have been promoting their tapioca starch manufacturing business in 2017.

“This MOA [signing] is the first step towards a bright future with local farmers and consolidators. Our tapioca plant will hire local talent and purchase local raw materials. In addition, we look forward to the development of our company. We will create a bright future by combining our company and the community [cassava clusters] to develop together,” the Korean official added.

Meanwhile, KMDCC outgoing chair Erlinda D. Cagmat, whose cassava cluster committed 400 hectares with a potential area in the nearby town of Medina, lauded the feat for all those involved [in the MOA signing], especially that it translates to improving the lives of their coop farmer-members.

“We are thankful for the marketing agreement with Daesang, as this will encourage us, farmers, to engage in the planting of more cassava with an assured buyer for our produce. With the collaborative efforts of different government agencies in making this a reality, we sincerely hope that our business venture with the company will be sustained,” the coop official stated.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga said, as  Daesang is set to maximize the operations of its processing plant, more cassava clusters are encouraged to similarly engage in a contract with the company, as DA-10 continues to extend technical support such as capability building, training and seminars, providing planting materials, farm machineries and equipment, and access to credit, and other support that can be pooled from different partner agencies. # (JLO)

DA-10 led by RED Collado, RTDs Bajarla and Madriaga, and AMAD chief Larry E. Paralumn, formally open the HVC week and Filipino Food Month celeb on April 11, 2022 at the agency grounds.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Celebrating the High Value Crops week and Filipino Food Month this April, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) kicked off the festivity, on April 11, 2022, at the agency compound.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado with Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and RTD for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla graced the opening of said activities in recognizing the importance of high value crops and promoting their production, marketing, and distribution.

Meanwhile, Proclamation No. 469 declares April as Filipino Food Month to preserve and promote Filipino culinary traditions to ensure their transmission to future generations.

With this year’s theme “Pagkaing Pilipino, Susi sa Pag-unlad at Pagbabago,” the agency through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division conducted a Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Trade Fair and Cooking Contest.

“The trade fair seeks to help farmers and fishers reach a wider market for their products and for the general public to gain access to fresh products at reasonable prices,” shared RED Collado.

For the cooking contest, RED Collado explained, that it is participated by the different divisions of the department, which allows the personnel to display their talents and foster camaraderie, with the ultimate aim of showcasing local Filipino dishes.

Winners of the DA-10 cooking contest are Regulatory Division (1st), Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (2nd), Administrative and Finance Division (3rd), Research Division (4th), and Office of the Regional Director (5th). # (AMBManto)

PAGRO MisOr visits DA-10’s RCPC as they target to have their own distribution of biocon agents to their farmer-clienteles.

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) thru its Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) provided the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRO) of Misamis Oriental assistance, as they eye their own distribution of biological control agents to their farmer-clienteles.

In their recent visit at the DA’s research stations in Bangcud, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, DA-10 provided some resources and guidance on how they can set up their own crop protection center for the province and conferred biocon agents, at the same time for distribution to local farmers.

The visiting PAGRO MisOr team was headed by Provincial Agriculturist Jose Apollo Pacamalan. #(AMBManto)

Agri NorMin spearheads a coordination meeting for the F2C2 program to tackle updates relevant to said program.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) organized a coordination meeting for Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said under Administrative Order 27, Series of 2020, “Establishing the F2C2 program towards greater inclusive Agribusiness development in the country”, which aims to mainstream, promote and support clustering and consolidation, and enhance productivity and income of farmers and fishers.

The activity led by DA-10 F2C2 focal person Gay Nanette R. Aleria, tackled F2C2 updates and the possible interventions that could be provided for clusters through the agency’s banner programs based on the submitted Cluster Development Plan, including an introduction to the Agro-Enterprise Clustering Approach (AECA).

Pipelined projects for 2022 include swine repopulation and provision of facilities for the Livestock Program; agricultural machinery for Corn Program; combine harvester for Rice Program; and agricultural supplies for High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP).

Meanwhile, DA-10 Agriculturist II Marnelly P. Flores introduced ACEA, a sequence of steps where farmers ‘learn by doing’ and a guide for smallholder farmers on agro-entrepreneurship where farmers and fishers shift their mindset from just being producers, but agri-entrepreneurs.

Following the coordination meeting, the team will undertake various activities such as validation of new clusters, finalization of development plan, registration of cluster members into the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), assess clusters to allow them to achieve more impact, and strengthen coordination that of clusters with DA-10 through its provincial operations centers.

Attending the meeting are DA-10 Supervising Agriculturist Audy G. Maagad, provincial and municipal agriculture officers, and other attached agencies of DA. # (MPMTablon)

Agri NorMin officially launches its P100-M smart greenhouse in NMACLRC in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, in the presence of DA USec Lavina and EPIS president Mr. Jong-Soon Lee, and other DA-10 officials led by RED Collado. Said facility is eyed to boost the production of quality strawberry, cherry tomato and white potato. 

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) officially launched its fully constructed P100-M Smart Greenhouse inside its research station, the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Friday, April 1.

The Smart greenhouse is a state-of-the-art agricultural project granted by the South Korean government funded through its Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines, featuring Smart Greenhouse Technology for innovative production of strawberry, cherry tomato and white potato.

Mr. Jong-Soon Lee, President of Korean Agency of Education Promotion and Information Service (EPIS) in Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries said the Smart Greenhouse has been established based on Korean Smart Greenhouse Technology after customizing the Philippine climate and various conditions.

“Korean Smart Greenhouse Technology has been proven in terms of productivity and effectivity. I hope today’s event will serve as a meaningful step forward in developing the Philippine Agriculture by successful cooperation between Korea and the Philippines,” he said.

DA Undersecretary for High Value Crops and Rural Credit, Evelyn Laviṅa said that with the technology shared by the Korean government, it is high time to look into the modernization of the country’s agriculture.

She furthered escalating local production of high-value crops is highly potential with the use of the technology, particularly by enhancing production competitiveness of small and mid-sized farmers.

“This technology will greatly help in the national agenda of the Duterte administration towards Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita. This new technology is crucial in feeding the next generation,” she said, delivering DA Secretary William D. Dar’s message.

The Smart Greenhouse Project was subdivided into four components namely, the establishment of Smart Farm composed of 11 fully-automated Smart Greenhouses and 1 cold storage facility, development of a local distribution system, dispatch of experts, and capacity building for potential technology adopters.

The project is being co-implemented by the DA-RFO 10, EPIS in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries with its three consortia: the Hangkyong National University (capacity building), Shinhan Globe (system), and Shinhan A-Tec (farm establishment).

Through the project, DA-RFO 10 primarily aimed to increase the production of quality strawberry, cherry tomato, and white potato as the next trademark products of Northern Mindanao.

In his message, DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado assured the DA’s Korean partners of the agency’s interest and commitment to the Smart Greenhouse Project.

“We are very thankful for being the only region in the entire Mindanao to be chosen as the recipient of the Smart Greenhouse Project. Certainly, we will share the technology to our farmers not only in Bukidnon, but in all five provinces of Northern Mindanao, particularly through the promotion of Smart Farming and precision agriculture,” he averred.

Aside from being a research and training center, DA-RFO 10 is planning to open the Smart Greenhouse to the public as agri-tourism destination in the region.

Supporting the activity were DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and RTD for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla, with DA-10 ManCom members, OneDA member agencies and LGUs.#(ATalib)

LVFMC of Lantapan, Bukidnon receives the P1.9-M financial aid thru DA’s Enhanced Kadiwa program.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao turns over P1.9 million worth of financial aid to Lantapan Vegetable Farmers Marketing Cooperative (LVFMC) on Friday, March 25, 2022.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga handed the check to Danilo L. Adrayan, Chair of the LVFMC in support of their operations for the procurement of hauling vehicle under the agency’s Enhanced Kadiwa Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program.

RTD Madriaga said DA’s program focuses on ensuring food availability and accessibility amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

She added that DA provides financial assistance to participating eligible organizations and local government units to enhance their capacities in value-adding activities in the food supply chains.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado explains, “DA provides assistance to cooperatives in purchasing hauling trucks so they can sell their produce directly to the buyers”.

According to LVFMC Chair Danilo L. Adrayan, the transportation support will greatly benefit not only their cooperative but including small local farmers in their area who produce high-value crops and lowland vegetables.

They supply weekly to the private and public hospitals in Bukidnon from the produce of their members and non-member small farmers which sustains its operation even at the onset of the pandemic.

The cooperative has 80 active members operating around 40 hectares of land in producing high-value crops which include, broccoli, potato, parsley, cauliflower, cabbage among others.

Mr. Adrayan expressed his optimism that they can supply more areas, expanding its market to other regions.#(ATC)

BPI team pays Agri NorMin headed by RED Collado for a discussion on the Korean-funded capabuild on insect pest identification using remote microscopy system.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, National Plant Quarantine Division (DA-BPI NPQSD) representatives with Mr. Bong Hoon Lee, an entomologist from Sunchon National University (SCNU) paid a courtesy visit to DA-Regional Field Office 10 headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado on Thursday, March 24, 2022.

His visit is in line with the implementation of the project entitled, “Capacity Building on Efficient Approach for Insect Pest Identification using Remote Microscopy System” to employ remote microscopy to engage experts in the identification of insect specimens.

The installation of RMS is targeted in the six National Plant Quarantine Services Division stations of DA-BPI which includes Cagayan de Oro City.

Mr. Lee’s visit focused on validation and initial assessment of the conditions of the project sites.

The project has been approved for implementation on October 8, 2021, and is expected to be completed by October 7, 2022, with grant assistance from the Korea Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) designating the Korea Rural Community, Corp. (KRC), as the agency to manage the Project and with the Projects Management Consulting (PMC) to implement the Project.# (JCAnito)

Agri NorMin joins the culmination of the National Women’s Month celebration underscoring women empowerment in agriculture.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To celebrate women empowerment in agriculture, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) headed by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado culminated the National Women’s Month Celebration on March 28, 2022, in this city.

With the observance of the month of March as Women’s Role in History Month under Presidential Proclamation No. 227, Series of 1988, and with this year’s theme, “We Make Change Work For Women: Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran,” employees from DA and its attached bureaus and agencies gathered for said culmination program.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga shared, “The role of women is very diverse, they are human links between the farm and the table, providing food and nutrition as the primary caregivers to families and communities.”

Further citing that, according to studies, 60-80% of food production was contributed by women in developing countries.

The event was graced by former DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Engr. Roxana H. Hojas, 2019 Outstanding Rural Woman awardee Imelda P. Mendoza, and 2021 Regional Young Farmers Challenge Awardee Daryl Ann M. Gonzales, all shared their experiences and contributions as women for agricultural development.

On the other hand, Atty. Neil James S. Acal, CE from Estrada and Partners Law Office, shared a lecture concerning women’s rights, particularly on Child Marriage, Annulment, and Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children.

“When we know our rights, we become more empowered. I hope that the development of agriculture through capacitated women will be more enhanced,” shared Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla, in her message, adding how women are flexible and use any change as an opportunity.

Ensuing was the conduct of a general assembly for the Department of Agriculture Women Employees Association (DAWEA) to elect a new set of officers who will be inducted on Monday, April 4. # (AMBManto)

Besto of MILFACO, Talakag, Bukidnon is one among the awardees in the 2022 PCQC, held in Davao City.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Coffee farmers from Bukidnon garnered spots in the recently concluded 2022 Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC), held in Davao City on March 18, 2022.

For the Arabica category, Arnold Pina of Bayanihan Millenium Multipurpose Cooperative (BMMPC) from Pangantucan took third place, while Belinda Besto of MILALITTRA Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (MILFACO) from Talakag placed fourth.

Also from BMMPC, Renaldo Mansulay, secured ninth place.

Still hailing from BMMPC, Eljean V. Dagohoy, Lorna Libante, and Pablo Helomoc, grabbed the fourth, fifth, and eighth places, respectively in the Robusta category.

Meanwhile, a special award for Washed Processed coffee was conferred to Besto under the Arabica category.

BMMPC and MILFACO are both recipients of the Coffee Community-Based Development Enterprise under DA-10’s High Value Crops Development Program which seeks to provide production and postharvest services for both coffee and cacao farmers.

PCQC is an annual green coffee competition that recognizes outstanding Filipino coffee farmers, where growers are encouraged to improve the quality of their products to boost their competitiveness both in the domestic and global markets.

The competition is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry, together with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA), Barista and Coffee Academy of Asia and the Philippine Coffee Guild.# (CRSeraspe)

USTP Claveria receives agri-assistance thru DA-10’s BP2 program.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – 10 hands over agri inputs to the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) Claveria Campus as part of the Balik Probinsya Bagong Pagasa (BP2) program.

The agri inputs amounting to P1.50 million which includes 912 heads of chicken and 149 bags of feeds, is under the Program’s poultry intervention.

The institution will also receive 44 heads of cattle worth P2.2 million, and P15,744 worth of drugs and biologics.

Other interventions, particularly for Misamis Oriental, include the establishment of cattle and goat multiplier farms, vegetable farm, and mushroom production in the amount of P9.16 million.

Of which, these interventions fall under the Food Security and Agricultural Productivity, one of the four key areas of the Program’s framework.

These will then be transferred to the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Misamis Oriental to their identified and verified beneficiaries once the interventions are completed.

In which, these are provided in the Memorandum of Agreement signed by DA-10, USTP Claveria, and PLGU Misamis Oriental on November 5, 2021.

As explained by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado that an inter-agency effort, BP2 is socio-economic program developed by the Duterte administration that promotes inclusive and balanced urban and rural development.

He added that the BP2 program seeks to address Metro Manila’s congested areas by encouraging people to return to their home provinces with assured incentives and livelihood, among others.

Returnees who wish to avail of the interventions under the BP2 program may get their forms in their barangay Balik Probinsya Center or apply online at www.en.balikprobinsya.ph. Application is free-of-charge. # (CRSeraspe)