OneDA RMC prepares for next year’s agri-fishery projects for R-10.

Cagayan de Oro City – To set out plans and policies for streamlined implementation of agri-fishery programs and projects in Northern Mindanao next year, the DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) Regional Management Committee (RMC) convened for its third quarter meeting Tuesday, October 18 in this city.

Chaired by DA-Region 10 OIC-Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado, the DA-10 RMC is an executive body composed of heads of office of the different DA-attached agencies, bureaus and corporations, who oversee the rollout of agri-fishery programs and projects in the region.

In the meeting, the RMC members agreed to consolidate the budget appropriated for the DA instrumentalities in 2023 for proper communication to the provincial LGUs and district representatives.

They also presented and assessed their 2022 accomplishments as of the third quarter, anticipating a bigger allocation for agriculture next year.

To expedite implementation of agri-fishery projects lined up in 2023, Dir. Collado urged the RMC to hold Early Procurement Activities (EPA) for their respective offices.

“Through the EPA you can systematically utilize your budget by obligating big ticket projects early on next year” he advised. Dir. Collado also challenged the RMC to be keen in implementing their projects in the region in concordance with the LGUs.

For her part, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga enjoined the RMC member agencies to take part in the 2022 Mindanao Food Congress and the Oro Best Expo scheduled end of this month.

“The expo is an opportunity for us to showcase our services and products to the public. Let us take full advantage of the activity to bring our offices closer to our clientele” she said. The DA-10 is one of the lead convenor of the said congress and expo organized by the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce. Details for the preparation of the OneDA 2022 Annual Report and the holding of other significant activities were also tackled in the meeting. The 4th quarter DA-10 RMC meeting is scheduled mid-November to be held at the DA-10 Research Station, the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. #(ATalib)

DA-10 through the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section holds an InfoCar in Camiguin province to apprise agri stakeholders on the different programs, projects and services for the development of the agri sector.

Mambajao, Camiguin – To apprise the farmers and the local government units (LGUs) on the DA programs, projects and services, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) under the leadership of OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado conducted an Information Caravan (InfoCar), in the province of Camiguin on October 6, this town.

The caravan is an avenue for DA-10 and its attached bureaus such as the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and the Philippine Crop Insurance, Corp. (PCIC) to bring their services closer to the farmers.

Through the caravan, DA-10 aims to update the agriculture stakeholders on the DA projects lined up for implementation in their respective areas.

To fuel agricultural development in the island-province of Camiguin, DA-10 has proposed various agri-livelihood projects for the five municipalities of the province for CY 2023.

The projects include provision of agricultural inputs and materials, farm machinery and equipment, veterinary drugs and biologics, livestock and poultry dispersal, capability training, construction of agricultural facilities and farm-to-market roads.

Such projects are funded under DA regular programs – Rice, Corn, Livestock, Organic Agriculture and High Value Crops Development, and the locally funded project, Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program.

In her message, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga encouraged the farmers to enroll to DA’s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and organize themselves as an association to gain better access to DA projects.

“The DA will only grant big ticket projects to goverment-recognized and accredited farmers’ cooperatives, associations. I urge you to organize in your communities with the help of your respective LGUs,” Dir. Madriaga said.

She also urged the farmers to practice balanced soil fertilization by using organic soil conditioners as a way of coping with the skyrocketing prices of commercial fertilizers.

For his part, Camiguin Board Member and Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Louis S. Bollozos, DVM called on the farmers to take advantage of the caravan by communicating their queries and concerns to DA.

He also bared the provincial government’s plans for expansive promotion and development of organic agriculture in Camiguin in the coming years.

As a veterinarian, Board Member Bollozos urged the farmers to observe biosecurity measures in their farm to guard against the proliferation of ASF.

Highlighting the InfoCar is PCIC’s distribution of ASF indemnity to 12 beneficiaries.

As of October 3, PCIC has already distributed a total of P944K worth of ASF indemnity to 37 claimants in Camiguin.

DA-10 will cap its regionwide InfoCar, in the province of Bukidnon late this month. # (ATalib)

DA-10 headed by OIC-RED Collado holds EPA for the agency’s FY 2023 deliverables.

The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao holds the Early Procurement Activity (EPA) at the agency’s Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on October 10, 2022 marking the start of the procurement activity for FY 2023.

DA-10 banner programs such as Rice, Corn, Livestock, High Value Crops Development, and Organic Agriculture, presented their physical and financial target for next year for the department to strategize on how to accomplish deliverables as scheduled.

OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado also lauded the DA-10 family for overall outstanding performance during the CY 2022 third quarter assessment.

Supporting Dir. Collado is the Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga with the division chiefs, provincial center chiefs, and station chiefs of the department. # (MGBS)

Agri 10, in partnership with private seed companies, conducts a corn derby to showcase the performance of different corn varieties and their corresponding package of technologies at the agency’s research complex in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.  

Carlene C. Collado, DA-10 officer-in-charge, regional executive director remarked, that now with the dynamic and extensive product lines of different seed companies, farmers will have an opportunity to make informed decisions in the selection of corn varieties to be planted through the corn derby.

He added that the activity paves way for the presentation of the latest corn varieties and their corresponding package of technologies enabling farmers to get the most value out from their investments in attaining maximum yield and profit.

Highlighted in the corn derby are the varieties, namely: H101G, Bio Corn Hi Fly and BC108G from BioSeed Research Philippines, Inc.; Supreme 5150 RRYYG and J505 RRYG (Asian Hybrid Seed Technologies, Inc.); P4124YHR and P3660YHR (Corteva AgriScience); EVO709 and EVO9310 (Evo Gene Seeds, Corp.); DK8899S and DK8131S (Bayer Crop Science Philippines); and NK6505BGT and NK306BGT from Syngenta Philippines, Inc.

Agronomic and yield components, ranging from average ear and plant height, ear diameter and length, weight of seeds, shelling recovery, and yield per hectare were revealed based on the generated results from the crop cut.

With bulk of next year’s budget under DA’s Corn program focusing on seeds, the agri chief executive further said, that the corn derby results will count as one the department’s basis in the procurement of seeds, at the same time considering farmers and local governments’ requests.

Almost 160 participants, comprising of corn farmers and agricultural technicians from the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia, and the towns of Lantapan, Manolo Fortich, Cabanglasan, and Impasugong, all from Bukidnon province, have attended the field day.

On top of the seed companies’ showcase, mustered participants also learned the most recent innovations from agriculture farm chemical and motor companies, of which their products are also seen to complement farmers’ preferred hybrid corn variety in boosting farmers’ productivity and earnings.

“As a front-line, it is important to know the performing hybrid corn varieties readily available in the market so that we could at least suggest to our farmers, especially those that will fit in their respective barangays,” Myra S. Abejuela, Malaybalay City corn coordinator conveyed.

Likewise, she pinned her hopes that through the farmers she brought with her in the corn derby, including their corn federation president and officials from corn growers’ associations, that they will also share the basket of technologies from the event to their fellow corn farmers and eventually, altogether adopt the hybrid technology. Also gracing the activity from DA-10 are Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD and Regional Corn coordinator Richan D. Lacanaria; Research Division chief Cora A. Dumayaca and Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex chief Carmelito R. Lapoot; Provincial Operations Chief for Bukidnon Janet D. Lopez, DVM; Research Center for Hillyland Development Berly F. Tatoy, PhD; and Guillermo L. Duran, senior science research specialist of the Research Center for Upland Development; and OIC-Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia Lagamon. # (JLO)

Agri 10 through its RAED hosts the BAFE-RAED assessment-workshop in Camiguin province.

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) hosted the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) – RAED Assessment and Workshop on October 3-7, in this town.

With the current administration, the workshop aims to inform developments on the latest issuances and guidelines for the implementation of various agricultural mechanization assistance and infrastructure, at the same time arising issues and concerns on the course of their implementation.

Further, said activity serve as a venue to evaluate and assess the performance of the different RAEDs nationwide.

In his remarks, DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado extended his appreciation in the contribution of RAED and BAFE in uplifting the lives of Filipino farmers.

“RAED and BAFE have very important roles, especially in the regional operations because they make sure that specifications of the interventions given will reap better results for a community, particularly to our farmers.

With this assessment and workshop, I hope that all pressing matters may be addressed so we can serve better our nation.” Dir. Collado added.

The event was led by BAFE headed by its Director, Engr. Ariodear C. Rico and was attended by the different heads and representatives of RAED across the country. # (CRSeraspe)

ABEs from the different LGUs across R-10 undergo a workshop on the formulation of LAFMP.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) of the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) conducted a workshop on the formulation of Local Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Plan (LAFMP) on September 29-30, 2022, this city.

Around 80 Agricultural Biosystem Engineers (ABEs) from the city, municipal, and provincial Local government units (LGUs) in the region convened to formulate their LAFMP as a vital component of their local development plans.

DA-10 RAED chief Engr. Deliza T. Camaro said, the activity aims to strengthen and provide planning guidelines to ABE offices/divisions/sections of the LGUs in the formulation of their LAFMP.

In line with RA 10601, otherwise known as the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law and DA-DILG Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2020 (Guidelines in the Formulation of AFMech Plan), the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) and Regional Agricultural Engineering Divisions (RAEDs), emphasize the support and assistance to the Agricultural Engineering Division/Section of the LGUs.

In his message, DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado underscored the modernization of agriculture through mechanization as a mechanism to improve the efficiency of production and promote cost-effective technologies; thereby, improving farmers’ income.

Furthermore, Dir. Collado said, with the formulated AFMech plans and programs, the efforts of various stakeholders related to agriculture and fisheries mechanization are deemed attainable.

“Increasing agricultural operating income is not only an important step in improving agricultural work for farmers in the new era but is also a powerful way to promote rural revitalization,” he added.

Meanwhile, DA-10 RAED Programs and Projects Management Section chief Engineer III Romil G. Española tackled on the Guidelines on the Formulation of AFMP and updates, Gap analysis computation and the functional (national AFMP Components) plans and targets.

As reported, region 10’s progress for the ongoing National Agricultural Machinery Inventory counts to 7,193 units of machinery, equipment and facilities as of Sept. 29, 2022 for the level of mechanization on specific commodities such as Corn, Rice and High Value Crops.

On the other hand, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga conveyed the importance of having an agri-fishery mechanization plan, especially in empowering LGUs to help identify the equipment, production and postharvest machinery and facilities needed in an area.

Also discussed by the other speakers are the templates for the preparation of LAFMP, computations on the level of mechanization, computations of reduction on the cost production, and the status of ABEs in the region.

Moreover, BAFE Director IV Engr. Ariodear C. Rico urged the LGUs to create their own ABE offices, particularly those first to third class municipalities.

The ABE section/division will serve as the planning, coordinating, regulating and implementing bodies at the provincial, city and municipal levels on agricultural and fisheries engineering, mechanization and infrastructure programs and projects, Engr. Rico cited. #(Rollin Dave M. Elloren)

LGU Plaridel crafts their municipal dev’t plan with help from NGAs, including DA-10.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The local government of Plaridel, Misamis Occidental crafted their municipal development plan during the Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA) on September 29, 2022, in this city.

To refine such plan, Plaridel Mayor Gadwin E. Handumon invited the national government agencies (NGAs) as panelists at the same time to present their respective programs, projects and interventions that the town could avail of.

Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado encouraged the LGU to consider the roster of interventions offered by the agency to boost the major agricultural production in the town such as rice, cacao, coffee and coconut.

On the other hand, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga, presented the different interventions under DA’s banner programs, namely: Rice, Corn, Livestock and High Value Crops Development as well as the foreign-assisted and locally funded projects.

Present during the workshop were the town’s executive and legislative members, department heads, NGAs such as BFAR, DOT, DOH, NHA, NEDA and COA, among others.#

Agri dept through its Corn program caps the conduct of a corn derby in Southern Bukidnon for the wet cropping season.

Dangcagan, Bukidnon – The hybrid corn variety P3660YHR of the Corteva Agri Science was declared the most profitable variety with 3.2 Pesos Return on Investment (ROI) per 1 Peso production cost, as the DA-Region 10 (DA-10) capped its wet cropping Corn Derby in its Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in the town of Dangcagan, Bukidnon on September 16.

The hybrid varieties DK8899S of Bayer Crop Science and NK6410BGT of Syngentha Philippines were ranked second, with an identical 3 Pesos ROI per 1 Peso investment. Close in third is Bayer Crops Science’s DK8131S with 2.9 Pesos ROI per 1 Peso investment.

The said hybrid corn varieties were highly recommended for planting by the corn farmers in Southern Bukidnon, taking into account the topography and the climate in the area.

The Corn Derby is an annual technology demonstration spearheaded by the DA-10’s Corn program with the objective of helping corn farmers in the region in identifying the most-suited hybrid corn variety in their location, and equip them with cutting edge corn production technologies.

In his message, DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director, Milo D. delos Reyes underscored the many potentials of Bukidnon for corn production. He also urged the farmers to take full advantage of the promising farmgate price of corn in the province presently pinned at 22 Pesos per kilo.

“Let us continue to plant corn and take advantage of the high buying price. All you need now is to be diligent, persistent and a little investment,” he said.

He also urged the corn farmers to diversify their crops and avoid monoculture for optimal earning. He further encouraged the farmers to instill in their children the appreciation for agriculture at a young age as a way of nurturing the farming tradition.

For his part, DA-10 OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Audy G. Maagad emphasized the local government units’ (LGUs)key roles in organizing and clustering the corn farmers.

“We are hoping that the LGUs will continuously back our effort to organize our corn farmers. With organized farmers, we can easily cascade farming information and technologies to the grassroots level,” he averred.

The Corn Derby harvest ceremony was attended by farmers and personnel of the municipal agriculture offices from the towns of Quezon, Kitaotao, Kibawe, Damulog, Dangcagan, and Don Carlos in Southern Bukidnon.

The derby was participated by six hybrid corn seed developers namely, Asian Hybrid Seed Technology, Inc., Evogene Seed Philippines, Bayer Crop Science, Bioseed Research Philippines, Syngenta Philippines, and Corteva Agri Science, who featured 13 hybrid corn seed entries planted in a 1.3-hectare demonstration farm inside the RCUD.

Champion variety of the wet cropping Corn Derby will be announced after the harvest ceremony in two other DA-10 research stations – the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and Research Center for Hilly Land Development (RCHD) in Claveria, Misamis Oriental late this month and early October. # (ATalib)

Agri dept joins the CCB 10^th anniversary celebration thru its personnel’s attendance in a virtual summit set up at the agency’s compound.

Cagayan de Oro City – In solidarity to the 10th anniversary celebration of the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB), the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) participated in the Isang Dekada ng Paglilingkod Virtual Summit organized by CSC on Tuesday, September 27.

The Human Resource Management Section (HRMS) of DA-10 gathered select employees of the agency representing each division to take part in said summit through a virtual set-up in its compound.

CCB is the pioneering Philippine government’s feedback facilities, serving as the bridge between the government and the people. Since its launching on September 27, 2012, it has been an avenue for Filipino citizens to lodge their concerns on government transactions.

Grounded on the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 (Republic Act No. 9485) and the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 (Republic Act 11032), CCB is instrumental to government offices’ effort to be more responsive of the peoples’ needs by attending to and resolving their complaints over government services.

To mark its 10th founding year, it honored top 20 performing government agencies with the highest resolution rates of the complaints lodged to CCB.

The agencies are namely: DPWH, MMDA, POEA, DOLE, DFA, BOI, PNP, LTFRB, Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), BOC, DSWD, DILG, NBI, PSA, DENR, LRA, SSS, PRC, DepEd and Pag-IBIG.

With the recognition received by said government agencies, DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado also encouraged the DA personnel to follow their footsteps, putting more premium in the better delivery of service to agricultural stakeholders.

Through the occasion, CSC further called on government offices to champion ethics, accountability and integrity in building citizen-centric Philippine government.# (ATalib)

The agri dept in coordination with USSC distributes the fuel discount cards to around 1,286 qualified corn farmers from six municipalities and one city from Bukidnon province.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – As part of its continuing effort to help ease the impact of rising oil prices, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Corn program has allocated a total of P3.85-million worth of fuel subsidy to the third batch of corn farmers in Bukidnon province.

On September 19-21, around 1,286 qualified corn farmers from the municipalities of San Fernando, Don Carlos, Kibawe, Damulog, Kadingilan, Sumilao and Valencia City, received their fuel discount cards issued by the Universal Storefront Services, Corp. (USSC) worth P3,000 each.

According to DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the Fuel Discount program will help farmers lessen their expenses in corn production from land preparation to postharvest and processing activities to gas up their respective farm machinery.

Fuel subsidy beneficiaries can use their fuel discount card to purchase either gasoline or diesel from participating gas stations accredited by the Department of Energy, he added.

During the distribution, corn farmers have also expressed their gratitude as the program helps them in reducing their fuel costs, especially this corn’s harvesting and planting season.

To qualify for the fuel subsidy, corn farmers must be registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and included in the Farmers and Fisherfolk Registry System, and an individual or his/her farmer’s cooperative or association must also own functional machinery with proof of ownership and must be further listed in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Management Information System (ABEMIS).

Said fuel subsidy caravan will be held next in the province of Misamis Occidental starting on September 27, 2022. # (RDMElloren)