On January 26, RAFC X conducts a consultative meeting to discuss the ongoing issues affecting the agricultural sector.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To boost the development of the agri-fishery sector in Region 10, the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council-X (RAFC X) conducts its first consultative meeting for Northern Mindanao on Wednesday, January 26 to discuss issues affecting the sector.

Region 10 RAFC Chair Reynaldo M. Cabanao said, the meeting is a continuing discussion of development problems, issues, and concerns besetting the agri-fishery sector with the ultimate aim of finding solutions, giving policy, program recommendations, and facilitating feedback and information flow within the sector.

He presented the agenda of the meeting which include the CY 2022 AFCs region-wide set of officers, RAFC 10 CY 2022 nomination, updates on local concerns, fund updates, chairperson’s report, and CY 2022 work and financial plan.

Six resolutions were approved by the council comprising the request of subsidies of fertilizers for coffee farmers and machinery to ensure its increased production; concrete plan for African Swine Fever (ASF) pertaining to its recovery program in the affected areas of the region.

Further resolutions include the request of the involvement of Agricultural Fishery Councils (AFC) in the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC); Amendment of Omnibus Guidelines on the Engagement of the Agricultural and Fishery Councils (OGAFCE), among others.

Said resolutions will be submitted to the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, which will then be endorsed to the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) for the approval of concerned agencies.

Participating in the blended meeting were the chairperson, representatives of the AFCs and DA attached agencies, and other concerned NGAs regionwide.#(MPTablon)

To augment the productivity and income of adlai farmers under MAAMA, DA provides production and marketing support thru its Enhanced Kadiwa financial grant.

IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – Adlai farmers are eyed to benefit from the Department of Agriculture (DA), as it handed over a certificate of award for the P2 million worth Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita financial grant assistance to the local government unit of Impasugong, Bukidnon on January 28, 2022.

Said grant will aid the smallholder adlai farmers tilling an area of 0.5 hectares and below, covering about over 50 hectares of adlai production committed by the clustered farmers’ organizations (FOs) from the town’s 13 different barangays.

Of the total amount downloaded to LGU Impasugong, P900K was procured for the 12 units adlai milling machine, PSF-450 foot impulse sealer, foot-stamping plastic sealer, digital weighing scale, weighing scale, and packaging materials.

Meanwhile, the P1-M will be used as working capital, to include buying the adlai grits produced by the farmers, and P100K is intended for the conduct of training to equip farmers on the best practices of adlai production and value-adding.

At the height of the pandemic in 2020, DA Undersecretary for Consumer and Political Affairs, Kristine Y. Evangelista said, that the department sought additional funding thru its Enhanced Kadiwa, to assist farmers in increasing their income while helping the country in its bid towards food security and sufficiency.

Witnessing the committed agri interventions, the DA official extended her gratitude, as this will be helpful particularly for the 12 chapters/organization under the 2,649-membered Movement and Alliance that Advocate Men in Action (MAAMA), a federation of adlai farmers, who are also members of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs).

They are MAAMA Bontongan, Bulonay, Capitan Bayong, Cawayan, Dumalaguing, Guihean, Hagpa, Impalutao, Kibenton, La Fortuna and Sayawan chapters, and the Kalabugao MAAMA organization.

With the machinery at hand, Impasugong Mayor Anthony A. Uy said, that the farmers can maintain the quality of their adlai grits which will be directly bought by the local government through its Municipal Enterprise Development Unit at P100 per kilogram, who in turn, will help sell them to the consumers.

“Sometimes it is difficult for our farmers to sell their adlai grits due to its low-grade quality, but now with the milling machine they can produce better grits,” the local chief executive remarked.

For his part, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado lauded the efforts of LGU Impasugong and the farmers in availing of the said grant.

More assistance is underway, as USec. Evangelista committed the provision of 2 units hauling vehicle and 1 unit 90-horsepower capacity tractor by DA-10 thru RED Collado.

Meanwhile, MAAMA Impasugong federation president Sunny S. Echavia is thankful for the government’s interventions.

“The milling machine is a realization of our long-time dream of producing quality adlai. We will do our best to produce higher yields to meet the demand in the market,” he said.

Also gracing the ceremony is the Commander of the 8th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, Lt. Col Anthony A. Bacus with the local officials and DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance division and provincial operations center in Bukidnon.# (MGBS/EMB)

Agri Normin thru its 4Ks program conducts a CNA in select sitios of San Luis, Malitbog, Bukidnon to identify agri interventions for said areas.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4Ks) Program, conducted a three-day Community Needs Assessment (CNA) in select sitios in San Luis, Malitbog, Bukidnon on January 19-21, 2022.

In collaboration with the 58th Infantry Dimalulupig Battalion, Philippine Army and the local government of Malitbog, the assessment aims to identify agri interventions for the indigenous people living in sitios Tagmaray, Logdeck, Victory, and Uyunan.

DA-10 4Ks Focal Person April Grace M. Racines said that the data will be the basis for the agency’s interventions to be implemented in the validated sites.

The DA- Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) Region 10 also joined the assessment since the identified areas are known producers of abaca fiber.

DA’s efforts are also in support of Executive Order No. 70 (EO), instituting the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC).

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized that the 4Ks is a three-year special project of DA where it aids the Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICC) and Indigenous Peoples (IP) in the form of agricultural and fisheries-related livelihood opportunities. # (CRSeraspe)

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)