The corn derby at DA-RCHD starts with their planting activities to showcase the performance of different hybrid corn varieties from private seed companies.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Seven seed companies participated in this year’s Corn Derby of the DA-10 Corn Program in the agency’s Research Center for Hilly Land Development (RCHD) in Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

The participating seed companies simultaneously planted their hybrid corn variety in a 2-hectare demonstration farm in the RCHD during the ceremonial planting led by DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga on Wednesday, October 27.

The derby will feature production technologies of various genetically modified (GMO) hybrid corn varieties of the following seed companies: Asian Hybrid Seed Technologies, Inc., Corteva Agriscience, Bioseed Research Phillipines, Inc., Evo Gene Seeds Corporation, Bayer Crop Science Philippines, Syngenta Philippines, Inc., and Green and Grow Technologies Inc.

Hybrid GMO corn varieties are commercially produced mainly as raw materials for animal feeds, that are high-yielding, and highly resistant to pest and disease, thus preferred by most corn farmers.

The derby will run for approximately four months until the corn matured and is ready for harvest. A Field Day will be held to culminate the derby.

Through this, participating seed companies will present their seeds’ performance, highlighting the yield for each demonstrated variety vis-a-vis the production cost, as well as the technologies applied.

According to Richan Lacanaria, DA-10 Corn Program Focal Person, the undertaking will help local farmers to identify the best corn variety to be grown in their area.

“We look forward to continuously stage the Corn Derby in the years to come. The activity is instrumental to our goal of providing our corn farmers the best quality corn seeds,” Lacanaria accounted.

The DA-10 Corn Program debuted the Corn Derby in 2019. Since then it has become a trademark activity, conducted annually as part of the DA’s extension service to the corn farmers in the region.

“This Corn Derby is a manifestation of our commitment to bring our services closer to the farmers. With this activity, we hope that our corn farmers will be able to augment their production, through the technologies imparted by our partner seed companies” Director Madriaga remarked.# (ATTalib)

The groundbreaking ceremony signals the construction of the rain harvesting structure at DA’s research complex.

DALWANGAN, MALAYBALAY, BUKIDNON, October 26 – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of various irrigation projects at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex.

The P2.460 million worth of projects which is also known as the rain harvesting structure target to irrigate farmlands in adjoining areas.

It comprises a sprinkler system amounting to P855,750.00, a water impounding unit (P828,441.48), and the rehabilitation of the small farm reservoir costing P775, 644.68.

Funded under the Bayanihan Act II, the project is expected to be completed by the end of November, this year.

Leading the ceremony is DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, in the presence of Regional Agricultural Engineering Division Chief Engr. Deliza T. Camaro and other DA-10 personnel. # (EMBentulan)

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado paid a courtesy visit to the Bureau of Customs 10 District Collector Atty. Elvira Cruz, on October 27.

With him was Regional Manager of the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry- Plant Quarantine Services 10 Manuel Barradas and DA-Bureau of Animal Industry – National Veterinary Quarantine Services 10 Chief Dr. Dale Franco Llentic.

The officials discussed strengthening partnerships to curtail smuggled agricultural commodities and ensuring the food safety of the consumers. # (ATCabig)

DA-10 RMC member-agencies convene to drum up implementation of oneDA reform agenda.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Regional Management Committee (RMC) of the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao intensifies its effort in implementing the OneDA reform agenda during its meeting on Thursday, October 28.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, who at the same time is the RMC Chair in the region, emphasized the need to fast track project implementation of the DA member agencies and line bureaus in the region.

“We must be proactive because so much is expected from us in delivering our services to the communities,” said Collado.

He emphasized that all efforts will address the region’s food security and resiliency.

The OneDA reform agenda of DA Secretary William D. Dar is built on four pillars: consolidation, modernization, industrialization, and professionalization.

Each member agency presented its issues and concerns on the status of their projects and program implementation, including the physical and financial accomplishment as of the third quarter of this year.

In preparation for CY 2022 implementation, he reminded them to brace up and prepare for the early procurement activities.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga shared, amid the COVID-19 challenges, the OneDA pursues its aim of sustaining and achieving the food secure and resilient Philippines with empowered and prosperous farmers and fisherfolk.

The RMC is composed of DA attached agencies and line bureaus which include the following: ATI, ACPC, BAI-NVQS, BPI (PQS, SPAL, NSQCS), BFAR, BSWM, NMIS, NDA, NFA, PCA, PHILFIDA, PCC, PHILRICE, SRA, PHILMECH, FPA, NTA with a strengthened partnership with PCIC and NIA. # (ATCabig)

DA-10 turns over ASF responder kits to the prov’l. and city vets regionwide to strengthen their respective biosecurity measures and border control.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In support of the Bantay African Swine Fever sa Barangay (BABay ASF) program, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) distributed a total of 136 ASF responder kits worth P1.44 million to the provincial and city veterinary offices regionwide.

The provincial veterinary offices of Lanao, Misamis Oriental, and Misamis Occidental were allocated with 54, 60, and 44 kits, respectively, while the city vet offices of Cagayan de Oro (CdeO) and Iligan with six apiece, and the agency’s Regulatory Division with 10.

Funded under current funds of the Livestock Program, said kits are in support to the different local government units’ (LGUs) imposed biosecurity measures against said hog viral disease.

Dr. Janniver Chua, of the Regulatory Division of DA-10 noted, that said provisions will aid LGUs to respond quicker, should there be any suspected ASF cases in their respective localities; thereby, heightening mitigation measures in place.

“These [responder kits] will greatly help in our border control and are essential tools to a more intensified surveillance of ASF occurrence within our locality,” shared by CdeO City Veterinarian Dr. Lucien Anthony P. Acac.

Meanwhile, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said, that while the department has extended ASF responder kits to the LGUs, they should at the same time, prepare for the full swing implementation of the ASF recovery program early next year.

Handed over on October 26 and 27 at the agency compound and some on-site offices, the turnover was led by DA-10 Dir. Collado and Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla, in the presence of other DA-10 officials; while Provincial Operations Center Chief of MisOcc Sansen O. Tejano headed the team in Ozamiz City, and the Livestock Program for Lanao del Norte province. # (JCAnito/MPMTablon)

DA-10 and Nestle support coffee farming households amid the pandemic.

Thirteen coffee farmer associations from the municipalities of Talakag, Maramag, Pangantucan, Lantapan and Kalilangan, Bukidnon received Nestle’s best-loved products on Tuesday, October 26.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado signed the Deed of Donation from Nestle through its Kasambuhay ng Pamilyang Pilipino program, and extended his gratitude to the company’s continuous support to the coffee farmers of said province.# (ATCabig)

DA-NorMin in partnership with participating seed companies is set to showcase the performance of different hybrid corn varieties at its research stations.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, October 22 – Aimed at ensuring corn farming communities attain increased yield and income, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) is hosting a Corn Derby this year.

The department with representatives from the private seed companies, convened in a meeting to finalize agreements prior to the start of planting.

It will be housed in a two-hectare area apiece in the agency’s different research centers.

Its first phase will commence at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on October 25; second at the Research Center for Hillyland Development in Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental (October 27); and third at the Research Center for Upland Development in Barongcot, Dangcagan, Bukidnon (October 29).

Different corn varieties will be featured in the derby, where each variety will be planted to a 1,250 square meter land using the agreed standard planting protocols by the group.

Entries will be coming from Evo Gene Seeds, Corp., Bioseed, Bayer, Asian Hybrid Seed Technologies, Inc., Corteva Agriscience, Green and Grow Technologies, Inc., and Syngenta Philippines, Inc.

On the other hand, DA-10 researchers will be provided seeds by the participating companies to be planted in a separate set up using its developed technologies such as balanced fertilization, biological control agents, organic fertilization, among others.

Majority of the harvests at the end of the showcase will be donated.

Ultimately, the performance of exhibited corn varieties will help the agri department in the procurement of hybrid GMO corn seeds, with the preferences of local government units and farmers being factored in the selection. # (JLO)

The conduct of a corn derby in DA’s research centers kick off at NMACLRC, Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – To showcase the different varieties and technologies of hybrid corn seeds available in the local market, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducted a Corn Derby in the research centers.

The activity kicked off with a ceremonial planting on October 25 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay, City, Bukidnon which aims to test the different corn package of technologies (POT) for corn farmers to adopt in their respective areas.

Participating seven seed companies include: Bioseed Research Philippines, Inc. (H101G, Hi FLY and BC 108), Asian Hybrid Seed Technologies, Inc. (Supreme 5150 and J505), Corteva Agriscience Inc. (P4124YHR and 3660YHR), Evogene (EVO709 and EVO9989), Green and Grow Technologies (X5), Bayer Crop Science, Inc. (DK 8899S, 8131S and 8719S), and Syngenta Philippines, Inc. (NK306BGT).

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized that the results of the derby will be one of the basis for the seed procurement through its Corn Program.

Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga said that, the results of the derby will be one of the basis for location specific recommendations in the different agro ecological zones.

Production technologies from land preparation to harvesting were thoroughly discussed and agreed upon for implementation.

All farm operations to be conducted by the respective companies will be properly recorded and they will also submit their production technologies for transparency.

While the DA research centers will conduct a research-managed demo of all the varietal entries in order to have a basis of comparison.

The activity will also be conducted at DA-10’s upland and hillyland research centers in Barongcot, Dangcagan, Bukidnon and Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, respectively.# (EMBentulan)

DA-10 commits to plant the non-GMO corn variety of IsaacSeed in its research stations to help them showcase its performance.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, October 22 – The agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) commits to conduct on-station trials for non-Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) corn produced by IsaacSeed Philippines, Inc.

This after the company sought help from DA-10 to showcase its adaptability in different agro-climatic conditions, especially in Bukidnon, a major corn-producing province.

Said effort is geared towards the common goal of increasing the harvest and income of farmers.

IsaacSeed team led by Wyden King bared, that they will provide the said variety of corn seeds to interested farmers covering 400 hectares.

Reportedly, such variety has a potential yield of 12 metric tons per hectare with drought-resistant and water lodging tolerant features.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga stressed, that the three research centers committed to establish a techno demo of this variety by the first week of November, this year.

She added this will be an opportune time for the three-year ran company, aimed at having their non-GMO corn variety be registered with the National Seed Industry Council, and importantly, pave more options for farmers who prefer to produce non-GMO corn.

Bukidnon Assistant Provincial Agriculturist, Jacqueline Lagamon pointed out, that the supply of non-GMO corn seeds is congruent to the province’s planting program, where they distribute fertilizers to farmers targeted for distribution early next year.

In the meantime with IsaacSeed’s readiness to provide the seed variety, Lagamon assured, that they will coordinate with farmers who are willing to plant non-GMO corn this cropping season.

The company is set to share its planting protocols to be employed by DA-10’s research centers, and another round of meetings is set to implement the activity in full swing. # (JLO)

The establishment of a sorghum model farm regionwide is one among the initiatives of DA-10 in partnership with LGUs and farmer-cooperators, to promote its production and marketing  as alternative raw materials for feeds.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Showcasing the potential of sorghum as an alternative crop for income, a Field Day on Sorghum Technology Demonstration Farm was held at barangay Imelda, Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

On October 19, farmers, agricultural extensionists from the different local governments (LGUs) of Misamis Oriental, municipal residents and officials, explore the cultural management practices and production technologies of the crop, including its utilization and current demand in the market, for replication in their respective farms and localities.

“Through the techno demo, we can determine the adoption of sorghum in your location given the appropriate package of technology,” Jurrybe J. Lachica, DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) sorghum focal person remarked.

While the department has started reintroducing sorghum since 2018, he added, that the crop is given a boost earlier this year through Secretary Dar’s memorandum order 15, as part of the commodities under DA’s Corn program.

Further noting, that for the year 2022, the agency through its Livestock program has set aside P2 million for seeds alone, as sorghum is mainly seen as a substitute raw ingredient for animal feeds, on top of the P100,000 allotted by the Corn Program.

Following implementing guidelines, ten hectares is required for the establishment of a sorghum model farm.

On one hand, DA-10 grants project implementers such as seeds, fertilizers, and technical expertise, with assistance from partner LGUs.

On the other hand, cooperators counterpart for labor and area.

Urging others to engage in the cultivation of sorghum, Dannie Baldado, an area coordinator from San Miguel Foods, Inc. bared, that their company is in need of sorghum.

“Besides imports, SMFI is willing to buy the produce of our local farmers, as a way of also extending help to them being among the company’s patrons for our food products,” he said.

Offering his one-hectare rented land as the town’s pilot site, Danilo Buntag of the Villanueva Corn and Cassava Association, Inc. served as the farmer-cooperator for the sorghum model project.

“I am thankful that I’ve volunteered to grow sorghum in my area after being introduced to such crop through DA’s training. As I have witnessed first-hand its potential as a resilient crop, which requires lesser maintenance and with an assured market, I encourage others to also engage in sorghum production in their respective areas, to help expand the development of the crop,” he accounted.

Out from the activity, projected yield is reportedly eyed at 5 tons, and at a farmgate price pegged at P10.50 per kilo for sorghum grains, farmers can generate a net income of P21,215 with total expenses amounting to P31,285.00.

This coming November, another field day is slated within MisOr province, with the learning site at barangay Hinaplanan, Claveria. # (JLO)