Agri dept of NorMin pays P2.5-M to ASF affected hog raisers in CdeO City on November 23.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A total of 81 hog raisers from the three rural barangays of Cagayan de Oro City received its African Swine Fever (ASF) indemnity fund from the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao on Tuesday, November 23.

Hog raisers received P5K for every culled hog affected with the said virus.

Homer Cezar Tumampos, of barangay Tagpangi who received P100K for his 20 culled hogs shared, “Naintindihan ko ang layunin ng gobyerno ukol dito sa ASF, kaya sinurender ko ang aking mga baboy para mapigilan ang pagkalat ng sakit sa ibang lugar.”

Tumapos is planning to use the money for an alternative livelihood to recover from his losses.

The rural barangays of Lumbia, Pagalungan, and Tagpangi with 502 culled hogs is the last batch of DA’s ASF indemnity payment for the city.

DA-10 ASF focal person Dr. Julesben Caesar Maquiling explained that starting July 1, 2021, ASF indemnification requests for depopulated hogs will not be accommodated under the Quick Response Fund but under the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation’s swine mortality insurance.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado encourages all hog raisers of Region 10 to apply for the insurance of their hogs to the PCIC.

To sum up, DA has paid the total amount of P23 million to 1,161 affected hog raisers for their 4,610 culled hogs in CdeO.# (RDMElloren)

DA-NorMin continues to promote urban gardening through the distribution of veggie seeds to BUKTRAMCO and BNHS.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To ensure food accessibility and sufficiency, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) continues its promotion of urban gardening through its distribution of vegetable seeds to various stakeholders.

On November 16, Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla turned over packets of sinigang, squash, cabbage, and garden salad vegetable seeds to the Bukidnon Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (50 packets) and Bulua National High School (40 packets).

BUKTRAMCO Branch Chairperson Melvin L. Erederos said, that the intervention may provide additional income to the members of their cooperative.

On the other hand, BNHS Gulayan sa Paaralan Coordinator Grace M. Maghuyop shared, “Our goal is to cultivate the importance of gardening and push for a healthier lifestyle.”

Recently, DA-10 represented by Senior Agriculturist Wilson V. Lagdamin also turned over 200 packets of 5-in-1 Pinakbet vegetable seeds to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office – Field Service Extension Office X.

“We have a proposed two-hectare lot in Opol, Misamis Oriental for which our veterans can plant these seeds to serve as their farm-based vegetable pantry. The remaining seeds will then be divided so that they can grow vegetables in their own backyards,” PVAO FSEO Head Luisa P. Revecho said. # (AMBManto)

DA-NorMin turns over feed mixer units, one of the components under the SMP, to its beneficiaries. (Photo credit: Livestock Program)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, November 20, 2021 – The agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through its Livestock Program has turned over feed mixer units to the Swine Multiplier Project (SMP)-beneficiaries on November 19, 2021 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Funded under the current funds of the agency under its Production Support Services, said units are for the SMP implementers, including the three stations (Research Center for Upland Development in Dangcagan, Bukidnon; Research Center for Hillyland Development in Claveria, Misamis Oriental; and NMACLRC) of DA-10, and academic institutions through Central Mindanao University in Maramag, Bukidnon; and Northwestern Mindanao State College of Science and Technology in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental.

Each unit costs P340K, which is one of the components of the SMP, along with the provision of stocks, drugs and biologics, feeds and a pig pen, with the latter still for delivery.

Overall, the SMP will act as breeding farms where the offspring will be the source of quality breeding stocks to qualified livestock raisers.

On the same day, an operational demonstration was also conducted before the representatives of the project-recipients to ensure the proper operations, maintenance, and management of said units. # (JLO)

DA-PhilMech turns over P114-M worth of various rice machinery to Buk’non FCAs to drum up rice prod’n through mechanization.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) turned over P114 million worth of various rice machinery to FCAs in Bukidnon.

Around 36 qualified farmers, cooperative and associations (FCAs) received on Thursday, November 18 various rice machinery in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Mechanization Program (RCEF), 5,616 farmer-members are expected to benefit from the 100 units of rice machinery under the CY 2021 funds.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado with DA-PhilMech Head Facility Management and Field Operations Division Joel V. Dator and Bukidnon 3rd district representative Manuel F. Zubiri led the turnover and awarding of certificates to FCAs.

Said FCAs coming from the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia and the municipalities of Impasug-ong, San Fernando, Cabanglasan, Maramag, Kitaotao, Manolo Fortich, Quezon, Pangantucan and Kalilangan availed the machinery which includes four-wheel drive tractor, hand tractor, floating tiller, PTO driven disc plow/harrow, walk-behind and riding type transplanter, rice reaper, combine harvester, thresher, recirculating dryer, impeller rice mill, single pass rice mill and de stoner.

The province of Bukidnon considered the food basket of Mindanao, contributes around 50-60 percent of rice sufficiency in Northern Mindanao with 90k hectares of the rice harvest area.

Rice mechanization is one of the components of Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law, which stipulates the creation of the RCEF that would be funded from rice tariffs collections, with P10 billion allocation annually from 2019 to 2024 or a period of six years.

It aims to improve rice production in the country through mechanization that would reduce production and postharvest losses up to 20 percent and eventually increase production.

Director Collado said farm machinery will boost farming activities and ensure high productivity and reduce postharvest losses of farmers.

“The need to increase the level of farm mechanization, to produce more food efficiency and quality will be beneficial both for farmers and consumers,” he concluded.# (ATCabig)

On November 15, the planting of various hybrid corn seeds at DA-10’s RCUD in Dangcagan, Bukidnon starts, with the goal of showcasing the performance of the different seed companies’ entries for the corn derby.

DANGCAGAN, BUKIDNON, November 15 – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao in partnership with the private seed companies commenced the planting of various hybrid corn seeds at the agency’s Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in barangay Barongcot.

The activity aims to showcase the potentials of different hybrid corn varieties, following the technologies brought by the seed companies namely, Bioseed Research Philippines, Inc., Asian Hybrid Seed Technologies, Inc., Corteva Agriscience Inc., Evo Gene, Green and Grow Technologies, Bayer Crop Science, Inc., and Syngenta Philippines, Inc.

Earlier in October, the department has conducted a corn derby at DA-10’s research complex and center in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, respectively.

The performance of said hybrid varieties will be bared by mid-February or March next year to local farmers in determining which ones are best suited in their respective areas for adoption. # (EMBentulan)

RAFC-10 participates in the 16 Mindanao AFC Congress to further agri-fishery development.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council – Northern Mindanao (RAFC-10) participated in the 16th Mindanao Agri-Fisheries Council (AFC) Congress in collaboration with the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF).

In its quest to further develop the agri-fishery sector across the Mindanao island regions, 60 AFC members in NorMin virtually and physically attended the congress on November 10, 2021.

Bearing with the theme, “Strengthened AFC partnerships: A pathway in pursuing sustainable, progressive, and resilient Mindanao A & F development” tackles different topics and pressing issues affecting the sector.

The RAFC aids the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the delivery of its programs and services amid the ongoing pandemic.

One of the highlights was the Mandanas-Garcia ruling, which results in the rollout of more agri-fishery programs at the local government unit level.

The implementation of the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) program of the department targets to attain economies of scale; thereby, enabling more farmers, fishers, and agripreneurs to produce and earn more.

Credit windows through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) were revisited to ensure the availment of financial assistance by members of farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) of said clusters.

Of the 17 crafted resolutions Mindanao-wide, seven of which were crafted by NorMin to boost the approaches of DA in realizing its programs, projects, and services.

RAFC-10 Chair Reynaldo M. Cabanao stressed, that the insights and recommendations of the Council will form part of an updated, inclusive, and collaborative food security plan that will map out the visualized transformation of a competitive and developed agri-fishery sector. # (JCAnito)

Thirty DA-10 personnel train on gender sensitivity, which focused on gender bias, fairness and justice, where it is seen to help them of one’s treatment of others.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 through its Human Resource Management Section conducted training on gender sensitivity to its 30 staff on November 8-9, 2021.

In partnership with the Regional Gender and Development Committee, the capabuild aims to enhance the knowledge and appreciation of employees on gender bias, fairness, and justice, where it overall shapes one’s treatment of others.

Particularly, it focused on gender and development (GAD), tackling gender concerns affecting public offices and clients, including the participants and their respective families.

It emphasized further on the equality of women and men officials and officers in nation-building.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga remarked that the training is a continual effort to show how gender shapes the roles of women and men in society, including their role in development.

She further stressed how gender and sensitivity affects relations and its impact on the delivery of services of the agency in the long run.# (JCAnito)

Another sorghum model farm in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon is featured to promote the crop as an alternative ingredient for feeds in support of the livestock and poultry industries. (Photo credit: JLO)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, November 11 – Over a month after its pilot site was showcased, another sorghum model farm in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon held its Field Day in November 10, 2021, in barangay Paradise.

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office (DA-10) has provided the farm inputs and technical assistance together with the Cabanglasan Municipal Agriculture’s Office to the farmer-cooperators Leah L. Salvaleon and Edward C. Nillo.

The staged technology demonstration aims to promote sorghum mainly as an alternative ingredient for feeds in support of the livestock and poultry industries.

To complement the model farm initiatives, DA-10 Sorghum focal person Jurrybe J. Lachica bared, that on top of the provision of agri inputs, the department will also hold a series of postharvest processing training to maximize the utilization of sorghum such as silage and medium for mushroom production.

“Aside from the San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI), the department will continue to seek more marketing windows for sorghum to motivate more farmers in growing sorghum, which is more economical and nutritious animal feeds,” Lachica remarked.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado has been encouraging farmers to intensify their production provided with the proper adoption and management of the technology for farmers to have higher yields and gain higher income. # (EMBentulan)

DA-NMACLRC houses the planting of the current product lines of IsaacSeed to provide farmers with more options and agri innovations, especially for those who prefer to engage in non-GMO corn production.

Being one of the research centers of the Department of Agriculture – 10 (DA-10), it facilitates in showcasing the adaptability of the current product lines of IsaacSeed, namely: PAGASA and PAGPAPALA through national cooperative testing.

Carmelito R. Lapoot, NMACLRC chief said, the results will serve as a basis for recommendation to the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC), as the company targets to have their product lines registration.

He further noted, that said activity will provide options and innovations in agriculture for corn farmers who prefer to engage in non-GMO corn production.

Apart from NMACLRC, two hectares apiece will also be allocated in DA-10’s other research centers: Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in Dangcagan, Bukidnon; and Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

Similarly, interested farmers from Bukidnon province who eye to conduct on-trials in their respective farms will have an opportunity to plant both the PAGASA and PAGPAPALA, as IsaacSeed is willing to provide them with the seeds good for 400 hectares. # (JLO)

Select representatives from smallholder farmer-groups from MisOr underwent a three-day training on PGS for them to guided on how to go about in the development of their PGS internal standard and operations.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, November 12 – Capacitating farmers in the operations of their respective PGS group, the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through the Regulatory Division and Organic Agriculture program staged a three-day Training on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) on November 9-11, 2021.

Nearly 20 organic farmers from select smallholder groups from the province of Misamis Oriental convened to gain technical assistance in the development of PGS internal standard and operations.

Republic Act (RA) 11511 amends the provisions of RA 10068 or otherwise known as the Organic Agriculture (OA) Act of 2010.

Under said Act, products certified and guaranteed through PGS shall be allowed to be labelled and sold as organic.

As defined, PGS refers to a locally focused quality assurance system which is developed and practiced by those actually engaged in OA and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange.

“As an alternative to third-party certification, the system is used to certify producers and farmers as actual and active organic agriculture practitioners. With the recognition of PGS, this will significantly reduce the cost of organic certification paving way for more organic certified produce in the market,” DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla remarked.

Said training tackled on module 1 – OA Act, its implementing rules and regulations, and amendments by RA 11511 on PGS; and module 2 – OA standards and the national list of permitted substances for OA, which will aid participants on the valid interpretation of the Philippine National Standards on OA and its equivalent requirements.

“We encourage you to continue your efforts in working hand-in-hand with the agency, as this will mean more interventions for OA,” RTD Bajarla added.

Further, this batch of attendees will undergo further capabuild with discussions on module 3 – operation of PGS groups as organic certifying bodies (OCBs); module 4 – certification and accreditation of core PGS groups as OCBs; and module 5 – auditing management systems of OCBs.# (JLO)