DA-10 launches the cluster hybrid rice techno demo in Maramag town to help address rice sufficiency through the use of hybrid technology.

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON – To address rice sufficiency through hybrid rice production, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO10) launched the Maramag cluster Hybrid Rice Technology Demonstration on Friday, November 12, 2021.

In partnership with the local government units, seed companies and farmer associations, a total of 17 seed varieties will be showcased in the 13.85-hectare techno demo area in barangay South Poblacion.

DA-10 Rice Focal Person Chona H. Nacalaban noted, the activity aims to showcase different hybrid rice varieties, and to find out the most suitable hybrid rice variety in their locality as well as determine the cost-benefit ratio of different hybrid rice varieties.

Nacalaban added that generated results from the techno demo will be one of the bases for the agency’s rice seeds procurement.

She further emphasized that the activity is in line with the National Rice Awareness Month this November with the theme, “Be RICEponsibly healthy.”

Bukidnon is one of the top 15 provinces hybrid rice seed users in the country.

Meanwhile, Dr. Janet D. Lopez, DA-10 provincial operations center chief of Bukidnon shared, that said project is in line with the Bayanihan Agri Clusters (BAC) key strategy of the ‘OneDA reform agenda’.

“DA Secretary William D. Dar has been pushing for the strengthened farm clustering and consolidation to maximize production,” she added.

In response, Patag Coroña Irrigators Association Chair Abraham C. Sendiong, Jr. shared, “Ang hybrid rice derby ay isang tamang stratehiya ng DA para malaman kung anong tamang variety ng palay ang naayon sa aming lugar.”

Said activity marks the first leg of the cluster and provincial-led hybrid rice techno demo to be conducted in Bukidnon which includes other areas like the cities of Valencia and Malaybalay, and the municipality of Kalilangan. # (AMBManto)

DA-10 through AMAD conducts a meeting for the agribiz coordinators regionwide to consult with the group on how to drum up the agribiz programs and services offered by the region.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) convened for a four-day Agribusiness Coordinators meeting on November 8-11, this city.

Agribusiness coordinators from the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Misamis Oriental met to discuss and review DA-10’s agribusiness programs and services implemented in the region.

The activity primarily aims to convey to the LGUs the agribusiness programs and services offered by the DA and the DA-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC) to farmers and fishers in the province, particularly credit assistance, market development services, and agri commodities price monitoring.

The gathering is also an avenue to identify common ground in addressing issues and concerns encountered in the implementation of the DA’s agribusiness programs at the LGU level and identify the most-needed agribusiness assistance services in the region.

According to Jenny D. Alcobilla, AMAD Agribusiness, and Industry Support Section Chief, the activity is one way to establish cooperative relationships with the LGUs as DA-10 strives to better its agribusiness services.

“The agribusiness coordinators are our counterparts at the LGU level. Through this activity they will be updated on our agribusiness programs and services, and we will be informed of the LGUs’ concerns towards those programs. The LGUs’ inputs will form part of our recommendation for future agribusiness projects” Alcobilla said.

Virtual meeting with the agribusiness coordinators in Misamis Occidental and Camiguin was earlier held by the AMAD.

The output of the meeting will serve as AMAD’s reference and basis in planning and implementing streamlined and need-based agribusiness programs in the region in the coming years.# (ATalib)

The government seizes smuggled red onions in MCT to prevent the carry of possible pests or diseases that will affect local farmers’ production of crops and the health and safety of consumers.

TAGOLOAN, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Around P50 million worth of smuggled red onions were seized by the Sub-Task Group Economic Intelligence (STGEI) and the Bureau of Customs-Port of Cagayan de Oro at the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT), Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental on November 8 and 9, 2021.

This was bared by the Department of Agriculture Asst. Secretary and the co-chair of the STGEI on Food Security, Federico E. Laciste Jr. during a press conference on Tuesday, November 9 at BOC Office in Tagoloan town.

Following the verification and examination of 18 forty-footer container vans, consigned by R2H Trading with declared imported commodities as breaded shrimp, flavored nuts, curdled cream milk, crustaceans, acidified cream, smoked crawfish, and breaded improver were found as red onions from China.

Smuggled agri products have no Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) issued by the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, which may carry possible pests or diseases that will affect the local crops and health safety of the consumers.

Laciste emphasized that they are not fit for human consumption and must be properly disposed of.

BOC Sub-Port Collector John Simon acknowledged the concerted efforts of the SGEI composite team in Northern Mindanao comprising the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), DA-BPI Plant Quarantine Service (DA-BPI PQS), and DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) which yield a positive turnout on its relentless efforts to curb smuggling of agri products.

The OneDA team headed by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado with Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, DA-BPI-PQS 10 Regional Manager Manuel A. Barradas witnessed the said activity together with the other concerned agencies.#(ATCabig)

DA-10 provides agri inputs to Maramag rice farmers.

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) distributed P83.6 million worth of farm inputs for the wet and dry planting seasons to 4K rice farmers in Maramag, Bukidnon on Friday, November 5.

Said agri inputs comprised 10,100 bags of hybrid and 900 bags of inbred rice seeds for the 2021 wet and 2021-2022 dry planting seasons.

Together with the seeds, 32.1K bags of fertilizers amounting to P32.1 million were also given.

Maramag has an estimated 7,000 hectares planted to rice, 2,000 for rainfed and 5,000 for irrigated with an average yield of 6 tons per hectare.

DA-NorMin provided farm inputs to Maramag town, following Valencia City in terms of leading in rice production province-wide.

Also leading the turnover is DA-10 Rice focal person Chona H. Nacalaban, representing agency head, Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado. # (JCAnito)

DA-10, PLGU MisOr and USTP inks an agreement for the implementation of the BP2 program in said province.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Returnees or balikbayan to Misamis Oriental can start anew with available agricultural livelihood projects under the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program.

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), together with the Provincial Local Government Unit of Misamis Oriental (PLGU MisOr) and the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) Claveria Campus signed a Memorandum of Agreement on November 5, for the said program.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado hoped for the success of the program with Misamis Oriental as the pilot area in the region, in partnership with USTP.

“I hope that the implementation of BP2 will be a success so that our balikbayans will be encouraged to return to the province with livelihood projects available for them,” said RED Collado.

The BP2 Program is a socio-economic program developed by the Duterte administration that seeks to address Metro Manila’s congested areas by encouraging people especially informal settlers to return to their home provinces.

Food security and agricultural productivity is one of the four key result areas of BP2 program.

For Misamis Oriental, interventions under the BP2 Program include the establishment of cattle multiplier farm, goat multiplier farm, poultry farm, and vegetable farm and mushroom production amounting to P9.163 million.

Receiving the program, Chancellor of USTP Claveria Campus, Dr. Renato O. Arazo shared, “We are thankful with this opportunity to serve the community, particularly those who are affected by the ongoing pandemic. Rest assured that the university will support and will take care of the BP2 Program.”

Also receiving the program, Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano assured his support in the implementation of the said program.

Witnessing the MOA signing are DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, PLGU MisOr Veterinarian Benjamin S. Resma, USTP Claveria Campus Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Alexander L. Ido. # (CRSeraspe)

DA and BOC drum up its efforts vs smuggling of agri commodities.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Customs heightened their joint efforts in curtailing entry of smuggled agri commodities in Northern Mindanao.

The DA with DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, Plant Quarantine Services (DA-BPI PQS) in NorMin, and the Bureau of Customs-Port of Cagayan de Oro conducted an inventory and inspection of smuggled red onions on Thursday, November 4.

An estimated P5 million worth of smuggled onions were seized after the warehouse was raided on October 22 headed by the BOC-CDO team.

Atty. Roswald Joseph Pague BOC-CDO Deputy Collector for Administration and Senior OSM, said that its disposal will be set after completing the inventory of the warehouse along Corrales Extension in Cagayan de Oro City.

The Department of Agriculture has not issued a Sanitary Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) for the said agri commodity; thus they are considered as smuggled.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, who at the same time the chair of DA Regional Management Committee discussed with DA-BPI PQS 10 Regional Manager Manuel A. Barradas and Atty. Pague in setting plans and strategies for its proper disposal in ensuring consumers’ safety.

RA 10845 otherwise known as the ‘Anti- Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016’ states that seized smuggled agricultural products, shall be disposed of in a manner to be determined by the appropriate regulatory agency. #(ATC)

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office (DA-RFO 10) turned over rice seeds and fertilizers worth P48 million to rice farmers in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Wednesday, November 3.

Rice farmers from the 27 barangays of the said city received the agri inputs comprising of inbred and hybrid seeds for the dry planting season.

Also distributed were 16,575 bags of inorganic fertilizer amounting to P16.57 million.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that the agency aims to lower the production cost and improve the rice productivity and adequacy of farmers.

He added that the combined outcome of government interventions and continued strong partnerships with farmer cooperatives, associations, rice industry stakeholders, and local government units will boost rice efficiency.

“Ang mga binhi at abono ay malaki ang tulong at epekto nito sa pag-unlad ng aming sakahan,” said Wilfredo L. Ayre, president of Paiwaig Lalawan Communal Irrigators Association, Inc. of barangay Linabo.

Malaybalay City has an estimated 4,999 hectares of rice fields with an average yield of around 5.7 metric tons per hectare.

Leading the turnover was DA-10 RED Carlene C. Collado together with DA-RFO 10 Rice program focal person Chona H. Nacalaban, and Malaybalay City Agriculturist Remedios R. Sarzuelo, and local officials. #(RDElloren)

MSU-LNAC receives assorted veggie seeds from Agri NorMin to help promote food security and sufficiency among students.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY– The Mindanao State University – Lanao del Norte Agricultural College (MSU-LNAC) in Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte received 70 packets of assorted vegetable seeds from the Department of Agriculture Region 10 on Thursday, November 4.

Comprising the assorted vegetable seeds are 20 packets each of garden salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber), Chopsuey (pechay, radish, carrots, cauliflower), Sinigang (kangkong, pole sitao, radish, okra, tomato); and 10 packets of Pinakbet (eggplant, okra, ampalaya, pole sitao, squash) seed variants which will be used for the school’s “Bahay Kubo” project.

MSU-LNAC Head Dr. Indihra B. Dimaporo-Tawantawan, said that each school department will be provided with the seeds to vie for the school’s best garden competition.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized that DA’s Plant Plant Plant Program, thru its High-Value Crops Development Program, continuously support the different sectors’ urban gardening programs to scale up the region’s food sufficiency level amid the pandemic.

Earlier this year, they received a goat multiplier farm worth P5 million through DA-10’s Livestock Program.

“DA-10’s agri-interventions has been instrumental in improving research and instruction, and extension services that primarily aim to provide farming knowledge and skills to the Muslims and other cultural minorities in order to cope with the national standard,” shared Dr. Tawantawan.# (EMBentulan)

DA-10 partners with farmer-cooperators by capacitating them on the risk factors for pest outbreaks to address them accordingly.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The agriculture department of Northern Mindanao (DA-10) through its Regulatory Division conducted an orientation on Pest Risk Identification and Management (PRIME) to the farmer-cooperators of Maramag, Bukidnon.

PRIME focuses on allowing rice farmers to understand risk factors for pest outbreaks and determine appropriate management strategies and tactics to minimize crop losses.

It is a four-year collaborative project among DA, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI).

With the promotion in the adoption of best crop health management practices, farmers are eyed to reap higher yields and income. #(RDElloren/Photo supplied: CLQuiamco)

DA-BPI and BOC intensifies its collective efforts against the smuggling of agri-commodities in Region 10.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In a joint effort to deepen the anti-smuggling of agricultural products, the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry- Plant Quarantine Service (DA-BPI PQS) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Northern Mindanao conducted verification and examination of the three containers at the Mindanao International Container Terminal, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental on Friday, October 29.

The verification is an outcome of the strengthened partnership of the said agencies on the declared imported commodity as frozen malt from China that arrived on October 20, 2021, but was found as fresh red onions and wonton skin.

The BOC team was spearheaded by BOC Intelligence Officer Abdel Sultan, Jover Umpar Customs Officer III, Customs Police, and a representative from Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc., and DA-BPI PQS 10 Regional Manager Manuel A. Barradas with Plant Quarantine Officers Arnold Dela Cruz, Jr. and John M. Ermina.

It can be recalled that DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado earlier met BOC District Collector 10 Atty. Elvira Cruz with BOC Deputy Collector for Administration and Senior OSM, Atty. Roswald Joseph Pague, DA-BPI and DA-BAI in the presence of solidifying partnership in curtailing smuggled agri commodities in Region 10.

“In view of the report on the undocumented consignment that was transported into the country through sea and air, the DA-BPI pushes its fight against agricultural commodity smuggling in coordination with the Bureau of Customs to curb these illegal activities,” said Barradas.

The BOC examiner will submit his recommendations to BOC legal officer for issuance of a warrant of seizure and detention of the said commodity. The schedule of proper disposal will be set later. # (ATC/Photos supplied: AdelaCruz/JERmina)