MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) conducted an operational demonstration for the three units of mechanical corn sheller amounting to P1 million at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan.

On October 25, a total of six operators from select farmer-association recipients were capacitated on the proper operating procedures, maintenance, and management for the sustainable use of said facilities for their respective groups.

Funded by the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program, the units will be distributed to three FAs, comprising about 105 farmers. #(RDElloren/Photo supplied: SAAD-10)

Agri dept in NorMin hosts the 1^st Nat’l. Livestock and Poultry month to laud those people who continue to contribute to the promotion and development of the livestock and poultry industry.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) capped its first-ever National Livestock and Poultry (NLP) month celebration on October 28, 2021 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan.

With the theme, “Paghahayupan, Kabuhayang may Ani at Kita kahit pandemiya,” the observance aims to laud the people continually contributing to the promotion and development of the livestock and poultry industry.

Leading the event are Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and RTD for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla, and Management Committee members of DA-10.

“This culmination signifies the importance of the livestock and poultry industry, considering that Region 10 is one of the top producing regions of livestock and poultry. By giving such importance, we can also extend the celebration to our private stakeholders,” DA-10 Livestock focal person Maria Lourdes M. Sypiecco conveyed.

The closing activity was filled with a string of contests such as tug of war, sack lifting, live weight estimates, chicken, itik, and pig catching.

Ahead of the culmination, a Virtual Barn Dance Competition, Country Song Competition, Longganisa Making Contest, demonstrations on Meat Processing and Artificial Insemination for Goat and Dehorning, and other NLP activities were also conducted.

These were participated by DA-10’s Field Operations, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Administrative and Finance, Regional Agricultural Engineering, Integrated Laboratory, Agribusiness, and Marketing Assistance, Regulatory and Research divisions, and the Office of the Regional Director.

Sypiecco added, that their participation is a manifestation of their commitment and passion towards contributing to the program and to the industry, as a whole.

Meanwhile, DA-10 RED Collado commended the program for its exemplary implementation of the agency’s livestock and poultry-related programs, projects, and interventions.

With the NLP month celebration, the department eyes to empower more livestock and poultry farmers, at the same time helping Northern Mindanao attain food security and sufficiency. #(RDElloren)

DA-10 distributes farm inputs to the rice farmers of Valencia City, Buk’non.

VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON, October 29 – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) distributed rice seeds and fertilizer amounting to P90.45 million to rice farmers of Valencia City, Bukidnon, in time for the dry planting season.

Of the total amount, P67.64 million worth of said agri inputs comprises 700 bags of inbred seeds at 40 kilos per bag, and 13,305 bags of hybrid rice seeds, with each bag containing 15 (for private hybrid) or 18 kilos ( for public hybrid) of seeds.

Complementing the handover of rice seeds, 22,805 bags of inorganic fertilizers costing P22.805 million were also distributed.

For every hectare, a farmer can receive 1 bag of high quality seed  and 3 bags of  fertilizer for hybrid and 2 bags for inbred.

Around 4K rice farmers will benefit from the said agri inputs from the 26 barangays of the said town.

Chona H. Nacalaban, DA-RFO 10 Rice program focal person said, that the agency continues to pursue initiatives anchored on its battlecry, “Masaganang Ani, Mataas na Kita”, which envisions smallholder Filipino farmers to become more prosperous by doubling their incomes.

Valencia City known as the ‘City of Golden Harvest’ has an estimated 10,000 hectares planted to rice, which is a quarter of the 40,000-hectare rice production area of Bukidnon, and with an average yield of more or less 5 tons per hectare.

“The provincial government supports to further improve rice productivity and its adequacy levels. Of which, can be boosted by the combined outcomes of government interventions and continued strong partnerships with farmer-groups, rice industry stakeholders, and local government units (LGUs),” Bukidnon Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon remarked.

Rebecca Caro, president of Kahaponan Valencia City Irrigators Association, Inc, one of the benefitting 35 farmer-associations citywide shared, “Malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa mga binigay ng DA sa amin, malaking tulong ito lalo na ngayon na may pandemiya at tumataas ang mga bilihin lalo na ang abono. Ang mataas naming produksiyon ay dahil sa mga makinarya, training, tamang binhi at irigasyon na binigay ng iba’t ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno ilalaim sa DA bilang suporta dito sa Bukidnon.”

Representing Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado were DA-10 rice focal person Nacalaban with Provincial Operations Center Chief for Bukidnon Dr. Janet D. Lopez in coordination with local government of Valencia City through its City Agriculture Office.# (JCAnito)

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)