CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In line with the National Women’s Month celebration this March, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducted a Training on Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG), Project Implementation and Management and Monitoring and Evaluation (PIMME) on March 16-17, 2022, this city.

“Said training is held to understand the concepts of GAD, gender issues and gender analyses to properly develop programs and projects with the concept of gender mainstreaming,” shared DA-10 Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga, in her message.

Resource speaker, Gender and Development Specialist/Inclusive Education Specialist of the Asian Development Bank, Ernesto B. Villegas discussed on how gender equality gaps should be properly addressed during programs and projects preparation, monitoring and implementation.

Participating in the two-day activity are report officers from the different banner programs and operating units of the agency. # (AMBManto)

The province-led hybrid rice techno demo in Brgy. Violeta, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon showcases appropriate technologies, management practices, among others to increase farmers’ productivity and efficiency.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture -Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Rice Program capped the Province-Led Hybrid Rice Technology Demonstration in barangay Violeta, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Thursday, March 17.

In line with the DA’s battlecry, “Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita”, the hybrid rice techno demo was organized by the agency as a way to top up local rice farmers’ yield and income by upholding the cultivation of hybrid rice variety in their area.

The techno demo ran throughout the course of the 2021-2022 dry cropping season, with the participation of 14 local farmer-cooperators who are members of the Lalawan Sawaga Simaya Communal Irrigators Association, Inc. (LASSIA).

A total of 37.69 hectares of fully irrigated, clustered rice areas in barangay Violeta were piloted as hybrid rice demo farms which served as learning sites for the rice farmers to be adept in advancing hybrid rice production technologies and management practices.

Hybrid rice varieties are known to be superior than “farmers’ saved seeds” in terms of total yield, resistance to diseases and insects, and vigor against weeds.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado said that the first province-led hybrid rice techno demo in Northern Mindanao demonstrates the yield potential of the different hybrid rice varieties that will motivate the farmers to adopt the appropriate technology in their locality that eventually will increase their productivity and efficiency.

Director Collado added that the techno demo exhibits the use of irrigation technology, machinery, pest and diseases, and nutrient management.

Dr. Frisco Malabanan, DA’s adviser for Hybrid Rice Program said the Provincial Hybrid Rice Technology Demonstration is being conducted in the whole country, particularly in provinces identified as hybrid rice producers.

“Through this technology, we will cluster the rice farmers into farmers association or cooperative. The clusters will be given full assistance from the DA in partnership with the LGUs. We will capacitate the farmers to process their own products instead of just selling raw materials,” Dr. Malabanan said, bearing the DA’s approach in capacitating the country’s rice farmers.

Some 12 seed companies partnered with DA-RFO 10 in staging the dry season Hybrid Rice Technology Demonstration: Bayer Crop Science, Inc., Ramgo International, Davao Oriental Seed Producers Cooperative, SL AGRITECH, Corp., Long Ping Tropical Rice Development Inc., Corteva Agriscience, Seed works Philippines, Inc., Leads Agricultural Products, Corp., Green and Grow Teknologies, Syngenta, Aktiv Multi Trading Co Phils. Inc., Bioseed Research Philippines, Inc.

Each seed company showcased a maximum of 3 hybrid rice varieties as entry to the techno demo.

Featured varieties are: Bigante Plus, Kimbee 58, Mestiso 20, Mestiso 82, SL – 19H, LP 534, LP 2096, LP 205, PHB 77, SL – 20H, Jackpot 102, BIORICE 453, NK 5017, HYVAR S26, TH 82, US 88 and Habilis Plus planted in December of last year utilizing the manual and mechanical transplanting approaches.

To cap the techno demo, a forum was held where each participating seed company champions the best qualities of their entry hybrid rice seeds and shares their applied technologies to the rice farmers.

The yield result per hectare will be revealed after harvesting by end of March this year, which will serve as the bases for identifying the best- performing variety, and ultimately, be declared as the best-suited hybrid rice variety in the subject locality.

The activity was in partnership with the Provincial Local Government of Bukidnon through its Provincial Agriculture Office and the City of Malaybalay and barangay Violeta.# (MGBS, ATalib)

RAFC-10 meet NorMin’s agri-fishery sectoral reps for a planning workshop and consultation to craft appropriate agri-fishery policies and plans, recommend relevant programs and projects, to address issues and concerns besetting the agri-fishery sector.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To recalibrate Northern Mindanao’s Agricultural Policy Agenda, the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council-Region 10 (RAFC-10) convened the region’s agri-fishery sectoral representatives for a two-day Planning Workshop and Consultation on March 10-11, 2022 in this city.

The consultation primarily aims for the formulation of appropriate agri-fishery policies and plans, and recommends relevant programs and projects to address emerging agri-fishery issues and concerns in the region.

In the gathering, industry representatives of various agri-fishery commodities – coffee, cacao, fisheries and aquaculture, rice, corn, poultry, livestock, coconut, fruits and vegetables, and rubber, assessed the industries’ current situation to forge ways forward in scaling up the agri-fishery production, post-production, and marketing.

Proposed programs and projects were conceptualized by revisiting the region’s preceding policy agenda, taking into account the impact of climate change and opportunities for international trade and export and agri-fishery mechanization (AFMEC), in consonance with the country’s agri-fishery development frameworks.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga urged the sectoral representatives to take off from the current industry practices and initiatives to implement breakthrough approaches to augment the region’s agri-fishery output.

“This workshop is a way for us to come up with a policy framework applicable for our region. This is an avenue for the government and industry players to come to terms in identifying what to be done and how it must be done to improve our agri-fishery production” she said.

In his part, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, enjoined the region’s agri-fishery sectoral representatives to consolidate the output of the consultation, and come up with a unified agri-fishery development proposal for endorsement and for funding of the agency.

“The role of the Agricultural Fishery Council (AFC) is indispensable to our efforts in promoting inclusive and progressive agricultural development in the region. Our continued partnership goes a long way in helping our farmers to attain quality livelihood,” he emphasized.

The planning-consultation calls for the creation of a regionwide commodity-focused organization that will serve as a lead group to access potential assistance, and forge multi-sectoral partnership in capacitating small farmers and fishers towards being competitive players across the whole agri-fishery value chain.

Farm and fishery clustering and mechanization, post-harvest processing modernization, marketing assistance, access to financial support, product development research, agri-fishery infrastructure, and public-private partnership are among the identified focus areas for policy recommendation of the RAFC.

The recalibrated Northern Mindanao agri-fishery policy agenda will be endorsed to the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) as a reference in crafting policy guidelines for the regional agri-fishery development framework.

The RAFC-10 Planning Workshop and Consultation was facilitated by RAFC-10 Chair, Reynaldo Cabanao and Cora Dumayaca, RAFC-10 Regional Executive Officer.#(ATalib)

In support to the region’s swine recovery and repopulation program, DA thru USec Medrano and RED Collado in partnership with CMU headed by Dr. Derije, lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the establishment of a Swine Multiplier Farm in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To aid Northern Mindanao’s swine recovery and repopulation program, the Department of Agriculture-10 (DA-10) in partnership with Central Mindanao University (CMU) break ground for the Swine Multiplier Farm in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon on March 9, 2022.

DA Undersecretary for Livestock William C. Medrano, PhD with DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and CMU President Jesus Antonio G. Derije, DVM led the ceremony of the P1.4 million project comprising of 1 unit 10-sow level pig pen (with a ratio of 1 male to 10 female highbred cross hogs), 1 unit feed mixer and agri-supplies (feeds, drugs, and biologics).

The project is part of the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) of the National Livestock Program which is intended to speed up the recovery of the hog sector and ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability of pork and pork products.

“CMU being the recipient of the project will set aside 40 percent of the produced weanlings, and repay DA within three years to start 3 months after the completed delivery of the procured breeding stocks,” said Director Collado.

He added that its weanlings will then be used as sentinel animals or as breeding stocks for the additional Swine Multiplier projects in the region.

Sentinel pigs are the initial contingent of pigs sent to repopulate African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected areas.

DA-10 Livestock Program Focal Maria Lourdes M. Sypiecco explained, that the project can be implemented in areas where ASF is not present but adjacent to an infected zone or previously infected but the virus has not been detected for at least 90 days and has recovered from infected status.

Since December 2021, DA-10 has implemented two swine multiplier farm projects at DA-10’s Research Center for Upland Development in Dangcagan, Bukidnon, and Northwestern Mindanao State College of Science and Technology in Tangub City.#(EMBentulan)

On March 9, 2022, DA-CMU breaks ground for the establishment of the P1.1-M SPFS to help LIMUS farmers increase their cropping intensity, rice productivity, and farm income.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) and CMU President Jesus Antonio G. Derije, DVM led the groundbreaking of the solar-powered fertigation system in Central Mindanao University in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

Funded by DA’s Rice Program, the P1.1 million irrigation system is powered by solar energy where fertilizer components are included in the irrigation water.

“It is one of the modern technologies that will redefine irrigation application as production efficiency is enhanced with the precise combination of fertilization and irrigation while reducing irrigation costs,” explains Director Collado.

It is composed of 20 solar modules powered by 60.1 kilowatts that can serve the eight-hectare rice field of the Land Tiller Inhabitants of Musuan (LIMUS) that will increase the cropping intensity, rice productivity, and farm income of the farmers.

He added that the technology is part of the continuing efforts of the agency in modernizing the agriculture sector.

The LIMUS, which is part of the BTL or the BUFFALO, TAMARAW, LIMUS is a DA-accredited farmer group, wherein its accreditation provides access to become partners of the department in its agriculture-related initiatives.

DA’s intervention also supports the whole-of-nation approach of Executive Order No. 70 which formed the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).#

The Korean-funded and -innovated smart greenhouse in NMACLRC of DA-10 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, opens its doors for a showcase of strawberry production using said technology.  

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Korean-funded and -innovated smart greenhouse housed at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex, one of the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) research centers, had a showcase using said technology for strawberry production.

On March 9, 2022, the facility with grown San Andreas and Sweet Charlie varieties of strawberry, opened its doors following the completion on the construction of 11 units of smart greenhouse in November, last year, and on the installation of an automation system, early January, this year.

In her message, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga lauded the support of the Korean government for the interventions and assistance accorded to the Philippine government, which are ultimately eyed to escalate the production of high value crops (strawberry, tomato, potato, and pepper) among Filipino farmers.

The P70.2 million collaborative project, dubbed as the ‘Establishment of Smart Greenhouse and Capacity Building in the Philippines’, is primarily funded by South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs thru the Korea Agency of Education, Promotion and Information Services in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Philippines through DA-10 under the helm of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado.

With said Project, Dir. Collado noted that it will encourage more and would-be farmers to engage in the production of high-value commodities year-round, boost farm efficiencies and spur more economic activities, using the technology introduced by the Koreans.

“This project is also very much aligned with one of DA’s key strategies on technology and innovation, including digital agriculture, to level up the region and the country’s agri sector, as well,” the agency head also underscored.

Among other modern features of the said facility is the installation of irrigation and automation systems such as complex environment control, farming management, growth and development information, and management, which even allows one to monitor at their own comfort using smart phones.

For her part, DA-NorMin Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla remarked, that the Korean technology is timely and appropriate to keep abreast with the demands of time.

“Without agriculture, we cannot feed the increasing population of the country. A stronger partnership among agri stakeholders is thus imperative for us to motivate the LGUs and farmers to adopt developed technologies, that will eventually boost production and income. We hope that more, mainly farmers and LGUs, will replicate the showcased technology,” RTD Bajarla emphasized.

Among those admitted to the smart greenhouse were representatives from the local governments, the private sector, investors, and some officials and staff from national government agencies in Region 10 – DA, Department of Trade and Industry, National Economic Development Authority, and Department of Tourism, including the agri department’s counterparts from Western Visayas, and the Special Projects Coordination and Management Assistance Division.

Tentatively, a ceremonial harvest is set for next month to further continue promoting the smart greenhouse technology. #

Agri NorMin spearheads a meeting to boost its measures against the entry of avian influenza in Region 10.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To strengthen border protection against entry of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) virus in the region, the agriculture department of Region 10 (DA-10) spearheaded a meeting on March 2, 2022, in this city.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado called on a meeting in response to the reported H5N1 occurrence in Region III that affected the quail and duck farms in Mexico and Candaba, Pampanga and Baliuag, Bulacan on February 12, this year.

According to DA-10 Julesben Caesar C. Maquiling, DVM, Avian influenza is a notifiable highly contagious viral disease that affects several species of food-producing birds (chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, etc.), including pet and wild birds.

“Occasionally mammals, including humans, may contract avian influenza. That is why it is of utmost importance because the disease detected is a variant of H5N1, which can trigger illness in humans. However, in the Philippines there are no reported cases of humans showing symptoms of Avian Flu-like symptoms,” he added.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga said the proactive action of the task force is to protect the poultry industry of the region which ranks third nationwide with a production of 36.05 thousand metric tons, liveweight on July to September of 2021 based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.

“Measures are undertaken to prevent the entry of AI through effective surveillance and proper coordination with competent authorities of the DA’s attached agencies, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS),” she added.

For this, the task force intensifies the implementation of Memorandum Circular No. 05, series of 2022 or the “Guidelines on the local movement of domestic and wild birds and poultry products and by-products during the AI surveillance period,” which includes strengthening ports of entry in the region (seaports and airports) manned by the DA-BAI quarantine officers.

Blood collection and Oro-pharyngeal swabs of birds particularly on the identified wetlands in the region will be pursued as part of the surveillance and monitoring activities.

As agreed, DA-10 is set to convene the private stakeholders on the information and update on AI.

Present in the meeting were Provincial and City Veterinary Offices of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City, respectively, with OneDA member agencies- BAI and NMIS.# (RDMElloren)

Agri NorMin together with the private seed companies stage a Cluster Hybrid Rice Derby and Farmers’ Field Day to showcase different hybrid rice varieties and technologies for farmers possible adoption.

VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) in partnership with the private seed companies conducted the cluster hybrid rice derby and farmers’ field day in Pinatilan, Valencia City, Bukidnon on Friday, March 4, 2022.

Hosted in 13.5 hectares of rice in the said barangay, it showcases the different hybrid rice varieties and technologies of SL Agritech, Corp., Seed Works, RAMGO International, Corp., LongPing, Leads Agri, Green and Grow, Inc., Davao Oriental Seed Producers Cooperative, Corteva Agriscience, Bioseed, Bayer, and Amtrac.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, Bukidnon is one of the country’s top 15 provinces as hybrid rice seed users.

Director Collado further explained that the generated results of the activity will provide the local rice farmers with suitable and profitable rice varieties and technologies.

Aside from that, he reiterated that its results would be the agency’s basis for rice seed procurement, which can benefit around 5,855 rice farmers in the said city alone.

Wenie D. Doronila, a rice farmer from barangay Batangan shared that he was convinced with the performance of hybrid rice seeds, “Sa aking karanasan, mas mataas talaga ang ani ng hybrid rice. Bukod dun, mas resistant ito sa mga peste at sakit.”

Doronila started planting after the National Rice Techno Forum (NRTF) was conducted in their locality in 2020.

He also urged his fellow farmers to try using hybrid seeds to compare the difference in terms of yield and quality.

Moreover, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga also remarked, that use of appropriate hybrid seeds is one of the factors contributing to the increased productivity and profitability in rice production.

The activity was in coordination with Bukidnon Provincial Agriculture Office, Valencia City Agriculture Office, and farmer associations.# (EMB)

Farmers attend a Corn Derby and Field Day in DA’s research stations in Malaybalay City and Dangcagan, Bukidnon to witness the performance of different hybrid corn varieties produced by private seed companies.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To help farmers attain optimum yield and higher income through the production of hybrid yellow corn, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) in partnership with seven seed companies and local government units conducted a two-day corn derby and field day on different sites in Bukidnon.

Hybrid corn varieties were showcased in DA-10’s two research centers, the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City with an altitude of 800 meters above sea level, and Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in Barongcot, Dangcagan, Bukidnon (600 meters above sea level), on March 3-4, 2022, respectively.

Featured varieties include DK 8899S, DK 8719S, and DK 8131S (Bayer Crop Science); P4124YHR and P3660YHR (Corteva-Pioneer); NK306BGT (Syngenta); J505 RRYG (Asian Hybrid Seed Tech, Inc.); Biocom High Fly, H101G and BC108 (Bioseed); EVO709 and EVO9989 (Evogene); and X5 (Green and Grow Tech Company).

“Our aim is to assess the productivity and profitability of these different hybrid corn varieties and component technologies appropriate for specific locations,” bared RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado.

He added that the best performing corn seed varieties will be the department’s basis in the procurement of corn seeds which will be distributed to the farmer-beneficiaries.

Evangeline S. Mayantao, a farmer of Malaybalay City shared, “Itong derby ay malaking tulong sa aming mga magsasaka sa pagbibigay sa amin ng dagdag kaalaman at impormasyon kung anong klase ng mais ang merong taas na ani at sa mga teknolohiya na ikakaunlad ng aming sakahan.”

Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga recognized the sustained effort of the seed companies in developing high yielding corn varieties appropriate in different agro-climatic conditions.

She added that DA’s strengthened partnership with the seed companies and other stakeholders in promoting these varieties and its component technologies is vital in attaining farmer’s productivity and profitability.

Among the provinces in the region, Bukidnon has the largest corn production in the region with more than 100 hectares.

The third leg of corn derby and field day is set on March 10 at the Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) in Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

The activity was supported by the PLGU Bukidnon through its Provincial Agriculture Office, respective Municipal Agriculture Offices, DA-10’s Research Division and Provincial Operations Center for Bukidnon and farmer associations. #(RDMElloren)

The AFC in Region 10 presents its findings of their monitored projects under DA.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 2, 2022 – The Agriculture and Fishery Council (AFC) in Northern Mindanao presented its findings of the DA monitored projects in Region 10 to the management of the Department of Agriculture-10 during an exit conference on Wednesday, March 2, 2022.

Region 10 Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC) Chair, Engr. Reynaldo M. Cabanao commented its findings and recommendations of the various implemented projects covering some delivered and completed agricultural projects to the farmers since 2017.

Their findings include the utilization and operation of the small-water irrigation systems, machineries, and equipment; survival rate of the livestock and poultry animals and planting materials; and the efficiency of the farm inputs, among others.

As presented by the provincial and municipal AFCs, the farm-to-market roads (FMRs) have been beneficial to the farmers and other stakeholders, especially in transporting their produce; and lessens their post-harvest losses.

However, some projects also cited needs assessment, replacement, repair, and adjustment for further utilization according to the provincial and municipal AFCs.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga emphasized, that said undertaking is annually conducted by the AFCs.

Their inputs are crucial in ensuring full utilization of DA’s projects and services intended for the farmers and fisherfolk across the region.

“The AFCs willingly work with DA in monitoring our in each local government units to come up with efficient recommendations and longstanding solutions for the said completed projects.

With this, we can assure that DA has acted its mandate in increasing the farmer’s and fisherfolks income through the provision of useful and functional agri interventions,” RTD Madriaga remarked.

The output of the activity will be finalized this week for verification by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF).

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado reiterated that under the Guidelines on the AFC Monitoring and Tracking Activities Executive Order No. 116, PCAF is mandated in serving DA as an advisory body to ensure the success of its programs and projects; and to establish a private sector-led nationwide network of AFCs and sectoral committees.

RAFC Regional Executive Officer Cora A. Dumayaca shared that the council provides inputs in the formulation and implementation of agri-fishery policies, programs, and projects.

The exit conference was participated by DA-10 division heads, provincial operations center chiefs, and the banner program coordinators. # (EMBentulan)