DA-10 intensifies Baungon NHS’s Gulayan support with seed provision

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Reinforcing school-based food productions, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) upheld Baungon National High School’s (BNHS) “Gulayan sa Paaralan” by turning over 30 packets of 5-in-1 Pinakbet vegetable seeds on January 31.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga handed the seeds to Mary Grace B. Redondo, BNHS’s Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) department chairperson.

Underscoring DA-10’s consistent commitment to agricultural integration in education, Redondo recalled the agency’s previous PhP1.5-million grant in 2023 for appropriation of agri facilities, inputs, and equipment, following the school’s recognition as one of the “Best Gulayan sa Paaralan Implementer[s]” in Bukidnon province.

The seeds will cultivate BNHS’s expansive 7,500-square-meter garden (demo farm), ensuring a school-produced supply of vegetables for their feeding program.# (BJCE)

US-based coffeehouse franchise explores sourcing prospects with Buk’n growers

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON — Supported by the agency in initiatives such as market linkage, product promotion, and equipment provision, the Rural Improvement Club Federation of Kape Maramag, Inc. moves closer to the global market as operators of a US-based coffeehouse franchise Biggby Coffee paid a visit on January 25 to explore potential farm-direct sourcing opportunities with its local growers.

Said federation is composed of farmers in the town with a focus on coffee value chain development.

Coordinated by the Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS) and facilitated by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of Region 10 (DA-AMAD 10), the visit sought discussions with local growers to understand their practices and challenges, with the all-encompassing aim of establishing a supply chain link between Biggby Coffee and Bukidnon’s growing coffee industry.

The 15-year local coffee grower and member of the federation, Lucia T. Cabacoy, demonstrated to the visiting operators her 2-hectare farm of Catimor, Arabica, and Sweet Coffee varieties in Barangay Silang.

Adding potential sourcing prospects, the visiting operators also engaged with other coffee farmers in the province, including Corazon M. Llauderes of the Impalutao-Dalwangan-Sawaga Agrarian Reform Cooperative and Edeamae Onduran from Miarayon, Talakag.

Aligned with the agency’s initiative to help farmers link their production with broader markets, the visit solidifies DA’s ongoing efforts to push and promote Bukidnon’s coffee into the global trade.# (BJCE)

Agri-10 eyes strengthened beef cattle marketing innovations among NorMin industry stakeholders

MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON — As demand grows for production and marketing of beef cattle, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10), led by the Regional Executive Director, Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, through its livestock program, hosted a beef cattle marketing innovations seminar cum workshop, to foster networking and collaboration among stakeholders, on January 24, here.

Pursuant to the memorandum order issued by the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary, which highlights the need for innovative marketing strategies and technological advancements to support the growth and sustainability of the beef cattle industry, DA-10 eyes to equip beef cattle producers with modern marketing tools to enhance product visibility and consumer engagement.

In his message, DA Assistant Secretary for Ruminant Livestock, Benjamin C. Albarece, DVM, emphasized the importance of the market as a starting point for improving livelihoods within the livestock industry.

“We are gathered here today to address the challenges in marketing and explore how we can collaborate to create effective marketing plans, which will serve as a foundation for our guidelines and policies. It is essential to hear from the farmers, from the grassroots level what we can do to help them,” he stated.

Guest speakers Raymund Mirabueno and Allan Noel S. Bernales stressed the role of social media platforms in marketing, as well as the cattle breeds available and marketable in the region such as Brahman based bloodline.

With the industry facing challenges such as changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and increased global competition, the seminar-workshop provided a venue on how to navigate social media, which is seen to contribute to the long-term success of the beef cattle industry.

For her part, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Market Specialist I, Mariflor A. Balabat, detailed the key market destinations for large animals between September and November 2024, notably in Mindanao such as Agusan del Sur with 426 heads, Davao del Sur (195) and Davao del Norte with 112 heads.

Meanwhile, Livestock focal person Jamaica L. Docdoc presented the livestock growth rate in terms of production volume, with Northern Mindanao leading as the top cattle producing region during the second quarter of 2024, producing 10,635.8 metric tons, overall contributing 17.4% to the national produce.

As agreed, the consolidated data excerpt from the seminar will be submitted to the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary, which will form part as reference for multi year plan , future guidelines and policies to support livestock industry.

Said event was attended by representatives from the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary, the National Livestock Program Directorate, the Provincial Veterinary Office of Bukidnon, Local Government of Manolo Fortich, large ruminant commercial raisers, and beneficiaries of the Artificial Insemination Program. # (MAC)

Agri-10 4K program pours agri interventions to Maramag-based IP org

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON — In support to empowering Indigenous People (IP) communities in Northern Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K) program provides almost PhP318K worth of agricultural interventions to the Panalsalan Dagumbaan Talaandig Tribe Association (PADATTA).

On January 24, in Sitio Kawilihan, Dagumbaan, here, the department helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan through the Program focal person, April Grace M. Racines, in coordination with the Municipal Agriculture Office of Maramag, Bukidnon, finally handed over the 6 head of carabaos (PhP300K) and assorted vegetable seeds (PhP17,995.00) to PADATTA represented by its president Bae Vilma Morena.

Under the Production and Livelihood component of the Program, the agri provisions, which were earlier withdrawn from the DA-10’s research complex, target to elevate the IP farmers’ productivity and profitability by developing sustainable agricultural enterprises through a strengthened engagement among association members toward agri development.

The said turnover also marks another wave of assistance to PADATTA, as it can be recalled last November, select members of the association have undergone a training on corn production and postharvest technologies, held in Malaybalay City.# (JLO/Photos supplied)

Agri NorMin collabs with CdeO-based coop for Hydroponics initiatives

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In a bid to promote sustainable agriculture and empowering communities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) collaborates with the FICCO Community Outreach Foundation, Inc. (FCOF) for a Hydroponics training on January 22, in Carmen, this city.

Facilitated by the department’s National Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) through Alternate Focal Person Ronald Allan P. Camaddo, around 20 personnel from FCOF participated in the session, which covered the various benefits and techniques of hydroponics.

The training aimed to equip the participants with the knowledge to utilize vacant spaces at the FICCO Admin Building into productive areas for growing vegetables and other crops using hydroponic methods.

Additionally, participants were each given a packet of 4-in-1 garden salad seeds to kickstart their gardening initiatives.

The collaboration between DA-RFO 10 and FCOF is aligned with the department’s efforts of strengthening urban gardening initiatives to boost food security and sufficiency. # (AMBM, Photos supplied)

AMIA-10 strengthens climate resilience in Libona town through corn harvester

LIBONA, BUKIDNON — In a bid to support local farming communities through mechanization, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) turned over one unit Corn Combined Harvester to its AMIA village site this town, on January 24.

The PhP2.2-million worth machine was turned over to the Gango Kinawe Community-Based Participatory Action Research Cooperative (GKCPAR) through its chair Angelito M. Atillo by AMIA-10 Focal Person Carmelito R. Lapoot, AMIA-10 Team Leader Joel J. Gabo and Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM with Municipal Agriculturist of Libona, Carlos O. Pichay and other local officials.

The said initiative is part of the AMIA’s continued efforts to empower local farming communities in adapting to climate change through investing in modern agricultural technologies to boost farm productivity and sustainability.

On the turnover of the unit, GKCPAR chair Atillo expressed his gratitude, as it will benefit its 78 members tilling 238 hectares of corn and cassava crops.# (AMBM)

Coffee stakeholders scale up NorMin’s coffee roadmap, to brand Bukidnon as Arabica capital

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) led by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, recently convened coffee stakeholders for a private-public consultation to consolidate plans, programs, and funding for the scaling up of Northern Mindanao’s coffee roadmap.

The consultation was attended by representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry – Region 10 (DTI-10), local government units (LGU), farmers’ cooperatives, agribusiness enterprises, and DA Undersecretary for High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero.

DA-10 RED Pacamalan emphasized the need for a unified direction among stakeholders to drive the development of the region’s coffee industry.

A resolution to adopt the Bukidnon Coffee Roadmap for 2025, with the goal of making the province as the Arabica Capital of the country, is poised for approval, as disclosed by Kimberly A. Bacasma, senior trade-industry development specialist of DTI-10.

She also pointed out some challenges in coffee cultivation, such as antiquated methods, unconsolidated growers, limited marketing avenues, and inadequate financial resources for expansion as focus areas for roadmap development.

Usec. Natividad-Caballero recommended the consolidation of existing interventions at the farmer, firm, and industry levels to ensure that they are effectively operationalized.

Further, the undersecretary pushed for the strategic utilization and maximization of the Competitiveness Enhancement Measures Fund (CEMF), to attract public investments.

The CEMF, can fund coffee-related projects up to PhP50 million, subject to the eligibility of the proponents, with a 20% counterpart from qualified proponents. These grants can support initiatives in areas such as production, postharvest handling, processing, marketing, infrastructure development, and the acquisition of equipment and facilities.

For the agency’s part, RED Pacamalan vowed that the DA-10’s drone team will undertake drone mapping to identify coffee farming areas, determine coffee varieties, and profile the farmers operating in those areas.

“Through this digitization, we can establish baseline data in consolidating coffee farmers that will serve as a foundation for the region’s coffee industry development over the next 2 to 3 years” he said.

After the consultation, the executive director pushed for provincial-level dialogue to delve into specific action plans, alignment of initiatives, and determination of government infrastructure investments essential for the undertaking.

Key partners and stakeholders including Nestlé Philippines’ Coffee Project, Mindanao Development Authority’s (MinDA) Ancestral Domain Investment Plans, and DTI-10’s Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project, also shared their initiatives in line with the Northern Mindanao Coffee Roadmap.

Also present during the consultation are DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, HVCDP Director Joseph C. Manicad, national and regional DA personnel, and representatives from the Bayanihan Millenium Multipurpose Cooperative, Kauyagan Savers Multipurpose Cooperative, Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative, MM Cares, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Harbest Agribusiness, Corp., and LGU of Misamis Oriental, Iligan City, and Bukidnon.# (BJCE)

DA-10: No rice price hike, shortage in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Following the implementation of PhP58 Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) on imported rice in Metro Manila starting January 20, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) maintained that there is no rice price hike in Northern Mindanao as there is no observed rice shortage in the region.

In an interview Wednesday, January 22, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga said the agency’s daily price monitoring in major markets of Cagayan de Oro being the most populated urban settlement in the region showed that imported premium rice are sold significantly lower than the MSRP at PhP56.00

“We are not affected by the imposed MSRP. Our monitoring showed that rice price remained steady, in fact our monitoring data from December 2024 to January 2025 showed that there is a decrease in rice price.” Madriaga disclosed.

The DA was prompted by the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) to declare a food security emergency for rice to stabilize an extraordinary hike in rice prices despite an order for tariff reduction by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last year.

Dir. Madriaga said the declaration is a balancing act with which the government will be able to protect the local farmers by regulating the selling price of imported rice favoring Filipino-produced rice.

“With this, the consumer will be assured of affordable rice within their buying capacity. The declaration also allows the National Food Authority (NFA) to release their buffer stock to the local market to give the general public more options of cheaper local rice.” she furthered.

Dir. Madriaga urged the Kagay-anons to patronize the Kadiwa store located at the second floor of the Cogon Market, where consumers can buy rice with prices ranging from PhP36-PhP44 per kilo.

The said Kadiwa store was initiated by rice importers in coordination with the DA-10, Department of Trade and Industry – Region 10 (DTI-10) and the Local Government of Cagayan de Oro.

“We should not worry with regard to our rice supply in Northern Mindanao. Our projected palay harvest this March will reach up to 179,392 metric tons. This is enough to last 4 four months considering the region’s population.” she accounted.

To optimize rice production in the region, Dir. Madriaga said the DA-10 through its Rice Program has been continuously providing numerous assistance to local rice farmers in the form of rice seeds and fertilizer subsidy, financial assistance, training, irrigation system and mechanized farm support under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).# (ATT)

Agri-10 strengthens price monitoring measures for agri commodities in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In its continuous effort to strengthen the monitoring and regulation of prices for basic agricultural commodities in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), headed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, convened the Bantay Presyo Monitoring Team (BPMT) on January 17, here.

Spearheaded by the agency’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), the forum was also attended by BPMT members from the DA-attached agencies, bureaus, and corporations including Bureau of Animal Industry(BAI) ,Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Fetilizer and Pesticide Authority(FPA), National Dairy Authority (NDA), National Food Authority (NFA), and National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).

Representatives from the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC), DA banner programs, and provincial operation centers from the five provinces of the region also attended said forum.

Under the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7581, as amended by R.A. 10623 (Price Act), the DA is one of the implementing agencies tasked with monitoring, regulating, and stabilizing the prices of essential agricultural goods, especially during emergencies or instances of unreasonable price surges.

DA-10 AMAD Supervising Agriculturist Ferdinand C. Caraballe elaborated on the implementing rules and guidelines of the Price Act, emphasizing DA’s crucial role in ensuring agri-fishery products are fairly priced and accessible to consumers.

Meanwhile, DA-10 AMAD OIC-chief Mae Carmela G. Fabela highlighted Section 5 of the R.A. No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act which mandates the DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) and the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) to establish and maintain a Daily Price Index (DPI).

The DPI is a system designed to monitor and publish or broadcast the prevailing retail prices of agri-fishery products across all regions of the country on a day-to-day basis.

As discussed, retail prices will be collected from major retail establishments in key cities of each region where covered commodities are sold in local markets.

To ensure transparency and accountability, it was agreed to publish the DPI on the official websites and social media platforms of the DA-RFOs on the same day as the monitoring is conducted.

While the guidelines for the DPI were introduced during the forum, Fabela noted that DA-10 AMAD is still set to receive the official implementing rules and regulations in order for them to establish the DPI.

As experts in the same subject, representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry 10 and the city’s Local Price Coordinating Council also shared valuable insights to ensure price stability, preventing market abuses, and protection of both producers and consumers.

As a way forward, members of the BPMT agreed to beef up price monitoring and regulation initiatives to foster a fair and equitable market environment across the region.# (EJLG)

Farmers convene for Field Day demonstrating biofertilizers on upland rice prod’n

CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Farmers from Claveria and neighboring towns, including Villanueva and Jasaan in Misamis Oriental and Malitbog in Bukidnon province, convened for a Field Day demonstrating Biofertilizer Technologies on Upland Rice Production.

The event, organized by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), was held at the Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) recently, in Brgy. Lanise, here.

With Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan at the forefront, DA-10 strives to assist upland rice farmers in sustaining their production by adopting biofertilizers; likewise, mitigating soil degradation by reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers.

The 7,850-square-meter upland rice demonstration farm, participated by five companies—Romarc Enterprises, Primera, Aljay Planting Dreams, Agrifix, and CHC Agritech—presented the benefits of biofertilizer products in enhancing soil diversification and increasing rice yield.

The Field Day also served as an open forum where farmers raised queries and sought clarification on the proper usage and application methods associated with biofertilizer adoption. Experts from the participating manufacturers, along with farmer-academicians present, were on hand to address the concerns and provide guidance to the farmers.

Among those present at the event were DA-10’s Regional Technical Director for Research Cora A. Dumayaca, Research Division chief Lorena V. Duna, along with the regional and research center staff, the Municipal Agriculture Office of Claveria, and some agricultural technicians.

Aligned with the DA’s program in developing rice cultivation as a profitable industry for farmers, the techno demo seeks to catalyze the adoption of biofertilizers for sustainable upland rice production in the region.# (BJCE)