R-10’s agri dept inks MOA with DBP for the SLF to provide salary loans to its qualified employees.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – On September 14, the Department of Agriculture – 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) represented by Branch Manager Arvin C. Simbajon of DBP Capistrano for the Salary Loan Facility (SLF) aimed at providing financial assistance thru salary loans to qualified employees of the agency.

An orientation for the employees will be later set and be administered by the Personnel Section of DA-10 with the loans in-charge of DBP.

Present in the MOA signing is OIC-Administrative and Finance Division Patrick Ian F. Pedarse, in the presence of Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Chief, Larry E. Paraluman. # (JCAnito)

DA-10 inspects the delivery of cacao seedlings for MisOcc to ensure they are of quality planting materials to be provided to its intended recipients to Oroquieta City, Concepcion and Plaridel.

On September 9, 2021, a member from the inspectorate team of the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao inspected the delivery of certified cacao seedlings with a total worth of P600,000.00 for Misamis Occidental province.

Funded by the High Value Crops Development and Special Area for Agricultural Development programs, said activity was undertaken to ensure that the right quantity of planting materials was delivered and have met the technical standards set forth by the agency, which includes among others, being produced thru asexual propagation, and tagged and certified by the Bureau of Plant and Industry – National Seed Quality Control Services.

Cited planting materials which came in UF18 and BR25 varieties are set to be turned over to the recipients by third week of September, with the following allocation: 10,000 pieces to Oroquieta City, Concepcion (5,000), and Plaridel with 10,000 pieces.

Such provision which can cover 50 hectares of land to be planted, is also intended to help the province’s target of becoming the cacao capital in Northern Mindanao. # (JLO/Photo supplied)

The Duterte legacy underscores DA’s Enhanced Kadiwa program, which aids farmers and fishers to enhance their capacities, including LGUs and SUCs to efficiently operate their respective Kadiwa activities regionwide.

KIBAWE, BUKIDNON, September 11 – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) on Saturday highlighted the strides under its Enhanced Kadiwa Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program since the agency was helmed by Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar under President Duterte’s administration.

The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) spearheaded the Duterte legacy caravan held in Kibawe, Bukidnon tourism center, underscores the changes brought about by the government thru featuring stories of beneficiaries to cement the legacies of the national and local governments for the Filipinos.

“Isinulong niya yung mga batas, polisiya at programa nga mapakikinabangan ng bawat Pilipino, hindi lang ang Pilipino ngayon, kon di ang susunod pang mga henerasyon,” PCOO Assistant Secretary for Global Media and Public Affairs, Jusan Vincent L. Arcena remarked.

The info campaign focused on the three main pillars of the administration – poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and peace and order.

Larry E. Paraluman, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division chief, representing Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado of DA-10 bared, that the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita has turned into one of the key programs of the department.

Paraluman noted, that it has provided a direct link between farmers and consumers in gaining access to fresh, quality, nutritious and affordable agricultural and other food products.

While the Kadiwa started even before the pandemic, he shared, that it has gained much ground with movement restrictions triggered by COVID-19.

In partnership with farmer’s cooperatives and associations (FCAs), local government units (LGUs), national government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, last year, he reported, that the region has generated almost P35 million in gross sales, and about P14 million from January to August of this year, benefiting around 7,000 consumers.

“In 2020, DA has created the Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Financial Grant Assistance program to enhance the capacities of farmers and fishers, [including LGUs and state universities and colleges (SUCs)] to sustainably operate their Kadiwa activities in the different parts of Region 10,” the AMAD chief accounted.

For the town of Kibawe alone, the agri department has granted P150,000 each to the Laswimba, Labuagon, West Kibawe and Marapangi multi-purpose cooperatives (MPCs) intended for their additional capital, while Marapangi MPC has been accorded with an added P1.25 million for their hauling vehicle.

“MCDC of Kibawe is very grateful that four of our cooperatives are among the beneficiaries of the Enhanced Kadiwa financial grant assistance. Now, we have funds to buy the palay harvest of farmer-members from the different cooperatives, where we mill and sell them back to farmers and other consumers at reasonable prices,” said Haidi M. Taray, the chairperson of the Municipal Cooperative Development Council of Kibawe.

She added that through said approach, they can also protect the farmers from going to traders and selling their harvest to them at dictated prices, especially during harvest season.

Overall, DA-10 has allocated the amount of P14.35 million, benefiting 9 FCAs, LGUs and SUCs under the regular program; while a total of P42.35 million worth of enhanced Kadiwa projects have been implemented, benefiting 8 FCAs, LGUs and SUCs under the Bayanihan 1 and 2.

Also in attendance is the officials and staff of LGU Kibawe headed by Mayor Reynaldo S. Ang Rabanes and Vice-Mayor Raymundo A. Batao, Jr., residents, and other government heads and staff. # (JLO)

The groundbreaking ceremony led by DA-10 and LGU Valencia signal the start of the construction of the seed storage facility in barangay Pinatilan.

VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON, September 9 – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) led the groundbreaking ceremony, signaling the start of the construction of the seed storage facility at Nutriland Purok 1, in barangay Pinatilan, this city.

The soon-to-rise storage facility, which costs P7.11 million has a total area of 320 square meters, with cold storage of 160 square meters and ambient of 160 square meters.

Funded by DA’s Rice Program, it has a 99 ton-capacity for the cold storage of rice seeds, while 156 tons for the ambient.

Particularly, cold storage is intended to prolong the shelf life and improve the quality of the seeds up to about two years.

Valencia City Vice Mayor Policarpo P. Murillo noted, that the city has 30,000 hectares of agricultural area, of which 11,000 hectares are devoted to rice production.

He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to DA-10 Regional Executive Carlene C. Collado for considering Valencia City as the recipient of the said project among other towns in Bukidnon province.

In early April of this year, the department has also turned over one unit warehouse in Nutriland, which costs more than P4.3 million.

Meanwhile, DA-10 Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center Chief  Dr. Janet D. Lopez, who represented RED Collado, reiterated his recurring message, that the provision of projects to beneficiaries relies on the diligence and enthusiasm of an agriculture’s office at the local level.

She emphasized, that DA welcomes any requests for agri-assistance to make farming communities become more productive.

The completion and inauguration of the project are set sometime in February 2022.

Attending the ceremony are Valencia City Councilor Glenn P. Peduche, City Agriculturist Connie L. Dalangan, DA-RFO 10 Regional Agricultural Engineering Division Agri-Infra Section Chief Engr. Junel W. Ablanque, Sta. Ana Raycon, Corp. Authorized Managing Officer Raymund Casiño, and other staff from the local government of Valencia City.# (EMBentulan)

DA-10 through its HVCDP provides mushroom growing houses to eight local governments regionwide to assist their mushroom production activities in their respective localities.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -To boost mushroom production in Northern Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) provided P3.2 million worth of Mushroom Growing Houses to eight local government units in the region.

Funded under its High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), a total of 32 units amounting to P100K each were provided to the LGU recipients to assist mushroom production in their localities.

Further, 2,000 pieces of mushroom fruiting bags were provided to each beneficiary as part of their start-up kit, aside from polypropylene  bags, vacuum sealer and bag filling machine.

DA-10’s HVCDP focal person Kersten Pagalan shared that cultivating mushrooms can provide a sustainable income.

Aside from that, it may offer opportunities for income and livelihood, and can give many individuals a healthy option for their personal consumption.

Pagalan added, “Mushroom culture also gain popularity in the Philippines, part of Urban Agriculture Program where we can produce in a limited space, can be grown whole year round with minimum maintenance and supervision.”

She emphasized that, waste can be utilized especially found in urban areas such as compost, saw dust and coco coir that can be a reliable source of food especially in this pandemic.#(AMBManto)

Iligan IP farmer associations receive cacao seedlings to boost their farm productivity and income.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Aiming to boost farmers’ productivity and income, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turned over 5,000 pieces of cacao seedlings to six Indigenous Peoples (IPs) farmer associations of barangay Rogongon, Iligan City.

Said intervention is also in support of Executive Order No. 70 or institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict.

The P175K worth of project will benefit the 710 members of barangay Rogongon IP which include the -Malumpayad Tribal Farmer’s Association; Dungoan Indigenous People Farmers Association; Gabunan Farmers Association; Tawagon Bridge Tribal Farmers Association; Binasan Tribal Farmers Association; and Higaonon Tribal Community.

The IPs of Brgy. Rogongon is the beneficiary of DA’s ‘Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubong’ program, otherwise known as the 4Ks program which is intended to help in the development of tribal communities in the country.

The Rogongon IPs have around 6,700 hectares of farmland suitable for cacao production aside from growing abaca as their primary source of income and living.

Early in May this year, the community has also received Banana Cardava planting materials thru DA-10’s High-Value Crops Development Program.

Leading the turnover on behalf of DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado is LDN Provincial Operations Center Chief Abdulharis P. Paporo.

“With this aid, Rogongon IPs will be more interested to engage in entrepreneurial farming and become an active catalyst for change towards peace and development,” said Paporo.

Also present during the turnover was Iligan City Agriculturist Jose Desiderio D. Oyo-a.# (EMBentulan)

Among the services of RSL of DA-10 is soil testing which determines the pH and available phosphorus, organic and potassium in soils, allowing the recommendation of the right and proper amount of fertilizer, and timing of application. (Photo credit: EMB)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, August 31 – Capping nearly midway of this year, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) has finally been granted by the Professional Regulatory Board of Chemistry a Certificate of Authority to Operate (CATO) to its two laboratories.

Cited conferment is in pursuant to the powers vested in the Board under sections 7g and 36 of Republic Act No. 10657, otherwise known as the Chemistry Profession Act, a law regulating and modernizing the practice of chemistry in the Philippines.

Being awarded with a CATO, the Feed Chemical Analytical Laboratory (FCAL) and Regional Soils Laboratory (RSL) of DA-10, has been found to meet the requirements of said Act and the rules and regulations of the Board.

Accordingly, DA-Northern Mindanao marks as the first DA regional field office across the country to do so for both of its laboratories.

“DA ensures the continued development and high standards of chemistry practice in our laboratories for an improved delivery of service to our clientele, which is vital to public safety and environmental protection,” Carlene C. Collado, DA-10 regional executive director remarked.

Since its application, the agency has complied with the Board’s findings based from their on-site inspections and documentary requirement submissions, such as, but not limited to the additional acquisition of equipment, entitlement of hazard pay to laboratory personnel, and registration of hired Contract of Service for the practice of chemistry and chemistry analyses.

Under the umbrella of the Integrated Laboratories Division, both laboratories render services to various clienteles in terms of soil and feed analyses, animal and plant health and nutrition.

In particular, FCAL engages in feed and feed ingredient analysis (complete proximate analysis, crude protein, crude fat, moisture and ash); mineral analysis (calcium, phosphorus and salt); activity test (urease); feed microscopy examination; and aflatoxin test.

On the other hand, RSL offers soil and fertilizer analyses, refill of soil test kits for mobile soil analysis, and Trichoderma production. #(JLO)

DA-NorMin distributes 1,433 bags of poultry feeds worth P2.7 million under the Expanded Livestock and Poultry Production and Livelihood Project for COVID-19 livelihood response.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture -10 thru its Livestock Program recently distributed 1,433 bags of poultry feeds amounting to P2.7 million to its recipients under the Expanded Livestock and Poultry Production and Livelihood Project for COVID-19 livelihood response.

Around 669 recipients of the region received one bag each, while 774 bags were provided to the two production centers of the agency.

Early this year, the qualified farmer recipients in the provinces of Bukidnon (151); Misamis Oriental (193); Camiguin (119); Misamis Occidental (156), and Lanao del Norte (50) received 6 heads free-range chicken with a 1:5 ratio (1 male, 5 female) under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Program.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said, that DA ensures a stable source of food and livelihood amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“DA Secretary William D. Dar issued a memorandum directing agencies, bureaus, regional offices, and banner programs to refocus all of its activities and budget under the General Appropriations Act to provide programs and activities as a response to the effects brought by COVID-19,” RED Collado added.

The Expanded Livestock and Poultry Production and Livelihood Project for COVID-19 Response is provided under Memorandum Circular no. 21 series of 2020.

“The program seeks to expand production areas, besides providing assistance to beneficiaries in producing their own food and giving them an opportunity to gain additional income amid the ongoing pandemic,” said Ma. Lourdes M. Sypiecco, DA-10 Livestock Program coordinator.

The qualified beneficiaries are members of farmer-cooperatives and associations, with at least 15 members who were interviewed and evaluated accordingly.#(ATCabig)

MAO-Maramag coordinates with DA-PCIC to step up the registration of hog raisers on the government’s swine industry insurance program. (Photo credits: MAO-Maramag)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – With the aim of pushing for the Swine Industry Insurance Program, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Maramag through its Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) coordinates with the DA- Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to facilitate registration of hog raisers on the agency’s insurance program.

Said event was conducted to encourage both backyard and commercial hog raisers to register for PCIC’s insurance program to mitigate the effects brought about by the deadly hog disease, African Swine Fever (ASF).

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized that starting July 1 of this year, African Swine Fever (ASF) indemnification requests for depopulated hogs will not be accommodated under the Quick Response fund (QRF) but under DA-PCIC Insurance.

Dr. Julesben Caesar C. Maquiling, DA-10 ASF Focal Person has noted, that through PCIC’s Swine Industry Insurance program, a hog raiser may receive a minimum amount of P10,000 per culled hog affected by ASF.

Aside from offering insurance programs, the agency is also keen on strengthening its biosecurity and surveillance measures to ensure the speedy recovery of Northern Mindanao’s hog industry from the effects of ASF. # (AMBManto)

DA-10 with the Korean experts break ground for the establishment of smart greenhouses at NMACLRC, Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – Department of Agriculture -10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of Korea through the Korea Agency of Education, Promotion and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (EPIS) led on Thursday, August 19, 2021 the groundbreaking ceremony for the establishment of smart greenhouse at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

The 11 units smart greenhouses has a total project cost of P70.253 million, is seen to help local farmers in producing high value crops such as tomato, strawberry, pepper and potato using smart farming technologies.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga said, this project strengthens the partnership and friendship of the Philippine and Korean governments.

“This is a significant day because this marks the third project that we have received here in our region coming from the Korean government; the first two projects are situated in Misamis Oriental. We are thankful that we are given this project to support our farmers here in Bukidnon and the whole of Northern Mindanao.”

In his message, Director Collado, expressed his gratitude towards the Korean dignitaries for the agricultural assistance they have granted the region amidst the ongoing pandemic.

“You have gone extra mile in providing assistance and expertise in building this project. In return, we will also extend our assistance with whatever you need, especially in the implementation of the project in order to make it a success,” Collado added.

Meanwhile, Jong Dae Park, Greenfarm chief executive officer and one of the Korean experts, conveyed their appreciation to DA for putting forth great efforts for the development of agriculture sector in the country.

“We are honored to be part of this project for the establishment of sustainable smart agriculture using appropriate technology in your country. This project will develop high-tech agriculture [technology] in both Korea and the Philippines and will also play an important role in the prosperity and friendship of the two countries. Our Korean engineers will do their best in constructing the smart greenhouse and your ongoing interest and cooperation will help us ensure that this project will be a success.”

Together with Mr. Park is Jong Man Park and Kim Yang Wu, both Greenfarm smart farm technical directors, and Yeon Sang In, an engineer from Chungnam Specialized Crop Development Association.

Said event was also graced by Assistant Provincial Agriculturist of Bukidnon Jacqueline Lagamon, other DA-10 heads and staff, and farmers from the province who will soon benefit from the Project. # (CRSeraspe)