Agri NorMin joins the coordination meeting headed by DA-ACPC with the aim of heightening farmer’s and fishers’ awareness on the available credit assistance from said attached agency.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Set in drumming up the implementation of agri-fishery credit programs, the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), the Department of Agriculture (DA)’s credit arm spearheaded a coordination meeting on Friday, February 11, 2022.

Convened were the regional agri-credit desk officers (RACDOs), regional information officers (RIOs), and other representatives from the DA regional field offices, including Northern Mindanao, and other staff and officials from DA-ACPC.

Held virtually, the brief meeting tackled how the body can work towards increasing the farmer’s and fishers’ awareness on the available credit assistance from DA-ACPC, including loan acquisition, utilization, repayment, among other concerns.

Discussions focused on benchmarking from last year’s best practices in the conduct of a series of information caravan on agri-fishery programs; an upcoming partnership of DA-ACPC with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the BDO Foundation on the Financial Education project; use of the compendium of agri-fishery development programs; and the reiteration of the crucial role of the loan facilitation teams (LoFTs) across the regions. # (JLO)

Agri NorMin provides an P8-M worth of cacao-based dev’t project to Naawan, MisOr to expand the municipality’s existing enterpise for said commodity.

NAAWAN, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – In support to the expansion of existing cacao-based enterprise in the locality, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) awarded a certificate of turnover to the local government of Naawan, Misamis Oriental for the P8 million (M) worth Cacao Community-Based Development Enterprise project.

Handing over the certificate is DA-10 Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga to Naawan Mayor Dennis I. Roa and TOMAMA AMC chair, Rudy M. Fragata.

On Thursday, February 10, the 1 unit hauling truck and 28,571 pieces certified cacao seedlings were turned over ahead of the other interventions, in order to drum up the production of cacao and aid the cacao farmers in transporting their harvest to the different buying stations.

Under the headship of DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the agri department provided said enterprise project, particularly for the 96-membered Toburan-Mapulog-Maputi Arc Marketing Cooperative (TOMAMA AMC) covering 67 hectares of land, with some already growing cacao and producing tableya, and selling these to agri-development centers.

Included in the package of interventions are the provision of a P2-M hauling truck, planting materials (P1-M), Multi-Commodity Solar Dryer (500K), nursery establishment (500K), cacao processing equipment (P2-M), cacao processing facility (P1-M), training (P750K), and P250K to defray for the administrative-related expenses.

“I am very grateful to DA for the project we have received which can greatly help our farmers, especially now that we have our sights on expanding and developing our agricultural sector, here in Naawan,” Mayor Roa conveyed.

Meanwhile, TOMAMA AMC pinned their hopes on the agri-provisions, adding these will help them increase their productivity while ensuring the quality production and processing of cacao.

Fragata expressed, “Mula sa aming kooperatiba, nais kong ipa-abot ang pasasalamat sa ating gobyerno lalo na sa DA at sa iba pang ahensya, sa walang humpay na pagtulong at suporta sa gitna ng pandemya. Itong proyekto na natanggap namin ay magsisilbing pundasyon tungo sa pag-unlad ng cacao industry dito sa aming lugar.”

In response, DA-10 RTD Madriaga emphasized, that the government has invested in the agri-potential of Naawan, and posed a challenge to properly utilize and sustain the project with a productive outcome.

Pooled from its CY 2021 funds, said enterprise project is realized through the High Value Crops Development Program of DA-10.

Also witnessing the turnover ceremony are DA-10 Provincial Operations Center Chief for MisOr Chona H. Nacalaban and HVCDP Focal Person Kersten S. Pagalan.# (RDMElloren)

On February 10, 2022, Agri NorMin and MSU-LNAC inaugurate the P5-M goat multiplier breeder farm to give boost to the SND, Lanao Norte’s goat industry, and to also serve as a show window in raising goats to faculty, students and farmers.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) in collaboration with the Mindanao State University – Lanao del Norte Agricultural College (MSU-LNAC) inaugurated the Sa-Goat Kita Multiplier Breeder Farm Project in barangay Ramain, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and MSU-LNAC Campus Head/Superintendent II, Dr. Indihra B. Dimaporo-Tawantawan, Alhadja, led the ribbon cutting of the newly constructed facility on Thursday, February 10, 2022.

Aiming to improve the goat breeds in the region, said P5 million worth of project was funded through DA’s National Livestock Program under the Bayanihan Act II, comprising of goat breeders, supplies, equipment, farm housing facilities, and administrative cost.

Dir. Collado lauded the continuous partnership with said institution, especially in unleashing the potentials of the students for the improvement of the region’s agricultural sector, particularly for the goat industry.

“Indeed, it is a privilege to have a valuable partnership with MSU-LNAC in our quest for agri-fishery development, catering to our farmers and other stakeholders with a commitment to serve. I wish for your continued success in nurturing coming generations of students to help them realize their vital potentials and become responsible and contributing members of the community,” the director expressed.

He further committed the provision of 10 heads of cattle intended for a breeder farm, and planting materials such as corn and sorghum seeds, and coconut seedlings to benefit more farmers in the locality.

With this, Dr. Tawantawan extended her gratitude to DA-10 and urged the faculty members and the barangay local government to be cooperative and supportive, especially in securing the facilities to sustain the project; thereby, future generations can gain from it.

One of the local farmer-technicians and Ramain barangay Secretary Lilian V. Ferolino conveyed, “The project does not only provide a livelihood to the locals, but it will nourish the children with the fresh and nutritious goat’s milk.”

In Northern Mindanao, SND and Tubod towns have availed and completed the NLP’s goat multiplier project under the said fund.# (EMBentulan)

One newly hired and one promoted employee of DA-10 takes their oath of office on February 7, with RED Collado as the administering officer.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In addition to the second batch of 2022, one newly hired and one promoted employee of the agriculture department in Region 10 (DA-10) took their oath of office, earlier today, February 7, 2022 at the agency compound, here in this city.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado administered the oath-taking ceremony of the following personnel with their corresponding positions and assignments:

Newly hired

         Ferdinand F. Caraballe – Supervising Agriculturist, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division

Promoted

          Viralou L. Tuquib, DVM – Veterinarian IV, Integrated Laboratories Division

Witnessing the ceremony is Regional Technical Director for Operations and Placement and Selection Board chair Carlota S. Madriaga, Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Carmelita T. Bajarla together with other division chiefs. # (RDMElloren)

Agri NorMin turns over agri assistance to 58^th IB, PA, which forms part of the P1.84-M commitment for the IP orgs in San Luis, Malitbog, Bukidnon.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-RFO 10) delivered agri assistance to the 58th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army as part of its P1.84 million commitment for the Indigenous Peoples organization in San Luis, Malitbog, Bukidnon.

Of the said amount, P579,750 initial assistance comprising 15k pieces abaca seedlings, 15 rolls trapal, 15 sacks of chicken grower feeds, 500 sacks of organic fertilizer, 110 heads of free-range chicken were transported on Tuesday, February 2 funded under the agency’s Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4Ks).

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said the agency’s efforts are part of empowering the IPs to enable them to rise from poverty and in support of Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) or EO No. 70 in fight against local insurgency.

Six IPO Higaonon tribe will benefit the assistance composed of Tagmaray Empowered Women’s Association; Tagmaray, Kalipay, San Luis, Mabuhay Tribal Association, Inc.; Sitio Uyunan Higaonon Farmers Association; Sitio Logdeck Higaonon FA; Sitio Victory Higaonon FA; and Bayawa Uyunan Kagahuman Longdeck Impahanong Kalanawan 1 and 2 Cooperative.

The activity was in coordination with the local government of Malitbog, Bukidnon, and DA-10’s Provincial Operations Center in Bukidnon.# (ATC)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture through its Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund – Rice Farmers Financial Assistant (RCEF-RFFA) program has allocated a total amount of P44.52 million to 8,783 rice farmers in the province of Lanao del Norte.

Of the said amount, P29.76 million was distributed to 5,952 rice farmers from the 11 municipalities of the province which includes Sapad, Lala, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Pantar, Tangcal, Salvador, Bacolod, Kauswagan, Baroy, Tubod, and Kolambugan as of February 4, 2022.

DA-10 is set to complete its distribution in other towns of Lanao del Norte on February 10, 2022.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized that rice farmers with landholdings of two hectares and below received P5k each and Interventions Monitoring Card (IMC) which can be used as an identification card in partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Universal Storefront Services Corp.

Lala OIC Municipal Agriculturist Felina M. Cuaresma said, “We are grateful that our rice farmers were provided with this assistance that can help with their farming needs.”#(RDMElloren)

Agri NorMin facilitates the Korean investors for a field visit to the different potential Buk’non and MisOr FCA cassava tuber suppliers.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 facilitated the representatives of a Korean company for a farm and office visits of the different farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) in Region 10.

With an aim to augment the potential market linkages of cassava farmers, the Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Investments (DTI-BOI) also assisted the group on February 3-4, 2022, to the FCAs in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon who have committed to supply fresh cassava tubers.

During the visit, the Korean team tackled the terms and conditions offered by the company to the FCAs’ leaders, which includes their buying price, volume of deliveries, quality parameters, delivery period, payment terms, among others, which altogether will be factored in to seal the deal.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the additional engagement of the FCAs will be an opportune time for them to become more competitive, while ensuring profitability and sustainability among cassava growers in the locality.

Said undertaking was facilitated by DA-10’s Cassava program and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, and DTI-BOI. # (RDMElloren)

DA-NorMin extends a training on adlai production and marketing as well as agri-inputs to expand the production areas of adlai in Lanao Norte province.  

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Set on diversifying the alternative staple crops to be planted in the province, about 24 participants, comprising of officials from the two congressional districts of Lanao del Norte (LDN), including technical staff from its research teams and agriculture’s office underwent a Training on Adlai Production and Marketing.

On February 3, 2022, at the Provincial Farmers’ Learning Center, Pigcaran, Tubod of the said province, the capabuild tackled the crop, its uses, nutritional value and health benefits, cultural management practices, including postharvest handling, economic analysis, and market opportunities.

This, after 1st district congressman of LDN, Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo, requested the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, to be introduced to Adlai, as they eye to utilize and commercialize the crop thru value-adding products in the province.

Also known as Job’s tears, it is a tropical plant producing tear-shaped grains which usually takes about five to six months depending on elevation.

It is cooked similar to that of rice and corn, and is popular among health enthusiasts, as it contains a low glycemic index, while it can also be used as an ingredient for bread, porridge, delicacies, and wine, at the same time, fodder for livestock.

“It is an opportune time [conduct of training] in order to strengthen the adoption of farmers to the commodity [adlai] in the province. This will also give a boost in our campaign to introduce adlai as a healthy staple substitute, expanding Region 10’s production areas in Lanao del Norte,” DA-10 Adlai focal person, Lorena V. Duna remarked.

As means to rollout adlai production, DA-10 has further provided 20 kilograms of Kibuwa variety of Adlai seeds and 20 bags of fertilizers, intended for the two-hectare trial demonstration farm for the province.

Also serving as Duna’s co-resource speaker is Nilo Panugaling, research assistant, with the training attendees, including officials:1st district Congressman Dimaporo, 2nd district Congressman Abdullah D. Dimaporo, and former 2nd district Congresswoman Fatima Aliah Q. Dimaporo; PAO headed by Letecia G. Ditucalan; and other staff.# (JLO/Photos supplied)

DA SAAD-10 prepares for its five-year extension and expansion to continue providing agri-livelihood assistance to the marginal farmers in NorMin.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture convened its Regional Program Management Support Office (RPMSO) and Provincial Program Management Support Office (PPMSO) on Friday, February 4, 2022, to set down 5-year priority plans and activities as SAAD’s phase 2 implementation is underway.

Once approved, the SAAD extension and expansion will be implemented in the region for another 5-year period from 2023-2028, providing agri-livelihood assistance to more underprivileged farmers in all five provinces of Northern Mindanao – Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Camiguin.

Under the headship of Carlene C.  Collado, DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director, the first phase of the SAAD was implemented in Northern Mindanao in 2017 until now, covering a total of 30 towns in the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte, and 22 towns in Lanao del Sur in its first-year implementation in 2017.

The SAAD program is being pushed for extension and expansion by the Department of Agriculture, underscoring the program’s contribution in easing poverty incidence in poverty-stricken rural areas in the country in the last five years.

Initially debuted as a locally-funded program aimed at ensuring food availability in poor Filipino farmers’ homes, the SAAD program hopes to assist smallholding farmer groups in Northern Mindanao to establish a community-based enterprise in its phase 2 implementation.

The SAAD program will complement the effort of the DA’s banner programs to augment food production for household and commercial purposes in attaining such an objective.

Social preparation, food production and livelihood, marketing assistance and enterprise development, and program management are the key components of the SAAD in its anticipated extension and expansion.

Specific municipalities to be assisted were identified based on the prevailing poverty incidence per PSA 2018 poverty incidence data, and Income Classification of Municipalities, consistent with Department of Finance Order 23-08.

Poorest municipalities in the 5 provinces of the region are favored for inclusion in the SAAD Program in the next five years.

According to Lana May S. Racines, SAAD – 10 focal person, planning- workshop with the prospect SAAD-assisted LGUs is slated on February 16-18, 2022 to streamline SAAD Phase 2 programs and projects.# (ATalib)

Members of a Higaonon-Maranao tribe in sitio Kibulag, Lantud, Talakag, Bukidnon attend a training on mushroom production and tilapia culture as part of the OneDA’s approach initiative in support of EO 70.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Around 50 members of the Igpanutadug sa Abaga Ta Bayug Agriculture Cooperative, a Higaonon-Maranao tribe of sitio Kibulag, Lantud, Talakag, Bukidnon were trained on Mushroom Production and Tilapia Culture in Pond on Thursday, February 3.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said, the training is part of the commitment of the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao to the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in fight against local insurgency.

Through DA-10’s Research Division, the mushroom training was extended to provide opportunities at the farm and local community level to increase the income of the members, especially the women.

They were taught on how to prepare mushroom fruiting bags using sawdust, aside from the lecture on basic knowledge in mushroom production.

Importantly, it can help in providing livelihood with a fast-yielding and nutritious source of food and a reliable source of income.

Director Collado, added that the interventions are in response to the needs of the IP community based on the validation and assessment conducted by OneDA in providing assistance to boost their livelihood and improve their productivity.

Developing the OneDA approach, the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-10 (DA-BFAR-10) capacitated the members on tilapia culture in the pond, covering from pond preparation, management, harvesting and marketing.

DA-BFAR 10 Provincial Fishery Officer of Bukidnon, Marlou Fernandez shared, the project is livelihood support to the IPs, where DA-BFAR 10 will provide tilapia fingerlings to the group.

Initially, the stocking of tilapia fingerlings is set for February 18, 2022, in a 300 square meter pond.

Tribal Leader Sultan Abdul Amoran expressed his gratitude to the government for all the assistance provided to their community especially with the implementation of EO 70.

The intervention was funded under the agency’s Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4Ks).

As explained by 4Ks focal person, April Grace M. Racines, the 4Ks is a comprehensive program targeted for the improvement of tribal communities aiming to capacitate and empower IPs through community organizing, agricultural skills training, and workshops to intensify knowledge and productivity.

The 4Ks is a three-year special project of DA where it provides assistance to the Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the form of agricultural and fisheries-related livelihood opportunities.

The activity was supported by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Region 10 (NICA 10) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) through TESDA Technical Specialist, Wilma Tomada Bathan.# (ATC)