The agri dept in NorMin led by RED Collado expresses its continuous support to agri-tourism in Region 10 in an assessment/evaluation tour program in emerging destinations/attractions in Bukidnon province on April 5-7, 2021.

VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) continues to strengthen its collaboration with the Department of Tourism – Region 10 to support both the agriculture and tourism sectors in Northern Mindanao.

To provide quality service to tourists in the region, DOT-Regional Office 10 headed by its Regional Executive Director Marie Elaine S. Unchuan, conducted its Assessment/Evaluation Tour Program in the emerging destinations/attractions in Bukidnon province on April 5-7, 2021.

The program in partnership with DA and other national government agencies, also supports the mission of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NFT-ELCAC) which aims to implement an efficient instrument for the whole-of-nation approach to realize the goal of the Filipino people to attain inclusive and sustainable peace.

Further, said program is in line with the agency’s aim to showcase the best technologies to farmers, students, tourists and entrepreneurs and provide agri-interventions to implement agri-programs in partnership with various stakeholders.

Also present during the event were DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga to assess and evaluate identified tourism destinations to improve competitiveness of Philippine tourism and agriculture industry. # (IMJuntahan)

DA-NorMin breaks ground to signal the construction of its P4.9-M Integrated BioCon Lab at RCPMC in Bangcud, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on March 29, 2021.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) breaks ground for the construction of the P4.9 million Integrated Biological Control Laboratory at the Regional Crop Pest Management Center (RCPMC) in Bangcud, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on March 29, 2021.

Dr. Luz I. Guzman, RCPMC chief said, that having the laboratory is a dream of every RCPMC.

“We would like to house all biological control agents that we rear in one building. This is where our clients, the farmers, could walk around and see how these look and work through glass panels,” she added.

Dr. Guzman emphasized the importance of biocon agents amid the ongoing health crisis.

“Biocon agents are agriculture’s natural defense in managing pests on crops. It is considered as one of the safest and best alternatives to chemicals. With this, we can help in producing healthier food for our country, also as defense against the current harsh environment brought by the pandemic.”

Meanwhile, DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said, that the groundbreaking ceremony is a historical event for RCPMC.

“After 40 years, this is the first major project of RCPMC. We are hoping that through this project, it will initiate further development of the station. This is just the start, as more projects will be coming because we do not want RCPMC to be left behind.”

Said project is funded through the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) under the Integrated Laboratory Division.

Bayanihan 2 is the government’s second relief action intended for the country’s defense against health and economic challenges triggered by the COVID-19 crisis. # (CSeraspe)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY –The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) joined the celebration of the 2021 National Women’s Month with the theme, “Juana Laban sa Pandemya: Kaya!” on March 30, 2021, here in the city.

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 227 which provides the observance of the month of March as “Women’s Role in History Month”, the celebration highlights women’s role in contributing to a more improved, industrialized and globally competitive agriculture to aid the economy to bounce back from the ongoing pandemic.

Cora A. Dumayaca, DA Women Employees Association chair commended the efforts of the modern Juanas, braving amid the pandemic to continue helping food security frontliners in the region.

In her keynote speech,  Atty. Kristine E. Yuzon-Chavez focused on women empowerment by promoting their sense of self-worth, their ability to make their own choices, and their right to influence social change among themselves, including others.

She also emphasized on how the country is faring on gender equality and eliminating gender biases in the workforce.

Also reinforcing the discussions, Jasmine Ranao of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, tackled on the salient provisions of RA 9262 or the Violence Against Women and Children, real-life situations and experience of law offenders, which would allow women to protect themselves despite public notion of vulnerability.

Part of the event also included in equipping participants on basic first aid, which was presented by Peter Paul T. Plaza, EMT, Oro Rescue 9000 training director.

Said activity was participated by representatives from the various women farmer’s associations of CdeO City, staff and Gender and Development (GAD) focal persons of DA-10 and its attached bureaus and agencies. # (JCAnito)

DA led by ASec for Agribiz and Mktg and other Oro officials hands over the certificate of commitment worth P1-M to CAFAMCO for the enhanced Kadiwa grant, which will provide financial support to scale up the Coop’s Kadiwa operations.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness and Marketing Kristine Y. Evangelista of DA led the turnover of the certificate of commitment for the P1 million enhanced Kadiwa grant to the Canitoan Farmer’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CAFAMCO).

On Thursday, ASec Evangelista together with DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) and CdeO City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno handed over said certificate to CAFAMCO thru its Chair Lucas W. Faborada.

Under the Enhanced Kadiwa Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program under the Agriculture Stimulus Package Bayanihan II, the Cooperative will be granted with financial support for their working capital (P240,000), hauling vehicle (P670,000) and ancillary equipment (P90,000).

“CAFAMCO will have access of the Type A financial grant package under the enhanced Kadiwa to finance their value-adding activities as assemblers of farmers and fishers’ produce such as procurement, aggregation and pre-processing,” RED Collado explained, where said intervention will be lodged.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic where mobility of goods and people were limited, the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program continues to provide a beefed-up marketing scheme where producers are directly linked with the consuming public, making available food commodities at reasonable prices to consumers.

Since April last year, CAFAMCO has served as one of DA-10’s regular Kadiwa suppliers, participating in the different rolled out Kadiwa outlets by the agriculture department and the Agricultural Productivity Office of the city government of CdeO.

At the onset in the implementation of community quarantines, Faborada has conveyed relief, that despite the pandemic, they were still able to earn a living from farming thru the Kadiwa.

“The Program remains to aid farmers like us to survive during this health crisis. Primarily, our members were able to sell their products and earn decently,” he relayed.

He further went on pinning his hopes in scaling up their Kadiwa operations with the financial grant package under the enhanced Kadiwa.

“On behalf of our members, we are thankful to DA for conferring us with this assistance for it will greatly help us in our operations, especially on the transportation aspect,” Faborada added.

Aside from reaping their own harvests in barangay Canitoan, CAFAMCO also buys the produce of other farmers, among them from adjacent barangays, namely: Pagatpat, San Simon, Iponan and Baikingon.

“Through this intervention [financial grant], the Cooperative will be capacitated and become reliable food commodity suppliers to consumers to sustainably operate the Kadiwa stores,” Dir. Collado concluded. # (JLO)

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary for Agribusiness and Marketing Kristine Y. Evangelista visited the Misamis Oriental Provincial Agricultural Development Complex (MOPADC) in Ane-i, Claveria, Misamis Oriental with Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and Provincial Operations Center Chief of Misamis Oriental Nilda B. Salas of DA-Regional Field Office 10.

On Thursday, Mis. Or. Provincial Agriculturist Apollo Pacamalan presented the province’s agricultural development program in promoting agricultural partnership, collaboration and investment.

He also briefed them on the seven-hectare MOPADC which envisions to house the embryo culture facility, integrated coconut processing plants and greenhouse, which are promising endeavors in addressing post-harvest losses, value-adding needs of the farmers and fisherfolk and the agri-preneurs in the province.# (ATC)

DA-NorMin thru RAED spearheads a consultation meeting for the drafting of a 2022-2027 road map for LGUs in light of the Mandanas ruling.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – With the Supreme Court’s ruling on Mandanas-Garcia petition, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED), recently conducted a consultation meeting for the drafting of science-based Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Infrastructure and Mechanization Plan.

Said activity is in line with the goals of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) and Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) laws which is to modernize and mechanize the Philippine agriculture and fisheries sector in order to alleviate poverty and ensure national food security.

In her message, Engr. Deliza T. Camaro, Assistant RAED Chief said, that the activity is conducted to come up with a five-year plan.

“We are trying to create a road map of our plans for our local government units (LGUs) from 2022-2027, which will then serve as our reference for future project implementation and budget allocation.”

With the consultation, expected outputs include the three types of masterplans: agriculture machinery, irrigation, and post-harvest facility.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said, that the department is pushing for a modern and mechanized farming.

“We want to help our farmers by pushing for a mechanized approach in agriculture. It will greatly help them lessen the time allotted for farm work and reduce post-harvest losses.”

The consultation meeting, which was conducted for the LGUs of Misamis Oriental, will also be conducted in other provinces. Outputs by the LGUs will be consolidated by RAED, which will then be submitted to the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) for a national consolidated masterplan.

With Mandanas-Garcia petition, the Internal Revenue Allotment share for LGUs will be based from all national tax collected and not just from the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

This will give LGUs more resources for implementing projects in their respective localities and is expected to take effect on 2022. # (CSeraspe)

On March 26, DA-NorMin officially turns over the P1.9-M SPIS situated in barangay Victory to LGU Lantapan to provide irrigation for its high value crop producing areas of the town.

LANTAPAN, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – 10 turned over the P1.9 million worth of solar powered irrigation system (SPIS) to the local government of Lantapan, Bukidnon in barangay Victory of said town.

On Friday, Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado led the handing over of the project to Lantapan mayor Ernie Devibar with an aim to provide irrigation facilities for high value crop producing areas in the region.

The SPIS has a solar array of 28 pieces and a pump power of 5 horsepower which is expected to serve a total area of 50 hectares planted with high value commodity crops.

It will also benefit farmers from 50 households of Talaandig, Bukidnon and Higaon tribes.

RED Collado said, this will greatly contribute to the goals of the department on food security and poverty alleviation.

“The project will greatly benefit our vegetable farmers in barangay Victory here in Lantapan. With the SPIS, both cropping intensity and crop yield will be enhanced which will help in the income of our farmers.”

He also committed to assist more farmers in the municipality after completing the SPIS project amidst the threat of COVID-19.

“I thank all of the sectors involved in the completion of this project. Completing this during the pandemic goes to show your commitment towards helping our farmers. That being said, the department also commits to give more assistance to the farmers of LGU Lantapan. I hope that through this assistance, the lives of our farmers will be better,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mayor Devibar shared, “Before it was just a dream for the people of barangay Victory and its neighboring barangays, but now, it has become a reality. Lantapan is known to be a high value crops producing municipality and with this project, it will greatly help our farmers produce quality products to be sold in our markets.”

He also reminded the farmer-beneficiaries to do their best in maintaining the project and the incoming projects in their locality for the future generation to experience its benefits.

The SPIS is funded under the 2019 budget of the High Value Crops Development Program and was implemented by the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division. # (CSeraspe)

Representing DA, ASec for Agribiz and Marketing, Kristine Y. Evangelista emphasizes the significance of women in nation building, particularly their potential contribution in boosting the agri-fishery sector during the Serbisyo para kay Juana National Convergence in line with the Women’s Month celebration in CdeO City.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) took part in the Serbisyo para kay Juana National Convergence in celebration of the Women’s Month in Cagayan de Oro City.

In support, DA-10 distributed 1,020 packets of 5-in-1 assorted vegetable seeds amounting to P132,600 in three variants: pinakbet, chopsuey, and sinigang to the participants on Thursday, March 25.

Beneficiaries include women’s organizations, ranging from farmers, solo parents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), indigenous people (IPs), City Scholarship parents, and community drug rehabilitation program recipients.

In her speech, DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness and Marketing, Kristine Y. Evangelista emphasized the significance of women in nation building, particularly their potential contribution in boosting the agri-fishery sector.

Brigida Ossa Cadiz, president of Solo Parents Association of barangay Iponan said, “Dako kaayo among pasalamat sa DA sa paglakip kanamong mga solo parent nga makadawat niining assistance ug pagrekognisar kanamong mga babaye isip kabahin sa katilingban nga sa among pagkamahuyang mamahimo namo kining hinagiban nga mubarug para sa among pamilya sa abot sa among makaya.”

[We are very thankful to DA for including us solo parents to receive [seeds] assistance and for also recognizing us women as part of the society that despite our vulnerabilities we can use this [intervention] as a tool in providing for our respective families to the best of our ability.]

The activity served as an avenue to tackle issues affecting women which calls for tangible actions towards gender equality.

The  convergence initiative is in support to whole-of-government approach thru the Office of Senator Lawrence Go, together with partner cluster agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Proclamation No. 227  provides for the observance of the Month of March as “Women’s Role in History Month”. # (JCAnito)

One hundred corn farmers receive P5K each from DA-NorMin under its CFSMFF program as financial aid to cope with COVID-19 effects.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – One hundred corn farmers in Cagayan de Oro City received P5,000 each worth of cash and food subsidy from the Department of Agriculture -10 on Thursday, March 25 in barangay Lumbia, this city.

DA-10 Regional Executive Carlene C. Collado explained, the Cash and Food Subsidy for Marginal Farmers and Fishers Program (CFSMFF) funded under the Bayanihan II aims to provide financial aid to farmers and fishers during this pandemic.

Qualified corn farmers were listed under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), with one hectare and below landholding.

Said event marks the second round of distribution for the city with farmer-beneficiaries from barangays Bayanga, Besigan, Cugman, Pagalungan, Taglimao, Tagpangi, and Tumpagon as its recipients.

Some farmers received their vouchers earlier that day, during a ceremony led by DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness and Marketing Kristine Y. Evangelista together with DA-10 RED Collado, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, CdeO Mayor Oscar S. Moreno and some local officials.

“The financial aid is a big help for us, especially during this time since we have experienced difficulties in planting and have encountered pests in our plants. For that, we are thankful to DA since it will help us with our daily needs,” shared Marites E. Saclad, a farmer from Malasag, Cugman, CdeO.

Meanwhile, committee chair on agriculture Jay Roa Pascual stated, the intervention is very timely as the COVID-19 health crisis has affected the livelihood of farmers, especially those from the hinterland areas.

Cagayan de Oro City has a total corn area of 1,322 hectares with 1,456 total corn farmers.

For the year 2020, the city has an average production of 3.641 metric tons per hectare for white corn and 4.85 MT/ha for yellow corn. # (AMBManto)

The agri dept in NorMin under its CFFP of DA-NLP partially delivers 50 heads of cattle to Baliangao, MisOcc.

BALIANGAO, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL – Aiming to boost beef production in Baliangao, Misamis Occidental, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) partially delivered 50 heads of cattle for the Cattle Fattening Feedlot Program of DA-National Livestock Program (NLP) on March 25, 2021.

Funded under Bayanihan Act II, CFFP has a total project cost of P5 million, which comprises 100 heads of cattle; drugs and biologic; cattle feeds, trainings and other needed materials.

Baliangao Municipal Mayor Agne V. Yap, Sr. said, the cattle will be nourished by the recipients at the local government’s feedlot located at barangay Landing.

After being bred, the offsprings will be dispersed among the farmer-beneficiaries from the different barangays.

The 600-square meter government-owned feedlot is situated within a one-hectare farmland planted with forage plants such as napier, signal grass and corn that were taken from the agency’s research station, the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City.

Meanwhile, Municipal Agriculturist Dioscora S. Catalan assured, that the recipients were carefully selected according to their willingness and capacity to rear the said upgraded cattle.

Further, she expressed her gratitude to DA-RFO 10 helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado for choosing Baliangao as one of the recipients of CFFP in Northern Mindanao.

“We are so fortunate to have been chosen as one of the town-recipients of DA-NLP, where small farmers of Baliangao will be given additional livelihood. With the cattle dispersal project, we will work hard for every household to benefit and become one of the primary sources of beef in our region,” said MA Catalan.

To date, DA-10 has delivered a total of 303 heads of cattle in the four municipality-recipients of MisOcc, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon since February, this year.# (EMBentulan)