MOA signing between DA NorMin and CLGU of CdeO to seal both parties’ venture into further increasing the productivity and profitability of farmers in Cagayan de Oro City.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY –   In increasing the productivity and profitability of the farmers in Cagayan de Oro City, Mayor Oscar S. Moreno signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) on December 21, 2020.

The P23 million agri projects funded under CY2020 – Agriculture Stimulus Package Bayanihan II of DA-High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) ensures to establish a resilient food system, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comprising said amount is a 1 unit dome-type storage and packing facility and cold storage amounting to P20 million.

The establishment of the facility will extend the shelf life of highly-perishable commodities and reduce post-harvest losses of the urban farmers of the city.

Meanwhile, the P3 million Urban Agriculture (UA) Project has three subprojects: urban mushroom production (mushroom bags, poly propylene bags, bag filling machine, mushroom house and all-purpose shredder); community gardens (vegetable seeds, organic fertilizer, knapsack sprayer and hand tractor); and the modern UA or hydroponics nursery  (construction of greenhouse with micro sprinkler irrigation system).

Each UA project component costs around P1 million, which will showcase the technologies of vegetable farming in the hinterland areas of the city for replication.

Witnessing the MOA signing were DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and CdeO Acting City Agriculturist Paul Douglas Calingin. # (EMBentulan)

On December 17, DA-10 RED Collado signed a MOA with CAFAMCO thru its Chair Lucas W. Faborada, in the presence of AMAD.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To ensure available and accessible food during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), thru its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), provides a financial grant to beneficiaries under its Enhanced Kadiwa Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program.

On December 17, Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Canitoan Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CAFAMCO) thru its Chair Lucas W. Faborada.

Through the program, CAFAMCO will receive a P1 million grant in support to packing house facility (P240,000 working capital, P670,000 hauling vehicle and P90,000 ancillary equipment).

CAFAMCO is one of DA-10’s regular Kadiwa suppliers and directly buys other farm produce in the hinterlands of the city and sells in Kadiwa outlets.

At the same time, DA entered into another agreement with the Local Government Unit of Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental thru Municipal Mayor Rey B. Buhisan for the establishment of a P5 million trading post with equipment.

Director Collado said, the Enhanced Kadiwa program aims to provide financial grant assistance to eligible organizations to strengthen its operations for the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita – a program that aims to bring agri-fishery products directly to the consumers.

“On behalf of our members, we are thankful to DA-RFO 10 for granting us this assistance for it will greatly aid our operations, especially on the transportation aspect,” Faborada remarked.# (AMBManto)

DA-10 honors AEWs and an LFT in R-10 in the 2019 RAA for their food sufficiency contributions. On December 17, DA-10 RED Collado handed over the cash prizes to the honorees, including Provincial Agriculturist, Bukidnon Engr. Alson G. Quimba and Valencia City Agriculturist Connie L. Dalangan, in the presence of Rice Program Focal Person, Chona H. Nacalaban, POC Bukidnon Chief, Dr. Janet D. Lopez and Agriculturist II Paulo Miguel A. Diputado. #

CAGAYAN DE ORO – Twenty-three outstanding agricultural extension workers (AEWs) and Local Farmer Technician (LFT) in Northern Mindanao were recognized and honored in the 2019 Rice Achievers Awards for their contributions to food sufficiency thrust on December 17, 2020.

Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10  Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado awarded each AEW (22) and LFT (1) with P20,000 cash for their efforts and assistance to the rice sector.

Collado stressed, Region 10 has been consistently awarded in the annual RAA for several years.

The contributions of the 2019 awardees coming from the provinces of Bukidnon (14), Lanao del Norte (7), and Misamis Occidental were instrumental in helping the provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte and the city of Valencia to be included in the top 10 National outstanding provinces, cities in the 2019 RAA.

Collado further shared,  DA has poured various supports for the rice industry thru the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), aside from the regular programs of the department to scale up its hybrid and inbred rice production in spite of COVID-19 challenges.

“I congratulate all the awardees of the 2019 RAA and I hope that even if this will be the last batch of the annual RAA, you will continue to be our extension arms in DA’s mandate in providing sufficient food not only in the region but also the country.”

He also assured that DA will continue to give support in the agri sector, especially the accredited cooperatives in all commodities which include rice, corn, high-value crops, and livestock in the provinces.

Myrna Ariola,  the region’s only LFT awardee from Don Carlos, Bukidnon said, “Being a farmer technician of the five barangays requires passion and dedication.”

Meanwhile, Bukidnon Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Alson G. Quimba remarked, with DA-RCEF and other agri interventions, Bukidnon has the region’s highest area of rice production will still be inspired to sustain its rice sufficiency, which is currently at 145 percent.

The 2019 RAA AEWs and LFT awardees are as follows:

BUKIDNON

Local Farmer Technician

1. Myrna A.Ariola – LFT, Don Carlos

Agricultural Extension Workers

1. Engr. Alson Quimba – Provincial Local Government Unit
2. Maria Lilith Turan – PLGU
3. Connie L. Dalangan – Valencia City
4. Jemuel Raffy Juanga – Valencia City
5. Roan R. Fernandez – Impasug-ong
6. Dianne Jane B. Gante – Impasug-ong
7. Jaeanylyn D. Balandra – Kibawe
8. Henry Alimpiping – Malaybalay City
9. Sherwin E. Blanco – Malaybalay City
10. Arnulfo L. Edralin – Malaybalay City
11. Cressencia Taguic – Malaybalay City
12. Fliridel Tinoy – Malaybalay City
13. Jan Michael Vicente R. Cruz – Valencia City
14. Adonis A. Torres – Valencia City

LANAO DEL NORTE

(AEW)

1. Letecia Ditucalan – PLGU
2. Mechelle Merambel – PLGU
3. Dodirico M. Cuaresma – Lala
4. Oscar Palencia – Lala
5. Antipas Padilla – Lala
6. Rosevito Pugoy – Lala
7. Aldrin Ybañez – Lala

MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL (AEW)

1. Ermesa Bongabong – Oroquieta CLGU

(EMBentulan)

Pioneering beneficiaries of the F2C2 program are being assisted in the drafting of their project proposals to address their key needs and concerns.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) has selected five pilot commodity clusters in the region as beneficiaries of its farm and fisheries clustering and consolidation program (F2C2).

In a Consultative Meeting and Action Planning on F2C2 program on December 9, 2020, in Malaybalay City, the pioneering beneficiaries were facilitated in drafting their project proposals to address their needs and key concerns.

Each cluster represents the commodities for rice, corn, cassava, high-value crops, and livestock.

These beneficiaries include the Maramag Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MACO-MPC) of Maramag, Bukidnon; Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmer’s Cooperative of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon; and Miarayon Highland Farmers Association of Talakag, Bukidnon; Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives of El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental; and San Isidro Lower Women’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Lala, Lanao del Norte.

According to DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the F2C2program aims to consolidate the farmers, fishers, and agripreneurs in clusters to attain economies of scale, where they can produce and earn more.

He added, through Administrative Order 27 signed by DA Secretary William D. Dar, F2C2 will also aid the beneficiaries in accessing its credit programs, advance training, farm mechanization, processing facilities, among others.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga emphasized, the program targets to organize the farmers and other stakeholders in the agri sector to consolidate their produce and come up with a unified buying price to their advantage.

She urged stakeholders not to focus on a single-based commodity, but to include other crops and livestock-based commodity.

Meanwhile, MACO-MPC Chair Calixto DS. Daquiado remarked, “Ang programang F2C2 sa DA dakong tabang sa mga kooperatiba kay dinhi makita ang panaghiusa sa mga mag-uuma dili lamang sa production apan apil ang marketing. Pinaagi sa coop clustering and consolidation, ang mga miyembro madasig sa pagpang-uma gumikan sa mga suportang kalakip sa programa, sama sa financing, agricultural facilities, machineries ug uban pa.”

[DA’s F2C2 Program is a big help to cooperatives, where farmer-members will be unified not only for production, but including marketing. Through coop clustering and consolidation, the members will be motivated to farm with the support and programs which includes financing, agricultural facilities, machineries and, others.]# (EMBentulan)

DA reaffirms its support for the attainment of inclusive and sustainable peace during the Adlai Ceremonial Harvest and turnover of
10 NHA-built housing units and P4.8 -M worth of financial assistance to 20 FRs at 403rd Infantry Brigade, Camp Osito Bahian in
Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, on December 8, 2020.

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – As a support agency to the implementation of Executive Order 70, an order calling for a whole-of-nation approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) advocates adlay farming as potential livelihood projects for former rebels (FRs).

The DA reaffirms its support of the government’s pursuit of inclusive and sustainable peace during the Adlai Ceremonial Harvest and turnover of 10 NHA-built housing units and P4.8 million worth of financial assistance to 20 FRs at 403rd Infantry Brigade, Camp Osito Bahian in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, on December 8, 2020.

“DA will back up the government’s support to people who have returned to the calls of the law. All of us are working together in a whole-of-nation approach,” DA Undersecretary for Regulations, Engr. Zamzamin L. Ampatuan said.

“It is a good thing that our FRs are safe, and now will stand for the same ideology to fight for our people, but this time in a productive way,” he added.

Ampatuan commends the Philippine Army’s effort in hosting the FRs and engaging them in adlay production and processing – a highly viable livelihood program, as the DA will be pushing adlay production in the ensuing years.

“Adlai will be a big thing. This will make the Philippine famous. No other Asian Countries produce adlay in massive scale,” he accounted.

Adlai is a tropical plant bearing tear-shaped grains slightly bigger than that of corn and rice. It is popularly used in diet owing to its anti-inflammatory properties.

It is also good for diabetes since it has low glycemic index and rich in fiber, making it in demand to consumers who’s into healthy food.

Due to growing demand, recently, adlay has been commercially produced as healthier alternative for rice and corn.

“The DA has set aside seed fund to promote adlay production. The agribusiness service of DA will be allocating P10 million to fund adlay research and support some enterprises that are developing adlay products,” Ampatuan disclosed.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga revealed, currently the DA RFO-10’s Research Division has produced various value-added adlay products such as adlay wine, cookies and cereal.

The division also developed adlay processing and packaging technologies that can be benchmarked by interested agripreneurs in the region.

In his message, the DA executive also assured the FRs of the agency’s support for their vegetable production project.

“We in the government embrace you back. You are our balikbayans. The President emphasized this will end. There will be no more rebels as people will open up their minds. We do not need war within and among us,” he said.

“I congratulate you as you renew your vow back to this peaceful society,” Ampatuan concluded. #(ATalib)

IMPASUG-ONG, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao turns over P15.86 million agri interventions to barangay Kalabugao and Hagpa of Impasug-ong, Bukidnon in support to the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC).

Presidential Communications (PCOO) Secretary and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security – Region X (CORDS –X) Martin M. Andanar with DA Asst. Sec. for Agribusiness and Marketing Kristine Y. Evangelista, DA-10 RTD Carlota S. Madriaga, and other officials led the turnover ceremony on Tuesday.

Comprising the interventions are agri machinery and equipment (mobile flash dryer, mechanical rice thresher, power tiller – pull type with trailer); multi-crop drying pavement with shed; egg incubators; agri inputs (inorganic and organic fertilizer, feeds, vegetable, sorghum, corn and rice seeds); livestock animals, drugs and supplements funded by the agency’s banner programs (rice, corn, livestock) and special project (Special Area for Agricultural Development Program).

“Sa ELCAC more than P50 million worth of ari interventions which includes equipment and machinery na ang naipamigay ng DA sa Region 10. Hindi po dito nagtatapos ang tulong namin dahil ang utos ni President Duterte ay kayo po ang nasa una sa listahan ng ating pamahalaan. Lahat ng resources natin ay para sa inyo. Sama-sama po kami, tulong-tulong whole of the government approach,” said ASEC Evangelista in her message.

ASec Evangelista further announced an additional P2 million commitment, P1 million for agribusiness capital and another P1 million for 5 units adlai milling equipment.

“Pohonan po ito (bigay po to, hindi loan) na gagamitin ninyo, para sa processing at packaging. Kailangang maibenta ninyo ng magandang presyo. Yun po ang paraan para sama sama tayong uunlad. Ang DA noon pa man, hanggang ngayon ay naririto para tulungan kayo,” she said.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga emphasized, the assistance is in support of the agency’s thrust in increasing productivity and income and reduce poverty among the marginalized sectors in agriculture and fishery in pursuit of the country’s peace agenda.

The support is in line with Executive Order 70 signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte which aims to end local communist armed conflict. # (ATCabig/Photo Credits: JCAnito)

MHFA and LGU Talakag, Bukidnon thru President Ryan Danio and Administrator Bigcas, respectively, receive their certificates of award from DA under its Enhanced Kadiwa Inclusive Food Supply Chain program, in the presence of PCOO Sec. Andanar, DA ASec. Evangelista, DA-10 RTD Madriaga and 4ID Commander Centino.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Miarayon Highland Farmers Association (MHFA) and the local government of Talakag, Bukidnon received their certificate of awards from the Department of Agriculture under the enhanced kadiwa inclusive food supply chain program on Monday, December 7.

PCOO Secretary Martin M. Andanar turned over the certificate of award to MHFA President Ryan A. Danio for the P1 million grant in support to packing house facility (working capital and equipment) and to LGU Talakag, represented by Administrator Alberto Bigcas received P14 million for the establishment of regional food terminal project, during the RTF-ELCAC meeting in Cagayan de Oro.

Assisting him during the turnover were DA Asst. Sec. for Agribusiness and Marketing Kristine Y. Evangelista, Department of Agriculture 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and 4th Infantry Division Commander MGen Andres C. Centino.

The program, “Enhanced Kadiwa Financial Grant” aims to provide cooperatives additional capital to purchase supplies and equipment and help them sell their produce directly to consumers.

The grant includes vegetable crates, packing equipment, delivery truck, and revolving fund as assemblers or consolidators of fresh produce.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga said, the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program was expanded to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness by capacitating the farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives, associations to become reliable and efficient food commodity suppliers.

The Kadiwa is one of the main programs of DA under the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) facilitating the market linkage of agri producers to consumers including institutional buyers.

The program also minimizes layers of traders making fresh produce affordable.

Through the grant, cooperatives are capacitated to take on more roles in the food supply chain thus, increasing their income.

According to Danio, their association delivers 3-5 tons of assorted high value vegetables to Bulua Market in CdeO every week, which are then supplied to Luzon, Visayas and to some areas in Mindanao.

The MHFA has 25 active members tilling more than 60 hectares of land in barangay Miarayon and a beneficiary of several DA projects.

Bigcas shared, LGU Talakag will manage the regional food terminal which will be established in a 1 hectare area in barangay Miarayon, where the farm is situated.

“High value crops is available in Talakag. You can directly buy to the farmers to benefit and help them too. We have the potential to produce more, whole year round,” Bigcas concluded.# (ATCabig/Photos Supplied)