CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Technical Research Report on the project entitled, “Socio-Economic Profiling of Farmers in Northern Mindanao,” was presented by the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) – Claveria, Misamis Oriental before key officials of the agriculture department (DA) in Northern Mindanao.

Said study, which was presented by USTP-Claveria Research and Development Extension Director Dr. Apolinario Gonzaga, Jr. on September 23, aimed to come up with general field information on physical, social, and institutional conditions in Region 10.

Survey results were drawn from 35,000 small farmer-respondents across Northern Mindanao, covering the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin.

Carlota S. Madriaga, regional technical director for operations of DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) said, such study will be instrumental in the program implementation of the agency in determining clients’ needs, aside from being a vital input in the department’s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Key issues initially discussed for further validation include farmers’ monocropping practices; damages in productivity due to calamities; high dependence on human labor and draft animals; less emphasis on farm mechanization for extension services; and machinery preference driven by familiarity and utility value.

Correspondingly, proposed solutions were laid out including unification of research and development efforts, science-based mitigation intervention, intensive social formation, and cross-sector partnership.

DA-10 executive Carlene C. Collado also emphasized the significance of research results in delivering better services to agri-clienteles, adding that the department eyes to allocate P2 million for the RDE activities of USTP-Claveria.

This, he further said, will jumpstart the partnership between DA-10 and that of the institution towards research development.

Said activity was spearheaded by the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED) of DA-10 in coordination with the RDE of USTP-Claveria. # (Mary Grace B. Sta. Elena)

In a recent meeting, 3rd district Bukidnon Representative Manuel F. Zubiri discussed with DA-RFO 10 executive Carlene C. Collado, as he sought help from the agri department to address the clamor of corn farmers to better command prices for their produce.

To collectively aid farmers in said district, it was agreed that farmer-leaders, processors, feed millers and cooperatives will be brought in together to a stakeholders meeting early October, this year, to be held in one of the department’s research stations in Dangcagan, Bukidnon.

The move is part to apprise said stakeholders with the demand, requirements, buying price, among other concerns on corn.

Other than pursuing such initiative to address the prevailing buying price of corn, Rep. Zubiri requested assistance on how to establish a corn grains complex, to aid in stabilizing market prices for corn in a long-term basis in said province. #

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In line with its Animal Health Program and annual observance of World Rabies Day (WRD), the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) handed over a total of 2,700 vials of anti-rabies vaccine to the different veterinary offices in NorMin.

The veterinary offices of Misamis Oriental received 1,000 vials, Cagayan de Oro City (700 vials) and Lanao del Norte (1,000 vials) from DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga on September 24 and 28, respectively, at the agency’s compound.

Part of the mitigate measures, the department continues to appropriate budget for vaccines which are being provided to the different local governments regionwide.

On-site vaccinations are being done to animals at the provincial, municipal/city or barangay levels, while some administer them in their respective veterinary offices for their walk-in and nearby clients owning animals or pets.

“One vial can be used to more or less 10 dogs, so for these [provisions], around 27,000 dogs can be vaccinated,” Ma. Lourdes Sypiecco, livestock program focal person of DA-RFO 10 said.

Agricultural Center Chief I Efren Melner S. Viloria of MisOr vet office said, DA has always been supportive in helping eradicating rabies in the province through providing such assistance which could cater to the needs of animal or pet owners.

“The support of DA makes a step closer in ending rabies and safeguarding our community, as a whole,” Dr. Lucien Anthony Acac, CdeO City veterinarian added.

On top of the received anti-rabies vaccines, the LdN vet office has also been given with 1,800 syringes which will be utilized in administering rabies vaccinations of the province.

“Along with the conduct of our ongoing mass vaccination for dogs in the province, we also highlight responsible pet ownership resulting also in raising awareness on how fatal, but preventable the virus is,” Ken Harvey A. Luna, representative of said office remarked.

For this year, the WRD celebration centers on the theme” “End Rabies: Collaborate, Vaccinate.”, where it highlights the aim of zero human deaths by 2030, the significance of dog vaccination and the unanimous effort of concerned stakeholders in eliminating rabies.

Rabies is a fatal, but preventable viral disease that can spread to people and animals if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, which is usually transmitted through a bite.# (John Carl R. Anito)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Two units automated disinfection systems are now installed in the province of Bukidnon to continuously combat African Swine Fever (ASF).

Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) said, the disinfection system is first in Mindanao and in Region 10.

On Monday, September 28, Collado led the ribbon cutting of two units automated disinfection systems installed in DA-RFO 10’s Malaybalay Stock Farm (MSF) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City and Alae Quarantine Station, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon to improve the efficacy of the disinfection strategies and reduce reliance to our frontliners.

One unit was turned over to the Provincial Local Government Unit of Bukidnon (PLGU Bukidnon) worth P1.59 million thru Vice Governor Rogelio N. Quiño for the additional animal biosafety system of the province under the agency’s Livestock Program.

Meanwhile, there is a need to sustain the biosecurity measures of the health and sanitation of DA-10’s MSF livestock that does not only cater Region 10, but the entire Mindanao.

Collado emphasized, “DA thru this Automated Disinfection System project is serious in implementing the prevention of ASF, particularly in Bukidnon, and the entire Region 10, in general.”

He also revealed, the agency has procured three units for this year, wherein, two units were installed in Bukidnon and one unit for Magsayasay, Misamis Oriental.

For next year, DA will procure additional five units to augment the existing units.

He appealed to PLGU Bukidnon for the sustenance of the project, through various resources such as water and electricity that will continuously utilize its purpose aside from helping in maintaining the province and the region as an ASF-free zone.

Livestock program coordinator Ma. Lourdes M. Sypiecco of DA-RFO 10 noted, considering that Bukidnon is one of the top pork producers in the country, there is a need to strengthen strategies in protecting the producers and farmers from said disease.

Vice Gov. Quino said, “Kinahanglan masugpo ang ASF nga dili makasulod sa Bukidnon. Ang mga hayop sa Bukidnon dili matakbuyan sa sakit nga kanunay nga gimonitor busa higpit ang pagsulod sa livestock diri sa probinsiya.”

The automated disinfection system has high automatic pressure sprayer and sensor with one set installed wall.#(ATCabig)

CdeO City – In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Agriculture – National Dairy Authority (DA-NDA) procured P10 million worth of milk from its assisted-dairy farmers.

Said intervention is part of DA-NDA’s ‘We Drink Milk As One’ Program that aims to provide marketing support to local dairy farmers, at the same time provide frontliners with fresh and nutritious milk to help boost their immunity.

In Northern Mindanao, the DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) received 350 bottles at 350 ml per bottle of chocolate milk on September 18, 2020 at the agency compound.

Under this program, DA-NDA buys milk from local dairy farmers and processors and donates them to select frontline workers across the country.

Along with this, DA-NDA has set up milk outlets in DA’s Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita sites nationwide to provide a stable market for its dairy-partners and to help bring local dairy farmers’ produced milk closer to consuming households.

For the period April 29-September 3, DA-NDA through said program has provided 18,871.40 liters of milk sourced from 152 assisted local dairy farmers to 55,520 frontline workers for Region 10 alone. # (Irish Mae Juntahan)

TALAKAG, BUKIDNON, September 24 – To ensure food security and boost farmers’ income, Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado discussed with Talakag Municipal Mayor Vergito O. Factura to finalize the establishment of a Regional Food Terminal in the town.

Director Collado said, the P14 million worth trading post in Miarayon, Talakag, Bukidnon, will benefit local farmers, traders and residents of the municipalities along with its nearby towns, cities and provinces.

Municipal Agriculturist Liezl V. Barros added, this will significantly increase the profit of local farmers as the establishment of the food terminal eliminates the participation of middlemen.

Meanwhile, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Chief Chedy V. Ansale of DA-RFO 10 shared, Talakag has a potential production area of around 11 thousand hectares and is known for producing high value vegetables such as white potato, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce and coffee.

DA eyes to have the food terminal to be established and operational by 2021. # (AMBManto)

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, groundbreaks the Regional Livestock and Research Production Building at the Malaybalay Stock Farm in Dalwangan, earlier today, September 21.

Funded under the department’s Livestock Program, the P4.5 million worth two-storey building with a 200-square meter floor area will be constructed at the center of the MSF compound within the complex.

RED Collado noted, the event is historical noting no construction of buildings in the area since 1974.

He further encouraged the Research Division and other programs of DA-10 to study and propose other necessary projects or facilities to be constructed to fully utilize the stock farm on research activities.

Meanwhile,  DA-RFO 10 Livestock Program Coordinator Maria Lourdes M. Sypiecco shared, the structure will serve as a modernized landmark, where all advance technologies, as an output of the various livestock related researches will spring up, such as the Philippine Native Animal Development; breeder maintenance and distribution program; forage apiculture development, among others.

Witnessing the ceremonial event were the Regional Technical Directors for Research and Regulations, and Operations Carmelita T. Bajarla and Carlota S. Madriaga, and other DA-10 personnel.# (EMB)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In Northern Mindanao, the agriculture department together with the corn stakeholders and the provincial agriculture’s office of Bukidnon convened to tackle the low buying price of yellow corn on Friday, September 11.

Yellow corn buying price ranges from P9 to P11 per kilo, affecting the corn farmers in the region.

Engr. Alson Quimba, Bukidnon provincial agriculturist said, their province alone has 118,643 hectares of corn with a projected harvest of 382,000 metric tons from September to December based on the planted area with an average yield of 4.7 metric tons per hectare.

Carlota S. Madriaga, regional technical director for operations of DA-RFO 10 said, the dialogue is an avenue to discuss urgent solutions in addressing the concerns of corn farmers, aside from tracing the cause of low buying price.

Madriaga reported, imported feed wheat for Northern Mindanao is higher in the third quarter of 2019, compared to 1.57 MT of the same period this year.

No feed wheat importation for the months of August and September this year based on the report of the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry- Plant Quarantine Services in Region 10 (DA-BPI-PQS 10).

Feed wheat importation is higher in the first semester and third quarter of 2019 at 9.43 MT, while 9.9 MT of the same period this year.

Meanwhile, corn importation for the region in 2019 reaches to 87.742 MT from January to September, while this year’s corn importation of the same period is at 56.28 MT, mostly coming from Myanmar, USA, Vietnam, and India.

There is no imported corn for Northern Mindanao in September.

As part of the marketing assistance provided to the corn farmers, the DA 10 has linked the Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (MARBC) in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon to Pilmico Foods Corporation, and forged a tripartite agreement for an inclusive corn sourcing project since CY 2018.

Pilmico sourced a part of its corn requirements for its animal feeds business from the coop with a contract of 500 MT per week at a price ranging from P15-17 per kilo.

Some corn clusters in other areas in Bukidnon were assisted by MARBC to sell their corn produce to Pilmico.

Aside from Pilmico, DA-RFO 10 also linked the corn clusters to other feed millers which include San Miguel Corp., Anakciano Feedmill, CJ Philippines, and M. Montesclaros Farms Inc. with a buying price ranging from P12 to P14 per kilo.

Roderico R. Bioco of the Philippine Maize Federation, Inc. (PhilMaize) recommended the following to help the corn industry sector in the country: 1. the government should allow them to import corn with free tariff; 2. support for the guaranteed price of corn at P13.50 per kilo as mandated in the magna carta of small farmers or RA 7607; 3. allow NFA to procure corn in order to stabilize the market price; and, 4. allow corn export during harvest season to stabilize and prevent declines in corn farm gate prices.

Earlier, the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC-10) passed a resolution (no. 02, series of 2020) recommending to the DA, through the PCAF to further review and consider a tariff modification in support of the corn industry sector.

The resolution was endorsed to the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) – National Banner Program Committees for rice, poultry, livestock, and feed crops prior to its endorsement to the Tariff Commission and Department of Finance for consideration.

Bioco recommended, the tariff collected on imported corn should be returned to the farmers for the provision of funds, similar to rice on the implementation of rice tariffication law.

The group agreed, with DA as the lead to encourage local government units to access financial assistance from Land Bank of the Philippines to procure the produce of the farmers.

In DA-RFO 10’s Action Plan for Drop of Corn Price, Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado of DA-RFO 10, supported the recommendation of PhilMaize for the National Food Authority (NFA) to buy corn in helping stabilize current prices in the market.

Also, the DA-RFO 10 reinforced for the export of corn and postponing on the issuance of import permits during peak harvest so that farmers will not be affected.

On Tuesday, September 15, the DA-RFO 10 conducted a market matching, linking corn farm clusters in Bukidnon to various institutional buyers.

Feed millers presented their volume and accreditation requirements, mode of payment, and buying price.

Panchito A. Teruel, Manager of Bukidnon Farmers Inc. (BFI) Employees Agrarian Reform Coop (BEFCO) said, “We consolidate corn produce to help other corn farmers in Southern parts of Bukidnon. Government intervention is important to address the problem. This market matching would greatly help.”

BEFCO of Maray-Maray, Don Carlos, Bukidnon, is a consolidator of 13 cooperatives covering the municipalities of Don Carlos, Quezon, Kitaotao, Kibawe, Damulog and Kadingilan in Bukidnon.#

Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office handed over 90 bags of Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) white corn seeds worth Php135,000.00 to the 88th Infantry Batallion, 4ID, Philippine Army on September 17, 2020.

Captain Norven Jay A. Garcia said, the assistance will support the development of the agricultural sector and will help reduce poverty in response to the country’s peace agenda.

The assistance received will boost  corn production, as it can be planted to 90 hectares, in the municipality of  Quezon, Bukidnon.

The turnover was headed by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and assisted by Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga and Bukidnon Vice Governor Rogelio Quino. # (MGBS)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, September 13 – Northern Mindanao (NorMin) is still African Swine Fever (ASF)-free, measures are in place and carried out to impede the entry of such dreaded disease from the region, the agriculture department reported.

“Region 10 is still ASF-free, meaning it remains part of the green [protected] zone, where transport [selling or trade] of swine and pork products to any parts of the country is allowed,” Carlene C. Collado, DA-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) executive bared, in an episode of the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS)-X podcast with Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary, Jose Ruperto Martin M. Andanar.

With nearby regions, such as 11 and 12, now being ASF-stricken areas, the official noted, it is vital for NorMin to beef up its ASF preventive and control measures being the third largest swine producers in the Philippines, accounting an estimated total hog production of 52.23 thousand metric tons (liveweight) for first quarter, this year, and further save the region from incurring economic losses.

Even more so, that Arakan Valley in Cotabato, shares a border with that of Kitaotao, Bukidnon province, he added.

“We are particularly protecting Bukidnon, being the host of our great grandparent and grandparent stocks,” Collado explained.

Concerted initiatives are also being done in close coordination with the private sector such as NORMINHOG and OroVets.

Of whom, the director added, have been helping on the department’s information and education campaign efforts.

Among key messages reiterated in the info drive include, to avoid swill feeding to raised hogs, as these may be contaminated, to refrain from bringing in pork meat and its by-products from ASF-affected areas, to report unusual swine mortalities, and to patronize farmers’ local meat and its by-products.

“Recently, a legal training was also conducted for the provincial and city veterinarians, including quarantine station officers for apprehension, confiscation and filing of complaints for violators on [ASF] executive orders issued by the different local governments,” the agency head related.

Monitoring animal movement of all livestock coming from outside NorMin is also ongoing, he stated.

“We are also geotagging commercial and backyard swine farms to establish proper zoning [and movement] and for immediate response, should any ASF incidents be discovered,” Collado detailed.

Notwithstanding, ASF-triggered challenges to the swine industry, the agri executive, however, shared DA-RFO 10’s strides for the first semester amid the ongoing pandemic.

He reported that the agency extended about P184.9 million worth of financial aid to 28,674 farmers under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA), Financial Subsidy for Rice Farmers (FSRF) and Survival and Recovery Aid.

Through the agency’s Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita On-Wheels and Express, a total of 65,591 households have benefited while 66 farmer-suppliers were assisted, generating sales of almost P15 million, the agri-executive added.

In support to end local communist armed conflict, Collado further told its interventions, comprising the provision of farm machineries and equipment, dispersal of animals and other agri-inputs, to reinforce the implementation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ civil military operations.

“These [agri-interventions] are not only for the agri-development in their respective camps, but also in bringing services to those conflict affected barangays that are hard-to-reach by our agricultural extension services,” the director remarked.

Equally important as addressing the prevailing health crisis, DA-RFO 10 will continue to serve as food security frontliners, as it eyes to continue drumming up the level of food production across all commodities, including the alternative staple food crop, adlay, as it now gains ground in the region, Collado concluded. # (JLO)