MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – DA Chief William D. Dar graced the groundbreaking of the P32 million worth of Upgrading and Renovation of Research Facilities of the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex, Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon under the Bayanihan Fund II of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 on Friday, February 12.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said, the upgrading and renovation is for the capacity building of farmers and advancement of the farming industry of the region.

It is also aligned with the the eight paradigms of the ‘New Thinking for Agriculture’ as framed by Sec. Dar, which includes infrastructure development, industrialization and modernization. # (JCAnito)

DA-CMU promotes farm mechanization as a component in the promotion of Hybrid Rice Technology. With the use of a transplanter, a hectare of land can be fully planted with rice in just a day as compared to manual labor where it takes at least 20 days.

MARAMAG, BUKIDNON – In line with the Hybridization Program which aims to increase farm efficiency to attain rice sufficiency through hybrid rice, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), together with Central Mindanao University (CMU), led a ceremonial planting for the Hybrid Rice Derby.

Representing DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, Audy G. Maagad, officer-in-charge, Field Operations Division, highlighted the benefits of using hybrid rice on Thursday, in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon.

Maagad shared, hybrid rice is a good option for farmers to increase production for it can produce as much as 10-12 tons per hectare.

“With hybrid rice and the use of farm mechanization in land preparation, transplanting and harvesting, production cost is reduced while the yield increases, thus rice farmers get to earn more,” the DA official added.

CMU provided the 33-hectare farmland for seed companies to plant, where each of them is provided with three hectares to showcase their best varieties, including their respective cultural management practices and other technologies to enhance rice productivity.

This will then be displayed in a technology demonstration, so farmers can determine which variety is best suited for their respective areas.

Meanwhile, CMU President Jesus Antonio G. Derije said, their institution welcomes opportunities that can aid in achieving rice sufficiency in the country.

“We want to be of help in producing rice to address the shortage and to produce more harvest because rice is a basic commodity that Filipinos need,” Derije said.

He underscored, they are one with the department in achieving the production of quality rice.

Said derby was participated by seed companies which include Bayer, Dosepco, SL Agritech, Leads Agri, Ramgo, LongPin, Corteva, Syngenta, Bioseed, and Seedworks, including DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute.

“With them [seed companies] responding to our call, it shows our strong collaboration of our public-private partnership, especially in this time of pandemic, where Bayanihan is very much needed,” Maagad said.

Also present in the Rice Derby are DA-10 and CMU officials and staff, representatives from the seed companies, and farmers from the different towns of Bukidnon. # (CSeraspe)

DA-RFO 10 bares plans on setting a price ceiling on pork products in CdeO City.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – With the aim of protecting its consumers from hog price spike, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) convened with relevant stakeholders on February 5, 2021, this city.

Following its previous consultation with key players in the hog industry, the agency set another meeting to discuss on the implementation of price ceiling for pork products in Cagayan de Oro City.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado shared, the initiative aims to stabilize prices amidst the threat of African Swine Fever (ASF).

As such, the agency presented data on the costing of production and post-production of hogs and pork, including its suggested retail price.

Said data is based on the price monitoring of DA-10’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division from November 2020 to January 2021 as well as reports from hog raisers, meat vendors, local governments, Philippine Statistics Authority and DA attached agencies such as the National Meat Inspection Service and Veterinary Quarantine Services.

Carlota S. Madriaga, regional technical director for operations noted, the list of ceiling price for pork products will be released by Monday, February 15 and will have a three-day grace period prior to its implementation.

On the sufficiency level of pork supply in the region, Dr. Grant Mejorada Amoncio of Northern Mindanao Hog Raisers (NorMinHog) assured, “We have enough supply not only for Cagayan de Oro but for Northern Mindanao, as well, and we also continue to supply to other areas, especially those who are affected by the viral hog disease.”

Participants of the said meeting include representatives from public market associations, Department of Trade and Industry Misamis Oriental, City Price Coordinating Council and City Economic Enterprise Department of CdeO, Misamis Oriental Retailers Association, NorMinHog, agriculturists and veterinarians from local government units and other stakeholders. # (AMBManto)

DA-10 headed by RED Collado meets with the stakeholders of the hog industry to come up with a reasonable price for liveweight hog, considering R-10’s sufficient supply.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) initiated a meeting with commercial hog raisers and other relevant stakeholders to aid in lowering the Region’s liveweight hog price, considering its sufficient supply.

This amid the increase of pork meat price in Manila and other regions throughout the country affected by African Swine Fever.

On February 3, DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said, the output of the meeting will be the basis for setting the ceiling price of the live hogs, pork meat and its by-products.

Particularly, the team targets to come up with the costing of the production, post-production and the retail of hogs to set a reasonable costing for such commodity, which are being transported to Manila.

Further, the agri executive reported, this will be presented to the Local Price Coordinating Council and other industry stakeholders for a unified costing of live weight hog.

Attending the consultation meeting were DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, Northern Mindanao Hog Raisers Association, Bureau of Animal Industry-National Veterinary Quarantine Service, National Meat Inspection Service, city and provincial veterinary offices, heads of DA-RFO 10 Field Operations, Regulatory and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance divisions.# (EMBentulan)

In increasing farm efficiency to attain rice sufficiency through the use of hybrid rice, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 in partnership with Central Mindanao University conducted the ceremonial planting for hybrid rice derby on February 5, 2021 in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon.

Eleven seed companies participated in the 33-hectare rice derby that will showcase their best hybrid rice varieties, including their respective cultural practices and other technologies to enhance rice productivity. #

NorMin agri dept amplifies its Agri 4Ps by supporting DepEd’s ‘Gulayan’ initiatives thru the provision of vegetable seeds.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) reinforces its promotion of urban gardening, as it recently provided 600 repacked assorted vegetable seeds to the Department of Education (DepEd) – Division of Misamis Oriental, Sugbongcogon District.

On January 19 at the agency compound, Carlota S. Madriaga, regional technical director for operations handed over the agri-inputs, comprising of eggplant, pechay and squash, particularly to the Kidampas Integrated School (KIS) thru its head, Cherry Q. Sadicon.

“For this year, the agency continues the provision of vegetable seeds through the Plant, Plant, Plant program (Agri 4Ps). There is a need to grow our own food as it is uncertain when this pandemic will end, and we want to ensure safe, accessible and available food is set on the tables of every Filipino family,” the director remarked.

For her part, Sadicon of KIS expressed, despite the challenge brought by the pandemic, quality service is still envisioned by the education and agriculture departments of the government.

“DA plays a significant role in providing assistance to the programs and projects of other departments such as the Gulayan sa Paaralan and Gulayan sa Tahanan of DepEd,” she added.

To those interested to avail of free seeds, RTD Madriaga enjoins households to visit the office for the availment of seeds while asking local government units, institutions, and other groups to submit their request to obtain the seeds assistance in bulk. # (JCAnito)

The agri dept in R-10 convenes for the drafting of implementation and operational guidelines for the Establishment of Smart Greenhouse and Capacity Building project, a collaborative undertaking with the Korean government.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, January 14 – As one of the host institutions for a collaborative project on the Establishment of Smart Greenhouse and Capacity Building in the Philippines, the agriculture department of Northern Mindanao (DA-10) convened for the drafting of the Project’s implementation and operational guidelines.

The Philippine government thru DA signed a memorandum agreement with the Korean government amounting to US$2.6 million or roughly P135 million, with the project set to benefit the agency’s research stations in both DA-NorMin thru Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and Western Visayas.

Of which, this is seen to enhance the competitiveness of small and mid-sized farmers by boosting domestic production of high value crops using smart greenhouse technology.

Said grant is accorded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs thru the Korea Agency of Education, Promotion and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries up to 2024.

Eleven smart greenhouses are slated to be built at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon for the propagation of strawberry, tomato (production and nursery) and potato (nursery).

On Thursday, DA-10’s working team has initially laid out the criteria selection for the potential farmer-co-operators, as the Project features extending training and education to the former together with researchers and extension officers.

Select farmer-groups will include those members of local agricultural cooperatives/organizations/associations accredited by DA-10; have the capacity to adopt the technology; willing to undergo six to twelve months training, among others.

With the project expected to rise in Bukidnon, prospect farmer-beneficiaries include those who are already engaged in the production of the cited commodities, coming from the towns of Talakag, Lantapan, Libona, Impasug-ong, Manolo Fortich and Malaybalay City.

Prior the conduct of a validation for the final line-up of Project recipients, the agri dept in NorMin is further scheduled to bare their implementing strategies between that of the agency and farmer-co-operators in another week for a streamlined operation of said Project in Region 10.

Presiding the meeting is DA-10 Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga, in the presence of Regional Technical Director Carmelita T. Bajarla, Research, Planning and Marketing divisions. # (JLO)

NorMinHog hands over reagents and other laboratory supplies to DA-10 in support to the agency’s initiatives against ASF.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In support to the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10’s (DA-RFO 10) fight against African Swine Fever (ASF), the Northern Mindanao Hog Raisers Association (NorMinHog) turned over reagents and other laboratory supplies to the agency.

On behalf of DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga received the reagents worth around P200,000 on Wednesday, January 20.

Said ASF laboratory supplies (Primers, Probes and PCR reagents), which can test 1,000 reactions will be used by the agency’s Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory’s (RADDL) Real time – Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to test blood samples of hogs.

As explained by Dr. Oryza B. Baylo, Veterinarian II of the department, real time-PCR is a molecular technique in detecting Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)/Ribonucleic acid (RNA) of viruses from blood samples.

RTD Madriaga shared, the reagents are significant in monitoring hog farms to avoid another ASF infection in the region.

She added, in order to transport hogs, they need a certification from DA assuring that their hogs are ASF-free.

Meanwhile, NorMinHog Association President Leon Tan, Jr. said, ASF can easily be contained with the joint support of DA, the local governments, private sector and the consumers.

Tan emphasized, backyard hog raisers must use healthy and safe feeds that are available in the market, instead of swill feeding to avoid the risk of contracting the virus.

He remarked, the increased price of commercial live hogs, which reaches up to P160 per kilo is due to the increase of the demand of pork products in other regions that are greatly affected by ASF.# (EMBentulan)

NAFVD recognizes and awards the outstanding AFC chairpersons and secretariat-coordinators nationwide, including that coming from Region 10 for bringing about change to the agri-fishery sector through volunteerism.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The agriculture and fisheries councils (AFCs) of Northern Mindanao received four awards during the virtual celebration of the 6th National Agriculture and Fisheries Volunteers Day (NAFVD) on January 7, 2021.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William D. Dar led the ceremonial awarding, in the presence of Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization Engr. Ariel T. Cayanan; and PCAF Acting Executive Director Liza G. Battad.

In his speech, Sec. Dar remarked that the year 2020 has been a challenge to all sectors in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but DA with help of all the undersecretaries have planned and crafted various strategies to improve the Philippine agriculture sector in spite of the health challenge.

“Let us hope and pray that 2021 will be a safer, kinder, prosperous and OneDARful [wonderful] year. If we can work together, we can reboot and regrow the Philippine agri-sector, and with the support of the AFCs we can strengthen and magnify the sector’s importance and contribution in nation building,” he expressed.

Hereafter, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado handed over the certificates and cheques for the award of the Most Number of Policy Resolutions Adopted (P30,000.00) and the Innovative Marketing Award (P20,000.00) to Prof. Edgardo D. Layug as chair of the Regional AFC in Region 10.

Meanwhile, the Most Strategic AFC Consultations award (P20,000.00 each) was given to both Highly Urbanized City AFC of Iligan City, Lanao del Norte and Municipal AFC of Tudela, Misamis Occidental, thru their respective chairs Arthur Fernando and Chona R. Encina.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) annually holds NAFVD to recognize and give awards to outstanding AFC chairpersons and secretariat-coordinators nationwide for their accomplishments, particularly in bringing change to the agri-fishery sector through volunteerism.

This year’s theme for NAFVD is,”Boluntaryong naglilingkod; kaagapay ng agrikultura at pangisdaan sa gitna ng pandemya.” # (EMBentulan)

DA-10 RED Collado administers the oathtaking of the nine newly promoted employees of the agency.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Agriculture executive in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) Carlene C. Collado urged its newly promoted and appointed employees to be of better service thru elevating their delivery of agri-services.

“Now, you have levelled up, so does your hard work, the management is expecting a lot from you. The challenge is you must function and deliver what is expected from you and beyond,” the director remarked.

He emphasized the responsibility that comes with the promotion, challenging them to provide exceptional service, not only to the agency, but more importantly, to the farmers and other agri-stakeholders.

A total of 15 employees, comprising of nine newly promoted and six newly appointed of the agency have sworn in with DA-10 RED Collado administering the oathtaking, in the presence of Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga, Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Carmelita T. Bajarla and the division and section chiefs of the different operating units.

The newly promoted and appointed personnel with salary grades, ranging from 4 to 20 are the following:

Janet D. Lopez – Agricultural Center Chief II, Field Operations Division (FOD)

Alden C. Tapio – Engineer III, Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED)
Samuel C. Natindim, Jr. – Senior Science Research Specialist, Research Division
Heide S. Dela Cruz – Senior Science Research Specialist, Research Division
Arnilyn D. Pandong – Senior Science Research Specialist, Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC)
Marivic I. Paday – Science Research Specialist II, Regional Center for Upland Development (RCUD); Jocelyn A. Yagong – Science Research Specialist II, RCUD
April Hope E. Panis – Science Research Specialist II, Regional Crop Protection Center
Gladys A. Emperado – Planning Officer II, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division
Cyrus R. Seraspe – Information Officer II, Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section, Office of the Regional Director
Mark Angelo G. Montesino – Engineer I, RAED
Jinky C. Yap – Agriculturist I, Regulatory Division
Rechelle B. Lacorte, Agriculturist I, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division
Iree Grace D. Bince, Laboratory Aide II, Regional Soils Laboratory, Integrated Laboratory Division (ILD)
Rhandy G. Fabre, Laboratory Aide II, ILD

Further, Dir. Collado extended his appreciation to the Personnel and Selection Board for their efforts in helping out with the selection of the newly promoted and appointed employees of the agency. # (IMJuntahan)