DANGCAGAN, Bukidnon — The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao has
showcased vegetable varieties and farming practices designed to withstand hotter and more
challenging growing conditions at a harvest festival and vegetable derby here.

The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), in partnership with seed,
fertilizer and agricultural chemical companies, held the Harvest Festival cum Vegetable Derby
on Sept. 11 at the Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD).
DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan said the activity highlights the
need to make vegetable production more resilient as farmers contend with the effects of El Niño
and increasingly erratic weather conditions.
About 200 farmers from Dangcagan and nearby municipalities, along with agricultural extension
workers and other stakeholders, attended the activity and observed the performance of different
vegetable varieties.
Among the crops harvested were squash, eggplant, okra, pole sitao, ampalaya, cucumber and
sweet corn.
Nilo C. Panugaling Jr., Science Research Specialist II at RCUD, said the effects of high
temperatures were already evident in some crops grown at the center.

“We can really see the effects of the heat on some crops, particularly in their size and shape,”
Panugaling said, noting that some varieties failed to develop their usual form or size.
He said the challenge underscores the importance of identifying heat-tolerant varieties and
adopting farming practices that can help sustain production under warmer conditions.
Participating seed companies were Ramgo International Corp., Allied Botanical Corp., East-West
Seed Philippines and Pilipinas Kaneko Seeds Corp. Fertilizer and agricultural chemical
companies included Envireau Pacific Inc., Sustainable Agro Solutions, Yara Fertilizers
Philippines Inc., BASF Philippines and Thaiphil Advance Agritech Corp.
The Farmer’s Choice Award recognized several varieties that performed well during the derby.
East-West Seed varieties were selected for okra, sweet corn, squash, pole sitao, eggplant,
cucumber and ampalaya; Kaneko for pole sitao; Allied Botanical for okra; and Ramgo
International for sweet corn.
“For us farmers who are engaged in vegetable production, this activity is very helpful because
we get to see practices and varieties that perform well under our local conditions,” said Josell B.
Aput of Kalilangan, Bukidnon.
The Harvest Festival will continue at the Research Center for Hillyland Development in
Claveria, Misamis Oriental, on Sept. 15, followed by the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops
and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, on Sept. 18.
The activity is part of DA-RFO 10’s continuing efforts to promote climate-resilient vegetable
production in Northern Mindanao, improve farm productivity and incomes, and strengthen food
security. (AMBM/melbmadera)