MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – In a vibrant step toward strengthening vegetable production in Northern Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (AgriNorMin), together with leading private seed companies, officially launched its Vegetable Derby through a ceremonial planting activity on May 12 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops
and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) here

In a statement, Marnelly Ann P. Flores, focal person of Agri-NorMin’s High Value Crops
Development Program, said the initiative aims to showcase high-performing vegetable seed
varieties that are well-suited to the region’s climate and growing conditions.
The activity brings together key industry partners, including seed companies Pilipinas Kaneko
Seeds Corp., Ramgo International Corp., Allied Botanical Corp., and East-West Seed
Philippines, alongside fertilizer and crop input firms Yara Philippines, Soil Life Corp., Enviro
Scope Synergy Inc., and EPI Philippines.
Spanning 3,154 square meters, the vegetable derby features a diverse range of crops such as
lettuce, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, Chinese cabbage, okra, squash, and ampalaya, among
others. The showcase is expected to provide valuable insights into crop performance and
adaptability under actual field conditions.
Agri-NorMin Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan underscored the
importance of collaboration in enhancing farmers’ access to quality planting materials and
improving vegetable productivity across the region.
“This initiative will guide us as we scale up our procurement of inputs. We are also looking at
the areas of Lantapan and Talakag in Bukidnon, as well as Claveria, Misamis Oriental, for the
expansion of this initiative to further benefit more vegetable farmers in the region,” Pacamalan
said.
Beyond the ceremonial planting, the Veggie Derby also serves as a dynamic learning platform
for farmers, agricultural technicians, and stakeholders. Through the demonstration of sustainable
farming practices and modern agricultural technologies, participants will be able to evaluate the
growth performance, yield potential, resistance, and adaptability of various vegetable varieties.
The initiative reflects Agri-NorMin’s continuing commitment to advancing climate-resilient and
technology-driven agriculture while empowering local vegetable farmers toward increased
productivity and sustainability. (melbmadera)