Thursday, April 18, 2024

San Fernando town in Bukidnon to receive FMR

The Concreting of Mahayag, Namnam – Iglugsad – Kibongkog Farm-to-Market Road in San Fernando, Bukidnon, was officially launched as part of the 20 pioneer subprojects under the PRDP Scale-Up on November 6, 2023, in Cubao, Quezon City

Being the first approved PRDP Scale-Up subproject in Northern Mindanao, the said FMR is 8.56 kilometers in length, with an estimated project cost of Php 260,000,000.00.

The FMR covers 2,185 hectares of influence area, which will be enjoyed by 1,503 farming households, especially abaca farmers and thousands of indigenous people.

Newly appointed DA Secretary Francisco T. Laurel, Jr. leads the awarding of the certificate with the World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, Dr. Ndiamé Diop, together with DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban, DA Assistant Secretary for Operations and DA-PRDP National Project Director Arnel V. De Mesa and DA-PRDP National Deputy Project Director Shandy M. Hubilla.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado received the certificate of award with Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque, San Fernando Mayor Rogelio C. Yeke, San Fernando Association of Barangay Captains President Flordeliza M. Yeke and San Fernando Municipal Agriculturist Coleen Alva C. Ambos.

The PRDP Scale-Up is a flagship program of the DA designed to address the gaps in the commodity value chains by improving the efficiency of the food supply chain towards greater connectivity, mobility, accessibility, availability, and affordability of food in the market through the scientific-based implementation of infrastructure and enterprise subprojects. (DA RFO-10)

18th Mindanao Agricultural, Fishery Council Congress fosters food security, support for agri-fishery sector

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Over 149 AFC members in Mindanao convene for the 18th Mindanao Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) Congress in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RF0 10) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries Council on October 25-26, in this city

Bearing this year’s theme, “AFCs Igniting the Engines of Growth: Achieving Food Security through the Integration of Dependable and Sustainable Food Value Chain System,” the confab aims to improve food security to ensure safe, quality and nutritious food and to promote sustainable farming practices that protect the environment.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the Congress creates more policy resolutions that are seen to benefit the different sectors of society, which include farmers and fishers, women and the youth in the agri-fishery industry, rural development value chains, and other significant endeavors.

In attendance were the AFC members from regions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and BARMM, who have drafted proposed resolutions, which will later be translated into policies based on the challenges and gaps identified during the staged workshops for further development of the agri-fishery sector in their respective localities.

PCAF OIC-Executive Director Julieta Opulencia said that the output of the said activity is to solicit insights on policy recommendations through resolutions to improve the implementation of the programs and projects of DA and to help address the issues confronting the agri-fishery sector.

Presented topics were the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and Prospects and Impacts of Biofuel and Renewable Energy Policies on Agriculture.

Also, Blue Economy: Techniques to Ensure Sustainable Fishing and Long-Term Health of the Ocean Ecosystem and Results of Participatory Monitoring and Tracking in Mindanao were tackled.

AFC acts as DA’s advisory body to ensure the accomplishment of its initiatives and programs to create a private sector-led national network of agricultural, fishery, and sectoral councils. (DA RFO-10)

Bukidnon farmers’ groups, agribiz enterprises registration facilitated

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – To capacitate and enable farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs), and young farmers’ agribusiness enterprises to have greater access to government support, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado recently held a facilitation activity in the registration/certification of such individuals and groups

More than 21 attendees, comprising representatives from the FCAs, young farmers and a local government from Bukidnon province attended the activity which was facilitated by DA-10’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD).

The activity aims to provide guidance on the legality of running a business to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations, optimize administrative procedures, and enhance the capacity of these individuals and groups.

Different partner agencies were invited to discuss, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which laid out the specifics of whether said agri enterprises wish to register as a partnership or corporation, and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) for those applicants who wish to be registered as a cooperative.

Also present were representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who discussed the importance and requirements for the registration of one’s Business Name and Product Packaging and Labeling as well as Certificate of Product Registry and Good Manufacturing Practices for Food Operators, respectively.

For DA-10’s part, the requisites for enrollment into the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Information System (FFEDIS), and Civil Society Organization (CSO) accreditation were tackled.

Such information will enable the participants to maximize the agency’s diverse interventions and services while also playing a pivotal role as collaborative development partners with the department in executing agricultural and fisheries projects.

Capping off the activity, DA-10 AMAD Assistant Division chief Ferdinand F. Caraballe encouraged the participants to have their agri enterprises accredited by the government for them to be eligible for more agri-fishery support that they can capitalize on in the future. (DA RFO-10)

DA grants certificate of accreditation to 5 NorMin’s FCAs

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, grants the certificate of accreditation to five Farmers’ Cooperatives, Associations (FCAs) across Northern Mindanao during the opening of the World Food Day celebration cum Young Farmers Challenge awarding on October 16

The FCAs granted with accreditation are Bliss Lingion Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers’ Cooperative of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon; Kabangasan Mapua Dahilig Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative of Balingoan, Misamis Oriental; Canitoan Multi-Purpose Cooperative of CdeO City; and Miarayon Highland Farmers’ Association of Talakag, Bukidnon.

Per DA Administrative Circular No. 3, Series of 2022, FCAs have complied and passed the requirements set forth by the agri department as beneficiary or implementing Civil Society Organizations (CSO) for the further development of the agri-fishery sector.

During the course of the evaluation, the validation team considered an applicant’s presence in its stated address and area of operation; with identified membership and leadership and organizational structure; in good standing with all government agencies from which they have received public funds with emphasis on not incurring default or delay in the liquidation of such; and they must have proven track record of performance and good standing in undertaking civil society works, among others.

“It is important to recognize these organizations to encourage people’s participation in agricultural development and for them to be given priority in receiving interventions from DA,” DA-10 Regional Technical Committee Chairperson for Accreditation of CSOs and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga further said. (DA RFO-10)

DA-10 holds Early Procurement Activity; sets direction for CY 2024 PPAs

DALWANGAN, MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – Setting the direction for the implementation of CY 2024 programs, projects, and activities (PPAs), the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 holds an Early Procurement Activity (EPA) at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) on October 9-13 here

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized that the activity will beef up the agency’s implementation of PPAs from the previous year.

“We need to review the interventions programmed for next year to have a smooth implementation that will help the department’s performance in terms of execution of projects, financial obligation, and disbursement,” the director said.

He also instructed the attendees to finalize the specifications of different projects, beneficiaries, and locations to jumpstart the procurement process within October, this month.

“This will ensure early deliveries of interventions, which is timely for the planting season that will contribute to increasing of yield and income of the farmers,” RED Collado added.

Citing that Region 10 has a total budget allocation of Php3,678,000,000.00 based on the approved 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) across all programs and special projects, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga reminded the focal persons to review all the specifications of the pipelined projects thoroughly and to fast track the preparation of its enabling documents prior the procurement activities.

Highlighted during the activity are the presentation of the CY 2024 budget of the banner programs and specially funded projects intended for goods and infrastructure under the Rice, Corn, Livestock, and High-Value Crops Development programs.

Attendees include the focal persons of the different DA banner programs and special projects and the chiefs of the different divisions of DA-NorMin. (DA RFO-10)

Dalwangan-hosted corn derby eyed to augment farmers’ yield, income

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10), helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado in partnership with private seed companies, staged a technology showcasing of promising hybrid corn cultivars in barangay Dalwangan on October 6, in a bid to provide farmers with opportunities to reap higher yield and income

With the apportioned 1.3 hectares at the DA-10’s Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), some 17 hybrid corn varieties from eight seed companies were exhibited, as their entries vie to prevail over the select cultivars in terms of yield, net return and adaptability during the second leg of corn derby field day for this year’s wet season.

Employing their respective planting protocols, Corteva AgriScience featured yellow corn varieties with P3660YHR, P3645YR and P4124YHR as their entries; Bayer Crop Science Philippines (DK8899S, DK8131S), Vigour Seeds Development, Inc. (MAIS SWERTE, MAIZE D30), and Syngenta Philippines, Inc. (NK6505BGT).

Added to the line-up of yellow corn cultivars are Maharlika 315 and Maharlika 44 of RJR Agro-Industrial Enterprises; AH SUPREME 5150 and J505 of Asian Hybrid Seed Technology, Inc.; EVO 9307 of Evo Gene Seeds, Corp.; and H101G and B9909G of BioSeed Research Philippines, Inc.

Two white corn varieties were also demonstrated, namely, Maharlika 8888 and MAISTISA of RJR and Vigour, respectively.

“Your participation [in the corn derby] will not be a futile effort, as this is one of our bases in the procurement of our seeds for next year,” DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga underscored before over a 200-membered mixed crowd of seed company representatives, farmers and agricultural extension workers of Bukidnon province.

For 2024, DA-10’s hybrid yellow corn seeds fund allocation is pegged at PhP144 million for the said province, which includes the areas of the attendees from the towns of Impasug-ong, Baungon, Manolo Fortich, Talakag, Cabanglasan, Lantapan, and the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia.

Based on the crop cut results generated by DA-NMACLRC of the Research Division, the top yielder harvested an average yield of 12.53 metric tons per hectare (mt/ha) with a production cost of PhP59,600.00 and a net return of PhP159,657.50, followed by 10.91 mt/ha amounting to PhP61,110.00 and a net return of PhP129,780.00, and coming in third, 10.62 mt/ha with a production cost of PhP59,635.00 and a net return of PhP126,232.50.

Wherein parameters that were factored in include plant harvested per hectare, number of corn ear rot, average ear and plant height, ear diameter, and length, average weight of seeds at 14% moisture content, shelling recovery, and yield per hectare to determine the performing yellow corn varieties.

Similar agronomic characteristics and yield components were also used for the white corn variety entries, ranking first with 9.01 mt/ha with a production cost of PhP57,435.00 and a net return of PhP100,310.00, and trailing behind is 7.04 mt/ha costing PhP41,790.00 with a net return of PhP81,410.00.

Recognizing that the conduct of corn derbies remains relevant to DA’s thrust of attaining food security and self-sufficiency, RTD Madriaga also urged the participants to serve as the agri department’s ambassadors and ambassadresses on the ground, as they have seen the actual performance of the latest available hybrid corn varieties of different seed companies.

“Share your learnings and experiences na nakuha ninyo diri karon aron daghan mabulahan sa maong impormasyon ug kini mapaambit sa uban,” the assistant director added.

Meanwhile, Justin R. Ferrer, Barangay Agricultural Technician Managing Agricultural Networks of the Municipal Agriculture’s Office of Manolo Fortich, pins his hopes that the learnings and exposure of the farmers he assisted were reinforced, especially so that almost 30 of them completed the Farmers’ Field School in Corn Production in barangay Minsuro just a few days ago.

“Nanghinaot ko nga kining pag anhi nila magamit gyud nila, ilabina sa pagpili sa unsay angay nilang paliton nga binhi ug ma-apply pod nila kung unsa ilang nakat-unan nga technology diri [sa corn derby] sa ilang pagpanguma,” Ferrer remarked.

PSA data for hybrid corn production in Bukidnon for the year 2022 stands at 842,207.04 metric tons from 174,326.62 hectares of area harvested.

Jointly implemented by the Operations and Research divisions, the corn derby field day was also supported by Research Division chief Lorena V. Duna, NMACLRC chief Carmelito R. Lapoot, Provincial Operations Chief for Bukidnon Janet D. Lopez, DVM, Research Center for Hillyland Development Berly F. Tatoy, PhD, Regional Corn Program focal person Richan D. Lacanaria and other DA-10 staff. (DA RFO-10)

Agri-10 links San Mig Foods, Inc.-Visayas, farmers’ coops for mkt of corn, cassava

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In its pursuit of providing them with a direct and additional market for their produce at reasonable prices, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) recently linked San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI)-Visayas to the different cassava- and corn-producing farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) from Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon provinces, and from the city here

In a brief meeting held at the agency compound, the SMFI-Visayas team led by Eduardo Co, logistics in-charge, bared that their company eyes to tap FCAs in Region 10 to augment the volume of their existing shipments and also maximize their operations, from CdeO City to Cebu City.

Having an audience with the invited 11 FCAs, Co emphasized that it is also their company’s manifestation that they join in the agri department’s bid to help boost farmers’ incomes and the quality of their lives; thus, also hearing out the challenges they have encountered on the ground.

In response, Carlene C. Collado, DA-10 regional executive director underscored that the FCAs should consider tapping said company, as they can deal with them; thereby, cutting the trading layers when marketing their corn and cassava harvest.

Likewise, he assured that the agency will continue to provide the needed support for the FCAs such as the provision of seeds, fertilizers, farm tractors, postharvest facilities, and capitalization, among others, to empower their groups and enable them to forge a long-term business partnership with SMFI-Visayas.

Further, the agri official highlighted the submission of the FCAs’ respective letters of intent, as the top priority in requesting assistance from DA, as validation on-site will then follow. (DA RFO-10)

DA-10 awards YFC Upscale regional winners

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – After the business pitching and thorough evaluation of the entries for the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) Upscale, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10, through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, declared the top three winners for Northern Mindanao

These include Erbyl Kent C. Pelongco from Valencia City, Bukidnon with his 7K’s Food Products agri-enterprise which focuses on banana chips processing; Maydene V. Demesana from CdeO City with her diversified farm producing various high-valued vegetables; and Johnny Ray G. Salinana from Kadingilan, Bukidnon with his agri-enterprise called Bahalinana which processes coconut vinegar, among others.

Each winner will receive a P300K grant which will be used for their respective businesses’ expansion and enhancement.

Pelongco, who garnered the highest score with an average of 96.07% and will represent Region 10 in the National YFC Upscale, is grateful for the result of the challenge.

“I am very thankful for this grant because we are planning to do major renovations in our processing area for us to be accredited by the Food and Drugs Administration. When that happens, more opportunities will surely open for 7K’s Food Products, more job opportunities for our community.” Pelongco said.

Meanwhile, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado congratulated the winners of the challenge and thanked them for grabbing the opportunity for the improvement of their ventures.

“You are lucky that nowadays, grants like this are offered by DA. You just need to have the determination, passion, and patience to face all the challenges for your business to be successful. I hope that with the grant given, this will help you in your respective ventures,” Dir. Collado added.

YFC Upscale is a head-to-head competition of the previous YFC awardees from 2021-2022, which aims to improve and expand their current business operations, including upgrading equipment and assets, creating new product lines, and improving marketing efforts, among others.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, Department of Trade and Industry – 10 Supervising Trade and Development Specialist Loraine C. Brillantes, and Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council – 10 Chairperson Nilda B. Salas served as the judges during the Business Pitching. (DA RFO-10)

Aggie dept showcases promising corn cultivars in Dangcagan town

BARONGCOT, DANGCAGAN, BUKIDNON – The agriculture department of Northern Mindanao (DA-10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado in partnership with private seed companies stages the first in the series of its Corn Derby Field Day for this year’s wet season, showcasing promising hybrid corn cultivars here on Friday, September 22

Seated at about a 1.9-hectare portion of DA-10’s Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD), 16 different corn varieties from seven companies were exhibited, to gauge their performance and adaptability in a low elevated area.

“Mapuslanon ni siya [technology showcasing] para sa atong mga mag-uuma,” Carlota S. Madriaga, DA-10 regional technical director for operations, in her message to about the 150 farmers and agricultural extensionists participating from the towns of Dangcagan, Damulog, Kibawe, Don Carlos, Kadingilan, Kitaotao, Maramag, and Kalilangan of Bukidnon province.

Yellow corn varieties along with their corresponding package of technologies include NK6410BGT, NK6130BGT and NK6505BGT from Syngenta Philippines, Inc.; DK8131S and DK8899S (Bayer Crop Science Philippines); H101G and B9909G (BioSeed Research Philippines, Inc.); and AH SUPREME 5150 RRYYG and J505 RRYG (Asian Hybrid Seed Technology Inc.).

Rounding up the list of yellow corn varieties exhibited are P3582YHR and P3530YHR (Corteva AgriScience); EVO 9815 (Evo Gene Seeds, Corp.); and MAIS SWERTE and MAIZE D30, and MAIS-TISA, a white corn variety from Vigour Seeds Development, Inc.

Importantly, the crop cut results were presented, factoring in agronomic and yield components such as number of plants, ears, and yield per plot; garb incidence; total cob and kernel weights; shelling recovery; field moisture content; yield and weight of grains; population density; ear length and diameter; number of kernel line and kernels per ear.

She likewise underscored the significance of conducting corn derbies over the years with the private seed companies.

“Labaw na sa amoa na kami [department] karon nga gi-manduan sa national government pinaagi sa atong President [Marcos] na mao atong [DA] secretary na tagaan og dakong pagtagad ang agrikultura,” RTD Madriaga remarked.

Generated results show that the corn varieties employed yielded the highest at 10.03 tons per hectare at 14% moisture content (MC) to the lowest at 5.69 tons/ha at 14% MC.

As the agency through the Corn Program will procure P281 million of hybrid corn seeds, comprising GM hybrid yellow corn seeds and hybrid white corn flint seeds next year, Dir. Madriaga highlighted that the corn derby results would form part of the basis of the department’s procurement of seeds.

Moreso, DA-10 is set to procure P19.7 million worth of GM hybrid yellow corn seeds and hybrid white corn seeds to serve as buffer stocks, in case of disasters and calamities.

As the techno demo displayed different corn varieties and planting protocols to augment farmers’ productivity and earnings, the DA-10 official also urged the farmers to form corn clusters to attain economies of scale.

This will enable them to greatly trim down their cost of operations, reap bountiful harvests, link to large-scale buyers, and earn bigger incomes.

“Dako kaayo akong pasalamat sa DA-10 sa ilang gipahigayon nga programa sa mga ka-mais, diin adunay bag-ong mga technology nga gi-showcase nga milangkob sa low ug high elevation nga corn cultivars ug magdepende sab ang performance sa klase sa yuta gikan sa mga nagkalain-laing kompanya sa mais,” conveyed Lilibeth P. Galandez, president of the Narukdukan Kisanday Banana, Cassava, Coconut, Corn Farmers’ Association (NAKBACCCOFA) of Maramag town.

Following said corn derby, DA-10 is slated to conduct the same activity at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, and Research Center for Hillyland Development in Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental in early October, this year.

Also supporting the event were Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, Provincial Operations Center of Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM, RCUD chief Catalino S. Soriano, Jr. and other DA-10 staff. (DA RFO-10)

Agri-10 extends mentoring assistance to 2023 Young Farmers Challenge Upscale applicants

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) conducted its mentoring and coaching for applicants of the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) 2023 Upscale Competition on September 13 to 15

Facilitated by the division’s Agribusiness Promotion Section, two agri-fishery enterprises from barangays San Simon and Pagatpat in CdeO City, and three from the municipalities of Impasugong, Kadingilan, and Valencia City in Bukidnon, received mentorship on enterprise implementation and the optimization of resources in response to growing market demands.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that through the mentoring assistance, the Department works closely with agri-fishery enterprises to build on their existing goals and objectives, and innovate their products and services, aligned with the rationale of the program.

Said enterprises also received suggestions on the necessary refinements to their business plan and pitch deck before the YFC competition proper slated later this year.

The YFC-Upscale Program is an initiative of DA for previous YFC awardees which aims to upscale the operations of their existing agri-fishery enterprise, invest in new technology for product development, and generate employment through the provision of additional capital in the form of competitive financial grant assistance. (DA RFO-10)