Thursday, November 21, 2024

DA-NorMin breaks ground for establishment of corn, rice processing centers in Bukidnon

DALWANGAN, Malaybalay City – In its aim to support the post-production systems of two of the region’s top agricultural commodities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the establishment of rice and corn processing centers in the province of Bukidnon

On May 24, DA Undersecretary for High-Value Crops Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero, with DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca led the groundbreaking of the two processing centers.

Funded under the agency’s Rice Program, a 900 sq.m. rice processing center, worth over P49 million will soon serve farmers in Barangay Pinatilan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

Said infrastructure will also include one mechanical dryer set, with a capacity of 10 to 12 tons per set, as well as one direct-fired biomass furnace with a maximum heat power of 500.

Through said facility, DA aims to strategically improve the efficiency of the rice post-production system, and reduce post-harvest losses, thereby ensuring the improved quality of milled rice from the said community.

Meanwhile, a 1,920 sq.m. corn processing center will also soon rise in DA’s Research Center for Upland Development in Barangay Barongcot, Dangcagan, Bukidnon.

Funded through DA’s Corn Program, the corn processing center worth over P98-million, also includes a pre-cleaner and aspirator; 2 mechanical dryer sets, each able to cater 27-30 tons per set; and 2 corn silos with a capacity of around 1,500 to 2,000 tons per set.

Strategically located in the southern part of Bukidnon, the corn facility aims to bolster the needs of local farmers, and foster a more sustainable and efficient production of nearby corn-producing municipalities including Maramag, Don Carlos, Kitaotao, Kadingilan, Kalilangan, Pangantucan, Kibawe, Damulog, and Quezon.

Said interventions are aligned with DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr.’s three-year, eight-point plan for a ‘Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas’, which entails the modernization and mechanization of agri-fishery productions, as well as the development and improvement of post-harvest systems and infrastructures throughout the country.

Signifying their support for the project, the groundbreaking ceremony was also participated by Farmer-Director for the month of May, Nilda B. Salas; and DA-10 Provincial Operations Center – Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM with Rice Program focal person Chona H. Nacalaban and Corn Program focal person Richan D. Lacanaria. (GDA)

Agri NorMin, PhilRice prompt Malusog Rice production in Bukidnon

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-NorMin), through its Research Division, and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) recently held a Farmers’ Forum for Malusog Rice Production at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), in this city

In a press release, the DA-10 stated that prospective farmer-cooperators were acquainted with Malusog Rice in terms of production and marketing potentials, taking into account Bukidnon’s climate and market opportunities as a new rice variety for the Filipino palate.

Dr. Gerardo Estoy, Jr., DA-PhilRice Agusan branch director, emphasized the potential of Malusog Rice farming, whose production is nearly equal to that of ordinary rice kinds.

Malusog Rice, formerly known as Golden Rice, is a beta-carotene-enriched rice variety created by PhilRice primarily to alleviate malnutrition.

Preschool children, pregnant and nursing moms, and those at risk of Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) can all benefit from Malusog Rice.

PhilRice, in collaboration with DA-NorMin, is stepping up its promotion of Malusog rice in Northern Mindanao, notably in Lanao del Norte, which has a high prevalence of VAD.

Carmelito R. Lapoot, CEO of NMACLRC, stressed the market potential of Malusog Rice as the preferred healthy staple for locals.

He urged rice seed producers and commercial rice growers in Bukidnon to venture into Malusog Rice production not only as a viable source of income but also to assist the community in generating healthier food options.

DA-NorMin Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado stated that the agency has created two demonstration farms in its research stations in Bukidnon, one at NMACLRC and the other at the Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in Dangcagan, Bukidnon, to support the Malusog Rice Program.

The demonstration farms, located in Southern and Northern Bukidnon, which range in height and rainfall patterns, will demonstrate the province’s climatic adaptability for extensive Malusog Rice cultivation. (ATT/melbmadera)

2 nga taga Bukidnon midaug sa Search for 2023 DA-10’s Outstanding Rural Woman

Duha ka mga babaye nga taga Bukidnon ang midaug sa Search for 2023 Department of Agriculture (DA) Northern Mindanao Outstanding Rural Woman

Sumala sa kasayoran sa DA-10, ang duha mao sila Fe Q. Sangco sa Manolo Fortich ug Francis B. Malatamban sa Malaybalay City.
Si Sangco ang nakakuha sa 2nd Place samtang 3rd Place si Malatamban.
Nabitbit ni Sangco ang P30K cash samtang P20K cash ang kay Malatamban.
Ang unang puwesto nakuha ni Mylin V. Tayapad sa Munisipyo sa Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental.
Si Tayapad sab ang representante sa rehiyon ngadto sa national level alang sa “Gawad Parangal sa Katangi-Tanging Kababaihan sa Kanayunan” sa DA.
Ang mga mananaog nakadawat sab og Plaque of Recognition sa DA.
Ang kalihokan gihimo aron pag-ila sa papel ug kontribusyon sa kababayen-an sa kalamboan sa agrikultura.
Gipasiugdahan ang pasidugnog sa DA-NorMin’s Gender and Development (GAD) Unit uban sa Department of Agriculture Women Employees’ Association (DAWEA).
Ang paghatag sa pasindungog sa NorMin’s Outstanding Rural Women sa DA nahigayon sa dakbayan sa Cagayan de Oro niadtong Nobyembre 29.
Giatol kini sa observance sa annual-18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC).
Ang DA-NorMin nakighiusa sa gobyerno sa kampanya niini alang sa panaghiusa ngadto sa Violence Against Women-Free (VAW-free) Philippines. (melbmadera)

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)

Malaybalay City coop acquires P3-M combine harvester from DA-NorMin

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Linabo Agrarian Reform Cooperative (LARC), a ninety-active-membered farmers’ group, is eyed to augment their productivity and income after being granted a combine harvester worth P3 million (M) from the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado

On July 21, Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, Ph.D. together with Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM of DA-10, led in conferring the certificate of turnover thru the City Government of Malaybalay, helmed by Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran represented by its Chief Executive Assistant Anthony James Mondia, and finally, to the benefitting coop, LARC led by its Chairperson Aurelio E. Salem.

Pooled from CY 2022 funds under the agency’s Corn program, said unit is a grain crop, labor- and time-saving harvesting machine that combines reaping, threshing, cleaning, and bagging into a single operation.

It is targeted to serve LARC’s existing production area, which is composed of 236.7 hectares for corn, and 196.7 hectares for rice, with a potential area of 200 hectares.

Dr. Guzman urged them to value and maximize the use of said machinery by setting aside funds for its repair and maintenance, which would overall help elevate LARC’s operations.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mondia noted the synergistic efforts – from the national, provincial, city, and down to barangay governments- to acquire a combine harvester unit that would directly benefit the farmers in barangay Linabo.

In response to the messages of support and anchoring on the coop’s mission of uplifting the life of its members and agrarian reform beneficiaries, LARC chairperson Salem is grateful that the government has seen its potential to manage the combined harvester.

Likewise, the coop head committed that under his wing, they will exercise responsibility, accountability, and transparency, in whatever available resources they have for the benefit of their members, fellow farmers, and their community.

Apart from the provided machinery, LARC has also availed other forms of assistance from DA-10, such as agricultural inputs and financial aid.

Now in its silver year, it continues to venture into production, processing, and marketing, with reach not just limiting to the locality but also in the cities of Valencia, Cagayan de Oro, and Iligan, and the towns of Maramag and Cabanglasan in Bukidnon.

Also supporting the cooperative during the turnover ceremony is the City Government of Malaybalay thru its agriculture and engineering offices, the local barangay of Linabo, and the Department of Agrarian Reform. (DA RDO0-10)

Pangantucan town receives P14.5-M agri assistance from DA-NorMin

PANGANTUCAN, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), under the helm of DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, turned over and committed various agricultural interventions to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Pangantucan during the 25th Farmers’ Week celebration (Silver Anniversary) on June 27, 2023, at the Municipal Grounds, Poblacion here

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga handed over the certificate of turnover amounting to P14,588,508.00 of agri assistance from the agency’s different banners and special programs.

According to RTD Madriaga, said intervention aims to modernize and industrialize agriculture’s value chains in an inclusive way to enhance productivity, uplift rural people from poverty, improve livelihoods, and increase farmers’ income.

Included in the package of agri assistance are the following: Rice Program (P5,961,936.00): Public Hybrid Seeds, Commercial Hybrid Seeds, Inbred Rice Seeds, and Inorganic Fertilizers; Corn Program (P6.7-M): Hybrid Yellow Corn Seeds, Inorganic Fertilizer (14-14-14), Bio-N Fertilizer; Livestock Program (P1,385,512.00): Forage Seeds, LN2 Tank, Semen Straws, Native Swine, Free Range Chicken, Duck, and Village-type Feed Mill with Multi-Crop Drying Pavement.

Further, the assistance comprises the following: High-Value Crops Development Program (P212,350.00): Mini Chainsaw, Technology Demonstration for Coffee and General High-Value Crops; Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Phase 1 (P328,710.00): Hybrid Yellow Corn Seeds, Complete Fertilizer, Urea Fertilizer, Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) Vegetable Seeds (Pinakbet), OPV Vegetable Seeds (Sinigang), Vitamin A, D and E, Vitamin B Complex injectable, Ivermectin injectable, Wound Spray; Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program (P75K): Egg Layer Production Package.

Likewise, Dir. Madriaga also handed over the certificate of commitment to LGU Pangantucan for the Integrated National Swine Production Initiative for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) Program Swine Clustering, consisting of 1 unit Biosecured and Climate-Controlled Finisher Operation Facility, Swine, Feeds, Weighing Scale, Drugs and Biologics, overall costing P5.5-M.

Meanwhile, Municipal Vice-Mayor Manolito G. Garces extended his gratitude to DA and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), one of its attached corporations, for supporting their Municipality, especially their farmers.

“It is very timely and relevant, as we also celebrate our Farmers’ Week here in our Municipality. This intervention will surely benefit our farmers by boosting their agricultural productivity, and we, in the LGU, will also take part in achieving our goal of sustainable agriculture,” the Pangantucan official remarked.

On the other hand, RTD Madriaga also expressed her appreciation to LGU Pangantucan, including the participating Rural-based Organizations (RBOs), Farmers’ Cooperative Associations (FCAs), and barangay councils for supporting activities that honor farmers for their tireless efforts in providing food for our everyday needs.

Further, she urged the farmers to continue their hard work and for the LGU to continue supporting them by patronizing their produce, encouraging them to work more efficiently with their farming operations.

During the event, Bukidnon PCA Division Chief I, Ma. Chyrelyn A. Pace also turned over 50 pieces of coconut seedlings (Catigan Dwarf) and bared other interventions their agency can offer.

Also gracing the event is the DA-Provincial Operations Center in Bukidnon, LGU officials, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, and the Provincial Local Government of Bukidnon. (DA RFO-10)

DA-NorMin takes part in PCUP Service Caravan 2023 in Bukidnon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — To provide better opportunities for more urban poor communities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) provided services and assistance during the Service Caravan in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on June 22, 2023

The Presidential Commission spearheads the event for the Urban Poor (PCUP), which strives to improve urban poor populations’ awareness of PCUP programs and services and those provided by other government agencies and organizations and some private partner groups, as well as bring essential services closer to said group.
DA-10, headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado distributed packets of assorted vegetable seeds, featured audio-visual presentations to apprise the programs and services of the agency, and also conducted a Kadiwa fair, which gave consumers access to fresh, quality, and reasonably priced agri-fishery products from Bukidnon farmers.
One of the event recipients, Charlita T. Genton from Malaybalay City in Bukidnon, expressed her sincere gratitude for the activity.
With the agri department’s participation in the caravan, especially in its provision of seeds, she remarked that it can help households with their daily needs through backyard gardening while aiding in children’s nutrition.
“Ako nagpasalamat sa maong aktibidad kay pinaagi niining mga serbisyo nga ilang gihatag ilabina sa seeds, makatabang na kini sa matag-adlaw nga kinahanglanon sa panimalay pinaagi sa pagtanum niini ug makahatag og sustansya sa atong lawas ilabina alang sa mga bata,” Genton added.
Said activity was participated by different national government agencies (NGAs), the private sector, city local government units (LGUs) of Valencia and Malaybalay, and the provincial LGU of Bukidnon. (DA RFO-10)

965 ka mga farmers sa Bukidnon nakadawat og ‘cash assistance’

MALAYBALAY CITY – Mikabat sa 965 ka mga mag-uuma sa Maramag, Bukidnon ang nakadawat og P5,000 nga cash assistance matag isa niadtong Mayo 9, isip hinabang gikan sa Department of Agriculture-Northern Mindanao

Matud ni DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, ang kapin P4.8 milyones nga cash aid gihatag sa DA ngadto sa mga kwalipikadong mag-uuma sa humay ning probinsya pinaagi sa Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RFFA) program sa DA.

Ang mga mag-uuma sa humay nga rehistrado sa RSBSA nga nagtikad sa dili molapas sa duha ka ektarya nga talamnan ang kwalipikado nga makadawat sa tabang.

Ang RFFA kabahin sa padayong paningkamot ug estratehiya sa DA aron madugangan ang produksiyon sa bugas sa nasud taliwala sa naobserbahan nga pagtaas sa presyo sa mga input sa umahan ug hagit nga kahimtang sa panahon. Kini gipundohan pinaagi sa Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

Ubos sa maong balaodnon, ang sobra nga taripa nga makolekta sa imported nga bugas igahin isip cash subsidy sa mga mag-uuma sa bugas sulod sa unom ka tuig gikan sa 2019 hangtod 2024.

Matod ni Luis Estenzo, usa ka 74-anyos nga mag-uuma sa humay, ang pagbayad sa RFFA tukma kaayo sa panahon sa ting-ulan.

“Ako ni ipalit og abono ang akong nadawat nga hinabang kay padulong na ko magsabwag. Pasalamat ko sa DA kay dako kaayo ni nga tabang sa mga mag-uuma sama nako,” matud ni Estenzo.

Sa kasamtangan, ang DA-NorMin nakapagawas ug kinatibuk-ang P164.795 million nga cash aid sa 32,959 ka mga mag-uuma sa humay sa tibuok Northern Mindanao. (BGE/PIA-Bukidnon)

DA-NorMin hands P4.825-M cash aid to Bukidnon farmers

A total of 965 Bukidnon rice farmers received P5,000 cash aid from the Department of Agriculture-Northern Mindanao in the town of Maramag, Bukidnon, on Tuesday, May 9

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said the P4.825 million (M) cash aid is granted by DA to eligible rice farmers in said province through the Department’s Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RFFA) program.
RSBSA-registered rice farmers tilling at most 2 hectares of rice fields are qualified to receive the assistance.
RFFA is part of DA’s continuing effort and strategy to increase rice production volume in the country amid the observed increase in prices of farm inputs and challenging weather conditions. It is being funded through the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).
Under said legislation, excess tariff collected on imported rice will be appropriated as cash subsidy to rice farmers for a span of six years from 2019 until 2024.
According to Luis Estenzo, a 74-year-old rice farmer, the RFFA payout is very timely for the wet cropping season.
“I will use the cash aid I received to buy fertilizer since I will start planting soon… I am thankful to DA for this assistance given to farmers like me.” Estenzo said.
[Ako ni ipalit og abono ang akong nadawat nga hinabang kay padulong na ko magsabwag…pasalamat ko sa DA kay dako kaayo ni nga tabang sa mga mag-uuma sama nako.]
To date, DA-NorMin has released a total of P164.795-M in cash aid to 32,959 rice farmers across the region. (ATTalib/DA RFO-10)