Thursday, March 28, 2024

Malaybalay coop receives P5-M check for Kadiwa grant

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Aimed to provide more marketing opportunities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) turned over a P5 million check to the Philippine International Travel Assistance Center (PITAC) Multipurpose Cooperative on January 4, at the agency compound, in this city

Funded by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division under the KADIWA Financial Grant Assistance, it aims to provide logistic assistance to PITAC for their yellow corn trading and marketing for the procurement of a 10-wheeler wing van.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado led the turnover of checks to PITAC MPC chair, Sonia R. Chamen-Debonville.

The coop also counterparts P1.25-M as their equity making the total cost of P6.25-M.

On receiving the assistance, she shared, “Currently, we are renting a vehicle to haul our corn produce in the different parts of Bukidnon. Thus, this assistance will greatly help our farmers in accelerating their harvest and reducing postharvest costs.”

It can be recalled that the coop is among the farmers’ cooperatives, and associations who signed a memorandum of agreement for the implementation of the Kadiwa grant in 2023. (AMB)

MOA for Enhanced Kadiwa implementation inked

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) recently inks a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with farmers cooperatives, associations (FCAs) and local government units (LGUs) from the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon for the implementation of the P25.5 million (M) worth of Kadiwa Financial Grant Assistance program

The signing ceremony was held at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Brgy. Dalwangan.
According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the said program aims to help facilitate food accessibility, quality, and affordability to consumers through partnerships with LGUs and FCAs, and improve the food distribution system at the same time.
Collado together with Mayor Anthony A. Uy og Impasugong and Mayor Ernie R. Devibar of Lantapan signed the agreement for the PhP5 million construction of trading posts in their respective localities, in the presence of their municipal staff.
The agri department also sealed a partnership with the Mindanao Farmers Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative (MFARCC) of Magsaysay, and Kabangasan, Mapua Dahilig Agrarian Reform Community (KMDARC) of Balingoan, both from Misamis Oriental to finance each their
P3.5-M transport and delivery vehicle.
Further, Pangantucan, Maramag, Kalilangan Farmers’ Dairy Cooperative (PMKFDC) of Pangantucan and PITAC Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC) of Malaybalay City, both from Bukidnon are set to avail P3.5-M for the purchase of a refrigerated van and equipment for the enhancement of their milk processing plant and P5-M for the purchase of a wing van,
respectively.
For the FCAs’ part, they have inked the agreement through their respective chairpersons: Romil Ravilla (MFARCC), Weny N. Enterina (KMDARC), Rodolfo Belleza (PMKFDC), and Christery May Dinoy (PITAC MPC).
As partners for the said program, all beneficiaries have at least 20 percent counterpart of the total project cost.
Locally funded for the current year, the Kadiwa program is implemented by DA-10 through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division. (TJTL/melbmadera)

DA releases P122-M agri support to Bukidnon farmers

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON (Dec. 14, 2023) — The Department of Agriculture (DA)-PhilMech has provided agri interventions worth nearly P122 million to 60 farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs), and local government units (LGUs) in Bukidnon

The turnover took place at this city’s Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex in Brgy. Dalwangan on December 12.
The beneficiaries received 94 pieces of agricultural machinery and rice production technology from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) and the Department of Agriculture’s Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10).
The recipient FCAs and LGUs are from the municipalities of Malitbog, Cabanglasan, Impasug-ong, Lantapan, San Fernando, Damulog, Don Carlos, Kibawe, Kitaotao, Maramag, Quezon, Kalilangan, Pangantucan, and the cities of Valencia and Malaybalay.
The funding for these interventions came from the mechanization portion of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which is supported under RA 11203, otherwise known as the Rice Tariffication Law.
The interventions, which total P121,855,000, have been given to Bukidnon’s four congressional districts, according to Dr. Rodelio G. Idago, PHilMech Interim Director for Extension.
These include 29 units of floating tillers, 22 units of four-wheel tractors, 20 units of mobile rice mills, 16 units of rice combine harvesters, 15 units of rice threshers, four units of recirculating dryers, four units of hand tractors, three units of rice reapers, two units single pass rice mill, and one walk-behind transplanter.
According to Carlene C. Collado, DA-10 Regional Executive Director the said turnover of agri-machineries is in harmony with the agency’s thrust to boost the productivity and profitability of rice farmers in the country, including Northern Mindanao.
Based on data from the 2022 PSA, Bukidnon was the province that produced the most rice in Northern Mindanao, with an annual production of 295,686 metric tons, or over 63 percent of the total rice produced in Region 10.
Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon, the acting provincial agriculturist of Bukidnon, along with Roan R. Fernandez of Impasug-ong, Coleen Ambos of San Fernando, Herberto L. Tan of Damulog, Merlyn C. Los Baños of Don Carlos, Armand S. dela Cruz (Maramag), Edgar A. Cantones (Kalilangan), Teodor B. Quirante III (Pangantucan), and other PHilMech employees have all backed the initiative. (GDA/melbmadera)

Bukidnon banana farmers trained on insect pests, disease management

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) of the Department of Agriculture RFO – 10 has trained Bukidnon farmers on Banana Insect Pests and Diseases Management on November 14-15 in this city

Eighteen Bukidnon banana farmers finished the two-day training at the Northern Mindanao Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City that immersed them in the field to properly identify friendly and non-friendly insect pests and diseases.

Further, they observed the various Biological Control Agents or Biocon in RCPC to demonstrate the management and production of the technology.

Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Cora A. Dumayaca highlighted the need for banana farmers to be part of associations and cooperatives to access and benefit various DA programs and projects.

Importantly, she added that it will diversify and be certified through Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) certification, which will potentially be greenlit to market security.

Speakers from DA-RFO 10 focused the discussion on the banana industry roadmap; potential products and market trade and value chain; and, the importance of good agricultural practices, including farmer certification through PhilGap.

Center Chief, Lucille T. Minguez hopes to instill a resilient mindset and commitment among farmers, empowering them to seize every learning opportunity for prosperity and reach their full potential.

RCPC is the arm of DA dedicated to the production and promotion of Biological Control Agents (Biocon) in the region, which are friendly organisms that feed (Earwig, Lacewing, Eocanthecona furcellata) parasitizes (Trichogramma) and infect diseases (Metarhizium anisopliaea, Trichoderma harzianum, Beauvaria bassiana) to insect pest enemies.

The training was made possible through the effort of DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado. (PR)

DA-10 pushes for reliable, responsive Bantay Presyo Monitoring System in NorMin

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — To improve its price monitoring in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) held its year-end assessment for data contributors to the Bantay Presyo Monitoring System (BPMS) on November 16 in this city led by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado

The assessment, spearheaded by the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, served as a venue for data contributors from Region 10 to report on their provinces’ price data submissions and share best practices for increased responsiveness to concerns resolution and improved data collection and reporting.

Jenny D. Alcobilla, section chief of Agribusiness and Industry Support Services (AISS), stressed in her message that the knowledge and information exchanged during the event will lead BPMS administrators to ensure a more reliable and responsive implementation of the program in Northern Mindanao.

In response to the issues and concerns reported by data contributors concerning 11 public markets in the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Oriental, the AMAD-AISS provided recommendations and suggestions to effectively address the same.

Moreover, three top-performing data contributors of the BPMS were also recognized, such as from the local government units of Ozamis City in Misamis Occidental, San Fernando in Bukidnon, and Gingoog City, in Misamis Oriental.

The event was supported by the Provincial Operations Center – Bukidnon represented by Engr. Arlene Almo, and AMAD staff. (GDA)

Agri-10 conducts Young Farmers Challenge regional judging for start-ups

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), spearheads the regional judging for the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) for the start-up category at the agency compound here

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the YFC start-up is a competitive financial grant assistance program for youth who wish to engage in new or start-up agri-fishery enterprises, encouraging such sectors to pursue careers in agriculture.

Some 14 individuals have pitched their business model canvass; 10 have presented for the production category and four for processing.

Of whom were qualified at the regional level competition after being hailed as provincial winners representing Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Misamis Occidental.

Out of the presenters, only seven will be adjudged as winners: three from the processing category while four will be coming from the production category, with one slot added to the latter in the absence of an entry for digital agriculture.

Regional awardees will receive an additional financial grant of P150K on top of their previous grant, amounting to P80K for winning at the provincial level.

Another P300K also awaits those who will move to the national level of the YFC start-up competition.

The panel of judges is composed of DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Cora A. Dumayaca, Executive Assistant III, Joel S. Rudinas, and Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council – 10 Chair Nilda B. Salas. (DA RFO-10)

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)

DA-AMAD 10 agribiz planning workshop refines services delivery in Bukidnon

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON — Pushing for synergistic delivery of services in the province, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) staged a planning and coordination workshop for agribusiness coordinators and municipal agriculturists in Bukidnon on October 26 to 27

Representatives from the agriculture offices of 17 towns and two cities in Bukidnon, as well as its provincial agriculture office, were apprised of the agency’s programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) for market information, market linkage and product promotion, agribusiness promotion, and agribusiness development services.

Said offices also presented their respective updates of activities and operational status of agri inputs and infrastructures (food terminals) provided by DA.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the planning workshop aims to foster a more efficient coordination with these agriculture offices to better implement the agency’s PPAs at the local level, as well as to provide the necessary support.

In accordance with the said objective, the workshop’s output is a work plan for CY 2024 that guides the localized conduct of PPAs to effectively address the province’s needs and concerns in agribusiness and marketing.

AMAD Assistant Division chief Ferdinand F. Caraballe said that it also puts a premium on the Enhanced Kadiwa Financial Grant Assistance Program, to which he enjoined the participating offices to link with qualified farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) in their areas and apply for funding assistance.

Likewise, the division urged the agribiz coordinators to relay the knowledge and information shared during the two-day session to their respective local government units, citing its importance in streamlining project implementation, impact assessment and monitoring, and concerns resolution.

Supporting the activity were DA-10 Provincial Operations Center of Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM, Agribusiness and Industry Support Services section chief Jenny D. Alcobilla, and other AMAD staff. (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)