Wednesday, December 18, 2024

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)

DA-NorMin holds annual R4D review

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), through its Research Division, spearheaded the agency’s Research for Development (R4D) Review on October 2-3 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan

Evaluators from the Northern Mindanao Research Development and Extension Network (NOMIRDEN) member agencies reviewed the 12 presented research studies/projects, comprising 10 completed and two ongoing.

The annual R4D review mainly aims to evaluate the methodology used in research projects, the attainment of objectives, and the generation of comments and suggestions to the identified challenges affecting research project adoption.

The proposed research projects include crops, developmental research, integrated farming systems, pest and nutrient management, value-added products development, adaptability yield trials, technology adoption, and other fields of studies concerning the agriculture sector.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado extended his gratitude to the evaluators for their time and effort in helping the agency’s research initiative be approved until submission to the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) based on the evaluations.

“DA management is fully supportive of our research initiatives, and hopefully, all of these proposals will contribute to an empowered research and development system, which will lead to expanded economic opportunities for those who engage in agriculture and fisheries, particularly small and subsistence farmers and fisherfolk,” he said.

Dir. Collado challenged the researchers to transfer the products of technology down to the farmers’ level and hoped that the personnel could identify success stories from their studies.

Meanwhile, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga shared the significance of generating scientific findings and their relevance to the mandates and thrust of DA, which is food security.

“As One DA, we will invite other Regional Management Committee (RMC) members to present for the next research review so that we can really have that One DA system,” she conveyed.

Closing the activity is the awarding of the best research papers, of which Maridith A. Flores, Senior Science Research Specialist of DA-10 Research division, won first place for her study, “Market-driven Varietal Testing and Validation for Effective Positioning of Varieties in Target Rice Ecosystems and Seed Chains in Region 10.”

Placing second and third were Berly F. Tatoy, PhD, Research Center for Hilly Land Development chief for her study, “Surveillance, Monitoring and Management of Arthropods and Diseases of Corn in Mindanao,” and Carmelito R. Lapoot, NMACLRC chief for the “Soil Health Management for Sustained Yield of Cassava”, respectively.

The three best research paper awardees will advance for presentation and competition to this year’s regional research symposium annually conducted by the Northern Mindanao Consortium on Agriculture, Aquaculture Research and Development (NOMCAARD).

The panel of Evaluators were Elmer E. Enicola of the Institute of Plant Breeding – University of the Philippines – Los Baños (IPB-UPLB); Floro V. Dalapag of the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC); Mercedita G. Barbarona and Lydia E. Tiongco of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Maria Estella B. Detalla, PhD and Lowella R. Angcos, PhD of the Central Mindanao University (CMU); and Ma. Estrella Luz Penaloza of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

DA-10 RTD for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca supported the activity with the Research Division and its research stations. (DA RFO-10)

P1.89-M cattle feedlot to boost production, quality stocks in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To strengthen the production of cattle in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) breaks ground for the construction of the P1.89 million (M) worth cattle feedlot at the agency’s Malaybalay Stock Farm in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that the facility provides a controlled environment for raised cattle to receive a balanced and nutritionally optimized diet to promote rapid growth and weight gain.

The facility has a total land area of 356.38 square meters with a capacity of 60 heads and is funded under the Livestock Program 2023 headed by its focal person Jamaica L. Docdoc.

DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga added that the facility aims to improve the operation of the farm and boost the production of quality stocks which will be used for distribution to target beneficiaries regionwide.

Supporting the ceremony were DA-10 RTD for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM, Research Division chief Lorena V. Duna, and other of the agency’s personnel. (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)

OneRicePH held in Valencia

VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Research Division, conducted recently a field day on OneRicePH: Expanded On-farm Technology Demonstration for the wet season, in Barangay Kahapunan

According to PhilRice Central Office representative Pinklet Athen Canilang, OneRicePH is a collaborative project of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), DA, and the local government units (LGUs) to unify rice breeding dissemination strategies that will increase genetic gain and improve grain quality and nutrition.

“The project aims for the development of a product concept for target rice market segments and the establishment of a national breeding network,” she said.

With a total area of 5.1 hectares implemented by co-operators, comprising of a seed grower and three farmers, said techno demos showcased inbred rice varieties such as NSIC Rc 512, NSIC Rc 506, and NSIC Rc 508, which are intended for irrigated lowland ecosystem.

The performance of the said varieties as a result of also employing optimum nutrient management and associated rice cultivation technologies, was witnessed and evaluated by farmer representatives of the different 13 Irrigators’ Associations in the city.

Initially, the results of the participatory varietal selection were presented, yielding higher results compared to the targeted 7.50 tons per hectare.

Maridith A. Flores, senior science research specialist and OneRicePH focal person of DA-10 remarked that the activity also paves the way to showcase the benefits of using recommended rice varieties and their yield potential, streamlining the country’s rice breeding strategies and variety dissemination.

Likewise, supporting the activity are Research Division chief Lorena V. Duna and Provincial Operations Center-Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM of DA-10, Mayor Azucena P. Huervas, City Councilor Rogelio P. Hera, committee on agriculture, and other City LGU Valencia officials and staff. (DA RFO-10

AEWs trained in Hydroponics vegetable production

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – To promote hydroponics among farming communities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the helm of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado held training for hydroponics vegetable production at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

The training brought together 28 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from the different municipalities and cities of Bukidnon through DA-10’s Various Production Support Services (VPSS).
According to DA-10 VPSS focal person Marnelly Ann P. Flores, the activity will equip the trainees with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish and manage hydroponic vegetable production and enable them to convey the advantages of the technology to their fellow local farmers.

Meanwhile, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga expressed her gratitude to the participating AEWs for attending the training, “I am thankful that you are here to learn the technology firsthand, and I hope you’ll use it in some creative way in your endeavor.”

Hydroponics expert Jerwin B. Quiñal, owner of Quiñal Hydroponics Farm and Supplies, shared the principles and concepts of hydroponics technology, Plant Nutrients Solutions, Pest and Disease Management, and other types of hydroponics, among others while also engaging them in a hands-on activity.

Present during the activity are DA-10 Field Operations Division (FOD) chief Eduardo N. Pit, Ph.D., Provincial Operations Center (POC)-Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM, and other DA staff. (DA RFO-10)

Exit con for participatory monitoring, tracking of projects conducted in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) and the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) conducted an exit conference for the joint Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) and AFCs to monitor and track the progress of DA-funded programs and projects on September 1, 2023, in this city

Said conference aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in implementing various DA-funded agricultural and fisheries projects.

The provincial AFCs of Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, and Misamis Oriental presented their respective updates.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized the significance of the participatory approach in promoting inclusivity and empowering local communities.

“The joint effort between PCAF and AFCs has allowed us to gather valuable insights directly from the communities that are benefiting from our programs. Feedback enables us [in the agency] to make informed decisions and adjustments to serve better the needs of our farmers and fisherfolk in Northern Mindanao,” said Director Collado.

During the conference, participants reviewed the outcomes of the Participatory Monitoring Process, which involves engaging local communities and stakeholders in assessing the impact and effectiveness of DA-funded initiatives.

This ensures that the interventions provided align with the needs and priorities of target agri-fishery communities.

The body further agreed that DA must revalidate the projects monitored, particularly those with issues and concerns that must be addressed.

Present during the activity are Cyril L. Soliaban, officer-in-charge, deputy executive director of PCAF, RAFC 10 chair Nilda B. Salas and staff, DA-10 officials and programs staff, and other AFCs across NorMin. (DA RFO-10)

Agri NorMin set to distribute over 3K cash cards to rice farmers

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado will distribute another 3,115 Farmers’ Interventions Monitoring Cards (FIMCs) to eligible rice farmers in Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Occidental this month

William B. Parantar, Northern Mindanao area manager of the Universal Storefront Services, Corp. (USSC), turned over the FIMCs to DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga and Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Cora A. Dumayaca, Monday, August 14, at the DA Compound in Cagayan de Oro City.

All NorMin rice farmers entitled to the Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance (RFFA) as provided under the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), shall be given the FIMC as their identification and cash card for the electronic rollout of the RFFA.

Pursuant to the RTL, qualified rice farmers shall receive a Php5k cash subsidy annually until the year 2024.

In partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and USSC, DA-RFO 10 has distributed a total of 31,583 FIMCs in the region to date.

DA-RFO 10 Regional Agricultural Engineering Division chief, Engr. Deliza T. Camaro, Administrative and Finance Division chief, Patrick Ian F. Pedarse and Rice Program focal person, Chona H. Nacalaban were also in attendance during the turnover of the FIMCs. (DA RDO-10)