Saturday, December 21, 2024

Tag: Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao

Demo farm showcases drought-tolerant hybrid rice variety in Buk’non upland area

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MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — A demonstration farm in Sitio Incalbog, Can-ayan, featuring the hybrid rice variety TH-82 NSIC Rc350H, has showcased resilience amid the El Niño phenomenon, highlighting its potential to thrive within an upland ecosystem

This was underscored during a culmination program of the techno demo on August 22 in the said city.

This was led by the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) in partnership with the Bukidnon Tagoloanon Mulahay Ha Kabukalagan Agriculture Cooperative (BUKTAMACO), Bukidnon province and Malaybalay City agriculture offices, and SeedWorks Philippines, Inc.

Chona H. Nacalaban, DA-10’s Rice program focal person, emphasized the importance of introducing the hybrid rice technology in upland conditions and engaging members of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs), especially in their ancestral areas with limited rice cultivation.

Launched last February 8, the planted rice variety was initially expected to be harvested by the third week of May, but faced a 58-day delay in maturity due to a significant lack of rainfall from March to May, albeit yielding 2.2 tons per hectare based on crop cut results after receiving rainfall in June.

For his part, Emmanuel F. Piñol, former DA Secretary and an early supporter of the initiative, lauded the demo farm’s success as a significant milestone for Philippine agriculture.

“The ability of this rice variety to survive drought and continue growing, despite a delayed maturity period, underscores its potential to revolutionize rice production in upland areas,” Piñol remarked.

“This breakthrough could allow us to cultivate rice in areas previously reliant on irrigation,” he added, while further noting that it is pivotal in easing the reliance on rice imports and addressing the need to feed the growing population by expanding and improving available tribal areas of the country for rice production.

The demo farm, covering 3,000 square meters, is a precursor to developing the 300 hectares within the BUKTAMACO ancestral domains, which overall seeks to implement sustainable farming practices tailored to upland environments, at the same time bolstering food security in the region. (BJCE)

Agri-10 rolls out P2.934-M fuel subsidy to Valencia City farmers

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VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10), helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, rolled out about P2.934 million (M) in fuel subsidies to farmers who own or rent functional agricultural machinery for food production

On August 19, some 978 eligible farmers received their fuel assistance allocation worth P3k each, which was loaded into the DA Intervention Monitoring Card (IMC), issued in partnership with the Universal Storefront Services, Corp.

Per implementing guidelines of the Fuel Assistance to Farmers Project for FY 2023, the fuel subsidy aims to temper the farmers’ brunt on fuel expenses, which forms part of the important operating costs in farming; thereby, enhancing their resiliency and cushioning the impact of the surge of oil price hikes in the agricultural sector.

Eligible recipients are either individual farmers or farmer-members of a Farmer Cooperative Association (FCA) with proof of machinery ownership or rental agreement uploaded in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Management Information System (ABEMIS), and further, they must be listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Valencia City Mayor Azucena P. Huervas, a staunch supporter of the local farming community, has been instrumental in facilitating the provision of fuel assistance from the national government through the DA. Her efforts are particularly noteworthy given the challenges that farmers in the locality are facing, such as the El Niño-triggered effects on their planting and other farm operations.

DA-10’s partner on the ground in the validation of farmer-beneficiaries, the city agriculture’s office of Valencia headed by Connie L. Dalangan, congratulated the farmers to have been granted intervention by the government, as the fuel assistance will help mechanize and modernize their agricultural production systems.

“I hope that you have felt the presence and sincerity of the government, that through this gesture [of providing fuel subsidy], it may serve as an inspiration [to all our farmers] to work even harder to augment their yield and income.” the city agriculturist remarked.

Spearheaded by the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division of the DA-10, the agency is set to cap off this week’s fuel assistance distribution tomorrow, August 20, in Kitaotao town, where P1.212-M will be dispensed to 404 farmers in the said locality via their DA IMC. (JLO)

Korean gov’t entrusts Smart greenhouse project to Agri-10 research complex

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MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) is entrusted with the P100-million Korean-funded and -innovated Smart greenhouse project housed in its grounds on December 21, in Brgy. Dalwangan here

This after the Philippine government through DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado signed a gratuitous transfer agreement.

Witnessing the signing were Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), Korea Agency of Education, Promotion and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (EPIS), and the Hankyong National University (HNU) of South Korea, signifying for the former agency to fulfill the use and management of the handed over objects of said project.

Since its launch in April 2022, said project fully dubbed as the “Establishment of Smart Greenhouse and Capacity Building in the Philippines” has been serving as a research and training hub featuring Smart Greenhouse technology for innovative production of quality high-valued crops such as strawberries, cherry tomato, white potato and pepper, and later on, expanding to watermelon and lettuce.

“I am confident that the successful handover of this project will greatly contribute to the Philippine DA’s efforts in enhancing future agricultural technological capabilities through smart Agriculture,” Yong-Ho Jung, General Division Director of International Cooperation at
MAFRA remarked during the turnover program ceremony.

He also put a premium on the smart agriculture project, especially so that the country focuses on modernization and digital transformation within the agricultural sector.

Meanwhile, RED Collado extended his appreciation to the Korean partners for the provision of technical and financial support at the same time alluded to the gains of the collaborative project. It is composed of the establishment of a smart farm, the development of a local distribution system, dispatch of experts, and capacity building of technology adopters.

“The said innovative farming technique provides farmers with higher yield and better quality of farm produce while enabling consistent crop production year-round, thus addressing market requirements to attain food efficiency and sufficiency,” he said.

The agri chief exec added that the showcase and adoption of the latest technologies play a crucial role in feeding the next generation.

“Smart technology and precision farming upgrade our productivity levels benefiting farmers and food producers,” the DA-10 official stated.

Likewise, Dir. Collado continues to pin hopes on boosting the region and the Philippines’ food security, the said project has been gaining interest among the public, particularly on how farmers can replicate it in their localities.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to learn these incredible advancements in technology [smart greenhouse] that have easily transformed our farming in so many ways such as improving the quality, quantity, cost [of our harvest] and productivity,” Joel T. Rivera, Lantapan Vegetable
Farmers and Marketing Cooperative marketing head conveyed.

His account on farming, trading, and marketing was done before his fellow smart greenhouse technology trainees and/or adopters from the towns of Talakag, Sumilao, Lantapan, and Impasug-ong, and the city of Malaybalay, all from Bukidnon province.

As the transfer of said project is eyed for continuing farmers’ training and/or research on smart farming in the coming years, EPIS Vice-President An Jaerok underscored saying: “Looking ahead, we expect that the training for farmers and the cultivation of high-valued crops will play a pivotal role in boosting productivity, as well as in elevating the comprehension and skills of farmers in the area of smart farming.”

Also supporting the event were Wonhee Lee, HNU president and eight other senior officials from MAFRA, EPIS and HNU; Aleli Maghirang, agriculture attaché in South Korea and Japan; DA-Special Projects Coordination and Management Assistance team headed by its chief,
Angelita dela Cueva-Martir; Malaybalay City mayor Warren Jay R. Pabillaran; Acting Bukidnon Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon, and other DA-10 and regional management (NFA, PhilFIDA, BPI-PQS, NIA, BAI-NVQS, NMIS and ATI) committee members and staff. (JLO)

Agri-10, exporter ink MOU for buckwheat production demo

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MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – In a bid to open more science-based production technologies to augment farmers’ productivity and profitability, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Carmen Rise Exporters, Inc. (CSEI), an exporter of agricultural products to Japan, for the conduct of technology demonstrations for buckwheat (Soba) production in its research centers

Held on December 21 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan here, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado sign the MOU with Mr. Tetsuji Yukawa, CSEI manager, witnessed by Aleli Maghirang, agriculture attaché in South Korea and Japan, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, and the DA-Special Projects Coordination and Management Assistance team headed by its chief, Angelita dela Cueva-Martir.

Said undertaking will help determine the adaptability and potential of growing buckwheat in the region by initially showcasing it through DA’s Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in Barongcot, Dangcagan and at NMACLRC, both in Bukidnon province.

“With CSEI interested to invest in Soba, DA through our Research Division looks forward to establish, collect data, document and monitor the on-site trials, as we will jointly explore the said crop in the region.” Dir. Collado said.

With the techno demos eyed in the agri department’s grounds, CSEI will provide buckwheat seed or planting materials and other agricultural inputs as well as technical assistance, who will work hand-in-hand with the agri research personnel.

“The showcase will run for two [wet and dry] seasons, and in this span, we will be presenting the outputs to our stakeholders for farmers’ information and utilization, and importantly, as CSEI intends to buy the produced seeds from farmer-adopters.” the agri exec chief added.

Also in attendance are the Korean delegates, members of the DA-10 and Regional Management committees, for the simultaneous turnover of the project entitled “Establishment of Smart Greenhouse and Capacity Building in the Philippines” from the Korean government to the Philippines through DA, which is housed in the latter’s research complex here. (JLO)

2 coops in Manolo Fortich honored

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MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – In Manolo Fortich town, two of the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10)’s assisted farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) were recognized after winning the 2023 Corn and Cassava Cluster Management Excellence Awards

The awarding ceremony was held at the Salvador H. Escudero Hall, National Meat Inspection Service, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City on November 17.

The awarded coops are Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers’ Cooperative (MARBFC) and Bliss Lingion Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BLMPC).

According to a news statement from the DA, BLMPC won the Cassava cluster and MARBFC took home the Corn Management Excellence Awards.

MARBFC manager Evangeline P. Frasco expressed her gratitude in her acceptance speech for their FCA’s hard work being acknowledged and rewarded.

“Thank you, DA for the cash award where we can expand our inputs provision to our corn farmers where more funds mean more farms to be assisted, and an increase in the volume of production to satisfy our markets,” stated Frasco.

On the other hand, Dante M. Dosayco, BLMPC chairperson said, “We assure you (DA) that our future deeds will only get better. This is a token for our past efforts and also a push for our future endeavors.”

In the race for the corn excellence awards, Samahang Gumagawa Tungong Tagumpay MPC from Occidental Mindoro and Maningalao-Lingayao Agriculture Cooperative from Agusan del Norte are the first and second runners-up, respectively, behind MARBFC.

Meanwhile, the first and second runners-up in the cassava awards, respectively, are Villa Luna MPC of Isabela and Zamboanga del Norte Cassava Growers and Processors, Inc. of Zamboanga del Norte, behind BLMPC.

The DA stated that the two coops are their partners in the production of safe and quality corn and cassava, the promotion of the value chain approach, the growth of the corn and cassava sectors, and the provision of various services to their members by the cluster organizations

During the awarding ceremony, U-Nichols A. Manalo, national corn coordinator and OIC-Director of DA-Field Operations Service, read a message on behalf of Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, about how innovation, convergent efforts, and the adoption of farm clustering approaches play a critical role in advancing the corn and cassava sectors.

“We come together to celebrate the synergy between innovation, dedication, and collaboration among groups, individuals, and agencies,” she said.

The senator is also a strong supporter of farm clustering, claiming that it boosts output and ensures a steady supply of safe, high-quality agricultural products, as well as creating an enabling atmosphere for farmers to become more productive, innovative, and competitive.

Sen. Villar stated that she lauded farm clusters’ achievements, even describing them as drivers of economic growth and social development.

“Rest assured, I will continue to pursue legislative mechanisms and policies that will solidify the linkage of production and market access across our country’s rich and diverse commodities,” Sen. Villar says as she concludes her speech.

In addition to the honored farming clusters, the various technical working groups for corn and cassava clusters at the national and regional levels were acknowledged and awarded certificates.

Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado leads the DA-10 delegation, which includes Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, Corn focal person Richan D. Lacanaria, and Science Research Specialist II Mischelle F. Egama, who is also the former Cassava focal person, DA-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) – Regional Training Center Dir. Ma. Lydia Echavez, and Gemma G. Cania, Manolo Fortich’s municipal agriculturist.

Other national agricultural executives in attendance included Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter, the newly appointed DA-ATI director, and Engr. Roger V. Navarro, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Undersecretary for Operations. (melbmadera)

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

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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

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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, NorMin LGUs ensure compliance for fund transfers, liquidations of agri projects

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MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – In an effort to ensure compliance with existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations for fund transfers and liquidations of agricultural projects granted to Local Government Units (LGUs), the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, holds its annual LGU Coordination Meeting recently at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops Livestock Research Complex, in this city

Spearheaded by the DA-RFO 10’s accounting section, the coordination meeting is an avenue for bilateral dialogue to address challenges encountered by DA and the LGUs in terms of inventory and liquidation of agri projects funded under the agri department’s banner programs and special projects this year and the preceding years.

Some 207 LGU accountants and agriculturists from the provinces of Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental attended the meeting.

DA-RFO 10 Administrative and Finance Division chief Patrick Ian F. Pedarse said the meeting aims for DA and the LGUs to level off on a mechanism for optimal utilization of DA funds.

He also acknowledged the LGUs’ roles as DA’s partners in extending its services to the peripheries of the agriculture sector to provide sufficient and affordable food for all.

Ways forward for the resolution of identified issues in complying with the reportorial requirements and timelines for the submission thereof were consensually agreed upon in the meeting and adopted as guidelines in accounting and liquidating DA projects granted to the LGUs and their constituents. (DA RFO–10)