Friday, May 03, 2024

Tag: Farmers

DA-NorMin, seed companies prep for upcoming wet cropping corn derby

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To give farmers an informed basis on their preferred varieties towards attaining increased yield and income, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) convened with the representatives from the private seed companies on April 27 for this year’s conduct of a series of corn derby highlighting hybrid yellow and white corn cultivars for this upcoming wet cropping season in mid-May

Implemented by the Field Operations and Research divisions, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado remarked that the conduct of corn derbies remains relevant, as the department constantly seeks to achieve food and feed self-sufficiency.

Reinforcing the importance of said activity, the agri chief executive added that the results of the derby may play a significant influence in the selection of performing cultivars by corn farmers across varied agronomic conditions.

Which, eyed location sites for the showcase are the agency’s research complex (Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, and its research centers in Barongcot, Dangcagan, Bukidnon (Research Center for Upland Development) and in Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental (Research Center for Hillyland Development).

Dir. Collado furthered that the corn derbies will also help in determining the promising corn varieties, as it is one of the department’s bases in the procurement of corn seeds with a current year allocation of Php265.2-million for hybrid yellow corn alone.

Committing to engage in such exhibits and in attendance are from Syngenta Philippines, Inc., Bayer, Bioseed Research Philippines, Corteva Agriscience, Asian Hybrid Seed Tech, Inc., Vigour Seeds Dev., Inc., and RJR Agro-Industrial Enterprises.

While the participating seed companies have signified to pour their efforts to feature their exceptional corn varieties in different topographies, DA-10 Regional Corn focal person Richan D. Lacanaria enjoined for an intensified coordination between their team and the agri department, in the hopes of properly keeping and tracking records of the performance of all corn variety entries.

On the other hand, the research division assured by providing the outcome of the derbies in the near future, especially so that cost and return analysis plays a large role in evaluating a particular corn cultivar.

As agreed, a total of 15 hybrid yellow corn varieties and 2 hybrid white corn cultivars are set to be planted in both NMACLRC and RCUD, while targeted in RCHD are 14 hybrid yellow corn varieties and 1 hybrid white corn cultivar. (JLO/DA RFO-10)

DA-10, URC strengthens sustainable potato project in Bukidnon

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To scale up the potato production in the province of Bukidnon, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 in partnership with the Universal Robina, Corp. turned over potato seed tubers to the different farmers’ associations (FAs) in Bukidnon on March 23, 2023

A total of 27,000 kilograms (kg) of Granola potato seed tubers were given out to nine farmer groups in Bukidnon and DA-10’s Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) as buffer stock.

Project recipients include FAs from Impasug-ong – Kibenton High-Value Crops Farmers’ Association (3,000 kg), Kubayan Agri Farmers’ Association (3,000 kg), and Intavas Agri Farmers’ Association (3,000 kg); Sumilao – Sumilao Farmers’ Indigenous Association (3,000 kg), Lupiagan Igorot Farmers’ Association (3,000 kg), and Licoan Growers’ Association (3,000 kg); Lantapan – United Ifugao Association in Mindanao (3,000 kg), and Cawayan Farmers’ Association (3,000 kg); and Malaybalay City – Imbayao Community Participatory Action Research (2,500 kg) and DA-10’s NMACLRC (500 kg).

“We are here, continuing our company’s commitment to farming communities to address challenges in terms of getting potato seeds, help with farmers’ livelihood and contribute to the improvement of the national productivity of potatoes,” shared URC Vice-President for Procurement Rebecca E. Yap.

OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca expressed her gratitude to URC for the continued partnership and remarked, “This is very beneficial to our farmers as potato seeds constitute 60% of the overall cost of production. We hope that the associations will be able to sustain their production.”

On receiving the project, Crisilda D. Paguyod, Licoan Farmers’ Association president, thanked DA-10 and URC, especially that acquiring potato seeds has been one of their challenges.

She further added that Granola is well suited in their area and that the seeds they received will be distributed to 20 farmer-members of their group. (DA RFO-10)

Php40M worth of local access road projects turned-over to 2 brgys in Malitbog

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The Local Government Unit of Malitbog headed by Municipal Mayor Gary D. Casiño, hosted the Ceremonial Turnover of the completed Local Access Road projects under the FY 2021 Local Government Support Fund – Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) at Barangays Silo-o and Kiabo, in the said municipality, last March 16, 2023

The successful ceremonial activity was made possible through the coordination of Malitbog MLGOO Aldrich C. Alaan and the collaborative efforts of DILG Bukidnon and the Bukidnon Provincial Engineering Office.

Moreover, the activity was attended by DILG 10 Chief of Staff Rumarheveson D. Bacal, Provincial Engineer Albert D. Yulo, and representatives from the 402nd Infantry Brigade and Bukidnon Provincial Police Office.

Also, the completed local access road projects will benefit a total of five thousand four hundred twenty-two (5,422) individuals, most of whom are farmers and students who are residing in the two (2) beneficiary barangays. (DILG Bukidnon)

 

Bukidnon farmers dominate regional coffee competition

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Seven farmers from Pangantucan, Bukidnon were awarded for their quality coffee beans during the first Northern Mindanao Coffee Quality Competition. The awarding was held in Malaybalay, Bukidnon last March 18, 2023

Based on DTI Region 10, the coffee quality competition consists of two categories; the Arabica category and Robusta category.

Manolito Garces of New Eden, Pangantucan placed first for his Arabica coffee beans with 87.13% rating. Followed by Aiza Inahan from Pigtauranan, Pangantucan, Bukidnon with 85.15%; Arnold Pina of Pigtauranan, Pangantucan with 84.19%; Marion Inahan also from Pigtauranan, Pangantucan with 83.75%; MILFACO from Miarayon, Talakag, Bukidnon with 82.94; and Aurora Chiong form Claveria, Misamis Oriental with 81.40%.

Meanwhile, Primitiva Mahumot still from Pigtauranan, Pangantucan, Bukidnon won first place in the Robusta category with a rating 84.38%; 2nd place is Ranel Balatero from Pigtauranan, Pangantucan with 83.31%; 3rd is Noel Duyongan from Kibenton, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon with 83.25%; Marvin Dagohoy in 4th place from Pigtauranan, Pangantucan with 82.63%; and Dennis Ong in 5th place from Claveria, Misamis Oriental with 81.5%.

The competition was held last March 14-17, 2023 at the Coffee Cupping Laboratory of Central Mindanao University (CMU), Bukidnon. (MG Mayumi B. Madera)

Agri 10 dept preps for upcoming corn derby featuring hybrid yellow, white corn

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In its constant pursuit for farmers to attain increased yield and income, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) held a short preparatory meeting for the conduct of a corn derby featuring hybrid yellow and white corn for this upcoming wet cropping season

DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said the conduct of corn derbies will continue for this year, especially with the increased allocation of the Corn program for the procurement of seeds.
The agri official added that it will help determine the yield performance and profitability of not only the hybrid yellow corn cultivars but also hopefully, includes the white corn varieties that are readily available from different seed companies.
Said series of the showcase will be participated by private entities such as Syngenta Philippines, Inc., Bayer Crop Science, Corteva Agriscience, Asian Hybrid Seed Tech, Inc., Evogene Seed Philippines, and Bioseed Research Philippines, with each company initially committing to have
2-3 corn varieties as their entries.
Similar to previous years, the corn derbies will be staged in DA’s research stations in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; in Barongcot, Dangcagan, Bukidnon; and Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, with potentially expanding it to an additional site in Balubal, Cagayan de Oro City. (DA RFO-10)

DOST boosts local food processor’s production

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MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon – Nestled in Upper Calanawan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, a thriving food processing facility is providing local farmers with a stable source of income

V&C Agrifarm is considered a business pioneer in the food processing industry with innovative solutions that cater to bulk supplies of processed products through a “B2B” or business-to-business approach.

V&C Agrifarm supplies a pickled mix of ground vegetables and spices soaked in a vinegar-salt solution to NutriAsia Inc. (NAI).

V&C Agrifarm’s innovations earned them the Husay Award: Innovation Trailblazer from Nutri-Asia Inc. in 2022 as they continued to provide a positive impact for the Philippines’ leading producer and distributor of sauces and condiments in the Philippines, NutriAsia Inc. (NAI).

This gave its owners, Virgil, and Cleofe Abejuela, more energy. They are both retired chemical engineers who started the business in 2018 after seeing a rise in demand for pickled products on the market and wanting to supply more of them.

Recently, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho A. Mabborang visited the facility as the agency provided equipment and technical consulting services to V&C Agrifarm.

Through the DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), the agency provided the processors with automatic vegetable washers, dryers, and grinders for bell pepper, garlic, chili, and onion.

V&C no longer has to wash and dry tons of bell peppers by hand because they have machines that do it for them. This makes them more efficient and productive.

Cleofe Abejuela, co-owner of V&C Agrifarm, said, “The washer and the dryer, the equipment, it really helped us from “mano-mano” (manual washing) to semi-mechanized process. We were given FDA [LTO] last year.”

The processors were given technical advice on food safety, which helped the company get a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) License to Operate (LTO).

The processors were also given technical advice on standardizing pickled vegetables by applying food safety standards from the time they got the raw materials to the time they delivered them.

“There is a collaboration between us, DOST, and USTP. USTP provides training for our staff on food safety. I had the chance to join the forum of SETUP; there were already plenty of beneficiaries; we had a meeting in Malaybalay; I was one of the speakers; it was a common sentiment among those who availed [the program] that it changes your outlook towards the government,” said Virgil Abejuela, co-owner of V&C Agrifarm.

One of the flagship programs of the DOST, the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program, or SETUP, is a nationwide strategy that encourages and assists micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in adopting the utilization of technological innovations.

This is meant to improve operational efficiency, increase productivity, and make businesses more competitive, with a big focus on finding solutions based on local conditions and production problems.

DOST Undersecretary Mabborang said, “DOST is cross-cutting, multi-dimensional, sometimes in agriculture, sometimes in engineering, sometimes we are into the laboratories, as long as there is an area that has science and technology.”

Mabborang also encourages other government agencies to also help MSMEs achieve business growth and success, saying, “Para makatulong din sila, ayaw naman namin na kami lang ang bida (so that they may also help, as we also don’t want all the credit).”

Now with automation, V&C Agrifarm’s production increased from the usual monthly average of 381 bags to 826 bags, which means an average increase of 445 (20 kg per bag) bags monthly or 117%.

MSME owners may inquire about and avail themselves of SETUP from a regional DOST office near them. In northern Mindanao, one may call 0917 857 9117 or visit the DOST-10 website at https://region10.dost.gov.ph/. (SAYU | PIA-10)

Agri dept 10 links Bukidnon onion farmer to Cebu market

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To meet the market’s increasing demand for red onions, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the helm of OIC–Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado administered the market linkage and sale of ‘Red Pinoy’ onions to SariSuki Cebu on January 27, 2023

With help from DA’s recently turned over delivery truck to the local government of Sumilao, Bukidnon dubbed as the ‘Kadiwa on Wheels’, Joseph G. Aguilar, an onion farmer from barangay Kisolon, was able to transport 1 ton of his produce overall costing to P200K (at P200 per kilo) to the CdeO City port, which was later on shipped to Cebu.

On such initiative, RED Collado said that the agency through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) vigorously pursues the facilitation of linkages of farmers and fisherfolk enterprises (FFEs) and other agri-based MSMEs with consumer markets and institutional buyers.

Through DA’s Kadiwa displays, individuals, especially those farmers’ cooperatives, and associations (FCAs) may sell their harvest at competitive prices with an assured link to a market; thereby, ensuring the quality and freshness of their agricultural produce.

The said shipment was also assisted by the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry-Plant Quarantine Service Cagayan de Oro through its OIC-Manager, Arnold S. Dela Cruz.

Ahead of Aguilar’s Cebu market, he has also sold 1,488 kilos of red onions amounting to P431,781 to Gaisano Mall Malaybalay City on January 20. (MPMTablon/DA-10)

DA-10 continues rollout of financial aid to Bukidnon rice farmers

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Kibawe, Bukidnon – A total of 3,472 rice farmers in the towns of Kibawe, Dangcagan, Kadingilan, Don Carlos, and Pangantucan in Bukidnon received P5,000 in cash aid on January 11-13, as the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) continue rolling out the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) in said localities, for the 2022-2023 dry cropping season

The RFFA is given to smallholder rice farmers tilling rice areas not exceeding two hectares and registered to the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), the DA’s official registry of farmers, fisherfolk, and farm laborers.

According to DA-10 OIC- Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the agency is fast-tracking the RFFA distribution to the rice farmers in Northern Mindanao in the aftermath of shear line to agricultural areas in the region late last year, and the continuing weather disturbance early in 2023.

“We intend to roll out the RFFA in the fastest way we can. We assure our RFFA beneficiaries they will receive their aid as soon as we have ironed out our coordination with the LGUs,” Collado said.

For the 2022-2023 Dry Cropping Season, the DA-10 has allocated Php237-M funds for the RFFA to benefit 46,161 eligible rice farmers across the region.

The RFFA is funded under the Rice Competitiveness Enhance Fund (RCEF) by virtue of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) and is intended to compensate for the increasing farm inputs prices and fluctuating palay buying prices.

With the RFFA, it is hoped that the rice farmers will be able to sustain their farm production and augment their earnings. (DA RFO-10)