Monday, March 25, 2024

DA-NorMin intensifies joint disease surveillance on Pestalotiopsis leaf fall disease of rubber

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – RFO 10 in coordination with the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI), Bureau of Plant Industry – Plant Quarantine Service (BPI-PQS) and Crop Pest Management Division (CPMD) and High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) strengthened the surveillance operations to detect the incidence and track the spread of Pestalotiopsis Leaf Fall Disease of rubber in some areas in Bukidnon

The convergence efforts of DA-10 helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado through its HVCDP, the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC), Regulatory and Field Operations divisions with the Provincial Agriculture Office of Bukidnon involved the local authorities, rubber farmers, and agricultural experts from DA-HVCDP through Engr. Jose Zalde B. Samsom, Jr., CFIDP focal.

PRRI Sr. Science Research Specialist Jill D. Villanueva said that the coordination efforts aim to mitigate the disease, which is fungal and caused by a pathogen called Pestalotiopsis sp.

She stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing plant diseases threatening the region’s rubber production.

Bukidnon is a primary rubber-producing province in Northern Mindanao, contributing to the region’s overall rubber production of 13,378 metric tons with a total area planted of 7,400 hectares.

BPI PQS Cagayan de Oro City OIC Arnold S. Dela Cruz, Jr. highlighted the importance of safeguarding rubber crops and other valuable commodities.

Said rubber disease, if left unchecked, may cause leaf defoliation or falling of leaves and may result in reduced productivity in the worst affected areas.

In response to the growing concerns regarding the protection of rubber plantations in Bukidnon, the Provincial Governor issued an E.O no 26 series of 2023, an order banning the transport outside, sale of seedlings, or planting materials.

During the coordination meeting, the team discussed possible actions to be taken and recommendations to mitigate the said disease. (DA RFO-10)

Agri NorMin capacitates local farmer technicians on hydroponics

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To promote the adoption of vegetable production through hydroponics, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) capacitates Local Farmer Technicians (LFTs) on August 10-11, 2023 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

Spearheaded by the Various Production Support Services (VPSS), around 56 LFTs from the region gathered for the package of technology training on hydroponics.

Agriculturist II Ronald Allan P. Camaddo from the agency’s High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) demonstrated how lettuce can be grown in styrofoam boxes by using a nutrient solution.

Further, the LFTs were briefed on their duties and responsibilities as extension workers in promoting and disseminating technologies and submissions of monthly reports. (DA RFO-10)

Agri-10 sets up Onion derby in agency’s research stations

To encourage farmers to venture into Onion production, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducts an Allium ceremonial planting in its research stations on August 2-4, 2023

Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, CPA, said that this marks the first Onion derby in the region and aims to find the best onion varieties in each area, showcase technologies, and expand production areas in the region.

Spearheaded by its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), a total of five seed companies will be showcasing their technologies on onion production in DA-10’s research stations, namely: Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in Dangcagan, Bukidnon, Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) in Claveria, Misamis Oriental and Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

“We support DA-10’s initiative as it is beneficial for consumers and farmers alike since onion is an essential spice that we use daily,” shared Andre Abonitalla, Kaneko Seeds Assistant Manager for Visayas and Mindanao.

Meanwhile, harvesting and Farmers’ Forum to present derby results and recognize best-performing varieties is scheduled on November 7-9, 2023, for RCUD, RCHD, and NMACLRC, respectively. (DA RFO-10)

DA-10 supports small-scale gardening, food security efforts in Bukidnon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) helmed by OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, turned over an assortment of vegetable seeds to the Office of Congressman Jonathan Keith T. Flores of the 2nd Legislative District of Bukidnon province, at the agency compound on April 3, 2023

Through the agency’s High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), a total of 150 vegetable (chopsuey, sinigang, garden salad) seed packets were handed over by DA-10 OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca and Agriculturist II Ronald Allan P. Camaddo of HVCDP under the Field Operations Division in support of the lawmaker’s bid to promote backyard gardening in the said district.

Further, the said provision is expected to aid in ensuring a stable and sufficient supply of healthy food for residents of said province. (GDAndres/DA-10)

DA-10 veggie seeds aid food security efforts in Mt. Kalatungan

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In an effort to meet the need for food security among the region’s indigenous peoples communities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA RFO-10) headed by OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado turned over assorted vegetable seeds to the Xavier Science Foundation (XSF)

A total of 60 packets of vegetables (pinakbet and sinigang) were handed over by DA-10 High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) Kersten S. Pagalan to XSF project staff Mark Auditor at the agency compound.

The said provision is in support of the foundation’s food security program dubbed as ‘Mt. Kalatungan BioCon: Creating Innovative Environmental Solutions and Sustainable Livelihoods’ which aims to promote sustainable agriculture and increase access to fresh food through community gardening.

It further addresses the escalating climate and biodiversity challenges in the 21 barangays within the Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park landscape.

“We are coordinating with six indigenous peoples organizations (IPOs) in Talakag, Pangantucan, and Maramag for the project implementation, and are aiming to establish at least 10 family beneficiaries of the said initiative,” Auditor said.

He added that XSF is grateful for DA-10’s eagerness to partner with and support the initiative for the IP communities in Northern Mindanao. (DA RFO-10)

DA-10 stages workshop to bolster coffee industry in Mindanao

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON — In an effort to strengthen support for the coffee farmers and industry in Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office (DA RFO-10) headed by OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, in partnership with Nestlé Philippines, Inc., held a workshop on January 16-20, 2023 to finalize the Mindanao Coffee Project (MCP), this city

Through the MCP, the agency aims to establish a globally competitive, sustainable, and product-diversified coffee industry in Mindanao to benefit local farmers, traders, manufacturers, and exporters.

In her welcome message, DA-10 OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca thanked the agency’s partners from the public and private sectors for the support they continuously extend to coffee farmers in Mindanao.

High-Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) and National Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture (NUPAP) Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, Ph.D enjoined the participants to actively participate in said event, as the workshop’s inputs contribute to the impactful work the agency does for coffee farmers in the country.

Meanwhile, Nestlé Philippines, Inc. Senior Vice President and Corporate Affairs Head Jose Uy III reaffirmed their company’s commitment to empowering coffee farmers in Mindanao, particularly those from the provinces of Bukidnon and Sultan Kudarat – two of the country’s leading coffee producers.

The five-day workshop highlighted proposed projects by the University of Southern Mindanao and Nestlé Philippines, Inc., which tackled the productivity of Robusta coffee to organic and inorganic fertilizers, fertilizer support for coffee farmers, and the establishment and improvement of integrated coffee centers in Sultan Kudarat and Bukidnon, respectively.

During the said event, representatives from DA regional offices 9 to 13 also presented their plans and upcoming projects for FY 2023 and 2024. They underscored the Philippine Coffee Industry Roadmap 2021-2025 and the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan.

As a showcase of its ‘regenerative’ agricultural farming practices, Nestlé Philippines, led by its SVP Uy, also facilitated a tour of the Bukidnon Integrated Coffee Center (BICC) and its model coffee farms in Maramag town.

Also supporting the activity were DA-10 RTD for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, Ph.D., Agribusiness, and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Supervising Agriculturist Ferdinand F. Caraballe, and HVCDP focal person Kersten S. Pagalan. (GDAndres/DA-10)