Saturday, May 18, 2024

Tag: The Department of Agriculture

DA revs up FMR project implementation in NorMin

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To enhance dynamism and efficiency in implementing Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) projects, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED), spearheaded the FMR Network Planning on September 19-22, in this city

The activity was conducted in consonance with Joint Administrative Order No. 1, series of 2023, which mandated government agencies implementing FMR projects – DA, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), to work in convergence for the formulation, implementation, and updating of the National Network of FMRs.

In partnership with the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE), DA-RFO 10 through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado convened its partner agencies and stakeholders for a multilateral dialogue on the regional FMR road map.

Essentially, the planning workshop is an avenue to apprise the city and municipal agriculturists, agricultural biosystem engineers, and the DPWH district engineers on GEOAGRI.

The GEOAGRI is a web-based Management Information System portal jointly developed by BAFE and Caraga State University to consolidate, store/manage, process, and analyze data of FMR projects implemented by National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Local Government Units (LGUs).

As advanced by BAFE, the system is part of the government’s effort to promote transparency, maximize resource allocation, and minimize duplication and overlapping of FMR projects.

FMRs have been regarded as imperative interventions to address agricultural supply chain problems by connecting production areas to markets.

This enables farmers and fishers to broaden their reach and command better prices for their products.

In her message, DA- RFO 10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga DA, LGUs, and DPWH to come to a consensus in crafting remedial measures to address challenges encountered on the ground, for effective FMR implementation in the region.

Since 2015, DA-RFO 10 appropriated P4.56 billion in funds for the implementation of 452 FMR projects across the five provinces in Northern Mindanao, in partnership with DPWH and the LGUs.

Criteria such as estimated road influence area, number of farmers/fisherfolk beneficiaries, agricultural potential indicators, present road condition, climate change adaptation, and average daily traffic are determinants in prioritizing and funding FMR projects.

In support of the FMR implementation and monitoring activities in the region, BAFE turned over two laptop and mobile phone units to DA-RFO 10 RAED during the planning workshop.# (ATTalib)

DA invites firm to bid for coffee supply on expanded projects

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MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) on September 21, 2023, invited a multinational firm and other companies to bid for coffee supply as it gears toward the sustainability and expansion of the agency’s projects

In a press briefing, DA-10 Technical Director Carlota Madriaga said they are looking for suppliers of certified-grade Robusta coffee plantlets for distribution to farmer-beneficiaries in the region.

Madriaga said Nestle Philippines, which operates the Bukidnon Integrated Coffee Center (BICC), is one of the main growers of certified Robusta coffee plantlets.

“There were many coffee players who used to bid before including Nestle but in the recent call for bidding there were no parties showing interest, so there was a failure to bid,” she said.

For parties to become qualified bidders, they must undergo training and accreditation from the Bureau of Plant and Industry.

Art Baria, Nestle’s agri-services head, said they will look into bidding requirements, noting that “it takes time to grow these plantlets, and we will make sure we can provide the needed number.”

Other than a direct source for the processing of its coffee products, Nestle’s BICC is also a certified training school for Coffee Production Level 2 for farmers and students. It is accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and DA’s Agriculture Training Institute reviving the coffee industry.

Meanwhile, DA-10 Director Carlene Collado spoke of a “coffee industry renaissance,” pointing to the previous achievements of farmer groups who have gained a reputation for providing high-quality coffee.

“From 2017-2018, DA-10 was able to procure certified Robusta coffee from Nestle worth 1.65 million pieces,” he said.

Madriaga reiterated that DA-10 and its allied stakeholders are committed to the Philippine Coffee Industry Roadmap (PCIR).

The PCIR has a 2023 to 2027 timeframe with objectives and action plans related to enhancing the growth of the coffee industry.

A five-year data from DA-10 showed that from 2016 to 2020, Robusta coffee had the highest yield in Northern Mindanao with an average of 5,000 tons; Excelsa variety coffee had 266 tons, while Arabica coffee dwindled from 334 to 198 tons. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

City Vet Hosts Training on Swine Artificial Insemination Course

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The City Government of Malaybalay through the City Veterinary Office – Livestock Production Section in partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute –Region 10 (ATI-R10) hosted the Regional Scale Level of Training on Swine Artificial Insemination and Basic Health and Nutrition, a first of its kind and a first-time in the Philippines to be hosted by an LGU

Training to bolster livestock swine production and to ensure robust regional food security was one of the objectives of the training. It was also conducted to utilize the unmatched capabilities and technical expertise of the Malaybalay City Livestock Production personnel.

The 10-day training which started last September 11, 2023, and will end on September 23, 2023, was held at Veranda Hotel and in Malaybalay City Livestock Production, Breeding and Training Center for the immersion.

Mr. Jeric Cabatac and Ms. Gia Joy Lustero from the ATI-10 facilitated the training together with the personnel from the City Veterinary Office headed by City Veterinarian Dr. Michele C. Miquiabas, Alexis Flores II – the Center Chief, Dr. Omar T. Cahanap, Livestock Production Veterinarian and Phille Rae M. Bonggo, Training Coordinator.

Regional-wide participants came from the agriculture office of the different municipalities of Bukidnon, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Tangub City, El Salvador City, Tudela, Misamis Occidental, and Cagayan de Oro City. Mr. Johnson Petalcorin and Mr. Alain N. Tubo were the participants from DA- R10 and from DA-Bukidnon respectively.

The Jaya Secret Garden by Jayasree Harsha Bayag of this City was also a learning site for the activity. (LGU Malaybalay

DA, Bukidnon LGUs craft 5-year rice industry dev’t plan

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Sen. Christopher Lawrence”Bong” Go (left) leads the ribbon cutting ceremony of the five-storey multi-purpose building, one of the five new key projects in Damulog, Bukidnon on September 16, 2023. Assisting him is Damulog town Mayor Melino L. Buro. (PIA Bukidnon)

DA, Bukidnon LGUs craft 5-year rice industry dev’t plan

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – RFO 10 through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado facilitates the crafting of the 2024-2028 Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP) plan for the province of Bukidnon

Chona H. Nacalaban, Rice Program focal person of DA-10 explained, “The MRIDP is formulated to address the present challenges in the rice industry and it is set to improve agricultural production in the country to achieve the government target of 97 percent rice self-sufficiency by 2028.”

Following the program’s briefing earlier this August, the DA-10’s Rice Program led the convergence planning workshop of OneDA, comprising ATI, PhilMech, NIA, and PhilRice which seeks to create a rice industry in the region that is thriving, resilient, and sustainable while boosting the productivity of farmers.

The program was designed to prioritize the welfare of Filipino farmers, boost the rice value chain, and improve agricultural production across the Philippines.

The Provincial Agriculture’s Office of Bukidnon together with the 21 local government units (LGUs) prepared their plans focusing on markets, innovations, scale, mainstreaming, and outcome.

The said plan will determine solutions to pressing issues on rice which include farm income, productivity, supply of rice, and competitiveness in the world market.

With the existence of the farm clusters in Bukidnon, the government can easily provide its interventions from inputs (seeds, fertilizers), machinery, and even marketing assistance.

To work on the detailed integrated plans, there is a need for innovative approaches to engage farmers and the private sector.

Citing the existence of the province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES) in the province will aid in the implementation of the program.

The provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte will be pilot-tested for the program, being the rice producers in Northern Mindanao. Bukidnon, the region’s top rice-producing province has an annual production of 295.686 metric tons in CY 2022 based on PSA with a sufficiency level of 216.51 percent.

In terms of physical area, Bukidnon has a total area of 40,799 hectares both for irrigated and rainfed areas, or 56.48 percent of Region 10’s total physical area of 75,883 hectares. (DA RFO-10

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

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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)

DA to construct Cassava Warehouse in M. Fortich

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MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON – A warehouse with a Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement (MPDP) will soon be established in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, as the Department of Agriculture -Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10) conducts a Pre-Construction Conference for the said facility on August 1, 2023, in this municipality

Funded by the Additional Financing 2 (AF2), the warehouse with MPDP worth P4,653,741.62 will be constructed in Barangay Lunocan, benefiting cassava producers in the municipality.

In her message, Lunocan barangay captain Melba A. Batoon extended her gratitude to DA-PRDP 10 through Project Director and DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and LGU Manolo Fortich for the subproject they have acquired.

“We have been longing for this subproject to arrive, especially since our area is very far from the town’s center. Soon, it will be easier to access these facilities, and we can be more confident with the quality of our produce.”

Engr. Deliza T. Camaro, IBUILD Component Head, congratulated the stakeholders for acquiring the said subproject.

She also emphasized everyone’s role in the implementation of the project, which includes the contractor in following the standards set by DA-PRDP and the World Bank, and the residents and barangay officials to monitor the activities in the field.

“For the barangay officials, you will own and use this subproject; thus, you need to make sure that the procedures and the quality are of standards,” Engr. Camaro added.

The warehouse with MPDP will be the fifth of its kind to be built in the municipality as the barangays Minsuro, Sto. Niño, Kalugmanan, and Minsuro received it first. (DA RFO-10)

Malaybalay City coop acquires P3-M combine harvester from DA-NorMin

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MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Linabo Agrarian Reform Cooperative (LARC), a ninety-active-membered farmers’ group, is eyed to augment their productivity and income after being granted a combine harvester worth P3 million (M) from the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado

On July 21, Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, Ph.D. together with Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM of DA-10, led in conferring the certificate of turnover thru the City Government of Malaybalay, helmed by Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran represented by its Chief Executive Assistant Anthony James Mondia, and finally, to the benefitting coop, LARC led by its Chairperson Aurelio E. Salem.

Pooled from CY 2022 funds under the agency’s Corn program, said unit is a grain crop, labor- and time-saving harvesting machine that combines reaping, threshing, cleaning, and bagging into a single operation.

It is targeted to serve LARC’s existing production area, which is composed of 236.7 hectares for corn, and 196.7 hectares for rice, with a potential area of 200 hectares.

Dr. Guzman urged them to value and maximize the use of said machinery by setting aside funds for its repair and maintenance, which would overall help elevate LARC’s operations.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mondia noted the synergistic efforts – from the national, provincial, city, and down to barangay governments- to acquire a combine harvester unit that would directly benefit the farmers in barangay Linabo.

In response to the messages of support and anchoring on the coop’s mission of uplifting the life of its members and agrarian reform beneficiaries, LARC chairperson Salem is grateful that the government has seen its potential to manage the combined harvester.

Likewise, the coop head committed that under his wing, they will exercise responsibility, accountability, and transparency, in whatever available resources they have for the benefit of their members, fellow farmers, and their community.

Apart from the provided machinery, LARC has also availed other forms of assistance from DA-10, such as agricultural inputs and financial aid.

Now in its silver year, it continues to venture into production, processing, and marketing, with reach not just limiting to the locality but also in the cities of Valencia, Cagayan de Oro, and Iligan, and the towns of Maramag and Cabanglasan in Bukidnon.

Also supporting the cooperative during the turnover ceremony is the City Government of Malaybalay thru its agriculture and engineering offices, the local barangay of Linabo, and the Department of Agrarian Reform. (DA RDO0-10)

Damulog farmers to benefit corn seeds, fertilizers from Agri-10

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Targeted to ease farmers’ brunt on the increasing costs of farm inputs, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10), headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, turned over seeds and fertilizers to 16 farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs), at the Municipal Gymnasium, Poblacion, Damulog, Bukidnon

Funded by the Corn program, the roster of interventions conferred by the agri department is composed of 625 bags of hybrid corn seed (9 kilograms per bag) complemented with 625 bags of complete fertilizer (50 kgs/bag), which are targeted for distribution to select FCA members who are enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Facilitated by the agri office of said municipality, the turnover was graced by DA-10 Provincial Operations Center chief of Bukidnon, Janet D. Lopez, DVM, Mayor Melino L. Burro, Councilor Ronald Virtudazo, committee on agriculture, and Herberto L. Tan, MAO officer-in-charge. (DA RFO-10)

Solon distributes P1-B agri projects in N. Mindanao

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Senator Imee Marcos led on July 20, 2023, the distribution and launch of Php1 billion worth of agriculture projects for farmers in the Northern Mindanao Region

During her visit, Marcos said Misamis Oriental will receive PHP522.8 million worth of projects, and an initial PHP82.7 million for the local government here, as part of the “OneDA” program under the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“I am hopeful that these different projects involve the interventions of additional planting materials, semen straws, and chicken multiplier farms,” she said.

Marcos said the funding could be used in swine clustering, forage seeds, rabbits, provision of chicken supplies, and the putting up small village-type feed mills.

The National Irrigation Authority in Northern Mindanao (NIA-10) will get PHP478 million, of which PHP133 million will go to irrigation development projects.

The funding will also be an allotment for repairing and restoring communal and national irrigation systems and service roads toward national irrigation systems.

DA-10 Executive Director Carlene Collado said the city would have as much as PHP118.3 million on top of what Marcos had earlier committed.

“We will be handling the certificate of turnovers for our current budget for this year,” he said, adding the projects will be given to the different farmer cooperatives and associations.

Lilian Antigua, a OneDA beneficiary, said the programs improve their living conditions and the distribution of their produce to a broader market.

“We can now have a place to place our produce and sell them through ‘Kadiwa’ (program), and through that, we were able to sell it in many places,” she said in the vernacular.

Marcos also attended several turnover projects and a graduation ceremony for senior high school graduates of the Asian Business Cabletow Cooperative Academy. (PNA)

Construction begins on trading post in Malaybalay City

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The construction of a trading post in Purok 2, Barangay 9, Malaybalay City has commenced, marking an important milestone for the city’s economic development. With an allocated budget of Php 5 million, the project aims to enhance the local trading system and promote inclusive food supply chains

The trading post, which is being implemented and funded under the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Enhanced Kadiwa Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program, will serve as a central hub for farmers, vendors, and consumers to engage in trade.

SOV Builders and Construction Supply Corporation, the contractor responsible for the project, has been awarded a contract amounting to Php 3,937,554.24. The project is expected to be completed within the stipulated timeframe of 135 calendar days.

The Notice to Proceed was issued on June 23, 2023, giving the contractor the green light to initiate construction activities. The trading post is expected to be fully operational by November 4, 2023.

The trading post will not only facilitate transactions between farmers and buyers but also promote direct engagement with consumers. This will enable consumers to have access to fresh, locally sourced produce while supporting the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in the city.

The construction of the trading post aligns with the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture and inclusive economic development. Through the Enhanced Kadiwa Inclusive Food Supply Chain Program, the DA in coordination with partner agencies aims to empower farmers, improve food security, and enhance market access for agricultural products. (LGU Malaybalay)