Wednesday, April 02, 2025

Tag: The Department of Agriculture

DA to expand adlay seed production

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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to expand its seed production of adlay – popularly known as Chinese barley – in Northern Mindanao amid increasing demand and growing potential in the region

The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) said DA-Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) is working on expanding its adlay seed production due to increasing demand for adlay grits and adlay seeds.

In Dalwangan, Malaybay, Bukidnon, the NMACLRC reported to BAR that it currently maintains a two-hectare adlay seed production area aimed to further promote, distribute, and supply adlay grits and seeds to interested adlay farmers in the region this year.

Adlay varieties available in seed production include Ginampay, Gulian, Kiboa, Tapol (glutinous), and dwarf.

Planted in June this year, Gulian, Ginampay, and Tapol varieties will be harvested in November while Kiboa in October.

According to NMACLRC, farmers preferred the adlay dwarf variety due to its shorter months of maturity of four to five months versus the six to eight months’ maturity of other varieties.

The dwarf variety also has one to 1.5 meters’ height versus the other varieties with three- to four meters ‘ height which results in lodging problems. NMACLRC sells adlay seeds at P200 per kilo and milled adlay grits at P180 per kilo.

To improve the region’s adlay varieties, BAR director Junel Soriano suggested acquiring improved adlay lines from the Philippine Rice Research Institute for on-farm trials.

In 2010, BAR crafted and supported a research for-development program to explore the potential of adlay.

As of March this year, the bureau supported a total of 61 projects that covered adaptability yield trials across specific locations; varietal improvement; food product enhancement; seed production and expansion; development of processing and postharvest technologies; marketing study; and commercialization implemented by different research development institutes.

DA-Northern Mindanao, in particular, has established seed production areas in different municipalities in Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental.

Various adlay value-added products, such as wine, breakfast cereal, arrozcaldo, puto, cutchinta, espasol, adlay crunchy bar, and beauty soap were also developed.

The regional office also established partnership with the Hineleban Foundation based in Malaybalay, Bukidnon in marketing and distribution of adlay grains. (Philstar)

Mindanao cassava growers given direct market

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The Department of Agriculture (DA) has provided cassava and corn growers in Mindanao with a direct market for their produce by linking them to the San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI)-Visayas

The DA-Northern Mindanao (DA-10) said on Monday, October 9, that the established connection will benefit cassava and corn-producing farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) from Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro.

The SMFI-Visayas team led by Eduardo Co said that their company is looking to tap FCAs in Region 10 “to augment the volume of their existing shipments and also maximize their operations from Cagayan de Oro City to Cebu City.”

Co added that they also plan to join in the agriculture department’s bid to help increase the farmers’ income, boost the quality of their lives, and, at the same time, learn about the challenges they have encountered on the ground.

The DA said that the endeavor between SMFI and Mindanao farmers will not just provide an additional market for their harvests but will also ensure that it will be bought at reasonable prices.

Carlene Collado, DA-10 regional executive director, said that the FCAs should consider tapping the said company to cut the trading layers when marketing their corn and cassava harvest.

He gave assurances 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.

Northern Mindanao was the top producer of cassava in the second quarter of 2023, supplying 279.29 thousand metric tons (MT), or 39.3 percent, of the total production, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

From April to June 2023, cassava production was estimated at 709.91 thousand MT, which indicated a growth of 1.6 percent from the 698.63 thousand MT output in the same quarter of 2022.

Other regions that produced a higher volume of the said crop during the quarter were the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, with 218.99 thousand metric tons, or 30.8 percent, and Cagayan Valley with 47.50 thousand MT, or 6.7 percent of the total.

The area harvested for cassava from January to June 2023 reached 109.62 thousand hectares, an increase of 0.8 percent from 108.80 thousand hectares in the same period of 2022. (Janine Alexis Miguel/The Manila Times)

Agri-10 to explore buckwheat production in its research stations

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MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10), headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, is set to explore the conduct of on-site trials for buckwheat production in its research centers

After Carmen Sunrise Exporters, Inc. (CSEI), led by its company manager, Mr. Tetsuji Yukawa, sought help from the agency, they targeted to venture into buckwheat production somewhere in Bukidnon province successfully.

On October 3 at DA’s Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan here, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga cited that given that buckwheat is an exploratory crop in Region 10, she shared her insights on the adoption of growing buckwheat and the challenges that potentially come along with it.

“We are suggesting that we conduct trials here [NMACLRC] so that we will know the technology and establish our data that is suitable for buckwheat production before we commercialize or disseminate it to the farmers,” RTD Madriaga conveyed with the Research Division taking the lead under the wing of RTD for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca.

Besides the conduct of experimental trials at NMACLRC, which has an elevation of 800-1,000 meters (m) above sea level (asl), the agri official added that the same activity can also be done at DA’s Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in Barongcot, Bukidnon with 300-600m asl.

As agreed, Dir. Collado emphasized that the company must submit a Letter of Intent and enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DA before the trial.

This includes the private company providing planting materials such as seeds and other necessary support for establishing on-site trials depending on its scope.

Furthermore, the assistant director urged CSEI to identify farmers’ cooperatives associations (FCAs) to source out buckwheat harvest from them easily and for said groups to also possibly gain access to some big-ticket interventions from DA-10, such as the provision of machinery and equipment needed in their production, postharvest, and other operations.

CSEI currently works under the umbrella of Japanese firms Starlanes, Corp. and Diamond Star, Corp. with affiliated companies in Hawaii, the USA, Australia, and Thailand.

It primarily processes and exports fresh Philippine agricultural products, specifically Mango, Papaya, Cardava/Saba-Banana, Balangon-Banana, Pineapple, and Durian.

Also present during the meeting are DA-10 Research Division chief Lorena V. Duna, RCUD chief Catalino S. Soriano, Jr., NMACLRC chief Carmelito R. Lapoot; and CSEI Purchasing and Packing Supervisor Antoinette Quino Gallarde and Assistant Operations Manager Mark Angelo L. Catungal. (DA RFO-10)

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)

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)