Tuesday, July 31, 2018

DA Caraga Boosts White Corn Consumption Campaign


In a bid to further promote white corn consumption, the Department of Agriculture Caraga is set to establish white corn model farm in two municipalities in the region this year.

DA Caraga corn program coordinator Melody Guimary disclosed that the local government units of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur and Las Nieves, Agusan de Norte showed keen interest in establishing such model farm.

Each municipality committed to allocate 50 hectares or a total of 100 hectares in two areas to be planted with flint type white corn.

“We are targeting to materialize the project on this upcoming corn planting season between July to October this year,” Guimary said.

Model farm aims to showcase appropriate technology in producing white corn to serve as learning sites for other farmers.

For 2019, another three areas are targeted to be established as corn model farm where locations are yet to be determined.

As per guidelines, DA will provide the required seeds, fertilizer, pest and disease control inputs as well as marketing support.

White corn will be mixed with rice or as the so-called Rice Corn Blend (RCB) on a consumer preferred ratio.

RCB initiative has been led by PhilMaize Federation in collaboration with the National Food Authority (NFA).

It aims to encourage Filipinos to eat white corn to help the country attain food sufficiency and enjoy the health benefits corn has to offer.

Corn is known for its low glycemic index that is why it is good diabetics and for those body conscious persons, you will feel full much longer than consuming pure rice.

In the Philippines, Cebu is known for high consumption of corn.

In 2017 as per PSA data, Caraga Region had close to 20,000 hectares planted with white corn. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA Caraga)
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Thursday, July 12, 2018

APCO Bridges DA to LGU


APCO SDS June Anthony Ouano (wearing blue polo shirt)
Aiming to boost partnership with the local government units, the Department of Agriculture extends its arms through the Agricultural Program Coordinating Office (APCO).

June Anthony Ouano, APCO Chief of Surigao del Sur said that APCO is an extension arm of DA regional office catering the needs of the LGU’s and other agricultural stakeholders.

“In APCO office, we have personnel assigned for cluster of LGU so they can focus on making follow-ups for any concerned that need immediate attention,” he said.

“APCO is also the window for our partners in the LGU as well as farmers who have concerns for the regional office, thereby bringing our services closer to them,” Ouano explained.

Ouano added that for any activity of the LGU or farmer associations that needs the presence of the regional office, in lieu of the regional officers who are unavailable for an equally important schedules, APCO will represent.

In Caraga Region every province has an assigned APCO.

For Agusan del Norte, APCO has been housed within the DA Regional Office through its officer Edelmira Luminarias; in Agusan del Sur ,APCO is located at the Provincial Government Center in Patin-ay, Prosperidad with its officer Maria Theresa Espinedo, for Surigao del Norte, APCO is located at Penaranda St., Surigao City while for Province of Dinagat Islands it is located at Purok 3, Don Ruben, San Jose, Dinagat Islands with officer Engr. Ricky Palatao, while APCO Surigao Del Sur is located at Brgy. Telaje, Tandag City.

The Agricultural Program Coordinating Office is directly under the umbrella of the Field Operations Division (FOD).

For convenience and faster service, you may visit at any APCO office nearest you. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA Caraga)

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