DA Caraga Empowers Women through Livelihood Training

Tandag City, Surigao del Sur - Recognizing the role of women in nation building, the Department of Agriculture Caraga conducted series of livelihood training for Rural 

Improvement Club (RIC) and 4H members and Extension Workers in the region.

The AgriPinoy Corn Program is currently promoting value adding products utilizing cassava through cooking demo livelihood training in which the second batch was held in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur last June 17, 2014.

Similar training was also conducted late last year in Butuan City and more training are currently on the pipeline.

Participants were taught how to cook various cassava recipes such as pudding, cheese, hagik-hik (suman), toron and pitchi-pitchi.

Regional Corn Program Coordinator Abel Wagas emphasized that food processing is an opportunity for the farmer’s wives and the women in general to help augment the income of the family.

He urged the participants to strengthen their associations to engage in cassava food processing wherein ready market is just around in the locality such as restaurants, canteens and more.

A participant expressed amazement after learning that cassava can be processed into more mouth tantalizing menu and vowed to add cassava recipes during special occasions or gatherings.

Cassava is a healthy food alternative.  Cassava roots are a rich source of carbohydrates which is an energy source.  It is generally considered to have a high content of dietary fiber, magnesium, sodium, riboflavin, thiamin, nicotinic acid, and citrate.

Cassava is traditionally utilized as food source in broiled, steamed and boiled forms. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA CARAGA Information Section)

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Marketing of Corn Produce Now on Social Media

Provincial Manager Gil Tabor of NFA Agusan del Sur discussed 

the Enhanced Electronic Trading System for Corn (EETS-Corn) 

during the Orientation on Credit Policies, Programs and Projects 

for Corn and Cassava conducted by the AgriPinoy Corn 

Program of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 13 

participated by corn and cassava farmers associations 

and LGU corn coordinators.

Butuan City - As the technology is fast-paced nowadays, farmers can sell their produce through the social media.

This is through the web-based trading system called Enhanced Electronic Trading System for Corn (EETS-Corn) implemented thru the National Food Authority (NFA).

Provincial Manager Gil Tabor of NFA Agusan del Sur said that EETS will provide commodity trading for buyers and sellers and information exchange through a network of trading centers linked electronically with each other through the internet.

With this mechanism, he said corn farmers can link with their market at the right place and the right time for better prices.

EETS for Corn was introduced as an initial project of the Agricultural Commodity Exchange System (ACES) to support farmers, directly or indirectly, to attain better income opportunities by providing market information updates, promoting more efficient system of post-harvest, processing and marketing, and educating farmers in the workings of the market thus preparing them for the realities of global competition.

The program was initially piloted in four areas in the country specifically Isabela for Regions 1 and 2), General Santos for Regions 11 and 12, Bukidnon for Region 10 and Quezon City for Regions 3,4 and Metro Manila.

However, Tabor said that Caraga farmers can avail the program by visiting the nearest NFA Offices for proper guidelines with minimum produce of 100 bags and should be locally grown and must pass the quality parameter.(Aurelius P. Arais/Info Section DA CARAGA)

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Joel S. Callano: A Marine Engineer Turns an Animal Raiser

Joel S. Callano of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur harvesting eggs from his poultry farm.
He said that hands-on management is the key to success for any ventures.

After sailing in vast ocean for almost 12 years, Joel Callano of Sitio Matin-aw, Poblacion, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur finally decided to follow his dreams to run a business and eventually led him into animal raising.

Joel,  54 years old and a father of two, has to wake up around four o’clock in the morning to check his 4.1 hectares farm land adopting Integrated Farming System.

Within his area, he ventured various projects such as hog raising, goat production, and poultry production. He also planted various fruit bearing trees such as durian, calamansi, and coconut intercropped with rubber.

Joel is also a lover of flowers. He has a small portion of his land devoted to orchids and anthurium which he sells to interested buyers.

Animal wastes were utilized through vermi composting and applied as fertilizer for his vegetation as a way promoting organic agriculture in his locality. 

Despite the heavy workload in his farm, Joel did not feel heavily laden as his loving wife Sonia supported him by taking in-charge of the marketing side of their farm operation. He is supported also with his 3 farm workers.

Joel said that at the start he don’t have adequate knowledge in raising small animals. This was the reason why he keep asking from his friends and also attended various trainings conducted by some private companies and the Department of Agriculture thru the Agricultural Training Institute and the Provincial and Municipal Agriculture Office.

Aside from the trainings and ideas from his peers, he personally conducted self-study or trial by error to verify various approaches and techniques suitable in his area.

To cut down expenses in commercial feeds, he established his own feed mill with the help of the technical expertise of DA-ATI.

As of now, meat and egg entrepreneurs in Tagbina and neighboring towns placed their orders from him. For faster service for clients, he utilizes his private car and a tricycle as a delivery vehicle.

Having established a good rapport with his costumers, Joel consistently posted an average Return of Investment (ROI) of 135% in 2012 while in last year 2013 his ROI was 179% across all of his agricultural ventures.

Known to have implemented the best practices in animal raising his farm is being tapped by the nearby Surigao del Sur State University (SSDSU) for their student’s internship program.

With the strategic location of his farm along the main highway, he envisioned to establish his own cake shop serving cakes and pastries, leche flan and other native delicacies with buko and calamansi juice as natural thirst quenchers, dream that is not far from reality as he is armed with dedication and a supportive family. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFIS DA Caraga)

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DA-LGU Caraga Ties Knot for Agri Development

DA-RFO13 Officers  headed by newly appointed RTD for Research and Regulatory
Nicandro Navia, Jr. (4th from right) answers queries from LGU participants in an open
forum during the Forum with Local Government Officials held in Butuan City.

Butuan City -  “Bridging the Gap, Touching the Heart. Focus our minds, deliver results.”  So goes the battle cry of the AgriPinoy framework.

Adhering to such rallying call and to bring the Department of Agriculture closer to the local government units in Caraga, the forum with the local government unit’s official was conducted in one of the convention center here last April 10, 2014.

The forum was attended by local chief executives from different LGUs in Caraga with the presence of no less than Governor Adolph Edward Plaza of Agusan del Sur.

Other attendees were vice mayors, sangguniang bayan members, agriculture and veterinary officers, planning officers, accountants and academe.

Nicandro Navia Jr. newly appointed OIC Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Research and Regulatory portrayed out the said forum as a marriage ceremony wherein open communication is vital for a successful union.

“DA and LGU are bonded together as one with mutual love, respect, help and support for a long lasting working relationship for the common good of Caraganons”, Navia said.

Agricultural situation in the region as well as various programs and interventions being offered by the aggie department was discussed by Field Operations Division (FOD) Officer in Charge Rebecca Atega for an easy access for the LGU for the betterment of their constituents.

It was clearly stated that the LGU have to submit a letter of intent or proposal for them to avail DAs projects and interventions from banner programs such as corn, rice, livestock, high value crops development program, infrastructure and organic agriculture as well as special projects.

To guide LGUs on the process flow and documentary requirements it was thoroughly tackled by DA RFO 13 Admin and Finance OIC Josefa Gidacan.  

A lively discussion ensued during the open forum wherein LGUs were given a chance to asked questions directly to the division chiefs, program coordinators and focal persons.

With the conduct of the said activity, DA RFO 13 is optimistic of stronger ties with the local government units for the development of the agricultural sector in Caraga. (Aurelius P. Arais/Info Section DA CARAGA)

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PRC Re-opens Application for Registration without Examination for Agriculturists

Good news for all agricultural technicians and technologists who haven’t been registered.

The Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) had re-opened the registration and licensing without examination for agriculturists effective since on September 12, 2013.

This was embodied through Resolution No. 08, series of 2013 of the Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture entitled “Resolution to Re-open the Registration and Licensing without Examination for Agriculturists, Amending for the Purpose Board Resolution No. 05, Series of 2011 and Section 3 of Board Resolution No. 09-A, Series of 2005.

It was recalled that PRC set until December 29, 2011 as the deadline for the registration without examination for agriculturists.

But on its recent resolution, it acknowledges that there is still substantial number of agricultural technicians and technologists who are unable to avail of the opportunity due to difficulties in obtaining the documentary requirements and heavy work schedules.

The resolution further acknowledges that the employment status and promotion of hundreds of agricultural technologists rests on their acquisition of license as agriculturists.

With the foregoing facts, the board recommended the re-opening of the application for registration without examination for agriculturists, until such time that the new agriculturist law is approved and made operative.

The resolution was in response to numerous appeals from various groups including the Office of the Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, League of Municipal Agricultural Officers, Municipal Agriculturists and City Agriculturists of the Philippines, Inc. and the Philippine Coconut Authority.

For more information and details, interested parties may inquire at your nearest PRC office or visit their website www.prc.gov.ph. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)

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DA Searches Corn Quality Achievers: Now on its Second Year

Quantity and quality of produce is the utmost priority of the Department of Agriculture (DA) nowadays.

Thus, DA thru the AgriPinoy Corn Program is now on its second year of eyeing more achievers for this year’s Corn Quality Achievers Awards.

In its quest to bring Caraga into limelight once again; the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 13 met the prospective local government units who will vie for the national level to guide them in packaging their entries.

Last year, Caraga Region garnered a total of eight awards across all five categories.

This year’s search for Corn Quality Achievers has been expanded with more categories and with more exciting prizes.

The National Quality Corn Achievers Awards shall be given to the top 5 LGU provinces, 25 cities and or municipalities, 5 provincial corn coordinators, 25 municipal and or city corn coordinators, 100 agricultural extension workers and the new categories; 5 provincial agriculturists, 25 municipal agriculturists and outstanding regional corn teams.

Individual winners will received cash award and plaque while the winning LGU shall be in the form of projects such as infrastructures, farm equipments, post harvest facilities and machineries and or other relevant projects with a total prizes at stake of more than 43 million pesos.

For LGU category, judging will be based on technical requirements such as the corn grain samples shall comply with maximum aflatoxin level of 50 ppb and minimum Grade No. 3 as per Quality Grade Requirements on Shelled Corn of the Philippine National Standards for Grains-Corn.

For yield, must have an annual average corn yield for the past three years of at least 3.5 metric tons per hectares (mt/ha) for yellow and 1.5 mt/ha for white.

For province, it must have a minimum of 5,000 ha (effective) or 2,500 ha (physical) devoted to corn farming while for city or municipal category, must have 400 ha (effective) or minimum of 200 ha (physical) devoted corn farming.  

The level of aflatoxin and other quality parameters shall be based on the data obtained during the contest duration.

Awarding for the national winners is tentatively set on October 2014 during the 10^th National Corn Congress to be held in Cagayan de Oro City.

The DA Corn Quality Award aims to recognize the achievement of top performing LGUs with outstanding contribution to the corn industry; encourage strong DA-LGU partnership in the production of quality corn; and sustain awareness of the LGUs to the Agri-Pinoy Corn Program and Activities of the Department of Agriculture. (Aurell P. Arais/ Info Section DA CARAGA)

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2013 a Triumphant Year for AgriPinoy Corn Program in Caraga

Clear vision, close coordination and determination equal success.

These are the driving force of Caraga AgriPinoy Corn Program in attaining various achievements not just in terms of awards but on helping the farmers alleviate their plight.

DA RFO 13 Acting Director Edna Mabeza, incalculated into the minds of every staff on the corn program the importance of closely coordinating with the local government units in all its programs and activities.

Thus as a result of close coordination, DA RFO 13 garnered five major awards last year during the 1^st National Quality Corn Achievers Awards wherein the awarding was held at Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City last October 23, 2013.

Caraga region grabbed the following awards: Most Outstanding Province: Province of Agusan del Sur, Most Outstanding Municipalities: Esperanza, Agusan del Sur and Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte; Most Outstanding Provincial Corn Coordinator- Perla C. Galaura of Agusan del Sur; Most Outstanding Municipal Corn Coordinators: Mary Jane A. Maratas and Jovie R. Ego-ugan; and Most Outstanding Corn AEWs: Ismael Saguran and Nelson Dulayba.

The awarding ceremony was attended by Acting Director Edna Mabeza, Caraga AgriPinoy Corn Coordinator Abel Wagas and no less than Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala who handed over the awards and prizes.

This activity aimed the country’s corn industry to scale height with a proof of the strong partnership of government, private sector, corn farmers and other stakeholders.

But grabbing an award is just a tip of the iceberg. What is most important is the growth rate on corn production attained last year.

Based on data, corn production posted an increase of 20.06% for the year 2013 as compared to 2012 or an annual production of 89,521 metric tons (MT) on 2012 to 107,476 MT on 2013. This was attributed to increase in area harvested which was 33,830 hectares in 2012 to 38,017 hectares in 2013 and an increase in yield from 2.65 tons in 2012 to 2.83 tons in 2013 or an increment of 6.83%.

Increase in area for corn was due to availability of seeds and favorable soil moisture while increase in yield was attributed to lesser occurrence of pests and diseases as well as the use of high quality seeds.

To strengthen coordination, DA RFO 13 meet with its local government unit counterparts composed of 82 LGU agricultural extension workers working with the corn program region wide more often.

Aside from meetings, AEWS were also equipped with the necessary capabilities through training of trainers (TOT) and other field exposure activities.

On the other hand, to make the farmers at par with the agri-technological advances, farmers field schools (FFS) were conducted.

Radio was also tapped in teaching the farmers through the University on the Air on Corn Production aired on four radio stations in Caraga. It was a two month radio airing using the corn production module anchored by the respective LGU corn coordinators together with the provincial farmcasters.

To further encourage the farmers in its endeavor, various interventions had been implemented such as the provision of farm mechanization projects ranging from planting to harvesting as well as inputs needed by the farmers.

Aside from production side, DA RFO 13 also implemented massive campaign on consumption of white corn through information and education campaign.

Following the milestones in the roadmap towards corn sufficiency in the country it is not far that Caraga Region will suffice and even more than its commodity demand.

Armed with technically equipped staff including its LGU counterparts and development minded farmers, who knows’ Caraga Region will become a major corn producer in the country. (Aurell P. Arais/DA CARAGA)

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News Feature/ DA’s FMR: Linking Producers to the Market

Whether it’s a myth or not, some would say number 13 connotes bad luck but here in Caraga Region, 13 is a figure of accomplishment.

.Municipal Agriculturist Agapito Taguba and Brgy. Kagawad Maxuel  
Jusain, inspected DA’s FMR project traversing Brgy. Himamaug 
of Taganaan, Surigao del Norte

The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 13 accomplished 13 concrete farm to market roads (FMR) regionwide with a length close to 13 kilometers and with a total project cost including LGU counterpart of more than P194 M.

The implementations of said projects were based on the proposals emanating from the respective LGU recipients and compliance of the required documents.

Of the 13 FMR completed projects, three were implemented in Surigao del Norte particularly in the municipalities of Gigaquit, Taganaan and San Francisco; three in Agusan del Sur in the municipalities of San Francisco, Trento and in Bayugan City; seven in Agusan del Norte particularly in Magallanes, Buenavista, Santiago, Jabonga, Nasipit and Butuan City.

Three of the said FMR were implemented through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the rest were implemented under the respective LGU.

Completion of the projects were respectively funded through the Farm to Market Road Development Program (FMRDP), Caraga Integrated Development Program (CIDP), Support to Emergency and Livelihood Assistance Project 2 (SELAP) and the Bottom-Up-Budgeting now known as Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP).

Maxuel Jusain, a barangay kagawad of Himanaug, Taganaan, Surigao del Norte said that the FMR implemented in their barangay stirred-up the economic activity in their area.

“Kaniadto kining ang imong agi-anan daut kaayo. Way musulod dinhi nga mga sakyanan aron paghakot sa mga abot sa among mga mangingisda ug mga mag-uuma, pero karon nga nia na ning FMR hayahay na gyud” (This is a bumpy area before. No transportation vehicle would come here to fetch the products from our fisherfolks and farmers until the implementation of this FMR. It is such a relief.) Kagawad Jusain said.

He also narrated that prior to the implementation of the FMR, farmers had to carry the burden of paying high labor cost from P30-P40 per bag to the highway but now transport vehicle can traverse freely in the farming communities.

Around 400 households mostly farmers and fisher folks are dwelling in the area and could directly benefit the convenience of the road with an influence area of 339 hectares.

An FMR project funded under DA-SELAP serving the farming 
and fishing communities in Brgys. Banbanon and Diaz,

 San Francisco, Surigao del Norte.

Meanwhile Genaro Jacob , barangay chairman of Banbanon, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte said that with the completion of the FMR in their area traversing the farming communities on one side and beach area in the opposite side sees the opportunity for agri-tourism development.

He added that the implementation of the said FMR eased the burden of the farmers and fisherfolks in delivering their produce to the market while giving convenience to beach goers.

“Mapasalamaton gyod ko sa DA kay dako kaayo ug kaayuhan nga natampo ang kalsada nga among nabatunan”(I am so grateful to DA because the FMR that we have now contributed much for the betterment of our barangay), he concluded.

Overseeing the implementation of the said infrastructure projects is the Engineering Division of DA RFO 13 under the leadership of Engr. Rene Morales.

He said that farm to market road projects of the Department of Agriculture are implemented to provide access of the farm or aqua products to the market. (Aurell P. Arais / RAFID DA CARAGA)

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DA Caraga Turns-over Organic Agriculture Projects to Sibagat LGU

Sibagat LGU Committee on Agriculture Chairman Mardovic Benigian (wearing
cap) cuts the ribbon assisted by RAFID staff Aurelius Arais (your blogger)
representing DA RFO 13. Also in the photo (partly hidden) are Sibagat 
Executive Secretary Zosimo Chenido and Agusan del Sur Organic Agriculture
Focal Person Nila Estrada

Sibagat, Agusan del Sur - The local government unit of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur is now on its full swing of its implementation on the organic agriculture program.

This further strengthen with the half a million worth of equipments received by the Sibagat LGU from the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 13.

In a turn-over ceremony held at the Municipal Training Center of the Municipal Agriculture Office last December 9, 2013, Executive Secretary Zosimo Chenido representing Municipal Mayor Thelma Lamanilao lauded DA Caraga for spearheading the implementation of the organic agriculture program since it goes tandem with their local waste management program .

“Nindot ni kay dili na unya magsige ang mga mag-uuma sa pagpalit ug mga inorganic nga abono unya dako ning tabang sa among waste management program” (It is better because farmers could no longer keep on buying inorganic fertilizer and it could boost our waste management program), Chenido said.

DA RFO 13 turned-over to Sibagat LGU the newly constructed Natural Farming Technology System (NFTS) and Vermi-Compost Production Center with the corresponding equipments amounting to P450,000.00 situated within the Municipal Agriculture Office vicinity with an LGU counterpart of P120,800.00.

With the advent of the project, the Municipal Agriculture Office is now more well equip of conducting trainings to farmers on organic farming.

Through vermi-production and Natural Farming Technology System (NFTS) wastes from the farms will be processed and converted to be a natural fertilizer thereby protecting the environment.

Implementation of the organic agriculture program is stipulated under the Republic Act 100068 otherwise known as Organic Agriculture Act of 2010. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)

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DA Caraga Turns-over Farm Tractor to Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte

Butuan City – The Caraga Agri-Pinoy Corn Program further beefed up its farm mechanization component through the provision of a farm tractor for the municipality of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.

One unit of a 4- wheeled farm tractor was turned-over for the said municipality held at DA Research Outreach Station in Taguibo, Butuan City recently.

Las Nieves Chief Executive Avelina Rosales (seating) got a chance to try 
an actual operation of the farm tractor after the turn-over ceremony. 

With her (from left to right) DA Caraga Legal Officer Nicandro Navia,

 SB Timoteo Largo, DA RFO 13 Acting Director IV Edna Mabeza and 
former Butuan City and Agusan del Norte 1^st District Representative 
Jose Aquino II.

Gracing the occasion was DA Caraga’s  Director Edna M. Mabeza, Engr. Rene Morales of RAED and Mayor Avelina Rosales of Las Nieves.

Also attending the turn-over ceremony was former Butuan City and Agusan del Norte 1^st District Representative Jose Aquino II who co-funded the project during his term of office.

In his speech, Aquino extended his heartfelt gratitude to DA Regional Field Office for still acknowledging his support for the farmers although he is no longer in the congressional office at this point in time.

“Dako gyud ang akong pasalamat sa DA kay bisan wala nako sa poder giila pa gihapon ang akong paningkamot alang sa kalambuan sa katawhan” (I am so thankful to the DA, though I am no longer in the office still my effort to support the program for people’s development had been recognized”, he said.

Mayor Rosales on her part emotionally thanked former Congressman Aquino for various projects undertaken during his administration for her constituents in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.

Director Mabeza was also thankful to Aquino for being a partner for the development of the farming community.

Aside from the farm tractor, DA Caraga also turned-over to Las Nieves LGU a rice reaper.

Las Nieves is a major producer of corn in the Province of Agusan del Norte and an awardee of the recent Quality Corn Achievers Awards undertaken by the National Corn Program of the Department of Agriculture. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)

550 Farmers Graduate from University on the Air on White Corn Production in Caraga

“Translate what you had learned on radio into more production in the field.”

Agusan del Sur  Provincial Governor Adolph Edward G. Plaza 

(right side) urged farmers to apply their learning from the University 

on the Air on White Corn Production to their respective corn fields 

during the mass graduation held at Government Center, Patin-ay, 

Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

This was one of the challenges mentioned by Governor Adolph Edward Plaza to the farmer- students who graduated on the three month- University on the Air on White Corn Production during the graduation rites held recently in the province of Agusan del Sur . 

Plaza said that given the right technology and  no matter how expert the resource person was-still , it would be  futile if the participants will not apply their learning in their respective field.

 

“Hinaut unta nga pinaagi sa inyong nadungog sa radyo mosaka ang inyong abot” (I hope that your learning’s  while listening  to the radio would boost up your production), he said.

Data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) indicated that Agusan del Sur for the past four years posted a 1.8 metric tons annual average yield of white corn. This figure, however, is expected to increase considering government interventions for the farmers. 

Outstanding Graduates of Agusan del Sur

Series of graduation ceremonies for participating LGUs where being held in the region namely,  Agusan del Norte , Surigao del Norte , Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur , a total  of 550 farmer-students successfully completed the course , noteworthy to mention were the outstanding farmer - students  who received  plaques of recognition and some prizes. 

The UOA on White Corn Production was aired over DXBC RMN for Butuan City and Agusan del Norte,  DXSP One FM for Surigao del Norte and Surigao City ,  DXVP Sure FM for Surigao del Sur and DXDA Radyo Agusan for Agusan del Sur farmer-students anchored by LGU farmcasters together with their respective corn coordinators and other resource persons who have expertise on corn production.

The UOA on White Corn Production was jointly undertaken by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office Caraga thru the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (RAFID), Caraga AgriPinoy Corn Program and the respective local government units.

The program is in support to the Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP) of the present administration aiming to promote white corn for health and as one of the food staples aside from rice.

Other identified food staples are banana (saba), adlai and various rootcrops. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)

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