Thursday, January 17, 2013

DA- Caraga Extends Help to Typhoon Pablo Victims


DA Caraga RTD for Research and Regulatory Teodora P. Fiel, DVM turned-over
 the relief goods to SB Isagani Onsing of Lingig, Surigao del Sur for typhoon 
Pablo victims.

Lingig, Surigao del Sur – The local government unit of Lingig, Surigao del Sur expressed gratitude to the Department of Agriculture of the relief goods they had received for typhoon Pablo victims.

Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Research and Regulatory Teodora P. Fiel personally led the delivery of the goods and was received by LGU Lingig thru Sangguniang Bayan member Isagani Onsing who in turn expressed his deepest thanks to DA Caraga.

Aside from Lingig, the Municipality of Veruela and San Luis of Agusan del Sur also received the relief goods from DA Regional Field Unit 13 in a total of 55 sacks of white corn grits, 52 sacks of rice, assorted bundles of clothing and canned goods.

As sympathy to the victims, OIC- Regional Executive Director Edna Mabeza opted to cancel the usual Christmas exchange gift giving and instead urged DA employees to use the intended money for Pablo victims.

Aside from relief goods, some LGUs received  initial seeds for replanting for the damaged crops and DA will also support for rehab and or repair of damaged agricultural infrastructures.

DA Caraga also extended support for the heavily affected areas in Davao Oriental thru sending off two tractors and various seeds. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)

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Community-based Seed Bank (CSB): A Farmer’s Partner



Every planting season, usual problem of a farmer where to obtain quality seeds and the amount needed for accessing it.

This is also the usual dilemma experienced by Gregio Basan or fondly called by his friends as Nong Gregorio, a rice farmer of Rosario, Agusan del Sur.

However, the said situation he said slowly fades away as he is now a recipient of the Community Seed Banking (CSB) of the Department of Agriculture.

Nong Gregorio said that CSB program greatly helps him in cutting input expenses of his farm in purchasing seeds which costs P1,200.00 per bag of 40 kilos.

“Palasamat gyud ko sa CSB sa DA kay nakuhaan ang akong gasto sa binhi, maayo na lang ang akong savings ipalit nako sa ubang panginahanglan” (I am so thankful of the CSB of DA because it helps me in cutting my expenses in buying seeds, therefore I can use my savings to other needs) , Nong Gregorio happily said.

Nong Gregorio said that he received 3.5 kilos of starter seeds on the first cropping season of 2012 and he planted it on his farm yielding 8 bags at 40 kilos per bag.

Out of his yield, he repaid 5 kilos to his association and the remaining he planted it back to his farm this last cropping season.

He said that seeds from CSB program really help him and his fellow farmers in his place.

Agripinoy Caraga Regional Seeds Coordinator June Anthony Ouano said that CSB program was introduced in the region since 2011 and it was mainstreamed through identified CSB managers from various farmer groups. 

In Caraga there were 561 Irrigators Associations who received registered seeds which served as their starter seeds. 

The distribution scheme was initially free for 20 kilos for each qualified IA with a repayment of 40 kilos after harvest which will be distributed to the next in line beneficiaries.  This has a good multiplier effect for quality seeds in the region.

For the upland traditional rice seeds there were 86 FA members who availed.  They may opt to pay in kind (palay) or pay in seeds at the rate of 1: 1.5 to 2 kilos repayment scheme.  

CSB is aiming to increase and promote farmers access to quality seeds through a sustainable community-based seed bank that is organized, developed and managed by farmers, Irrigators Association (IAs), Farmers Association (FAs), Upland Farmers Organization (UFOs), Peoples Organization (POs)  and Non – Government Organization (NGOs). (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)

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Sunday, December 2, 2012

Dinagat Islands Aims to be an Organic Province


Dinagat Islands Provincial Administrator Benglen B. Ecleo (standing) expresses deep gratitude to the Department of Agriculture of the continued support for the Province through various agri-related projects.   

San Jose, PDI – The newly recognized province, the Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) strongly supports the implementation of the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 stipulated under RA 10068.

After hearing the briefing of the new law, PDI officialdom represented by Provincial Administrator Benglen Ecleo said that the province is keen of supporting the advocacy of shifting from contemporary to natural way of farming.

Ecleo said that there is no reason of not supporting the implementation of the RA 10068 since it is geared towards healthy people which would redound to a healthy community and a nation as well.

Provincial Administrator Benglen Ecleo is the chairman of the local technical committee of the Dinagat Islands.

Caraga Organic Agriculture Regional Focal Person Rebecca Atega met with the members of the Provincial Technical Committee of the Province of Dinagat Islands recently to give an update on organic agriculture implementation in the region and to further discuss some important salient features of RA 10068.

Atega said that PDI leads among the five provinces in the region in terms of creating local technical committee (LCT) including municipal technical committees.

The creation of the local technical committee is a strong manifestation of a local government unit in supporting the organic agriculture program.

The organic LTC has given the tasked to review, consolidate and endorse local organic agriculture programs and projects.

Atega clarified that projects proposals emanating from LGU or its constituents through associations will not be acted upon without the endorsement of the local technical committee.

To express strongest term of supporting organic agriculture program, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Bernardino Alcaria, Jr. said that he is planning to pass a resolution adopting RA 10068 or Organic Agriculture Act of 2010. (Aurell P. Arais/ RAFID DA CARAGA)

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