DA’s Municipal Food Terminal Increases Purchasing Power

Residents in Brgy. San Roque, Bislig City are now enjoying stronger purchasing power in obtaining fresh farm produce and other household items.

This is due to the presence of the former Barangay Food Terminal now Municipal Food Terminal (MFT) serving in the said area.

Joint monitoring with Bislig City Agriculture and DA AMAD on MFT Bislig

MFT San Roque operated by San Roque Farmers and Displaced Workers Multipurpose Cooperative (SRFDWMPC) with its strong 106 members is a great advantage for the community.

Artemio Cuanan, MFT manager said that they offered fresh farm produce and almost complete household items at a lower cost than other contemporary stores.

“Diri sa MFT, ang among mark-up 6-8 percent lang kada item, so makabarato gyud ang mga residente dinhi” (Here in MFT our only mark-up ranges only from 6-8 percent per item, so residents could definitely save), Cuanan said.

Before the existence of the Municipal Food Terminal, residents would have to travel around 13 kilometers from their barangay to Mangagoy Public Terminal which costs them 40 pesos fare and spent half a day in buying their necessities.

However, with the establishment of MFT in San Roque, residents need not to travel to the public market to buy their daily needs because MFT can already cater their necessities thereby saving transport cost.

“Tungod kay dili na nila kinahanglan nga mobyahe pa maka-save sila sa galastuhan ug panahon nga igugol pagpamalit kay nia ra man sa duol and MFT, so mas mukusog ang ilang purchasing power” (Since there’s no need for them to travel, they will be able to save expenses on transportation and shorten the time of shopping since MFT is just near, thereby increasing their purchasing power), Cuanan added.

Based on record, MFT San Roque posted an estimated daily sales of P12,000.00 to P14,000.00 from agricultural products such as rice, spices, fruits, rootcrops, grocery items and other commodities.

Supported by its 106 members, its store operation starts as early as 5:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Sunday to ensure optimum services to its customers.

According to Cuanan success of the MFT San Roque is anchored on three factors: training, thriftiness and transparency.

“Trainings and seminars help a lot in our operation; it equipped us with the necessary skills while thriftiness led to savings. Transparency and full disclosure of our day to day operation builds confidence from our cooperative members”, Cuanan said.

One of the direct beneficiaries of the presence of MFT San Roque is a farmer from Sitio San Nicholas of the said barangay. Lydia Alvior said that aside from her farm produce, she consolidated other products from her neighbors to be delivered to the cooperative, thereby ensuring market for the local farmers like her.

“Dako gyud ang gikatabang kay mahalin man ang among mga abot sa uma unya makapalit sab mi ug mga galamiton sa panimalay” (It really helped us a lot since our farm produce will be sold out and in return we can buy our households needs), Lydia said.

The SRFDWMPC is a duly registered cooperative and supported by the City Cooperative Development Office which started in the year 2005.

Majority of the members of the cooperative were former employees of the defunct PICOP Resources Incorporated who are now venturing in various farming endeavors to sustain the daily needs of the family.

In 2008, the cooperative was designated by the Barangay Council of San Roque as the operator of the then Barangay Food Terminal through the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 13 thus BFT San Roque commenced its operation on June 2008.

DA Caraga provided various equipments such as chest freezer, upright chiller, digital weighing machine, cash register, plastic crates and a working capital of P30,000.00 aside from other support from Local Government Units of Bislig and Brgy. San Roque.

In 2013, BFT San Roque was upgraded to Municipal Food Terminal (MFT) and received P1 million grants from the Department of Agriculture intended for rice trading. To expand its operation and cater more customers, a food terminal outlet at San Roque Public Market was also established.

During the General Annual Assembly, all members of the cooperative received equal sharing of dividend based on their capital investment. Patronage refunds were also given to members who patronized its business through purchasing the items being sold in the cooperative.

Currently, MFT San Roque expanded its rice trading operation through the purchase of 6-wheeler truck for bulk delivery of rice to barangays in Bislig City. They are also planning to engage into copra and abaca buying business since the Province of Surigao del Sur is abundant with the said commodities.

With clear vision and active participation of its members, MFT San Roque is not far to becoming a landmark of excellence among cooperatives in Surigao del Sur. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA Caraga)

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DA Caraga to Implement P1B PAMANA Projects

Residents in Bislig City now enjoys a PAMANA Funded FMR

True to its mission to effect development in the region, the Department of Agriculture Caraga is set to implement around P1,010.59 billion worth of farm to market roads and livelihood projects based on 2013-2015 fund allocation under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn or PAMANA.

PAMANA FMRs will connect conflict affected areas in Caraga to the main road networks to spark development in those areas.

Some of the said FMRs are already completed while others are still on implementation stage, thus initially it gives employment opportunities as labor during the construction period.

Recently, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala turned-over around P225M worth of check for the implementation of Bangayan-Zapanta Valley FMR (Phase II) in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, Rosario-Marfil Tagbina FMR (Phase II) in Rosario, Agusan del Sur and Road Opening and concreting from Janipaan to Andap Valley FMR in Surigao del Sur.

Likewise DA Assistant Secretary Edilberto De Luna turned-over three farm to market roads particularly the San Roque to Sito Mabog, Bislig City connecting boundary Bunawan FMR, 

concreting of Diatagon Km. 16 (Lianga) connecting Sitio Lagangan, Caras-an- Tago FMR and road opening and concreting of Brgy. Lubo, Cantilan-Brgy. Panikian, Carrascal FMR all in Surigao del Sur.

“Rural infrastructures will open economic activities within its service areas and could result to lasting peace and development”, De Luna said.

As per 2013-2015 plan, DA Caraga is targeting to implement around 19 farm to market roads amounting P991.39 M in conflict affected or vulnerable areas.

Nowadays, DA had implemented climate resilient farm to market roads so it could withstand severe climatic conditions and be useful for the longer period of time.

With road access from conflict affected areas to main road networks, transport of goods and services will improved that would hasten development.

Aside from FMR, DA-PAMANA also implemented livelihood projects ranging from high value crops production, abaca production and weaving, poultry raising, fruit tree-based integrated farming, muscovado sugar processing and other with total allocation of P19.2 million.

The implementation of the said projects signals the strong commitment of the Department of Agriculture to help improve the socio-economic conditions of the communities in conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable areas.

DA Caraga Regional Director Edna Mabeza emphasized that aside from PAMANA, DA is also offering various services to its clientele through the banner programs and special projects.

Aside from agricultural development, opening up of road access can be of help to bring the government closer to the residents on far-flung areas by delivering various government services and programs. Beneficiaries of such projects include women and indigenous peoples (IPs). 

The Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program, as embodied in the Philippines Development Plan for 2011 to 2016, was launched as the National Government’s framework for intervention in conflict-vulnerable areas to complement the peace negotiation efforts in line with its commitment to address the causes of conflict and issues affecting the peace process. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA Caraga)

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DA Extends Support to Local Fabricators of Farm Equipment

 DA and local farm equipment fabricators

BUTUAN CITY - To help local fabricators of farm machinery competitive and at par with other fabricators anywhere in the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga conducted a coordination meeting recently and organized them into an association.

Spearheaded by the Regional Agriculture Engineering Division (RAED),  around 18 local manufacturers and dealers in the region attended the said meeting.

RAED Chief Engineer Rene Morales said that such meeting with the local fabricators was the first time as DA Caraga recognized local fabricators as potential suppliers of high quality farm machinery.

“Performance of products is the parameter for a company to join public bidding of farm equipment to be supplied to the farmer recipients,” Morales emphasized.

Foremost requirement to join a public bidding, the machine should conform to the standards set by the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards (PAES) thus a testing of the machine to know its efficiency is a must.

Such kind of testing is done solely by Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) based at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

The PAES is part of the Philippine Standards for Agriculture and Fisheries Machinery developed by the PAES, AMTEC and other DA agencies, which was developed by virtue of DA A.O. No. 11 Series of 2001.

As an initial assistance, DA Caraga consolidated local fabricators who are ready for AMTEC testing to facilitate the presence of AMTEC engineers in Caraga to conduct the test.

“We are grateful that DA is extending assistance for us because it is so expensive if we will have the AMTEC testing individually,” Noel Honorio, one of the local fabricators said.

DA Caraga supported the move to lobby to AMTEC to put up a testing center for Mindanao to be located in one of the universities in Caraga.

To strengthen local manufacturers and dealers, they were organized and voted Pedro Lim of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur as the president.

Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Operations and LGU Support Edgardo D. Dahino is optimistic that more Caraga-based farm machinery fabricators could supply the needed equipment for the farmers instead of sourcing it outside the region.

DA Caraga annually conducted a public bidding to supply farm equipment mostly pre and post harvest facilities such as tractors, floating tiller, thresher, among others in support to its banner program interventions for corn, rice, high value crops development program, organic, livestock and special projects. (Aurelius Parido Arais/DA Caraga)

News Feature : P166.5 Million FMR: A Path to Lasting Peace

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 1 (PIA) -- Rural infrastructure sparks economic opportunities and will redound to lasting peace and development.
This is how Assistant Secretary Edilberto De Luna of the Department of Agriculture (DA) described the effort of DA in implementing farm to market roads (FMR) especially in conflict affected areas.
Asec. De Luna visited and led the turnover of three multi-million FMR projects implemented by DA Caraga through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) last September 29 in Surigao del Sur.
The said projects totaling P166.5 Million includes the concreting of 2.41 kilometers San Roque, Cadanglasan FMR in Sitio Mabog, San Roque, Bislig City connecting boundary of Bunawan amounting P33.3 million; concreting of 5.42 kms. Diatagon Km. 16 (Lianga) connecting Sitio Lagangan, Caras-an - Tago FMR amounting to P66.6 million and road opening and concreting of 5.29 kms. Brgy. Lubo, Cantilan - Brgy. Panikian, Carrascal FMR amounting to P66.6 million.
De Luna said that DA is supporting the point of governance to the five point agenda of the Aquino administration particularly the economic development, justice and lasting peace.
“Solving the problem on peace matters is not merely using firearms but by giving economic opportunities,” said Asec. De Luna.
The completion of the said FMR’s could boost the community’s livelihood within the service areas who are cultivating various agricultural crops such as banana, corn, rice, and rootcrops due to accessibility of transport to the main highways leading to the nearest market.
De Luna pointed out that DA is now ensuring that FMR’s could withstand various weather conditions to last for longer periods for the benefit of the people.
On the other hand, DA Caraga regional director Edna Mabeza urged the residents to avail various DA interventions particularly under the banner programs such as rice, corn, high value crops and organic agriculture to further boost the agricultural sector in the area.
“DA has various projects and services that you can avail by coordinating with your city or municipal agriculture officer so we can extend our services such as planting materials. By the time you have enough produce we can probably put up a processing center,” Mabeza said.
Engr. Merlinda Baure, Surigao del Sur PAMANA focal person representing Governor Johnny Pimentel expressed grateful recognition of the contribution of the Department of Agriculture for the development of the province.
PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn or PAMANA is the national government’s convergence program that extends development interventions to isolated, hard-to-reach and conflict-affected communities, ensuring that they are not left behind. (Aurelius P. Arais, DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1701443666923/news-feature-p166-5-million-fmr-a-path-to-lasting-peace#sthash.atNdLMss.dpuf

Cutting of Ribbon with DA Asec. Edilberto De Luna

Surigao del Sur - Rural infrastructure sparks economic opportunities and will redound to lasting peace and development.

This is how Assistant Secretary Edilberto De Luna of the Department of Agriculture (DA) described the effort of DA in implementing farm to market roads (FMR) especially in conflict affected areas.

Asec. De Luna visited and led the turnover of three multi-million FMR projects implemented by DA Caraga through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) last September 29 in Surigao del Sur.

The said projects totaling P166.5 Million includes the concreting of 2.41 kilometers San Roque, Cadanglasan FMR in Sitio Mabog, San Roque, Bislig City connecting boundary of Bunawan amounting P33.3 million; concreting of 5.42 kms. Diatagon Km. 16 (Lianga) connecting Sitio Lagangan, Caras-an - Tago FMR amounting to P66.6 million and road opening and concreting of 5.29 kms. Brgy. Lubo, Cantilan - Brgy. Panikian, Carrascal FMR amounting to P66.6 million.

De Luna said that DA is supporting the point of governance to the five point agenda of the Aquino administration particularly the economic development, justice and lasting peace.

“Solving the problem on peace matters is not merely using firearms but by giving economic opportunities,” said Asec. De Luna.

The completion of the said FMR’s could boost the community’s livelihood within the service areas who are cultivating various agricultural crops such as banana, corn, rice, and rootcrops due to accessibility of transport to the main highways leading to the nearest market.

De Luna pointed out that DA is now ensuring that FMR’s could withstand various weather conditions to last for longer periods for the benefit of the people.

On the other hand, DA Caraga regional director Edna Mabeza urged the residents to avail various DA interventions particularly under the banner programs such as rice, corn, high value crops and organic agriculture to further boost the agricultural sector in the area.

“DA has various projects and services that you can avail by coordinating with your city or municipal agriculture officer so we can extend our services such as planting materials. By the time you have enough produce we can probably put up a processing center,” Mabeza said.

Engr. Merlinda Baure, Surigao del Sur PAMANA focal person representing Governor Johnny Pimentel expressed grateful recognition of the contribution of the Department of Agriculture for the development of the province.

PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn or PAMANA is the national government’s convergence program that extends development interventions to isolated, hard-to-reach and conflict-affected communities, ensuring that they are not left behind. (Aurelius P. Arais, DA-Caraga)

DA-SELAP Phase II: A legacy for Development in Caraga

DA-SELAP livelihood project in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur 

As the Support to Emergency and Livelihood Assistance Project Phase II (SELAP2) comes to an end this year, the Department of Agriculture Caraga constructed a total of 12 farm to market roads (FMR) since 2012 with a total length of 8.585 kilometers amounting to P48.5 million.

Of the 12 FMRs, only 2 are set to be completed this year at the Province of Dinagat Islands particularly in the municipalities of Dinagat and Cagdianao.

Other FMRs are located at Buenavista, Magallanes and Santiago in Agusan del Norte; San Francisco and Malimono in Surigao del Norte and San Miguel, Lanuza and Cagwait in Surigao del Sur.  

SELAP2 Finance and Livelihood focal person Jessica Da-an said that under SELAP2 all farm to market roads are fully concrete in conformation to a presidential directive.  

“A concreted FMR lasts long and could withstand different climatic conditions in such a way it could be utilized for a longer period of time,” Da-an reiterated.

The government, under the Aquino administration, no longer builds “all-weather” gravel farm-to-market roads (FMRs) as it resolved as early as July 2010 to build only concrete FMR.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that the primary problem with gravel roads is that they are not resistant to the effects of changing climate hence DA readily embraced to the resolution.

Alongside with the construction of FMRs, SELAP2 also implemented 19 livelihood projects amounting to P5.7 million and now managed by the respective peoples’ organizations (PO).

Each PO were funded P300,000.00 for their livelihood projects ranging from food processing, handicraft making and production of value adding products from abaca and coconut.

Romueld Borromeo, purok president of Sitio Ipil, Agsam, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur said that the construction of the farm to market road in their area greatly help their constituents for easy movement of products and residents.  

“We are very grateful that DA-SELAP2 constructed this road, it gives us relief from hardships of transporting our products just as we had experienced before, during emergencies this road is a big help,” he narrated.

Meanwhile, Mayor Jose Arpilleda of Madrid, Surigao del Sur said that SELAP project boosted their campaign against malnutrition.

Madrid is a recipient of a livelihood project through the Patong-Patong Rural Improvement Club with their Soya Milk Processing and Soya Coffee.

“With the products made by farmers’ wives as members of the RIC, children can now access a healthy drink which is good for the body not just for the small ones but for the older ones as well,” Mayor Arpilleda said.

The Support to Emergency and Livelihood Assistance Project (SELAP) is a special project of the Government of the Philippines executed by the Department of Agriculture funded by a loan under the US Public Law 480 (PL 480).

It is primarily designed to cater to the needs of the poorest or marginalized sectors and areas in Mindanao. It is implemented in Regions IX, XI and Caraga.

SELAP2 had been implemented since 2012 and would terminate this year while SELAP Phase 1 runs from 2006 to 2011. (Aurelius P. Arais/ DA Caraga)

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DA Caraga Supports Peace Initiative

Turn-over ceremony of various inputs from DA Caraga

The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 13 took part on the historic event to promote peace and development in the insurgency affected areas by participating on the two-day peace caravan held at Marihatag, and cluster of Lianga and San Agustin, Surigao del Sur on August 24-25, 2015.

The peace caravan with the theme “Nagkahiusang Nasud alang sa Kalinaw ug Kalambuan Ipadayon alang sa Tanan” were participated by various government agencies both national and local offering its services to the local residents. 

The event was graced by Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny T. Pimentel.

DA Caraga distributed various planting materials such as cacao and coffee, vegetable seeds, rice seeds, fertilizer, Kabir chicken, animal biologics and IEC materials amounting to more than P200.000.00. Agricultural consultations were also offered together with the Office of the Provincial Agriculture of Surigao del Sur.

DA Caraga also turned-over a 5.42 kilometers farm to market road under the DA’s Special Project PAMANA, the concreting of Brgy. Diatagon – KM 16 (Lianga) connecting Sitio Lagangan of Brgy. Caras-an, Tago amounting to P66 M including LGU counterpart. 

PAMANA or PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn is the national government's program and framework for peace and development. It is implemented in areas affected by conflict and communities covered by existing peace agreements.

Governor Johnny Pimentel said that the peace caravan aimed to make the residents feel the existence of a caring government on insurgency affected areas.   

“It is our duty as public servants to entice and win back the trust of our brethren to our government”, he said.

Pimentel lauded the Department of Agriculture and other government agencies who participated on the activity.

The said peace caravan is third in Mindanao and second in Caraga Region next to the one conducted in Loreto, Agusan del Sur earlier this year. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA CARAGA)

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Dinagat Province Optimistic to be Rabies-Free

The local government unit of the Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) is optimistic that within this year the whole province will be declared as Rabies Free Zone.

Last July 27-30, 2017 a team from the Bureau of Animal Industry and Department of Health headed by National Rabies Program Manager Dr. Raffy Deray conducted the final evaluation.

BAI Team was composed of Drs. Novelle Calub, Daphne Jorca and Joy Lagayan. 

Dr. Esther Cardeño, Regional Animal Rabies Coordinator of DA RFO 13 said that DA Caraga and DOH with its provincial and municipal counterparts is working closely to help PDI compliant to all the requirements particularly the implementation of the rabies prevention and control program.

As per general guidelines, an area will be eligible to de declared as rabies free zone if it has enacted a local ordinance on the prevention and control of rabies and implemented localized comprehensive rabies prevention and elimination program and notably no case of confirmed rabies case both on human and animal for the past two years.

Dr. Novelle Calub of BAI emphasized during the evaluation in every municipality in Dinagat Islands that being conferred as rabies free zone is an honor with corresponding responsibilities.

“Acquiring a status as rabies free is a great honor since it will send a strong signal of security to your visitors or tourists yet it carries huge responsibility particularly on maintaining the province rabies free,” Calub said.

If ever affirmative, PDI will be the first province to be declared as rabies free in Caraga Region in addition to last years’ declaration of the island municipality of Soccoro, Surigao del Norte.

To date, more than 20 areas in the country had been declared as rabies free zone.

Dr. Aimee Jimeno, provincial veterinarian said that if PDI will be declared as rabies free it will be the fourth award conferred to the province on health aspect.

“It is our honor that PDI has been declared as filariasis free, malaria free, schistosomiasis free and hopefully rabies free,” Jimeno revealed. 

Rabies, a fatal but preventable disease, remains to be a significant public health concern in the country. In the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program (NRPCP), the original plan is to work towards the elimination of Rabies in 2020. 

However, with the robust collaboration of the DOH, DA and LGUs in partnership with other non-government and international organizations such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the government is optimistic to attain rabies free country by 2016.

DA and DOH believes that eradicating rabies at its source remains to be the key strategy thus its objective is to cover at least 70% of the estimated dog population in the country to be vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies, a zoonotic disease causes 55,000 deaths every year worldwide with 56% of the cases occurring in Asia. 

In the Philippines there are 200 - 250 deaths every year mostly among children below 15 years of age. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA Caraga)

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BUTUAN CITY -- Reduce production costs, increase yield and increase farmer’s income.

Posterity pose after the graduation ceremony

These are the focal point on the collaboration of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and United Nations - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) towards achieving food sufficiency.

To trickle down the concept, DA and FAO recently conducted a 10-day extensive Refresher Training Course on Regional Rice Initiative: Phase II at Veranda in Carmen town, Agusan del Norte.

The training was attended by 57 participants who are mostly integrated pest management coordinators from DA regional offices and provincial and municipal/city agriculture offices from various regions in the country.

The training focused on innovative and sustainable practices focusing on rice ecosystems, landscapes and value chain incorporated on Save and Grow concept.

Save and Grow set by FAO is a new paradigm of intensive crop production, one that is both highly productive and environmentally sustainable.  It focuses on eco-friendly  farming practices often combining traditional knowledge with modern technologies that are adapted to the needs of small-scale producers. It also encourages the use of conservation agriculture, which boosts yields while restoring soil health.

Graduates of the said training are expected to pass on the learning to the farmers through the conduct of Farmers Field Schools (FFS).

During the graduation ceremony, DA undersecretary for policy and planning Segfredo Serrano emphasized the importance of capacitating the farmers to be resilient during calamities brought about by climate change.

“There are only two options for us to do about climate change, to mitigate or to adapt, which the latter is the best thing to do as far as our country is concerned,” he said.

DA Caraga regional director Edna Mabeza lauded the participants for the eagerness and willingness to learn.

“Education is a continuing process and I hope that upon returning to your respective regions you will teach the same to the farmers which is the objective of this kind of training,” Mabeza said.

FAO Asia and Pacific program development officer Alma Linda Abubakar said that since 2013, FAO has supported the Regional Rice Initiative and assisted three pilot countries such as Indonesia, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic and Philippines.

“Selection of the pilot areas was based on the commitment of each country to adhere to its purpose and its strong cooperation,” Abubakar said.

Regional Rice Initiative is focusing on goods and services produced by and available from rice ecosystems and landscapes, and identifying and undertaking sustainable rice production practices to enhance resilience and increase efficiencies in rice production to improve food security.

The regional initiative is aligned with FAO’s strategic objective to make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable and its sustainable crop intensification policy, promoted under the banner of Save and Grow. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA Caraga)

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BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 11 (PIA) -- Reduce production costs, increase yield and increase farmer’s income.
These are the focal point on the collaboration of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and United Nations - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) towards achieving food sufficiency.
To trickle down the concept, DA and FAO recently conducted a 10-day extensive Refresher Training Course on Regional Rice Initiative: Phase II at Veranda in Carmen town, Agusan del Norte.
The training was attended by 57 participants who are mostly integrated pest management coordinators from DA regional offices and provincial and municipal/city agriculture offices from various regions in the country.
The training focused on innovative and sustainable practices focusing on rice ecosystems, landscapes and value chain incorporated on Save and Grow concept.
Save and Grow set by FAO is a new paradigm of intensive crop production, one that is both highly productive and environmentally sustainable.  It focuses on eco-friendly  farming practices often combining traditional knowledge with modern technologies that are adapted to the needs of small-scale producers. It also encourages the use of conservation agriculture, which boosts yields while restoring soil health.
Graduates of the said training are expected to pass on the learning to the farmers through the conduct of Farmers Field Schools (FFS).
During the graduation ceremony, DA undersecretary for policy and planning Segfredo Serrano emphasized the importance of capacitating the farmers to be resilient during calamities brought about by climate change.
“There are only two options for us to do about climate change, to mitigate or to adapt, which the latter is the best thing to do as far as our country is concerned,” he said.
DA Caraga regional director Edna Mabeza lauded the participants for the eagerness and willingness to learn.
“Education is a continuing process and I hope that upon returning to your respective regions you will teach the same to the farmers which is the objective of this kind of training,” Mabeza said.
FAO Asia and Pacific program development officer Alma Linda Abubakar said that since 2013, FAO has supported the Regional Rice Initiative and assisted three pilot countries such as Indonesia, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic and Philippines.
“Selection of the pilot areas was based on the commitment of each country to adhere to its purpose and its strong cooperation,” Abubakar said.
Regional Rice Initiative is focusing on goods and services produced by and available from rice ecosystems and landscapes, and identifying and undertaking sustainable rice production practices to enhance resilience and increase efficiencies in rice production to improve food security.
The regional initiative is aligned with FAO’s strategic objective to make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable and its sustainable crop intensification policy, promoted under the banner of Save and Grow. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1701439183167/da-fao-collaborate-towards-rice-sufficiency#sthash.cpeLiLoi.dpuf