Sec. Alcala Visits Caraga Region -Interact with Farmers, LGU Officials

by: Aurell P. Arais

Butuan City – To come up with more viable projects and programs that truly answer the need of the agricultural sector, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala visited Caraga Region and conduct meetings with the farmers, local chief executives, NGOs/POs and the local media last January 20 to 22, 2011.

On his three day visit in the region, Secretary Alcala managed to attend various gatherings and meetings with officials from the four provinces and cities of Caraga with the respective provincial and municipal /city officials.

In Agusan del Sur, Butuan City , Surigao del Norte Surigao City and Agusan del Sur , the Secretary attended forum with around three thousand farmers who aired their issues and concerns. Among those mentioned were on irrigation, seeds, pre and post harvest facilities, livestock and fisheries.

In every province that the secretary visited, Alcala turned-over various farm inputs and implements , computer sets, drip irrigation units amounting to more or less P12 million aside from the funding commitments amounting to at least P30M.





The secretary’s visit was highlighted with the conduct of the Caraga Agriculture and Fisheries Council Congress and the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) National Meeting wherein he was the guest of honor.

Local media practitioners in Butuan City and Surigao City were also able to interact with the secretary during the news conference.

The secretary also spent in a meeting of the members of the Regional Management Committee (RMC) and had dialogue with social action organization and non-government organizations.

Alcala said that every concern from the farmers, local officials and peoples’ organization is vital to come up with a more responsive and realistic approach towards agricultural development. In his pronouncements, he emphasized that his administration plans to attain food sufficiency in 2013 and try to have zero rice importation.

Among of the strategies that will be employed are developing upland rice variety, tapping communities in the uplands especially the indigenous people; promoting the use of hybrid and certified seeds and improving the irrigation system. With this, he ordered Irrigation Administrator, Antonio S. Nangel to come to Caraga within the next two weeks to validate all irrigation concerns in the region and to come up with a comprehensive plan to repair/rehabilitate and complete the construction of irrigation systems that are seen to serve vast areas for rice production.

The marching order of the President, he said is to ensure adequate, affordable safe and sufficient food for every Filipino. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)


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Pres. Aquino Turns-over Farm Implements to LGUs in Caraga

by: Aurell P. Arais

Butuan City – His Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III turned-over various farm machineries and inputs to four provinces and one city in Caraga region that was recently ravaged by flood during his visit last January 14, 2011 at Bancasi Airpot, this city.

Together with DA Caraga Regional Director Reinerio B. Belarmino, Jr., President Aquino handed the certificates of turn-over to Butuan City through City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr., Province of Agusan del Norte received by Governor Erlpe John Amante, Agusan del Sur through Governor Adolph Edward Plaza, Surigao del Sur through Governor Johnny Pimentel and Surigao del Norte through Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay.

Each recipient local government unit received the agricultural inputs that include three pump and engine sets, 200 bags of certified seeds and two boxes assorted vegetable seeds.

The said inputs will augment the effort of each LGU to help its constituent particularly farmers to start anew after affected by flood.

Aside from agricultural inputs, the president also turned over medicines and relief goods.

Aquino visited Caraga Region to see for himself the extent of damaged brought by the recent flood. However, due to limited time the president just stay at the closed door presidential briefing done by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council at Civil Aviation Authority Office at Bancasi Airport.

Based on the said presidential briefing presented by Regional Director Blanche Gobenciong of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga, the damaged done by recent flood on the agriculture sector are the following: cereal crops which are rice and corn has a total estimated cost of P72,493,282.00; for other crop like vegetables, banana, rootcrops, including all other crops which are not cereal crops the total estimated cost of damaged was P14,806,543.00.

In livestock the total value of losses reached to P3,426,710.00 while on fisheries the total value of losses recorded P16,725,000.00 and in irrigation system the cost of damaged was P58 million.

Agusan del Sur is the hardest hit in terms of damaged to agriculture with an estimated cost of P105,595,224.00 followed by Agusan del Norte with P27,850,186.00; Surigao del Sur recorded 21,327,350.00; Surigao del Norte reached to P10,501,875.00 and Dinagat Islands recorded P346,100.00.

In summary as per OCD report, the cost of damage to agriculture in the whole region reached to P165,620,535.00. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)


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DA 13 Agri Chief: “In Attaining 2013 Rice Sufficiency Target…Di Tayo Pahuhuli”

by: Aurell P. Arais

Butuan City - “Di tayo pahuhuli, kasama ninyo ko d’yan” (we should not be left out, count on me), these are the words uttered by Regional Executive Director Reinerio B. Belarmino, jr. in inspiring agricultural technologists to actively takes part of the rice self sufficiency target by the year 2013.

In response of the marching order of Agriculture Secretary Proseco J. Alcala to increase rice production so as the country will halt importing rice in 2013, Belarmino said that every stakeholders should do its part.

Belarmino was the guest of honor during the opening of the season-long Training on Trainers (TOT) on rice production of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in Los Angeles, Butuan City recently.

RED Belarmino lauded ATI Caraga for conducting such training in which he said can greatly enhanced the knowledge of every participating agricultural technologists.

In turn, he challenged every participant to impart their knowledge and expertise to the farmers on their respective localities after they completed the season-long training.

“You are our partners, it is a big challenge for us” said Belarmino as he recognizes every local government units as collaborator towards food security.

He said there two major ways in attaining sufficiency in rice, one of which is increasing the hectarage planted with rice through expanding irrigated areas and increasing cropping index while the other one is increasing the yield through the use of high quality rice varieties and nutrient and water management.

He also gives emphasis on effective pest and disease management as he bared his plan to set up soon a Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) to focus on pest and disease management in the region.

Currently the sufficiency level on rice of the country ranged from 85 to 90 percent.

Meanwhile Training Project Officer Heracleo Paler of ATI said that the season-long TOT on rice production will run from period November 8, 2010 to March 18, 2011. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)


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Soil Sampling Key to a Successful Farming

by: Aurell P. Arais

Butuan City – Caraga Regional Corn Coordinator Abel Wagas reiterated the importance of soil analysis before planting a particular crop to attain optimum yield.

In an interview with Tingog sa Kaumahan a radio program of the Department of Agriculture Caraga aired over DXMK FM, Wagas said it is a must for the farmers to undergo their respective plot on soil analysis to know if it is necessary to apply fertilizer and or what kind and how much of fertilizers are needed in the soil.

“Dapat lang gyud nga magpa-soil analysis kay lisod nang magtagna-tagna ta, kwarta gud ang buhian niana aron igasto sa abono” (It is really necessary to have soil analysis than guessing since you are spending money for the fertilizer), he said.

Wagas also discourage practice of some farmers in just replicating their fellow farmers on their fertilizer application ratio since the soil in the region vary from one area to another even in the distance of just a few meters away.

For proper soil sampling method, Wagas urged farmers to consult their respective municipal or city agricultural technologists or visit any of the nearest agricultural research stations.

Wagas said that farmers need not to worry on the cost of soil sampling since it is free of charge on the Regional Soil Testing Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture situated in Barangay Taguibo, Butuan City. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)

MIGHTYAURELL WORLD: News Update

MIGHTYAURELL WORLD: News Update: "Mabuhay ang Pilipinas..."

MRDP-RPCO 13 Conducts Bookkeeping Seminar to CFAD Recipients

Trento, Agusan del Sur - Proper recording on every transaction within an organization is fundamental for good management.

The underlying principle that prompted the accounting division of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 the Regional Program Coordinating Office (RPCO) to conduct bookkeeping seminar to recipients of livelihood projects funded by Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) particularly under the Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD) component.

Gerry Leop, accounting division chief said that based on experience during projects monitoring, some of the peoples organization who are recipients of MRDP-CFAD failed to show proper financial records.

As per assessment, recipients lack the necessary knowledge to do the recording or bookkeeping, thus Leop said they decided to extend such seminars to interested recipients.

One of such simple bookkeeping seminar took place last November 12, 2010 in Trento Agusan del Sur right after a ceremonial launching and awarding of certificates to four recipients of CFAD projects.

Gracing the occasion were CFAD Regional Coordinator John Gamboa of DA RFU 13, Mayor Johnmark Billanes, DMD and other local officials of Trento LGU and members and officers of the four PO recipients.

The recipients are Trento Agusan Manat Farmers Association Incorporated and Barangay San Isidro Farmers Association both recipients of Banana Cassava and Carabao Production; Road 75 Indigenous People’s Cooperative with their Abaca Intercropped with Cassava and Carabao Production; and Tudela Farmers Association with Carabao Production with Ampalaya.

Each proponent is required to submit financial records to MRDP through their municipal accounting office to liquidate the 250,000 pesos funding support.

The simple bookkeeping seminar followed shortly with Gerry Leop assisted with Britta Paulin. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)


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Surigao City LGU Allocates Bigger Chunk of Budget for Agri over Infra

Surigao City – The newly elected city mayor of Surigao Ernesto Matugas set a clear direction for the city to prioritize agriculture through allocating bigger chunk of budget from 20 percent development fund over infrastructure.

Probably first time in the whole country the local government unit (LGU) of Surigao will allocate 70% for agriculture and aquaculture while the remaining 30% will be for infrastructure taken from the 20% development fund of the city.

The amount is totally reverse from the previous administration which according to him allocated the 30% for agriculture while 70% for infrastructure.

“Bahala na mangasuko nako ang mga contractor kay 30 porseyinto lang ang maila, ang importante sa ako kamo mga mag-uuma ug mga mangingisda” (I don’t care contractors will got irked of me because only 30% are due to them, what is important to me are you, farmers and fisherfolks), he said boldly during a forum with the farmers.

Matugas said that under his administration the city of Surigao will embark more on food production.

Meanwhile, Matugas lauded the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 through the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (RAFID) for conducting University on the Air in the province of Surigao del Norte including Surigao City on Hybrid Rice Production.

During the mass enrollment held last July 13-15, 2010, Matugas notably the lone local chief executive who attended the activity said that giving an opportunity to the farmers to study rice production through a radio station is a great contributory factor towards the attainment of food sufficiency program of the government.

Regional Agriculture and F isheries Information Division (RAFID) OIC Rebecca Atega, was overwhelmed due to hundreds of farmers flocked during the mass enrollment that took place in Tagana-an, Placer, San Francisco and Bacuag in Surigao del Norte and in Surigao City and soon in Sison.

The University on the Air on Hybrid Rice Production, an advocacy program of RAFID will start August 4, 2010 and ends November 24, 2010 through farm casters Zenaida Peramide of Surigao del Norte Provincial Agriculture Office and Aurell Arais of RAFID DA-RFU 13. (Aurell P. Arais/ RAFID DA-CARAGA)


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DA-CARIARC Hosts RDE Network 2nd Quarter Zonal Meeting 2010 Successfully

by: Aurell P. Arais

Trento, Agusan del Sur - The Caraga Integrated Agricultural Research Center of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 (DA-CARIARC) successfully hosted the 2nd Quarter Zonal Meeting of Mindanao Zonal Research Development and Extension (RDE) Network last June 23-25, 2010.

Supported by DA RFU 13, Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) the three days zonal meeting was participated in by key research and extension personnel from region 9 led by Regional Technical Director (RTD) Constancio Alama, Region 10 led by RTD Lester Jaducana, Region 11 led by RTD Romulo Palcon, Region 12 led by RTD Jimmy Olivo and Caraga Region led by RTD Edgardo D. Dahino.

Also present were BFAR XI Director Jorge Campeon and BAR Coordinator for Caraga Engr. Rodolfo Fernandez.

During the opening program, Municipal Mayor Irenea Hitgano of Trento wherein CARIARC is situated, recognized the importance of R&D in agricultural development and shared her vision for farmers towards economic freedom that serves a driving force for her to write a book about natural farming system.

To update the participants on what are the latest; Salve Ritual, Chief of Research Coordination Division and Digna Sandoval, Chief of Technology Commercialization Unit of BAR reported BAR updates.

Presided by RTD Dahino and RTD Jaducana various agenda were tackled during the meeting proper including some plans and proposals.

The 2nd Quarter Zonal Meeting culminates with a field tour.

CARIARC Center Chief Wilfreda Maslog was so gratefully to all staff of DA RFU 13 headed by OIC Regional Executive Director Constancio C. Maghanoy, Jr.,for extending support and assistance that makes the hosting of DA-CARIARC of the meeting successful. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)


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Farmers and Fisherfolks Month in Caraga Region

by: Aurell P. Arais

Hailed as the backbone of the country, farmers and fisherfolks alike were given due recognition especially in the month of May for the Farmers and Fisherfolks Month celebration. This year’s theme “Magsasaka at Mangingisda Sama-samang Harapin ang Hamon ng Climate Change Gamit ang Makabagong Teknolohiya “ seems so fitting as different LGUs become aware of the effects on climate change to the agriculture sector. Thus, in this year’s commemoration, discussion on climate change has been the focus.

In Caraga Region, various local government units (LGU) conducted activities in line with the celebration for the year 2010.

Last May 5, 2010, Carrascal in Surigao del Sur celebrated it with a grand parade and various contest participated in by different farmers and fisherfolks association.

Local Chief Executive Alfred Arreza said that the economy of Carrascal relies mainly on farming and fishing activities thus they are given priority by the local government through the Municipal Agriculture Office under the leadership of Municipal Agriculturist Edgardo P. Intano.

It was the 5th Farmers and Fisherfolks Month Celebration of the town.

Meanwhile on May 18, the LGU of San Francisco, Surigao del Norte conducted its Joint 23rd Municipal Agriculture & Fishery Council (MAFC) Day and Farmers & Fisherfolks Month at the Municipal Gym.

As Municipal Agriculturist Marieto Clerigo said, San Francisco is the only town that has consistently celebrated the Farmers & Fisherfolks Month annually.

Among of the highlights of the activity was the Agro-Trade Fair which was participated in by the different barangays of the said town.

The participants displayed various products in their barangay wherein Barangay Banbanon was adjudged as the winner.

The City of Cabadbaran also took part in the celebration last May 26 through a Farm Family Forum in which DA-13’s Regional Technical Director for Administration, Finance & Regulatory Teodora P. Fiel, DVM graced the occasion.

In her address, RTD Fiel lauded the officialdom of Cabadbaran LGU led by Mayor Dale Corvera for conducting such activity which is an indication of a strong commitment of the town to empower the farmers and fisherfolks. She also acknowledged the efforts done by the Office of the City Agriculturist through CA Floreza D. Montalban and staff for being the led of the said occasion.

On the other hand, in Barobo, Surigao del Sur , a culminating activity to commemorate the Farmers and Fisherfolks Forum was conducted wherein Municipal Agriculturist Lyrio R. Campos presented the programs and projects implemented by Barobo LGU though the Municipal Agriculture Office. The participants were given time to exchange views and ideas thus the forum served as a consultation between the local officials of LGU in to further improve local governance.

A mass dog vaccination against rabies was also conducted during the event to curb the reported rising problem of dog bites in the municipality. There was also an agrivan showing of the different agricultural technologies through the DA-RAFID . (Aurell P. Arais/ Vanessa P. Sanchez/ RAFID DA CARAGA)

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Caraganons Life…at ease with InFRES

by: Aurell P. Arais

The struggle of farmers to have a better life is full of hardships and tedious process but not until the Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector (InfRES) of the Department of Agriculture reaches its arm to Caraga Region.

In Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, InFRES brings milestone for development. The town now enjoyed two subprojects: livelihood engaging in livestock and cassava projects and farm to market road with a total project cost of more than 19 million pesos serving the barangays of Bacolod, Taganito, Panikian, Babuyan and Gamuton.

Marilyn Suguian, a recipient of working carabao said that she saves a lot on her farm since she no longer hire farm workers and the money she had save helps a lot to send her daughter to school and just recently her daughter taking up social work emerged top 7 among all examinees nationwide in the recent board examination.

Upon seeing the impact of the projects to the recipient community, Mayor Alfred Arreza is so grateful and vows that LGU of Carrascal is so willing to enroll again if there’s another round.

Another completed InFRES project is located in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur. 13.2 kilometers of farm to market road was put in place traversing the barangays of Osmeña, Panaytay, Charito and Marcelina.

According to Engr. Primitivo Alimpoos, the city planning and development officer of Bayugan the Infres FMR helps a lot in delivering farm produce and other products to the market.

He also said that InFRES FMR not just serves the residents of Bayugan, but also serve as the alternate access road going to and from Bayugan to its neighboring town of San Luis and some barangays of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.

Just recently, November 17, 2009, another InFRES projects was formally turned-over to the local government unit of Sta. Monica, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. Three road segment of farm to market road were completed, the Garcia-Alegria Road segment, Garcia-Campayato Road Segment and Magsaysay Tamdumon-Libertad Road with a total length of 5.86 kilometers and with a total project cost of 14,154,443 pesos.

The completion of the said farm to market road renews the hope of farmers to strive and produce more as well as open up new livelihood opportunities for barangay residents.

Rosalinda Arlan-Penera the local chief executive of Sta. Monica, express her gratefulness to all officers and staff of DA-InFRES for giving their municipality the chance to enroll the program and urged her constituents to help in maintaining the projects for sustainability.

November 25, 2009, another project of InFRES was formally turned-over to the local government unit of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.

The municipality of Jabonga grabbed two sub-projects, the rehabilitation and improvement of San Vicente-San Jose-Magdagooc Farm to Market road stretching 8 kilometers with total project costs of P24, 236, 677.92 and rehabilitation and improvement of Celopan and Mayuga Level 11 Water Systems with a total project cost of P 6,135,120.71.

Engr. Ramon Lagura, the Municipal Planning and Development Officer of Jabonga narrated that before the InFRES FMR were put in place, farmers mostly coconut growers and fishermen, experienced difficulty in delivering their produce to the town proper but with the completion of the InFRES FMR brings ease to their problem.

InFRES, ultimately help in increasing farm household income, reduced rural poverty incidence and improved rural accessibility…. inFRES truly makes the life of Caraganons easier. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)

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DA RFU 13 Conducts Briefing on RaSSFiP Implementing Guidelines

by: Aurell P. Arais

Butuan City – In a bid to further boost the production of palay in the next cropping season, a new scheme on rice seeds procurement and distribution will be adopted to be jointly undertaken by the National Food Authority (NFA) and Department of Agriculture with the respective local government units (LGUs).

The new scheme was based on the memorandum of agreement (MOA) earlier signed by DA Secretary Arthur C. Yap and NFA Administrator Jessup P. Navarro as an offshoot of the Rapid Seed Supply Financing Project (RaSSFiP) financed through the International Fund for Agricultural Development-European Commission (IFAD-EC) loan and grant.

Last September 11, 2009, a briefing about the implementing guidelines of the scheme was conducted at Conference Hall of DA RFU 13 attended by DA personnel involved in rice program, NFA staff headed by NFA Caraga Regional Director Gil Pepito Paqueo and other rice program stakeholders from different provinces in Caraga including some rice seed producers.

Based on the Implementing guidelines, DA will download to the NFA the RaSSFiP fund in the amount of P668,819,742.00, a loan from IFAD and the IFAD-EC grant of P430,665.420.00.

The said amount will be used by NFA for the procurement of Certified Inbred Seeds based on the volume and variety as determined by DA from certified seed growers and with certification from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

On distribution aspect, DA shall determine the target distribution areas, the seed requirements per area in terms of variety and the volume and the farmer beneficiaries in consonance with the local government units.

Farmers could still avail the seeds on 50% discounted price through the DA authorized representative upon payment of the farmer’s equity to NFA.

In his speech during the program, Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Operations Eliseo T. Tila expressed optimism that the new scheme on seeds procurement and distribution would yield positively which may translate to higher production of rice in the region.

Before the RaSSFiP, procurement and distribution of seeds was handled solely by DA but nowadays a joint effort of DA, NFA as well as with the LGUs concerned. (Aurell P. Arais/DA-RAFID Caraga)


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DA RFU 13 Hosts GMA-National Livestock Program 3rd Quarter Performance Review and Workshop

Surigao City- Despite heavy downpour and gusty winds on the onslaught of tropical storm Urduja, the Livestock Division of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 successfully hosted the GMA-Livestock Program 3rd Quarter Performance Review and Workshop held at Lipata, Surigao City last November 23-25, 2009.

Participants of the three day activity were livestock coordinators from various regions in the country except from region 2 and 7 who failed to arrive due to unfavorable weather condition.

Gracing the occasion were Mayor Alfonso Casurra of Surigao City, Provincial Governor Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte, Director Felix Valenzuela of GMA Livestock Program and Regional Technical Director for Admin, Finance and Research Edgardo Dahino.

On his speech, Mayor Casurra was so grateful for choosing his city as the venue of the national gathering and reiterated his commitment for agricultural development under his administration.

Meanwhile Governor Barbers posed challenge to all the livestock coordinators to implement a sustainable livestock program.

“Farmers need not only ruminants but to include other basic inputs. What we need is total package of approach to sustain the program”, he said.

A lively exchange of views and ideas were encouraged on the entire duration of the workshop to clarify some issues and concerns especially on the program implementation aspect.

The next Performance Review is slated to be held in Zamboanga City early part of 2010. (Aurell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)


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