To attain an inclusive growth in selected high-value crops in the region, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga conducted a series of commodity meeting and workshop with the agri-industry players.
Held at DA-PhilRice Agusan Experiment Station in RTR, Agusan del Norte, the activity was conducted on May 24-26 and May 29-30.
Participated by the respective agri-industry players, National Government Agencies, and Local Government Unit representatives, the meeting and workshop focused on mango, rubber, coffee, cacao, and banana.
“Through this gathering, our high-value crops farmers themselves will present the actual scenario in their respective
industry based on their own experiences and challenges, as an input to our commodity roadmaps towards industry development,” Dailinda M. Mamalis, the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) regional coordinator said.
Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Jodel Tabada, lauded the eagerness of the participants in coming up with viable plans, which is useful for the updating of the commodity roadmaps.
Earlier on May 4-5 and May 11-12, DA-Caraga’s Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED) conducted a Review and Critiquing of the 1st Draft of the Commodity Industry Roadmap in Butuan City.
Josefa Gidacan, chief of the PMED, disclosed that ten industry
roadmaps were presented and reviewed by farmer leaders, academe, private sector, and other government agencies’ representatives.
Farmer-Director Christopher H. Lindo explained that the roadmap is a vital document that served as a guide or reference in the direction to take toward the desired goal of a particular agricultural commodity.
Regional Technical Director for Research, Regulations, and Integrated Laboratories Abel F. Wagas encouraged participants to look into the roadmap anchored on a science-based perspective.
The commodities presented and reviewed were rice, corn, cassava, soybean, swine, poultry, mango, banana, lowland vegetables, coffee, cacao, and rubber.
The Department of Agriculture –Caraga through its Research Division conducted the 9th Regional Technology Forum (RTF) on May 30-31 at the DA Regional Field Office – 13.
The two-day event aims to highlight emerging agri-fishery research and cutting-edge technologies as catalysts for agricultural competitiveness and sustainability. The forum commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially inaugurating the 9th RTF.
Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulation Abel F. Wagas, in his opening message, emphasized the significance of doing research in agriculture.
“For us to be outstanding farmers, we should have records and numbers behind us because we can use this as a foundation for technological advancements and research,” Wagas said.
Regional Technical Director for Operations Rebecca R. Atega also stressed the importance of bridging the gap between research and the field operations.
“The research and operations group must meet halfway, what has been created through research must be effectively implemented to the grassroots level,” Atega said.
Lecture series covering digital
and agricultural digital tools, various rice varieties, and new trends and innovations in the coconut industry were conducted throughout the forum.
Invited farmers were from the municipalities of Buenavista, R.T.R, Butuan City, and the province of Dinagat Islands. The event was also simultaneously conducted in the three research stations of the region namely the Tagbina Research and Experiment Station in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur; Del Monte Lowland Rainfed Research Station in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur; and Trento Research and Experiment Station in Trento, Agusan del Sur.
The forum was also graced by distinguished guests including DA-PhilRice Agusan Branch
Director Gerardo F. Estoy, ATI-RTC Caraga OIC Center Director Dr. Jessie V. Beldia, Caraga State University Director for Research, Innovation, and Extension Jeffrey Dellosa, BFAR-Caraga represented by Anna Melissa Talavera, and DOST represented by Christine J. Gonzaga.
Several booths from partner agencies and Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita were also present to showcase products, technologies, and information, education, and communication materials for the farmer-participants.
The Regional Technology Forum served as a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation showcase, and collaboration among farmers, researchers, and industry leaders.
Farmer-participants explore the exhibits of partner agencies of the DA during the 9th RTF innovation
To prevent the escalation of Pestalotiopsis in the region, the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Caraga conducted a Technical Awareness Forum on the new Leaf Fall Disease of Rubber.
The forum aimed at equipping the rubber industry stakeholders in the region with knowledge and skills
and capacitate them in the prevention and management of Pestalotiopsis.
The one-day activity was conducted on May 3 at Trento, Agusan del Sur. The participants consisted of Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and farmerleaders from rubber producing
municipalities and cities of Caraga, as well as DA-Caraga technical personnel.
The Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC), the DA’s arm for crop pest and disease surveillance, monitoring, and control and management, together with the Crop Pest Management – Regional Technical Working Group (CPMRTWG), spearheaded the activity. Senior Science Research Specialist Jill Villanueva of the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI), Maricel Jabao of DA-Caraga RCPC and Charles Castro of DA-Caraga’s Research Division served as the Resource Speakers.
The group also had an actual observation and assessment of Pestalotiopsis infected rubber farm in Trento.
Pestalotiopsis is a newly reported leaf fall disease of rubber spreading in many rubber growing countries in Asia. It is caused by a fungal pathogen and can infect leaves, shoots, twigs, fruits, and seeds of a rubber tree.
The disease causes quick defoliation or falling off of leaves which will lead to yield reduction.
On April of this year, two rubber farms in Agusan del Sur, particularly in Brgy. Awao, Sta. Josefa, and New Visayas, Trento were found to be positive of the said disease.
The conduct of the Technical Awareness Forum is part of the action plan to prevent the entry of the disease in the region.
STORY BY AURELIUS P. ARAIS
The Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga’s Research Division conducted a Retooling Training for Focal Persons, Data Collectors, and Local Government Unit (LGU) partners of the Philippine Rice Information System (PRISM) Project on May 10-12 in Butuan City.
Participants from the cities of Butuan, Bayugan, and municipalities of Cantilan, Madrid, San Miguel, San Francisco, Esperanza, Buenavista, Las Nieves, and RT Romualdez joined the three-day training.
The activity aims to empower and update the participants of the ongoing implementation of the PRISM project.
Through the training, partners were equipped with the recent technological advancements in data collection using a web-based mobile application to monitor rice areas.
Regional Technical Director for Research, Regulations and
Integrated Laboratories Abel F. Wagas highlighted the significance of incorporating technology in the collection and monitoring of rice areas in the region as the crop remains the staple food for the Filipinos.
“To optimize the benefits of these tools, we need to re-equip our partners with the necessary skills, so we can easily facilitate programs and interventions for our farmers,” he explained.
He also underscored the importance of accurate data to boost the rice industry in the region through strategic program implementation.
Topics included were the management and utilization of PRISM for monitoring rice growth stages, and production; assessing damage to rice crops in the region; updated information on PRISM field protocols, data collection, and data products.
Partners of the PRISM technical
The Department of AgricultureCaraga joins the nation in celebrating this year’s Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Month with the theme “Buwan ng Magsasaka at Mangingisda: Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya.”
DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director (RED) Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate Jr., Regional Technical Director for Operations Rebecca R. Atega, and Farmer-Director Christopher H. Lindo led the kickoff activity on May 2, at DA-Caraga Compound, Butuan City.
Every May, the country honors the invaluable contributions of the farmers and fisherfolk to nationbuilding and the achievement of food security in the country through Presidential Proclamation No. 33
Both RED Oñate and Farmer Director Lindo stressed the need to strengthen collaboration to support local farmers and fishermenin the region.
Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Chairperson Lindo serves as the Farmer-Director in the region. This is in line with the DA’s Memorandum Order issued in March 2017, which installs RAFC Chairpersons to assume the roles and responsibilities of DA REDs under the Farmer-Director program, which is being observed annually alongside the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month.
Farmer-Director Lindo emphasized the importance of collaboration, convergence, and cooperation as
a way to open more opportunities for the development of the agriculture sector.
Various activities were lined up for the whole month, including Kadiwa showcasing local agripreneurs products headed by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division and the conduct of the Research Division’s Regional Technology Forum that seeks to impart new and advanced farm technologies to local farmers and fishers.
BY RHEA C. ABAO
As part of the Department of Agriculture - Caraga’s celebration of the National Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month, an awarding of Civil Society Organization (CSO) Accreditation Certificates to select CSOs in the region was conducted on May 15, marking them as official partners of the DA in the coimplementation of agricultural programs, projects, and activities.
Ensuring agriculture programs are effectively carried out, 10 CSOs from the region represented by their chairpersons received their accreditation certificate from Regional Executive Director Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr., RTD for Operations Rebecca R. Atega, RTD for Research and Regulations
Abel F. Wagas, and Farmer Director Christopher H. Lindo.
Two of the CSOs were from Butuan City, the Saint Gabriel Multipurpose Cooperative (SGMPC) of Tiniwisan; and the One Karaga Community Credit Cooperative (OKCCO) of Limaha New Road.
The Libas Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative of Libas, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte; Rural Improvement Club of Alubihid of Agusan del Norte, Incorporated (RICAA) from Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte and Manhon Agriculture Cooperative (MACO) of Sitio Pirada, Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte were the recipients from the province of Agusan del Norte,
On the other hand, the Filipinas Palm Oil Plantations Inc. ARB Multipurpose Cooperative (FPPI ARB MPC) of Ebro, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur and Katibuan San Luis Agriculture Cooperative (KASALCO) of Poblacion, San Luis, Agusan del Sur, were the recipients from the province of Agusan del Sur.
The Supreme Datu-Pangulong Dalangpanan of Bathalism Global Mission and Ethnic Tribal Alliance (BAGMETA) Incorporated of Upper Laguna, Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands is the lone recipient from
the Province of Dinagat Islands.
The Mabini United Farmers’ Cooperative (MAUNFACO) of Mabini, Placer, Surigao del Norte and Fishermen Cooperative of Consolacion (FISH Coop) of Consolacion, Dapa, Surigao del Norte were the recipients.
Regional Technical Director for Operations Rebecca R. Atega challenged the newly accredited CSOs to strengthen their partnership towards the agency and find sustainable ways to improve and support their members and the organization.
Meanwhile, six (6) Farmers Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) also received various interventions from the different banner programs of the Field Operations Division.
For the Corn Program, Nagkahugpong Mag-uuma sa
Magbalate from Magbalete, Malapong, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte received (1) One Unit 4WD Farm Tractor worth P3 Million.
The Butuan City Fruits and Vegetable Federation, Inc. of Tiniwisan, Butuan City received 4 Units Multi-Cultivator worth P872,000.00 from the High-Value Crops Development Program.
In addition, the Kangyat Multi-purpose Cooperative from Labnig, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur and Farmers Alternative Self Reliance MPC (FARMSCO) of San Vicente, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur recieved P10 million each for the INSPIRE Project of the Livestock Program. This includes the estbalishment of Bio-secure facility, procurement of 300 heads of pigs, feeds and biologics support, and disinfectant. Meanwhile, Sibagat Organic
Farmers Association of Poblacion, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur received One Unit Hauling Truck worth P1.2 million in addition to the two (2) Storey OA Hub Building that costs P3.1 million from the Organic Agriculture Program.
Lastly, in support to the Hybrid Rice Techonology Demonstration of the National Rice Program (NRP), the Butuan City Barangay Lemon Integrated Farmers Association Inc. of Barangay Lemon, Butuan City received 100 hectares Hybrid Rice Technology Demonstration Inputs worth P1.4 million pesos.
Regional Executive Director Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. said that the interventions given are for the enhancement of productivity, efficiency, and sustainability of the FCAs farming practices, ultimately improving the livelihood of their association.
personnel were also instructed on the fundamentals of the map layout using the Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS).
PRISM is a satellite-based rice monitoring system of the DA that provides reliable information on rice area planted, planting dates, yield and production estimates, and rice areas at risk and affected by flood and drought.
Data generated through PRISM helps DA in its strategic planning, decision-making, development project implementation, and disaster preparedness.
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Rhea C. Abao
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