Fit Corea Monthly Magazine - March 2023

1 PAGE 9

ACTUAL DEMONSTRATION

DEALER'S PICK-UP

PAGE 11

MEETING WITH NESGPMC

PSAU

MACHINE TURNOVER

INSTALLATION OF BACKHOE – CABALLERO

TRACTORS

CULTIVATORS

TURNOVER OF

sundori

drone

sundori drone sprayer

PBBM ADMIN PUSHES

HYBRID SEEDS TO BOOST RICE PRODUCTION

THREE-YEAR AGRI DEV’T PLAN TARGETS TO BOOST

ASF VACCINE AVAILABLE SOON IN PH

MARCOS GOV’T INTENSIFIES CONTROL MEASURES VS BIRD FLU

DA-BAI TURNS 93 WITH RENEWED COMMITMENT TO SERVE

PAGE 23 PAGE 27

FOOD PRODUCTION

DRONE SPRAYER MAZE

UPCOMING EVENTS 2023

ACTUAL DEMONSTRATION

“Versatile Tractor for smooth operation”

Actual Operation of TYM 5825R and Implements last February 9, 2023.

The FIT Corea team tested the TYM 5825R and its implements, Hanil Front Loader, and GMT Back Hoe.

The TYM 5825R is a full-option 4-wheel drive that is made in South Korea. It runs on diesel and a 4-stroke, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. It has a 55-horsepower engine and 2600 rpm with a maximum forward speed of 27.3kph @ 280rpm. A water-cooling system is installed in the TYM 5825R for better cooling.

A MULTI-PURPOSE LOADER that can be used as a tractor implement for land consolidation. It can be equipped with a tractor to do the transport work in the field especially getting out dumped soil to flatten the area. It was developed to

perform a multitude of farming tasks and is popular due to its relatively low cost and high versatility. It can also be used to assist with bale and silage handling, forks for pallet work, and buckets for more general farm activities. A tooth bar is commonly added to the front edge of a loader bucket to aid with digging.

Lastly, the GMT Back Hoe implement is mainly used as a utility tool for digging, moving materials, and excavating land. It has a high bucket rotation of 175° and a digging force of 2066kgf perfect for digging a piece of soil. For smooth operation, a nozzle-type orifice is applied to put a smooth yet powerful output during usage.

ACTUAL DEMONSTRATION

Actual Operation of TYM 5825R and Implements on February 15, 2023, in Maahas, Los Baños, Laguna, the FIT Corea team tested the TYM 5825R and its implements, the PTODriven Rotating Disc Plow and Rotavator.

The TYM 5825R is a full-option 4-wheel drive that is made in South Korea.

It runs on diesel and a 4-stroke, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. It has a 55-horsepower engine and 2600 rpm with a maximum forward speed of 27.3kph @ 280rpm. A watercooling system is installed in the TYM 5825R for better cooling.

The WECAN PTO-Driven Rotating Disc Plow is designed for both manual and hydraulicready tractors for easier operation. It ensures that the tractor will have no overload during the operation. This versatile machine can be used both in wet and dry fields to break the hard soil that has lots of weeds and bushes or rice straws in the rice field. The PTO-driven rotating disc plow is a well-equipped plow with a full-body casting gearbox and a powerful side gear system, hydraulic cylinders with automatic valves, and center and side-driven gearboxes.

Lastly, the Wecan Rotavator is used to pulverize the soil after

breaking it. It is suitable for areas with rough or wet soil; it works faster and has no soil or straw locking.

Structurally designed depending on field conditions. The blade is made of spring steel, which is flexible and will slowly return to its original form when bent during operation. Doom-type body designed for vibration-free operation to help reduce gears and PTO damage during operation.

The team decided to use the PTO DrivenRotating Disc Plow first to break the hard soil that has lots of weeds followed by rotavator to pulverize the soil.

DEALER’S PICK-UP

Dealer’s pickup of WECAN Rotating Disc Plow, TAEKWANG Cultivator, GMT Back Hoe, SUNGBOO Levee Maker (Pilapil Maker), and LEEHWA 5in1 Rice Mill.

Last February 3, 2023, one of our dealers picked up their ordered agricultural machines at FIT Corea’s office. FIT Corea’s mechanics were the ones who assisted the pick-up of the said machinery.

One of the machines that were picked up is the Rotating Disc Plow by WECAN, which has a full-body casting mold gearbox and powerful side gear system, hydraulic cylinders with automatic valves, center and side driven gearboxes excellent for deep plowing and perfectly turning over rice straw and soil, and the rotation disc allows excellent performance on fields with lots of straw and weeds.

Handy Cultivator by Taekwang is suitable for high-value production. It can equip around 30 different kinds of implements, such as a cultivator, plow, bed former, furrower, vinyl coater, former and mulcher, trencher, ridge, etc., that are very helpful in gardening in small and narrow spaces.

GMT Back Hoe that can be used as a tractor attachment for digging in the field, which is very common for land consolidation. It is great for digging small water ponds or fish ponds on the farm. Backhoes can be used for hauling materials, debris removal, small tree removal or transplanting, small irrigation, and moving heavy rocks and stones from the farm.

Levee Maker by Sungboo has a side-directional wheel, making the linearity of ridges better and maintaining stable ridges. It is easy to replace a roller and possible to adjust the height freely.

Lastly, the Leehwa is the pioneer impeller type rice mill in the Philippines. and has five main features:

1. Impurity Sorter: It separates palay impurities such as rice straws, leaves, bigger stones, etc.

2. Separate Rice Husk: The husk is a separate outlet from the rice bran.

3. Rice Bran Separator: The husk and the bran have their own separate outlets, so you can get fine bran, which you can feed to your pigs, chickens, ducks, etc.

4. An adjustable polisher not just your typical polisher. The polisher can be adjusted depending on the grade you want, so you can produce semimilled or well-milled rice.

5. Stoner/Stone Separator: It separates stones from our rice.

ADA MANUFACTURING CORPORATION (ADAMCO) pick up their stocks at FIT Corea office

DEALER’S PICK-UP

On February 11, 2023, one of the Mindanao dealer picked up their machines at FIT Corea’s office. The operation was led by the FIT Corea mechanics, namely, Jeff, Christian, Arcel, and Archie. To speed up the pickup, they were helped by the delivery staff of the Fortunetract

Agro-Sales Incorporated. Some of the machines are the Multi-Purpose Loader, LEEHWA 5-in-1 Rice milling and Polishing Machine, GMT Back hoe, WECAN rotovator,and the WECAN Disc Plow.

MEETING WITH NESGPMC

Last February 6, 2023, Fit Corea Trading Phils., Inc. President, Mr. Philip Kim, visited Nueva Ecija Seed Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (NESGMPC), one of our dealers in region 3, and had a meeting and discussion with the officers of the cooperative.

NESGMPC presents their plans for the first quarter of this year (January to March), which they think can strengthen their marketing for Korean machinery. This includes their plan to engage more on social

media like Facebook and online shops selling in Lazada. They are planning to have big tarpaulins, sign boards, purchase their delivery truck, and convert their member incentives to machinery instead of giving cash. They will also hire additional manpower, especially their mechanic, to cater the after-sales service of their company.

Nueva Ecija Seed Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative became an official dealer of FIT Corea last year. They have a total of 213 members, residents of Nueva Ecija from Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4. As a seed company, they are one of only three accredited cooperatives in Nueva Ecija by the Department of Agriculture for their rice seed procurement programs. Providing 50% of Nueva Ecija Rice Seeds requirement and 25% of Region 3.

PAMPANGA STATE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY MACHINE TURNOVER

Turned over several machines to the Pampanga State Agricultural University to be used in their demonstration farm at the university. This is also good marketing for Korean machinery since they are all buying it for their projects.

The machine that was delivered are Branson Tractor, Wecan Rotavator, Wecan Rotating Disc Plow, Asia Direct Seeder, Leveler.

Pampanga State Agricultural University, the home of the Aglibut Sweet Tamarind,

is strategically nestled at the foothills of the western slope of the majestic Mt. Arayat. The university occupies approximately 500 hectares of government agricultural lands in the town of Magalang, province of Pampanga.

INSTALLATION OF GMT BACKHOE

Mr. Caballero received his GMT Backhoe for his Branson 6225C. It was installed and

demonstrated by the FIT Corea mechanic team. He needs the backhoe for making his compost pit and for digging.

Backhoe can be used as a tractor attachment for digging in the field, which is very common for land consolidation. It is great for digging small water ponds or fish ponds on the farm. Backhoes can be used for hauling materials, debris removal, small tree removal or transplanting, small irrigation, and moving heavy rocks and stones from the farm.

sundori sdr q-1

It is easy to store and move with the frame and propeller of the foldable structure

Reinforced aviation duralumin material and efficient structural design minimize damage to the aircraft in the event of a fall

drone sprayer

sundori

With a large capacity control about 2 ha (15

The strong downwind penetrate evenly, maximizing the

sundori drone sundori drone

sprayer

sundori sdr h-1

It is easy to store and move with the frame and propeller of the foldable structure

Reinforced aviation duralumin material and efficient structural design minimize damage to the aircraft in the event of a fall

sundori sdr a-20

capacity of 20 liters, it is possible to minutes) in one flight

downwind design allows the drug to evenly, the control effect

ASF vaccine available soon in PH; only 1 injection needed to protect pigs

Published February 17, 2023, 6:05 PM

by Jel Santos

https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/17/asf-vaccine-available-soon-in-ph-only-1-injection-needed-to-protect-pigs/?fbclid=IwAR01PzJVJhlFQzlxY9CUGAY0-qMhveAq4fwaZmC73HcH2ZHsnBWzTtigTew

The first commercially available vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF), a viral hog disease devastating swine industries around the world since its resurgence in 2018, will soon be available in the country with only one injection needed to protect growing pigs, a local agricultural product company said.

In a recent statement, the KPP Powers Commodities Inc. (KPP Powers) disclosed that the ASF vaccine trials are expected to be completed by April 2023, a possible breakthrough amid the threat of ASF which has been causing huge losses to hog raisers in the country. The KPP Powers said it is partnering with Vietnamese manufacturer AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Co. for the local distribution of the vaccine.

“Once infected with ASF, pigs die within a matter of days resulting in huge losses to hog farmers. In the Philippines, ASF is directly responsible for more than a 50-percent decline in the local swine population, resulting in loss of livelihoods of local hog backyard raisers, shutdown of large commercial pig farms, decline in feed mill operations and loss of revenues of allied industries with an estimated economic value of more than P100 billion a year,” the KPP Powers noted.

The vaccine is being produced by AVAC in Vietnam where the vaccine underwent rigid clinical trials and field testing that were strictly monitored by the Vietnamese government, the KPP Powers stated.

According to KPP Powers Managing Director Juancho Robles, AVAC is “the only company in the world that has a commercial use ASF vaccine with a valid certificate of product registration (marketing authorization)” and the “first veterinary vaccine factory in Vietnam certified under the World Health Organization-Good Manufacturing Practices standard.”

He said AVAC first received an approval for the commercialization of the vaccine in June 2022. Since then, many large commercial farms in Vietnam have been using the vaccine and have reported successful results of vaccine efficacy rates at 95 percent.

“The Vietnamese government recently reported that more than 600,000 doses of the AVAC ASF vaccine have been administered in field trials since July 2022. Because of the highly favorable results, the Vietnamese government will also start this month its own nationwide distribution of the vaccine to help local hog farmers,” KPP Powers said.

The vaccine has been proven safe to use via intramuscular injection on growing pigs from four to eighteen weeks of age, with no shock or local inflammation, KPP said.

“Only one injection is necessary to protect growing pigs,” it added.

In 2019, ASF resurfaced in the Philippines and has since spread across more than 3,800 barangays in 53 provinces by July 2022. Because of ASF, local pork production in the Philippines fell by almost a fourth from June to October 2021 against the comparative period in 2020.

The vaccine is currently undergoing local trials under the supervision of the Bureau of Animal Industry. The safety and efficacy farm trials are being conducted by KPP Powers in coordination with four other local companies: San Miguel Corporation, UNAHCO (a Unilab company), Charoen Pokphand Philippines, and PILMICO.

Marcos gov’t intensifies control measures vs bird flu

Author: (Gumamela Bejarin, DA-AFID) | 16 February 2023

https://www.da.gov.ph/marcos-govt-intensifies-control-measures-vs-bird-flu/

The Department of Agriculture (DA), under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., reaffirmed its commitment to stop the spread of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus in the country by reinforcing disease control measures.

For 2023, the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) has allotted a P177.78 million in funds for the government’s Avian Influenza Protection Program that will rollout mitigating measures before and during outbreaks of bird flu.

The fund, which is higher than the allocation in past years, will also be used to respond to animal disease emergencies through early detection and reliable laboratory diagnostics.

Aside from continuously establishing close coordination with the local government units ( LGUs) and stakeholders, DA-BAI will carry on disease investigation activities and surveillance of quarantine zones and will systematically conduct culling and disposal of affected poultry animals at the first sign of detection.

DA-BAI Assistant Director Arlene

Asteria Vytiaco stressed that the bureau has reinforced control measures to avoid a spike in bird flu cases.

According to Vytiaco, DA-BAI has immediately implemented depopulation, intensive surveillance in the 1-ki-

lometer quarantine zone as well as cleaning and disinfection at a layer poultry farm in Santa Maria, Bulacan after confirming it tested positive of HPAI Subtype H5N1 on Jan. 31, 2023.

“Ini-intensify natin ang ating control measures para huwag nang maranasan ’yong last year na talagang tumaas ang kaso natin ng February until March to April,” Vytiaco said.

She added that the Bulacan farm is the first layer poultry farm affected by bird flu this year, but the case has been resolved and contained.

After the 1-kilometer radius surveillance from the infected farm, it will be expanded to 7-kilometer surveillance to ensure that the area is AI free.

“We really encourage self-reporting or early reporting para po ma-contain na agad natin ’yong sakit,” Vytiaco said.

The DA-BAI is also closely working with partners in LGUs, DA-Regional Field Offices (RFOs), and private sector stakeholders for the strict and effective protocol implementation to protect the country’s poultry industry.

“Sa mga farms po kasi, for AI talagang ang pinakamahalaga po is iyong biosecurity, para wag tayong tamaan especially may mga detections pa rin tayo ng AI. The Philippines is not yet AI free, so all farm owners should practice strict biose-

curity measures,” Vytiaco explained.

The assistant director also encouraged farm owners and workers to regularly practice cleaning and disinfection, limiting farm visitors, and doing bird proofing strategies.

In addition, Vytiaco stressed that early reporting of unusual mortality is key to manage the risk of further infection.

“Any sign po ng sakit or mortality, please, I encourage you na sana po report early sa ating authorities. Puwede sa barangay or municipal level. Basta makapag-report po tayo para maisagawa natin ang mabilisang disease investigation at ma-contain agad natin yung sakit,” she pointed out.

The DA has earlier issued memorandum orders to temporarily ban the importation of domestic and wild birds and poultry products from countries with confirmed AI virus outbreak to prevent the entry of HPAI virus in the country.

According to Vytiaco, the presence of migratory birds that are common at this time of the year was also identified as a risk factor as they can affect the local poultry population with the virus from infected countries.

Since the outbreak in February 2022, the Philippines is yet to regain its status as AI free.

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) celebrated its 93rd Founding Anniversary on February 27, 2023 with the commitment to lead the sector towards recovery and continued growth.

“The responsibility and obligation upon us is great. We must do what we say. We must demonstrate competence and commitment in reaching high standards of performance,” DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban stressed during the event. He recognized that the country’s livestock sector had suffered because of the African swine fever (ASF), but it has shown signs of recovery with 2.3 percent production growth last year.

With the launching of the Super Pig mascot, the DA-BAI is also intensifying its National ASF Prevention and Control Program including the Bantay ASF sa Barangay (BABay ASF) program as the ongoing ASF vaccine trials continue to show promising results.

DA-BAI turns 93 with renewed commitment

“

The DA-BAI is implementing various programs challenges in the sector such as animal diseases and

Makasisiguro po kayo, hindi namin sasayangin ipinagkaloob niyo sa amin

,” DA-BAI

Author: (Gumamela Bejarin, DA-AFID) | 1 March 2023

commitment to serve, protect animal industry

https://www.da.gov.ph/da-bai-turns-93-with-renewed-commitment-toserve-protect-animal-industry/

The bureau’s strategic agenda include 1) boosting local production and raising the farmers’ and fisherfolk’s income; 2) ensuring accessibility to affordable, safe, and nutritious food; 3) developing strong, modernized, and climate resilient value chains; and 4) institutionalizing policy reforms and strengthening institutions. With the theme, “Masiglang paghahayupan para sa masaganang hapag-kainan at maunlad na pamayanan,” the week-long anniversary celebration will feature free public seminars on meat processing and production of goat, cattle, and native chicken.

“Tunay na isinasaloob ng tagline natin ngayong taon ang nais marating ng ating industriya sa paghahayupan. Sinisiguro ko sa inyo na ang Bureau of Animal Industry ay patuloy niyong maaasahan at magiging katuwang sa pagtataguyod at pagpoprotekta ng industriya ng paghahayupan,” Director Limson expressed.

sasayangin at pababayaan ang tiwala na DA-BAI Director Paul Limson said.

programs and activities to address the key the incursion of transboundary high cost of inputs.

PBBM ADMIN PUSHES HYBRID SEEDS TO BOOST

RICE PRODUCTION

A strategy plan is now being developed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) that will promote the planting of hybrid seeds to 1.5 million hectares of rice land during the dry season, Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Operations Arnel De Mesa said during a briefing on Thursday, February 16.

This was after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved the adoption of hybrid rice varieties that will help local farmers enhance their crop production.

The President, who also is also the DA Secretary, is optimistic that the country will attain its rice self-sufficiency target within two years with the use of hybrid seeds.

The DA is looking at expanding production in Regions 6, 8, 12 and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon regions have already adopted the hybrid rice technology.

The DA will also launch a financial and credit program that will persuade farmers to shift to hybrid rice.

“Ipinag-utos ng ating Pangulo na siguruhing mabigyan ang ating mga kababayan na nagtatanim ng palay ng sapat na suporta kagaya ng patubig, fertilizer at iba pang ayuda katulad ng Rice Farmers Financial Assistance. Ang mga ito ay nararapat na maibigay sa tamang panahon,” De Mesa pointed out.

Apart from expanding financial support to local farmers through the loan financing program, President Marcos committed to bring the best farming practices used by Central Luzon farmers to the rest of the country.

Based on a joint study by the DA and local government units (LGUs), the hybrid system has produced 41% higher yield than inbred conventional seeds for the past two years.

In 2023, the DA earmarked P30 billion in funds under the National Rice Program for the provision of hybrid and inbred or certified seeds, production-related and post-harvest machinery, small-scale irrigation, as well as extension and training activities.

This is on top of the P10B-Rice Enhancement Competitiveness Fund sourced from the excess tariff collected under the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), which aims to improve the competitiveness of farmers.

“Iyong koleksyon natin noong nakaraang taon – dahil sa Rice Tariffication Law – ay umabot sa P22 billion. So meron tayong excess collection na P12B na maibabahagi sa ilalim ng RFFA,” De Mesa said.

Author:

(Kristel Merle, DA-AFID) | 17 February

2023

https://www.da.gov.ph/pbbm-admin-pushes-hybrid-seeds-to-boost-rice-production/

THREE-YEAR AGRI DEV’T PLAN TARGETS TO BOOST FOOD PRODUCTION

Author: (Krystelle Ymari A. Vergara, DA-AFID) | 24 February 2023

https://www.da.gov.ph/thee-year-agri-devt-plan-targets-to-boost-food-production/

With the President’s goal of achieving rice self-sufficiency by 2025, the DA – National Rice Program was instructed to determine specific areas for inbred and hybrid rice production and to formulate strategies for developing newly irrigated areas.

Following the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) led by Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban convened to prepare for the formulation and updating of the agency’s three-year Agriculture Development Program, February 23.

Spanning from 2023 to 2025, the Program aims to promote agricultural productivity in the Philippines, with emphasis on rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries as priority commodities under the current administration.

Assistant Secretary for Operations

Arnel V. De Mesa explained that aside from production, it will also cover other activities such as postharvest and processing, logistics improvement, market linkages and arrangements, and research and development.

Also informed of its task to evaluate and enhance the country’s livestock and poultry production, DA – National Livestock Program (NLP) Director Ruth S. Miclat-Sonaco assured continuous implementation of repopulation and biosecurity initiatives against the African Swine Fever (ASF), Avian Influenza (AI), and other transboundary animal pests and diseases. The DA – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was also called to enhance fisheries production in the Philippines by determining areas for aquaculture and capture fisheries. With other concerned DA units for the drafting of a harmonious Agriculture Development Plan.

It is easy to store and move with the frame and propeller of the foldable structure

Reinforced aviation duralumin material and efficient structural design minimize damage to the aircraft in the event of a fall

It is easy to store and move with the frame and propeller of the foldable structure

Reinforced aviation duralumin material and efficient structural design minimize damage to the aircraft in the event of a fall