DA Express - January 2024

Volume 11 - Issue 1 | JANUARY 2024

PARBOILING TECHNOLOGY TO AID FLOOD PRONE

RICE COMMUNITIES

FULL STORY ON PAGE 6

Compost Turner Machine To Boost Production in Socorro, SDN FULL STORY ON PAGE 2

EKADIWA Enhances Agribusiness!

FULL STORY ON PAGE 4

Caraga Region Hosts Financial Accountability Report Workshop FULL STORY ON PAGE 5

DA Express | Vol. 11 - Issue 1 | JANUARY 2024 | Page 1

COMPOST TURNER MACHINE TO BOOST FOOD PRODUCTION IN SOCORRO, SDN STORY BY LOVELY JOY L. SALUDEZ

The low soil fertility has long been a challenge in the island town of Socorro, Surigao del Norte.

The northern half of the 13,185 hectare-Bucas Grande Island located adjacent to Siargao in Surigao del Norte is classified as mineral land. Having a pH level of less than 7, hence acidic, crops raised in the area cannot attain its desired production level unless applied with adequate soil enhancer.

In response to the situation, on January 24, 2024, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga through the Organic Agriculture Program (OAP) formally turned over the P3.9M worth of Self-Propelled Mechanized Compost Turner to the Socorro Empowered People’s Cooperative (SOEMCO).

The said equipment will be used to mix and aerate compost material such as animal manure, green waste, and biodegradable municipal solid waste. These help to maintain proper moisture content, temperature, and oxygen concentration in the compost.

According to Cindy Burdeos Bangod, the Regional Focal Person Page 2 | DA Express | Vol. 11 - Issue 1 | JANUARY 2024

for Organic Agriculture Program of DA-Caraga, the said project will help produce and promote good quality organic fertilizers and increase crop productivity. It can also raise income that would eventually help the farmers recover from the onslaught of the pandemic and the Typhoon Odette.

“In the organic agriculture system, it is always our goal to protect the country’s natural resources by turning waste into resources while increasing food production.

This project will also provide an additional source of income to the clustered farmer groups under the Socorro Agri-Fishery Enterprise Development Program (SAFEDP),” Bangod said.

The cooperative is also engaging in agribusiness ventures including the Swine Breeder Farm, Integrated Coconut Processing Facility, and the 30 Sow-Level Swine Multiplier Farm from the DA-INSPIRE Program through its Socorro Agri-Fishery Enterprise Development Program (SAFEDP).

Out of these enterprises, a total of 12.71 tons of materials coming from dried swine manure and biodegradable wastes would be

available for Organic Fertilizer Production per day.

Additional materials are the rice hull used in deep litter flooring, where manures are incorporated, for the weaner-finisher farms.

“We are very grateful for this project. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone because this will address the soil fertility issue and at the same time minimize waste in our municipality,” SOEMCO Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Reynerio Canta, Sr. said.

In support to the project, the Local Government Unit of Socorro also provided a counterpart through the establishment of a multi-purpose structure where organic fertilizers are processed. The other half shall be utilized as a parking area and storage space for organic fertilizer materials and finished products.

Based on the feasibility study, the project can serve a total of 3,000 hectares of agricultural land involving 5,000 farmers in the said island town. Socorro produces coconut, rice, cassava, corn, and vegetables.

AGRI-INVESTMENT WORKSHOPS UNVEIL PROMISING SUBPROJECT PROSPECTS IN ROSARIO AND BUNAWAN STORY BY VERNON JIO VIAJAR

The Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP) - Caraga Ancestral Domain (AD) PLAN Component, together with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and Agusan del Sur P/MLGUs, spearheaded two (2) separate workshops for Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs) of Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) 136 Bunawan and subsequently for CADT 078 Rosario.

On January 11-12, members of the Bunawan Manobo Ancestral Domain Management Council Inc. (BMADMCI) of CADT 136 participated in breakout sessions pertaining to existing agricultural commodities within the AD. Based on the sessions, Rice, Corn, Coconut, Rubber, Poultry and Swine emerged as the priority commodities.

Successively, on January 25-26 members of Cabantao, Maligaya, Marfil, Pamintingan, Caulisihan, Maputi, Masabong, (CAMMPACAMM) Ancestral Manobo Tribal Association of CADT

078 Rosario identified Abaca, Coconut, Rubber, Tilapia, Coffee, Chicken, and Goat as their existing primary commodities.

the documents that the project will require, we’ll be sure to comply as fast as possible so that the project will be successful.”

“Let’s participate and help the personnel of MIADP as they themselves want to help us.” Bae Elvira Catuburan of BMADMCI said as she encouraged her fellow IPs to be committed to the project throughout its implementation.

Meanwhile, Hawudon Rodging Reyes of CAMMPACAMM expressed his full commitment saying “We are ready to comply

The activity aims to recognize the agricultural needs of each commodity within their respective AD. It involves discussing major agricultural crops in the area, identifying production issues, and exploring potential solutions in addressing said issues through MIADP infrastructure and enterprise subprojects.

(From left to right) MIADP Planning Specialist Alyssa Marie Fernandez; Delia Valenzuela, Rosario Municipal Agriculturist; Hawudon Rodging Reyes, Tribal Chieftain; and Raquel Bacaron, Brgy. Marfil Tribal Secretary discuss on the viability of Abaca as a priority commodity for CADT 078.

DA Express | Vol. 11 - Issue 1 | JANUARY 2024 | Page 3

E-KADIWA ENHANCES AGRIB STORY BY AURELIUS P. ARAIS

Over P87.3 million pesos of financial grant have already been awarded by the Department of AgricultureCaraga to qualified beneficiaries of the Enhanced Kadiwa Financial Grant Assistance Program since 2023.

“The concept of Kadiwa started during the height of the pandemic back in 2020, wherein, DA with farmer groups brought their agri-fishery products closer to the community to answer the need for food supply which was hampered by movement A total of 50 Farmer’s Cooperatives restrictions. That time it was called and Associations (FCAs) and 11 local Kadiwa rolling stores,” Pareñas government units (LGUs) served as said. beneficiaries of the grant.

“As the restrictions slowly AMAD Chief Lynn Pareñas said that loosen, the Kadiwa was expanded a financial grantee will utilize the by allocating funds to help the amount they received based on FCA’s be capacitated to engage their project proposal. Some used it in agri-fishery trading, hence, the for additional working capital, E-Kadiwa Financial Grant was others purchased equipment and implemented through the delivery vehicle, while others used Department of Agriculture it for expansion of their Kadiwa nationwide,” she added. store and/or storage house; others for buy and sell of agriThe grant aims to make partner fishery products.

FCAs to be an active player in making food available and Page 4 | DA Express | Vol. 11 - Issue 1 | JANUARY 2024

accessible in their respective communities.

The financial grants aim to enhance the capacities of FCAs to become reliable food commodity suppliers to consumers and for community based-organizations to sustainably operate the Kadiwa retail stores.

One of the beneficiary was the Sumilihon-Taguibo Farmers Association (SUTAFA) of Butuan City, which availed of a working capital and delivery vehicle back in the year 2022.

SUTAFA Chairperson Lydia N. Aparre shared that the intervention was a great help for the association’s faster delivery of their produce at lesser cost.

“We want our fruits and vegetables to remain fresh up

BUSINESS! to the market. Through the refrigerated van, we can guarantee the delivery of high-quality produce,” Aparre said.

To avail of the financial assistance program, Pareñas said that the group must be a DA-accredited Civil Society Organization (CSO), duly accredited by a respective government agency, operationally existing in the community, having management and good financial track record.

“For interested FCAs, they may coordinate with their respective local government units through the Municipal or City Agriculture Office to assist them in making their business or project proposals,” she added.

CARAGA REGION HOSTS FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT WORKSHOP STORY BY KENT WARREN H. FUGOSO

The Department of Agriculture, spearheaded by the Budget Division of Financial Management Services (BD-FMS), conducted a workshop on the preparation of Financial Accountability Reports (FARs) for the fiscal year 2023 on January 15-19 in General Luna, Siargao Islands.

The workshop also included a review of the implementation of the Centrally Managed Manual Template (CMMT) for each operating unit (OU).

Hosted by the DA-Caraga, the workshop aims to guide and assist different operating units in effectively utilizing the CMMT in providing accurate and efficient reports. The activity was attended by various budget officers from OUs and attached agencies of the DA.

Furthermore, the activity served as an avenue for the Central Office to have a consolidated view of real-time balances and collaboratively address any challenges or issues that have arisen during the template’s implementation.

Sylvia Rellosa, OIC Chief of the DA Budget Division, stated that the activity has been the cornerstone of streamlining the processes and programs of the agency, marking its success in financial and management services.

In addition to the implementation, OIC-Assistant Chief of the Budget Division Joey Andrew Albos also discussed the salient features of the FY 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and the national budget circular, among others.

DA Express | Vol. 11 - Issue 1 | JANUARY 2024 | Page 5

PARBOILING TECHNOLOGY TO AID FLOOD PRONE RICE COMMUNITIES STORY BY VANESSA P. SANCHEZ

To help rice farmers in flood prone communities, particularly in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur and its neighboring towns increase their production, the Department of Agriculture – Caraga turned-over the Operation and Management of Parboiling Project from its original recipient to the Missionary of the Sacred Heary Congregation Center for the Poor Agricultural Cooperative (MSC-CEPAGCO).

The parboiling technology in rice production, which is ideal for flood prone areas like Talacogon, is done in three steps which are soaking, steaming, and drying.

Headed by Fr. Rollie Richie D. Gomez, the MSC- CEPAGCO entered into an agreement with the DA-Caraga and LGU-Talacogon to take over the management and operation of the Parboiling Project.

DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. emphasized the importance of coordination and cooperation between the DA, the Local Government Unit, and the farmer’s group for the good and the development of the agriculture industry not just in the town of

Talacogon but the whole Caraga Region.

The facility includes a Parboiling section, Dryer, and Multi-pass Rice Mill. To maximize its use, the facility also has added other technologies including a Multi Commodity Solar Tunnel Dryer, Seed Warehouse, Pinawa Mill, and a Multi Purpose Drying Pavement (MPDP).

Based on LGU data, Talacogon’s rice production for the year 2023 was at 11, 028 metric tons with a 3,673 hectares of harvested area.

Parboiling or partial boiling of the paddy before milling increases its nutritional value, changes the texture of cooked rice, and reduces the breakage in milling.

The MSC-CEPAGCO is a non-profit organization whose advocacy is centered on providing sustainable livelihood programs through natural farming practices to empower farmers, fishers, disadvantaged youth, and indigenous people.

Page 6 | DA Express | Vol. 11 - Issue 1 | JANUARY 2024

Fr. Rollie Richie D. Gomez (2nd from left) of the MSC- CEPAGCO, together with Talacogon, Agusan del Sur Municipal Mayor Pauline Marie R. Masendo (2nd from right), receive the Certificate of Turn-Over of the Management and Operation of the Parboiling Project from DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Ricardo M. Oñate (right), Jr. Also in the photo is Talacogon Vice Mayor Melchor P. Demegillo.

news brief

HAULING TRUCK TO EASE COOP’S PRODUCT TRANSPORT To help boost the productivity and income of the Cagdianao Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (CAFACO), the Department of Agriculture – Caraga turned-over to the Coop one unit of Hauling Truck last January 26 held at the Upper Laguna, Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands.

The CAFACO, formerly known as Upper Laguna Corn Farmers Association (UPLACFA), is engaged in corn, cassava, soybean, and high value crops production. The group has a total production area of 42 hectares out of which 20 hectares is planted with cassava, corn, and soybean.

The hauling truck is one of the production support interventions to the group through the DA Corn Page 8 | DA Express | Vol. 11 - Issue 1 | JANUARY 2024

Program. Cagdianao Municipal Agriculturist Fe Longos said that the hauling vehicle will be a big help to the group to make it easier for them to transport of their produce from their farms to the market and at the same time lessen their transportation expenses.

The turn-over ceremony was led by DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr., together with DA-Field Operations Division Chief Melody M. Guimary, Provincial Agriculturist Rico Galinato, representatives from the Municipal Local Government Unit and the cooperative.

Director Oñate urged the farmer beneficiaries to make good use of the hauling vehicle and take proper care of it to ensure its longevity.

Editorial Team Editor in Chief

Emmylou T. Presilda

Associate Editor

Vanessa P. Sanchez

Writers

Rhea C. Abao Aurelius P. Arais Kent Warren H. Fugoso Lovely Joy L. Saludez Vanessa P. Sanchez Nichole L. Talatala Vernon Jio Viajar

Lay-out Artist

Arcur Jay A. Ahmad

Photographer

Wilfredo C. Abrea Morel A. Salva

Admin Staff

Dhandee L. Torente

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