aggie trends december 2011

12
The Department of Agriculture is allotting more than P500 mil- lion (M) to undertake various agricultural, irrigation and infra- structure projects in the six prov- inces of the Cordillera region, to further prop up its distinction as a major source of vegetables and other high value crops. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala committed the amount during his three-day (November 25-27) visit in the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Baguio City, where he monitored vari- ous projects, and dialogued with farmers and local officials. The bulk of the fund, amount- ing to P268M mainly from the DA’s National Irrigation Admin- istration (NIA), is allotted for the repair and rehabilitation of sev- eral irrigation systems in Ifugao, Mt. Province and Benguet that were damaged by recent ty- phoons, including some por- tions of the Ifugao rice terraces. Of the total irrigation fund, NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel said P100M is earmarked for the Upper Butigue Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Paracelis, Mt. Province; P40M for the DA allots P500-M for Cordillera agri projects (Pls turn to p4) The DA is allotting an initial P30M to repair eroded and typhoon- damaged portions of the Banaue Rice Terraces and restore its gran- deur as a UNESCO ‘World Heritage’ site. Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (3rd from left) made the commitment during his visit in Ifugao, where he also led a ceremonial stocking of tilapia and Japanese loach, locally known as ‘yu-yu’, in one of rice-fish paddies. The DA is pro- moting rice-fish culture to revive the organic way of producing na- tive or heirloom rice varieties. Also shown are Ifugao Governor Eugene Balitang (middle) and DA Cordillera regional director Marilyn Sta. Catalina. Lady farmer, barangay chief lead 2011 Gawad Saka national winners (Pls turn to p2) The Department of Agriculture is setting aside P500 million next year to construct small scale irrigation projects (SSIPs) all over the country to contrib- ute to food staple sufficiency efforts of the government. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala made the commitment during the two-day 1 st National Summit for Small Scale Irriga- tion Projects (SSIPs) attended DA earmarks P500-M for small irrigation A lady farmer from Davao del Norte and a farmer turned barangay official from Leyte lead this year’s Gawad Saka out- standing achievers in agriculture and fisheries. For her feat in transforming their family’s five-hectare farmlot into a productive rice-based en- terprise, producing an average of seven tons of palay per hectare, along with other products like banana, coconut and tilapia, Anna C. Cagulada, 47, of Dujali, Davao del Norte, is chosen as the 2011 Gawad Saka outstanding integrated rice farmer. Sixty-three year-old barangay chairman Alfredo Q. Roble of Valencia, Ormoc City, has man- aged to harvest up to 12 tons of palay per hectare from his two ha. farm, enabling him to clinch the outstanding hybrid rice farmer award. For their respective accom- plishments, Cagulada and Roble were awarded by President (Pls turn to p4) Hapid IS in Lamut, Ifugao, P10 M to repair eroded and damaged por- tions, and reinforce the irrigation systems of the rice terraces at Batad town, and the rest of the amount will be used to repair com- munal IS and construct irrigation canals and road opening in other towns and province. To restore the Ifugao rice ter- races, Secretary Alcala also com- mitted an additional P20M from the DA-Cordillera region and na- tional rice program to repair and upgrade other rice terraces in Banaue, Mayoyao, Hapao and Kiangan. He said the DA will also put up one village-type rice processing center in all Cordillera provinces, worth P20M each, for a total of P120M. During his visit, he also provided each province two four-wheel trac- tors, worth P48M, under a counterparting arrangement. DA national rice program coor- dinator Dante Delima said the rice processing center in Ifugao will also feature a rice museum show- casing the agricultural practices, farm implements, culture, and tra- dition of the mountain tribe respon- The country will import an initial 500,000 metric tons (MT) of rice in 2012. Of the total volume, Sec. Proceso J. Alcala said govern- ment will allow the private sec- tor and farmers’ groups to im- port 250,000 MT each. Alcala added that the gov- ernment has enough funds to buy more palay this current dry season and main harvest sea- son next year. He added that the NFA will concentrate on local palay pro- curement, as it has yet ad- equate rice and palay stocks in its warehouses. The DA expects a good har- vest this dry season due to the ‘Quick-Turn-Around’ (QTA) and ratooning initiatives. Phl to import 500,000 MT in 2012 These were undertaken by the DA in partnership with farmers’ groups and local government units to offset palay losses to- taling 700,000 MT due to ty- phoons ‘Pedring’ and ‘Quiel’ last September. This year, the country ex- ported a total of 860,000 MT, which is one-third of the 2.4 mil- lion MT imported in 2010. Of this year’s total volume, 600,000 MT was imported by the private sector, 200,000 MT by the NFA, and 60,000 MT by farmers’ groups. Alcala said the DA will ensure that the country has enough buffer stock next year, particu- larly having a 90-day buffer stock by June 30, 2012, going into the traditional lean months of July to September. Vol. XXVI No. 12 A monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture December 2011 Masaganang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!

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Vol. XXVI No. 12A monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Aggie Trends December 2011

The Department of Agricultureis allotting more than P500 mil-lion (M) to undertake variousagricultural, irrigation and infra-structure projects in the six prov-inces of the Cordillera region, tofurther prop up its distinction asa major source of vegetablesand other high value crops.

Agriculture SecretaryProceso J. Alcala committedthe amount during his three-day(November 25-27) visit in theprovinces of Benguet, Ifugao,Mountain Province, and BaguioCity, where he monitored vari-ous projects, and dialogued withfarmers and local officials.

The bulk of the fund, amount-ing to P268M mainly from theDA’s National Irrigation Admin-istration (NIA), is allotted for therepair and rehabilitation of sev-eral irrigation systems in Ifugao,Mt. Province and Benguet thatwere damaged by recent ty-phoons, including some por-tions of the Ifugao rice terraces.

Of the total irrigation fund, NIAAdministrator Antonio Nangelsaid P100M is earmarked for theUpper Butigue Small ReservoirIrrigation Project in Paracelis,Mt. Province; P40M for the

DA allots P500-M for Cordillera agri projects

(Pls turn to p4)

The DA is allotting an initial P30M to repair eroded and typhoon-damaged portions of the Banaue Rice Terraces and restore its gran-deur as a UNESCO ‘World Heritage’ site. Secretary Proceso J. Alcala(3rd from left) made the commitment during his visit in Ifugao, wherehe also led a ceremonial stocking of tilapia and Japanese loach,locally known as ‘yu-yu’, in one of rice-fish paddies. The DA is pro-moting rice-fish culture to revive the organic way of producing na-tive or heirloom rice varieties. Also shown are Ifugao GovernorEugene Balitang (middle) and DA Cordillera regional directorMarilyn Sta. Catalina.

Lady farmer, barangay chief lead2011 Gawad Saka national winners

(Pls turn to p2)

The Department of Agricultureis setting aside P500 millionnext year to construct smallscale irrigation projects (SSIPs)all over the country to contrib-ute to food staple sufficiencyefforts of the government.

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala made the commitmentduring the two-day 1st NationalSummit for Small Scale Irriga-tion Projects (SSIPs) attended

DA earmarks P500-Mfor small irrigation

A lady farmer from Davao delNorte and a farmer turnedbarangay official from Leyte leadthis year’s Gawad Saka out-standing achievers in agricultureand fisheries.

For her feat in transformingtheir family’s five-hectare farmlotinto a productive rice-based en-terprise, producing an average ofseven tons of palay per hectare,along with other products likebanana, coconut and tilapia,Anna C. Cagulada, 47, of Dujali,Davao del Norte, is chosen as the2011 Gawad Saka outstandingintegrated rice farmer.

Sixty-three year-old barangaychairman Alfredo Q. Roble ofValencia, Ormoc City, has man-aged to harvest up to 12 tons ofpalay per hectare from his twoha. farm, enabling him to clinch

the outstanding hybrid ricefarmer award.

For their respective accom-plishments, Cagulada and Roblewere awarded by President

(Pls turn to p4)

Hapid IS in Lamut, Ifugao, P10 Mto repair eroded and damaged por-tions, and reinforce the irrigationsystems of the rice terraces atBatad town, and the rest of theamount will be used to repair com-munal IS and construct irrigationcanals and road opening in othertowns and province.

To restore the Ifugao rice ter-races, Secretary Alcala also com-mitted an additional P20M fromthe DA-Cordillera region and na-tional rice program to repair andupgrade other rice terraces inBanaue, Mayoyao, Hapao andKiangan.

He said the DA will also put upone village-type rice processingcenter in all Cordillera provinces,worth P20M each, for a total ofP120M.

During his visit, he also providedeach province two four-wheel trac-tors, worth P48M, under acounterparting arrangement.

DA national rice program coor-dinator Dante Delima said the riceprocessing center in Ifugao willalso feature a rice museum show-casing the agricultural practices,farm implements, culture, and tra-dition of the mountain tribe respon-

The country will import aninitial 500,000 metric tons(MT) of rice in 2012.

Of the total volume, Sec.Proceso J. Alcala said govern-ment will allow the private sec-tor and farmers’ groups to im-port 250,000 MT each.

Alcala added that the gov-ernment has enough funds tobuy more palay this current dryseason and main harvest sea-son next year.

He added that the NFA willconcentrate on local palay pro-curement, as it has yet ad-equate rice and palay stocksin its warehouses.

The DA expects a good har-vest this dry season due to the‘Quick-Turn-Around’ (QTA) andratooning initiatives.

Phl to import 500,000 MT in 2012These were undertaken by the

DA in partnership with farmers’groups and local governmentunits to offset palay losses to-taling 700,000 MT due to ty-phoons ‘Pedring’ and ‘Quiel’ lastSeptember.

This year, the country ex-ported a total of 860,000 MT,which is one-third of the 2.4 mil-lion MT imported in 2010.

Of this year’s total volume,600,000 MT was imported by theprivate sector, 200,000 MT by theNFA, and 60,000 MT by farmers’groups.

Alcala said the DA will ensurethat the country has enoughbuffer stock next year, particu-larly having a 90-day buffer stockby June 30, 2012, going into thetraditional lean months of July toSeptember.

Vol. XXVI No. 12 A monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture December 2011

Masaganang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!

Page 2: Aggie Trends December 2011

2

Writers: Adora D. Rodriguez, Jo Anne Grace B. Pera, Arlhene S. Carro, Bethzaida Bustamante, Mc. Bien Saint Garcia, Jay Ilagan, Catherine NantaContributors: DA-RFU Info Officers, Public Info Officers and Staff of DA

is published monthly by the Department of AgricultureInformation Service, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Tel. nos. 9288762loc 2148, 2150, 2155, 2156 or 2184; 9204080 or tel/fax 9280588. Thisissue is available in PDF file. For copies, please send requests via email:[email protected].

Editor-In-Chief : Noel O. ReyesAssociate Editors: Karenina Salazar, Cheryl C. Suarez & Adam Borja

Bureaus, Attached Agencies & Corporations, Foreign-Assisted ProjectsPhotographers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan, & Kathrino ResurreccionLay-out Artist: Bethzaida BustamantePrinting & Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staff

The DA will allot P500 million next year to establish nationwidehundreds of small irrigation projects that are more cost-efficient,faster to construct, and easier to maintain and manage. This wasannounced by Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (inset, left) during the 1stNational Summit for Small Scale Irrigation Project, November 24,2011, at the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM),attended by farmer-leaders of small water irrigation system asso-ciations (SWISAs) and local officials. Also shown (from left) are DArice program national coordinator Director Dante Delima, CagayanGovernor Alvaro Antonio, and Director Silvino Tejada of the DA-BSWM which oversees the construction of small irrigation projects.

by small irrigators at the DA-BSWM convention hall in QuezonCity.

He said the DA will pursue con-struction of SSIPs to comple-ment large-scale national irriga-tion projects spearheaded by theNational Irrigation Administration.

“Mahalaga ang maliliit na irri-gation systems dahil hindi nakailangang gumastos ng bilyongpisong halaga para makinabangang mga sakahang may 25 to 100hectares ang laki. Mabilis dinitong mapapagana sa looblamang ng 3 to 6 months,” Alcalasaid.

He said SSIPs also serve asrainwater harvesting facilities dur-ing dry months and erosion con-trol mechanisms during the rainyseason.

Bureau of Soils and WaterManagement (BSWM) DirectorSilvino Tejada said SSIPs prolongthe effective crop-growing periodin areas with dry seasons andpermit double cropping.

Since 2001, the DA-BSWMhas constructed a total of 114small water impounding projects(SWIPs) and Small DiversionDams (SDDs).

A SWIP is a water-harvestingand storage structure consistingof an earth dam about 5 to 15meters high, a spillway, outletworks, and canal, serving 50

DA earmarks P500-M ... (from p1)

hectares per project and cost-ing about P150,000 per hectare.

On the other hand, an SDD isa concrete or rock-filled struc-ture built across rivers or chan-nels to control the flow of waterfrom its source. It is composedof a concrete dam, with an out-let that controls the release ofimpounded water, and canal fa-cilities.

“The BSWM has also distrib-uted a total of 426 pump and en-gine sets for shallow tube wells(STWs), pump irrigation systemfrom open sources (PISOS) andsmall farm reservoirs (SFRs),benefitting 5,500 farmers, tillingover 8,100 hectares of rain-fedfarmlands,” Tejada said.

STWs are wells equipped withdiesel-engine pumps that suckwater f rom shallow aquifers,while PISOS involve lifting wa-ter f rom rivers, streams ormarshes. SFRs on the otherhand, are earth dams that col-lect rainfall and run-off water foruse in single farms.

The Summit was held to re-activate interest in pursuingsmall irrigation systems andidentify key issues and con-cerns that would serve as inputsto determine proper governmentinterventions, and organize a na-tional federation of small waterirrigation system associations.

Laging pinaka-masiglang bahagi ng taonang Disyembre. Dahil sa Pasko, maingayat makulay ang paligid. Lahat ay abala sapaghahanda sa okasyon kasama angpamilya, kaibigan at iba pang mahal sabuhay.

Ang Pasko ay pagdiriwang saKapangakan ni Hesu Kristo. Kaya naman,sa gitna ng ating pagsasaya, huwag sanangmalimutan ang tunay na diwa nito:Pagmamahalan, Pagkakapatawaran atPasasalamat.

At dahil hudyat rin ang Pasko sa paratingna pagpapalit ng taon, magingpagkakataon rin sana ito ng pagninilay saating mga nagawa ngayong 2011.

Ipinaabot ko ang aking taus-pusongpagbati sa lahat – mga kaibigan at kasamasa Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka, mgakatuwang mula sa lokal na pamahalaan,pribadong sektor, NGOs at POs, at ibapang ahensya ng gobyerno, at higit salahat, mga magsasaka at mangingisda.

Nawa’y maging mas makabuluhan ang2012 para sa ating lahat. Dalangin ko atingmagandang kalusugan upang mas maramipa tayong pagtutulungang gawin.

Sa ngalan ng aking pamilya, binabati kokayo ng Isang Maligayang Pasko atManigong Bagong Taon! pagtutulunganggawin.

Proceso J. AlcalaKalihim

Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka

M E S S A G E

Page 3: Aggie Trends December 2011

December 2011 3

DA aims for more banana chip exports, crafts ‘saba’ roadmap. The Philippines is emerging asa major producer of world-class banana chips, as exports have increased geometrically reaching $48million in 2009. Philippine banana chips are exported to the USA, Japan, UK, Germany, Australia, SouthKorea, China, Vietnam, Russia, and former eastern bloc countries. To sustain the production of cardababanana and further increase exports of banana chips, Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (above, middle) urgedfarmer-leaders as well as banana chips processors and exporters to band together and help the DA crafta medium-term industry roadmap in partnership with the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Ser-vice (AMAS), High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), and Bureau of Agriculture and Fish-eries Product Standards (BAFPS). Joining him during a recent banana industry stakeholders’ meeting atthe DA central office in Quezon City are AMAS director Leandro Gazmin and BAFPS director AngelinaA. Bondad.

The government and the privatesector have joined hands to con-trol a plant disease that has beenthreatening to devastate the localbanana industry.

Representatives of governmentresearch and development (R&D)institutions, an internationalagency, and the banana industryrecently discussed short- andlong-term strategies to fight thePanama disease or Fusariumwilt, which has been adverselyaffecting banana plantations inMindanao

Represented in the dialoguewere the Philippine Banana Grow-ers and Exporters Association

Agriculture SecretaryProceso J. Alcala is confidentthat the country’s coffee indus-try will grow, dismissing obser-vations it is headed downhill.

Speaking at the 2nd PhilippineInvestor’s Forum at the MarcoPolo in Davao City, Alcala citedthe impressive performance ofthe industry particularly inMindanao.

SOCKSARGEN and theDavao Region are thePhilippine’s top coffee produc-ing regions based on the De-partment of Agriculture (DA)record.

Edith de Leon, head of Cor-porate Affairs and senior vicepresident of Nestle Philippines,the biggest buyer of green cof-fee in the country, said four ofthe top five coffee producers inthe Philippines are in SultanKudarat and Davao region,while the others are in Cavite.

Alcala said with the volumeof produce and the high demandfor coffee, government togetherwith the coffee investors andmajor markets including NestlePhilippines are aggressivelyimplementing the necessary in-terventions to improve thecountry’s current volume of cof-fee produce.

The decline of the coffee in-dustry in Mindanao was causedby the shift from cofee to ba-nana in Mindanao andSOCKSARGEN.

Alcala said the result of pro-duction although lower than theannual demand in Mindanao isnot an indicator that the coffeeindustry nosedived.

The DA has projected a 5-per-cent growth rate in the country’s2012 and beyond coffee produc-tion, with the interventions be-ing made by the government andprivate sectors.

The ambitious projection isbased on the growth rate ob-tained from January to Septem-ber 2011 of -7 percent comparedto same period of 2010 of -2 per-cent.

DA is making available 1.3million coffee planting materialsfor 3,000 hectares of land by2012.

Gov’t & private sector cooperate to control banana disease

DA confident ongrowth of PHL’scoffee industry

(PBGEA), Department of Sci-ence and Technology-PhilippineCouncil for Agriculture, Aquaticand Natural Resources Researchand Development (DOST-PCAARRD), Bioversity Interna-tional (BI), Pontmain ResourcesInc., and Techno-Market Consoli-dators Inc.

Among the immediate stepsrecommended to neutralizeFusarium wilt are early detection,monitoring and eradication.

Farmers will be trained to rec-ognize the disease’s symptomsearly so that infected plants canbe immediately eradicated to pre-vent spread of the disease.

Fusarium wilt is a soil-bornefungal disease that causes af-fected plants to get stunted, wilt,and produce dry hanging leaves.It was first reported in Panamain the 1890s, destroying morethan 40,000 hectares of bananaplants in Central and SouthAmerica over a period of 50years.

The disease has since foundits way to other countries.

There are four known races ofFoc: Races 1, 2, 3 and 4.

In the Philippines, occurrenceof the disease is caused byRaces 1 and 2, and recently byTropical Race 4 (TR4). Foc in-fection in Cavendish banana hasbeen reported in the country asearly as the 1970s.

Surveys done in various partsof the country in 2011 showedthe presence of TR4 inMindanao, prompting PBGEAexecutive director Stephen Antigto issue a press statement lastOctober on Fusarium wilt’sthreat to the banana industry.

Government and private enti-ties have been adopting R&Dmeasures to save the industryfrom further depradation ofFusarium wilt.

DA eyeing ‘uraro as wheat substituteAgriculture Secretary Proceso

Alcala is studying the possibil-ity of using arrowroot or uraroas substitute for wheat flour tosave the country from wheatimports that amount to $200million annually.

He said the DA is looking intothe expanded cultivation of uraroand creatively utilize a uniquecommunity participation tech- (Pls turn to p4)

nique to increase the yield oftubers.

DA’s Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) in Catanauan,Quezon is set to produce eightmetric tons of uraro, twice theaverage yield of 4 metric tonsper hectare.

The uraro area in Quezon hasreached to 220 hectares.

Page 4: Aggie Trends December 2011

4

DA allots 500M ... (from p1)

Benigno S. Aquino III and Agri-culture Secretary Proceso J.Alcala in simple ceremonies, onDecember 13, 2011, at HeroesHall, Malacañang, along with the21 other 2011 Gawad Sakaawardees.

Cagulada, Robles and 12other national individual winnersreceived a Presidential trophyand citation, plus a cash awardof P100,000 each.

Nine winning groups in theirrespective categories, were alsoawarded a Presidential trophyand citation, and cash prize orproject grant, ranging fromP100,000 to P1 million.

(The other 2011 Gawad Sakanational awardees and respec-tive success stories are on pp7-12.)

Lady farmer ... (from p1)

sible for carving the world famousIfugao rice terraces. In particu-lar, it will showcase upland ricevarieties like tinawon, unoy, andulikan.

DA Cordillera regional directorMarilyn Sta. Catalina said the DAwill also provide other productionsupport totaling P47.8M, com-prising of: six production centersof compost and bio-controlagents, one for each province; 40hand tractors with trailers; 120head of carabaos with imple-ments; establishment of fish-ponds and rice-fish culture pad-dies, six coffee seedling nurser-ies, and six greenhouses.

Director Delima said the DA willprovide P2M for the upgrading ofa municipal agri-trading center inLamut, Ifugao.

At Atok, in Benguet, Alcala ledthe inauguration of a P3M mu-nicipal packing house and twoagricultural tramlines atbarangays Bocao and Bonglo tosupport the town’s production ofcabbage, potato, lettuce, carrot,radish, garden peas, andcutflowers.

Its markets include Bulacan,Tayabas in Quezon, Laguna,and Marinduque.

Rosemarie Bautista-Olfato,assistant manager for technicalprograms of the DA’s SouthernTagalog Integrated AgriculturalResearch Center (STIARC), saidthat uraro can be produced any-where in the Philippines for aslong as there is enough mois-ture.

“With our program to raisefarmers’ sense of ownership inthe project, we’re able to helpthem realize that agriculture canbe a lucrative business,” sheadded.

Technology interventions inthe program include land prepa-ration as farmers begin plowingand harrowing their soil, unlikein previous planting where noland preparation was practiced;the use of new planting stockeach season, unlike the use ofthe same old stock prior to theprogram; and cutting of topleaves and excess roots beforeplanting.

“STIARC, in collaboration withthe Food and Agriculture Orga-nization (FAO), has committedto give an extractor— an equip-ment that recovers the starch

DA eyeing uraro as wheat ... (from p3)

Sec. ‘Procy’ Alcala (2nd from right) inspects cabbages at a farm inAtok, Benguet, a major source of other upland vegetables such aspotatoes, lettuce, carrots, radish, garden peas and cutflowers. Withhim from left are Atok municipal mayor Peter Alos, Benguet Gov.Nestor Fongwan, and NIA administrator Antonio Nangel.

Farmer’s Contact Center“Ang Inyong Kaagapay sa Usaping Agrikultura”

Call: 1800-10-982AGRI (or 1800-10-9822474)-for provincial toll-free calls 02-982-AGRI (or 982-2474)-for Metro Manila 0920-946AGRI (0920-9462474) for mobile callsText: 391DA (or 391-32) for Smart and Talk ‘N Text subscribers 0920-946AGRI (0920-9462474) for Globe, TM and Sun Cellular subscribersEmail: [email protected]

For the Nutrient Manager for Rice (NMRiceMobile): Call 2378 for Globe SubscribersFor Market Information: www.afmis.da.gov.phOfficial Website: www.da.gov.ph, www.e-extension.gov.ph

Sec. ‘Procy’ Alcala was adopted as a son of the Mt. Province, withthe name ‘Am-Fhunun,’ which means earth-keeper, and namesakeof a previous chieftain who led his people in building the rice ter-races. Photo shows Alcala wearing a ‘Pinagpagan’ blanket, sym-bolizing royalty and authority; a ‘Sangi’ bagpack, which containsbasic provisions like native rice, bugnay wine and oranges; a‘Suklong’ head dress; while holding a spear and a shield. Standingproudly as his ‘godfathers’ are Mt. Province Governor LeonardoMayaen (left) and Representative Maximo Dalog Sr.

He also visited an Arabica coffee production center jointly op-erated by the Benguet State Uni-versity and a private firm (RockyMountain Café) at barangayLonglong, La Trinidad, Benguet.

from the tuber— to Catanauanfarmers,” said Olfato.

The center will also providefor a hammer mill so that farm-ers will generate more flour,she added, while the Provin-cial Agriculturist Off ice ofQuezon will also grant a cabi-net type-drying facility.

A major government interven-tion for increased arrowroot pro-duction is the use of organicfertilizer.

“At present, Catanauan’suraro produces only starch.However, with processing in-terventions, it will subse-quently produce f lour. Thestarch is now branded in themarket as Catanauan’s AllNatural Arrowroot Starch,” ex-plains Olfato.

While the end-product fromuraro at present is mainlycookies, Olfato said that witha product development pro-gram, STIARC can expandproducts to baby food andstarch-based food for adoles-cents with digestion problems.

“Our product is favored byour customers because of itscolor, purity, and consistency,”said Olfato.

Page 5: Aggie Trends December 2011

5December 2011

The National Tobacco Admin-istration (NTA) slashed by halfthe processing fees and inter-est payments of tobacco farm-ers availing of production assis-tance under the Tobacco Con-tract Growing System.

During its 10th special meet-ing, the NTA Board of Directorsapproved the cut in the one-timeprocessing fee from 2 percentto 1 percent, and the monthlyinterest rate of 1 percent to 0.5percent beginning cropping sea-son 2011-2012.

”The reduction is in line withPresident Benigno Aquino’scommitment to transformationalleadership, particularly in treat-ing farmers and rural enterprisesas vital to achieving food secu-rity and more equitable eco-nomic growth, worthy of reinvest-ment for sustained productivity,”the NTA said in a statement.

The NTA board approved thereduction based on the charterof the defunct Philippine VirginiaTobacco Administration, whichauthorized the provision of finan-cial assistance to tobacco farm-ers under Republic Act 2265.

The said power was inheritedby NTA by virtue of ExecutiveOrder (EO) 116 and reiteratedunder EO 245, the present char-ter of the NTA.

NTA slashes fees, interest charges on tobacco farmersThe primary purpose of the fi-

nancial assistance is to facilitate,accelerate the transfer to, andadoption by farmers of prescribedproduction technologies, under itsmarket-driven quality tobacco pro-duction, addressing both qualityrequirements for domestic manu-facturing and exports, the NTAsaid.

”More than lessening the bur-den for the cost on the financialassistance extended, the adop-tion of prescribed technologiesunder the close supervision of theTobacco Production and Regula-tion Officer will benefit the farm-ers in terms of increased yieldand better leaf quality,” theagency said.

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala expressed high hopesthat the country’s borders willremain protected from animaland plant diseases from foreigncountries, thanks to adeepening inter-agencycooperation with the Bureau ofCustoms (BoC).

Speaking at the inaugurationof a new quarantine office at theManila International ContainerTerminal (MICT) at the NorthHarbor of the Port of Manila,Alcala told Customs andAgriculture off icials of thecomplete trust PresidentBenigno S. Aquino III hasbestowed upon both agenciesto keep the country safe fromplant and animal pests anddiseases.

“Maliit man ang ating gusali,malaki naman ang magigingsukli nito sa pagpapanatilingwalang makakapasok na pestesa ating bansa,” Alcala told thecrowd.

“Buong buo po ang tiwala ngating mahal na Pangulong

DA Chief opens new quarantine office at Manila North Harbor. Agri-culture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (left) and Bureau of Customs Portof Manila District Collector Ricardo Belmonte (2nd from left) lead theinauguration of the new Department of Agriculture two-storey quar-antine office at the Manila International Container Terminal, ManilaNorth Harbor, on December 5. Secretary Alcala said the facility, whichwill house quarantine offices for plants, animals and fisheries, formspart of the continuing efforts of government to protect and keep thePhilippines free from foreign pests and diseases, and facilitate the pro-cessing and entry of pest and disease-free, legally-imported agricul-tural, animal, meat and fishery products. Assisting them is directorClarito Barron of the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry.

New office signals deeper DA-BoC partnership

The sugar industry is em-barking on OperationHammerdown as it intensifiesits anti-smuggling effort.

The operation will pursue theprosecution of sugar smug-glers by gathering documen-tary evidence for use by thelegal of ficers of the SugarRegulatory Administration(SRA) in conjunction with theBureau of Customs (BoC).

Gen. Joel R. Goltiao (ret.)head of the Sugar Anti Smug-gling Organization (SASO)said that the anti-smugglingcrackdown would focus atten-tion for the crop year 2011-2012.

In the previous crop year,the SASO was preoccupiedwith intelligence and informa-tion gathering which were for-warded to the SRA and theBoC.

These resulted in raids, ap-prehensions and seizures ofsmuggled sugar especially inthe Ports of Manila and at theManila International ContainerPort (MICP).

According to Gen. Goltia,the operation is a natural nextstep to further discourage, ifnot to eliminate the illegal ac-tivity that is affecting the live-lihood of small farmers en-gaged in sugarcane farming.

Small farms represent about80 percent of all the sugar-cane farms in the country.

Operation Hammerdown willestablish connections withtheir foreign counterparts (es-pecially Thailand) as a proac-tive measure to identify illegalshipments even before thestocks arrive in the Philip-pines.

At the other end of the do-mestic marketing channel,wholesalers and retailers willalso be closely watched in co-ordination with the LGUs andthe Department of Trade andIndustry (DTI).

Samples will be procuredand analyzed at the SRA labo-ratories for possible importedcontent.

In Bacolod City, the Na-tional Federation of Sugar-cane Planters (NFSP) is re-questing the SRA to reducethe present allocation for “B”(domestic) sugar, citing a bigdrop in the prices of domesticsugar in the market. (The Phil-ippine Star)

Sugar industry launches‘Operation Hammerdown’

maaasahan nya na walangkapabayaang mangyayari saating mga border,” Alcala added,as he announced that a meetingis set between the DA andCustoms Commissioner Ruffino‘Ruffy’ Biazon next week tothresh out issues concerning bothagencies.

BoC District Collector RicardoBelmonte, while thankful for therole of the new quarantine buildingin addressing border problemsright away, also underlined theiragency’s mandate to raiserevenues for the government.

During an open forum,Belmonte reiterated a request toallow the BoC to auction offagricultural products theyintercept if these are found to befit for human consumption, or forthem to donate the same to othergovernment agencies like theArmed Forces of the Philippinesor the Department of SocialWelfare and Development.

Alcala said these suggestionsshall be discussed in detail withCommissioner Biazon in their

upcoming meeting.Dr. Clarito Barron, director of

the DA’s Bureau of Plant Industry,stressed the importance of thenew quarantine facility right at theheart of the MICT saying it willfacilitate the process beingobserved for imported plant andmeat products.

could be used to reduce CO2emissions via C capture or se-questration in the crop-soil sys-tem through: 1) substitution offossil fuel using biodiesel or bio-mass from coconut oil, 2) se-questration of C in coconut plan-tation, mono-crop or with inter-crops, 3) enhancing C seques-tration through coconut plantationmanagement, and 4) conservingC sink in coconut farms.

Dr. Magat recommends thatmore formal and scientific col-laborative studies by coconut pro-ducing countries and agenciesconcerned be conducted. (Ritadela Cruz, DA-BAR)

“A coco ... (from p6)

Page 6: Aggie Trends December 2011

6

Two members of the DA infor-mation group are among the win-ners of the 5th Bright Leaf agri-culture journalism awards, spon-sored by the Philip Morris For-tune Tobacco Corp. (PMFTC),Inc., on December 2, at SofitelHotel in Manila.

Adora D. Rodriguez of the DAInformation Service (AFIS) wonthe ‘Best Agriculture FeatureStory (regional)’ for her article,‘Discovering tea in Zamboanga’published in The Philippine Star,March 27, 2011.

Rita T. Dela Cruz, of the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research(BAR), clinched the ‘Best Agri-culture News Story (national)’ forher article, “A coco plantationmakes a good carbon sink –study,” published in The Philip-pine Star, April 3, 2011.

For their feat, Rodriguez anddela Cruz received a certificateand cash prize (P20,000) eachfrom PMFTC President ChrisNelson and Senator FrancisPangilinan, who was event’sguest of honor and keynotespeaker.

Rodriguez also won during the4th Bright Leaf journalism contestfor her article, ‘Greening Mt.Banahaw,’ highlighting the tri-umph of farmers and local offi-cials (led by then Quezon 2nd Dis-trict Rep. Proceso J. Alcala) in

DA info writers win agri journ awardstransforming the SentrongPamilihan ng ProduktongAgrikultural ng Quezon into asuccessful agri trading center.

The other 5 th Bright Leafawardees are: Marilou Guieb - Best agri-

culture feature story (national),for her article, ‘The Master’sGarden. Mach Alberto Fabe - Agri-

culture Story of the Year, for hisarticle, ‘Xavier University gradu-ate practices urban farming toanswer issues on food security,sanitation, environmental pro-tection’ Richard Balonglong - Agri-

culture Photo of the Year, ‘Thesweet of thy brow’ Mauricio Victa- Tobacco

Photo Of the Year, ‘My leaf, Mylife’ Andy Zapata - Oriental Leaf

Award, 3-time ‘Tobacco photo ofthe year’ winner.

“A coco plantation makes a good carbon sink – study”Productive and sustainable

coconut farming ecosystemsare potential “carbon sinks” thatcan minimize the effects of cli-mate change, according to Dr.Severino S. Magat of the Philip-pine Coconut Authority (PCA).

In paper presented during aseminar titled “Coconut: Its Miti-gation and Adaptation to ClimateChange” sponsored by the Bu-reau of Agricultural Research(BAR), Dr. Magat said coconut

lands could be developed for in-come generating carbon seques-tration projects and carbon creditmarket.

He pointed out that the Philip-pines has 3.2 million hectaresplanted to 325 million coconuttrees.

A recent study on the carbonstorage capacities (CSC) of agri-cultural ecosystems in the coun-try found that coconut had a highcarbon storage capacity whichwas measured at 24.1 tons car-bon per hectare per year.

Coconut was also found tohave the most stable C storage,being a perennial crop with al-most nil burning ofcrop residuesin place at the farm compared toother agricultural crops such asrice and sugarcane.

Positive values of actual eco-system C balance, according toDr. Magat, “indicates that carbonis sequestered from the atmo-sphere and stored in the planta-tion.”

And given more refinements onthe variability in f indings, Dr.Magat said these positive valueson carbon sequestration in coco-nut-based agro-ecosystemscould provide accurate and ob-jective information and data for acarbon/market.

The CO2 intake of plants isconsidered as carbon seques-tered which for the trees arestored in various parts of theirbody. Carbon stored in plantsother than the stem wood or trunk

are generally decomposable bio-mass which eventually be-comes a part of the soil organicmatter (SOM) of which the morestable component is the 50-per-cent soil organic carbon (SOC).

Coconut, similar to most treecrops, stores and sequesterscarbon both by the biomassand the soil of the ecosystem,indicating that the biomass andthe soil are the main carbonsinks of atmospheric CO2.These “sinks” could be regulatedand managed to a great extentby following proper croppingpractices, Dr. Magat explained.

CO2 is reported to be the mostsignificant and reference “greenhouse” gas among the GHGsproduced by human activities pri-marily due to the combustion offossil fuels. This causes theearth’s temperature to increase,hence an erratic change in cli-mates.

Dr. Magat noted three keystrategies to lower CO2 gasemissions: 1) reduce global en-ergy use, 2) develop low or car-bonless fuel, and 3) sequesterCO2 from point source or atmo-sphere through natural or engi-neeringtechniques.

He recommends productiveand sustainable coconut farm-ing ecosystems falls under thethird strategy.

He noted that coconut plan-tations or farm ecosystems

Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. (PMFTC) honors outstand-ing agri writers, photogs and other media partners through the an-nual Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards. The photo showsthis year’s winners with their trophies and certificates awarded onDec. 2, 2011 at the Sofitel Hotel in Manila.

(Pls turn to p5)

Page 7: Aggie Trends December 2011

Warmest greetings and congratulations to thecountry’s outstanding farmers and fisherfolk, pro-cessors, scientists and farmers’ and fishers’ orga-nizations and other participants to the 2011Gawad Saka.

The Department of Agriculture family is onceagain privileged to spearhead this annual searchto pay tribute to the hardwork, perseverance andresilience of Filipino farmers, fishers and otherruralfolks.

Naging susi ang pakikiisang ipinakita ninyong lahat sa mgatagumpay na nakamit natin nitong mga nakaraang buwan, partikularang natamong paglago na 4.28% sa pambansang produksyon sasakahan at pangisdaan mula Enero hanggang Setyembre 2011.Magsilbi sana kayong huwaran at inspirasyon para sa iba pangmagsasaka, mangingisda at kababayan sa kanayunan.

Tiwala akong patuloy tayong magkakaisa, anuman ang pagsubokat suliranin ang harapin natin sa mga darating na araw.

Nais ko ring bigyang-pugay ang mga kawani ng Kagawaran ngPagsasaka at iba pang mga katuwang mula sa mga lokal napamahalaan, iba pang ahensya ng pamahalaan at pribadong sektorna naglaan ng panahon upang matagumpay na maidaos ang GawadSaka. Kapit-bisig tayo sa layunin na magkaroon ng sapat, abot-kaya at ligtas na pagkain para sa lahat.

Mabuhay ang magsasaka at mangingisdang Pilipino!

Benigno S. Aquino IIIPresident, Republic of the Philippines

My heartfelt congratulations to the win-ners of the National Gawad Saka Awards.

I commend all of you for your passionand dedication in your respectiveendeavours, and for demonstrating to ourcountrymen the true potential of the Fili-pino. You now belong to a distinguishedlist of achievers who have shown that, withpassion, commitment, and industry, we canbecome a force of change, in our respec-tive communities and in our country as a whole. May your exampleinspire your colleagues to continue honing their craft and con-tribute to our collective task of nation-building. Indeed, your sec-tor remains a vital partner of our government in sustaining eco-nomic growth and creating a bright future for all Filipinos.

In this era of daylight, with our people’s renewed sense of hopeand optimism in our future, we have the opportunity to turn ourcountry into a model of stability and prosperity in the region. Welook upon all sectors to remain faithful to the ideals of excellenceand integrity, which are crucial to our nation’s development. To-gether, let us remain on the straight and righteous path toward aprogressive Philippines.

Proceso J. AlcalaSecretary, Department of Agriculture

Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council(PAFC)

2011 Gawad SakaNational Awardees

Outstanding Brgy. Food Terminal(LGU Operated)

Integrated Rice Farmer Hybrid Rice Farmer

Alfredo Q. RobleOrmoc City, Leyte

Corn Farmer

Diosdado M. BermudezRugao, Ilagan, Isabela

Coconut Farmer

Wilfredo C. MartinezSan Luis, Aurora

Sugarcane Farmer

Roberto A. CauilanSolana, Cagayan

HVCC Farmer

Francisco B. ChingMankayan, Benguet

Agri-Entrepeneur

Ian C. NeoBgy. Apokon, Tagum City

Fisherfolk (Fish Culture)

Danilo C. TrongcoLagangilang, Abra

Fisherfolk (Fish Capture)

Eddie V. AmoradaSta. Ana, Cagayan

Large Animal Raiser

Desiderio I. LouBacong, Negros Oriental

Small Animal Raiser

Genice B. DalisdisTuba, Benguet

Young Farmer

Anthony P. SuguitaoAroroy, Masbate

Outstanding Family

Mr. & Mrs. Ceferino Dureza & FamilyBrooke’s Point, Palawan

Small Farmer/Fisherfolk Organization

Cabacungan 4H ClubAllen, Northern Samar

Rural Improvement Club

Balidbid RICSalcedo, Ilocos Sur

Young Farmer/

Calumpit MPCSablayan, Occidental Mindoro

Municipal Agriculture and FisheryCouncil (MAFC)

Nueva Vizcaya PAFC

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council(FARMC)

Bani FARMCBani, Pangasinan

Outstanding Brgy. Food Terminal(Non-LGU Operated)

Sayapot MPCTadian, Mt. Province

Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya MAFC

Bgy. RebokonDumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur

Agricultural Scientist

Dr. Carlos S. dela CruzAbuyog, Leyte

Anna C. CaguladaDujali, Davao del Norte

Benjamin R. LaoBansalan,Davao del Sur

Organic Farmer

Fisherfolk Organization

Page 8: Aggie Trends December 2011

Integrated Rice Farmer

Anna C. CaguladaDujali, Davao del Norte

Forty-seven year old, AnnaCagulada, a lady rice farmer from

Dujali, Davao del Norte proves that thefarming sector is not a man’s worldafter all.

Although, it was the unfortunateaccident of her husband who wasserving as a police off icer thatprompted her to take over the man-agement of their farmland. She tookthe role of a loving wife, a dotingmother to two daughters, and an in-novative farmer.

In the end, her struggle bore fruitsof victory and success.

Right from the start, Inday Anna, asshe is fondly called, followed the ba-sic principle of Integrated OrganicFarming System—maximizing the landarea to reap the largest quantity ofsafe and healthy products as pos-

sible.On the vacant portions of the five-

hectare land, she planted banana andcoconut, raised livestock and variousfreshwater fish species.

At present, she maintains the rulesof the Integrated Pest Management sys-tem to shoo off pests and diseases.

She regularly attends Farmers’ FieldSchool and other seminars such as theDA-PhilRice’s Palay Check System toupdate her knowledge and skills.

She now makes her own organicfarm concoction such as the FermentedFruit Juice (FFJ), Fermented Plant Juice(FPJ), Oriental Herbal Nutrients (OHN),Kuhol Amino Acid and other similar for-mulations which seek to improve herfarm productivity. She also maintains a

vermiculture project which suppliesorganic fertilizer for her rice andother crops.

Thanks to her outstanding inno-vations, Inday Anna harvested morethan seven tons per hectare, one ofthe highest average yields in theDavao Region by far.

Through her savings, she wasable to buy a few additional hect-ares of land which she planted torubber and was able to purchasefarm equipment and build a residen-tial house in Dujali Poblacion withcomplementing farmhouse.

For all the great things she ac-quired, she remains deeply gratefulto the Department of Agriculture andthe Local Government Unit for theassistance she received.

Hybrid Rice Farmer

Alfredo Q. RobleOrmoc City, Leyte

Sixty-three year old Alfredo Q.Roble of Brgy. Valencia, OrmocCity started farming at the age of 12when he used to help his father tillthe land.

He developed his keen interest onhybrid rice in 2005 after attending theSeason-long Training on IntegratedPest Management (IPM) and atechnical briefing on Hybrid Ricetechnology conducted by LGU –Ormoc, in coordination with DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute andthe DA-Regional Field Unit 8.

At that time, the Hybrid Rice Tech-nology was extensively promoted ina bid to cut down rice importation,create jobs in the countryside andimprove farmers’ income throughhigher yields.

Before he started using hybrid

technology, he could only attain anaverage yield of 3.5 metric tons or70 cavans per hectare.

But with the use of hybrid riceseeds and other recommended pro-

Wilfredo Martinez of Bgy. Diteki,San Luis Aurora has doubled his an-nual production from 1.6 tons to 3.4tons of copra per hectare by suc-cessfully restoring the productivity ofold coconut trees through salt appli-cation technology.

The technology, highly recom-mended by the Department of

Agriculture’s Philippine Coconut Au-thority (PCA), is cheap and effectivein restoring the productivity of old co-conut trees. It also makes the coco-nut meat thicker.

This has been the yearly proce-dure for this 69-year old balikbayan,who was able to increase his farmincome tenfold, from an annual incomeof P10,000 per hectare to P110, 000making him this year’s Outstanding Co-conut Farmer.

Wilfredo and his family migrated tothe United States three decades agoin search for greener pasture.

However, right after retirement in2000, Martinez and his wife Almaopted to stay in the country perma-nently and establish an integrated farmin their 4.76 hectare-family estate, theA & W Farms and Nursery.

Among the agricultural practices headopts on his farm include mulchingthe coconut trees and fruit trees with

coconut husks and a mixture of driedleaves, goat manure and other dis-posable garbage placed at the baseof the trees.

The mulch controls the weeds andbecomes an organic fertilizer once de-composed.

Today, Wilfredo maintains 400 fruit-bearing and 125 newly-establishedcoco trees, as well as a nursery forseedlings which the PCA procuresregularly.

He has also successfully estab-lished a fruit orchard planted withpummelo, cacao, guyabano, rambu-tan, sweet variety citrus, Ponkan or-ange, pineapple, Red Lady papayaand yellow corn intercropped underthe coconut trees to optimize land use.

With his success, Wilfredo provesthat the grass back home is greenerafter all.

he attended seminars and trainings, readinformational materials and listened toradio programs of the Department ofAgriculture (DA).

More so, he coordinated all his farm-ing operations with DA, a strategy thatgave him a chance to become a farmer-cooperator of DA’s farm mechanizationprogram on hybrid corn.

Eventually, he was chosen astechno-demo cooperator by variousprivate companies for many croppingseasons.

Kap Judy gradually shif ted tomechanized farming and developedimprovised planting guide and markerwhich ensured high plant population

At the heart of Isabela province, in itscapital town Ilagan, rests an inspiringstory of Mr. Diosdado M. Bermudez, ad-judged as 2011 Gawad Saka Outstand-ing Corn Farmer.

“Kap Judy” as he is fondly called,does not only strive hard to create farm-ing opportunities for himself, but alsofor his neighbors.

He began his farming endeavor withhis wife Susana in 1984 by plantingnative white corn in a half-hectare landwhile raising swine in his backyard.Through hard work, they were able toacquire additional area and planted hy-brid yellow corn.

To enrich his knowledge in farming,

duction-enhancing technologies, NoyFredo, as he is fondly called, was ableto obtain a record yield of 14.45 metrictons or 289 cavans/ hectare.

This was attributed to his religiousapplication of the recommended HybridRice Technology which included theproduction of ratoon crop after the mainrice crop.

For the last four croppings, NoyFredo was able to get an extra yield ofnot less than 30 cavans from his hy-brid rice ratoons — a strategy that giveshim additional harvest and income withthe least production cost.

Over the years, he developed spe-cial skills in hybrid rice farming. His dailyvisit to his farms made him more obser-vant to unusualsigns occurring in thericefields.

At one point, his farm showed tell-

tale signs of iron toxicity.Heeding the advice of local rice

experts, Noy Fredo drained hisricefield after plowing to enable thesoil to be exposed to sunlight.

He also practiced the intermittentirrigation during early crop growthto increase Phosphorous content.

Later on he applied Zinc sulfate,a colorless crystalline compound, tomitigate the adverse effect of thesoil’s iron toxicity.

Today, the area is sustainably pro-ducing well.

His harvest for the last six yearsenabled him to acquire new farmmachineries such as hand tractor,thresher and even draft animals,two motorcycles, a multi-cab andthe opportunity to build a semi-con-crete house for his family.

Corn Farmer

Diosdado M. BermudezRugao, Ilagan, Isabela

and proper plant spacing.These planting implements en-

abled him to produce better qualityand higher yield.

Out of his earnings, he was ableto acquire a five-hectare agriculturalland, other farm implements andtransport truck which he used to shiphis farm produce. Likewise, he wasable to construct a decent house andpurchase a motor vehicle for his fam-ily.

Kap Judy remains humble and ap-proachable amidst all the blessingshe gained as he continuously strivesto improve his farming endeavors forhis success and of his fellow neigh-bor farmers.

Coconut Farmer

Wilfredo C. MartinezBgy. Diteki, San Luis, Aurora

Even at a young age, RobertoCauilan was already trained by hisfather to work in the farm, which lateron became his armor in his futureventure.

On his first stint in farming, MangBert decided to plant palay applyingthe technologies he learned from at-tending trainings and seminars con-

(Pls turn to p9)

Sugarcane Farmer

Roberto A. CauilanBgy. Furagui, Solana, Cagayan

Page 9: Aggie Trends December 2011

HVCC Farmer

Francisco B. ChingCada, Balili, Mankayan, Benguet

Mr. Francis Ching, a farmer fromthe highlands of Cada, Mankayan,

Benguet, pioneered on commercialgreenhouse vegetable production asan alternative to open-field farming.

But before 58-year old Ching ven-tured in growing agricultural produceunder controlled conditions, he startedopen-field vegetable production on athree-hectare farm lot in Balili,Mankayan in 1995. Back then, this wasthe common practice of Benguet farm-ers.

A year later, he realized that thestrategy is highly dependent onweather variables. He then venturedinto greenhouse veggie production ona 500-square meter land to be able toharvest top-grade produce all-yearround.

ducted by the Department of Agricul-ture (DA).

Due to his determination and ex-pertise, he became an accreditedseed grower and one of the pioneersof hybrid rice production in Region 2.

However, in spite the remarkableprofits he gained from palay produc-tion, Mang Bert expanded his farm-ing endeavor by planting sugarcanein a leased five-hectare land.

Everything went smoothly for Bert

Sugarcane Farmer ... (from p8) with the technical support extended bythe Department of Agriculture, RegionalField Unit 2 (DA-RFU 2), Sugar Regula-tory Administration (SRA) and theCagayan Local Sugarcane Planters’ As-sociation.

He used mechanized farming especiallyon land preparation, high yielding variet-ies and, organic fertilizer from animal ma-nure and mud press to improve his farm’ssoil quality.

He also designed a mechanical culti-vator attached to the four-wheeled trac-

tor to cultivate the inter-rows of his farm,control the growth of weeds, chop canetrashes and he integrates them in the soilfor organic fertilizer upon decomposition.

He practices zero-burning of canesduring harvest which helps reducegreenhouse gas emissions.

All these practices enabled him to at-tain good harvest and added 14 hect-ares more to his area.

He was also able to purchase two 4-wheel tractors with complete implements,three trucks to haul his harvested canes,

three service cars and decent housesfor his family.

To maximize his area, Mang Bertalso engaged in palay trading, piggeryproject, sheep production, and back-yard poultry and was able to providejobs to his neighbors.

More so, he was blessed with goodleadership qualities and served asleader in different organizations andhe is now the Vice Mayor of Solana,Cagayan.

With his continued perseverance,adoption of modern farming systems,and strict compliance with Good Agri-cultural Practices, the farm expandedto 1.7 hectares.

Today, the bigger farm area respondsto the growing demand for his veg-etable and fruit produce.

Presently, Ching produces strawber-ries, potatoes, romaine lettuce, bell pep-pers, tomatoes, and other vegetables.

These are sold directly in high-endmarkets and hotels through his market-ing partners which include DOLE-Asia,Pureharvest Food Processing, andKentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).

For all his success, Ching is gratefulto the Highland Agricultural Develop-

ment Project (HADP) of the Depart-ment of Agriculture for its assis-tance, specifically the rehabilitationof the farm-to-market roads in Cada.

The project has facilitated bettertransport conditions coming fromand going to the farm.

Also, the improvement of theHalsema Highway has allowed himto bring fresh goods to La Trinidadregularly.

To date, his farm, named after hissons John and Kenny is open tofarmers, young students conduct-ing research, and even to youngchildren. This is his way of givingback and sharing his blessings andknowledge to others.

Fifty-three year old Benjamin Laonever thought he would end up asfarmer-entrepreneur and anadvocate of organic farming.

He decided to venture into farmingusing natural and organic fertilizersand pest ic ides only to avoiduntoward incident that happened tohim during his high school dayswhen he almost lost his life due tothe accumulated ill effects of thechemical insecticides he sprayed ontheir rice field.

Today, Ben is managing LaoIntegrated Farm Incorporated inEman, Bansalan, Davao del Sur,which does not only produce exportquality farm products and by-products but also providesemployment and livelihood to morethan a hundred local residents.

He started planting legumes andraising goats on a five-hectare

Organic Farmer

Benjamin R. LaoBansalan, Davao del Sur

barren coconut farm he inherited fromhis parents.

His goat raising venture succeededand used the goat’s manure as organicfertilizer in the farm.

He tried vermiculture technology inhis farm upon learning about it from the

Department of Agriculture.When DA gave him a unit of shredder,

he processed left-over legumes fromthe goats’ diet and mixed this to thefeed for the worms.

When he was producing more thanenough vermicast, he started sellingsurplus fertilizer to neighboring farmsat P170 per 50-kilo bag.

Just recently, Ben inked a contractwith the Department of Agrarian Reformfor the supply of vermicast.

Aside from organic fertilizer, Ben isalso producing his own concoction ofpesticides consisting of goat urine,kakawate leaves, banyawan and hotpepper, among others, which he callsEMAN or Epektibo, Mura, At Natural.

In 2008, Ben bagged the GawadSaka Outstanding Coconut Farmernational award and won P120,000cash prize.

He then used his cash prize forconstructing a mini-processing plantfor coco sugar and coco syrup –two of his export winner products.

He sells these to the US and inthe local market in Manila andVisayas.

With the increasing demand forcoco sugar, Ben hires 35 regularemployees and 100 coconuttappers.

Ben said giving the local residentsa regular source of income hasbrought him great satisfaction.

But the most importantcontribution he made is inculcatingin the minds of his workers theimportance of taking care of theenvironment that gives us dailysustenance.

It was more than a decade ago,when Ian Neo, made a bold step andestablished the Four Seasons FruitCorporation (FSFC) with a mereP200,000 start-up capital.

FSFC’s initial operation started ina small rented building wherepeeling and slicing of green cardababananas were done by only a fewlaborers under the shade of mangotrees.

It was difficult then, as the smallcompany had no ready market fortheir banana chips. Ian felt like givingup until product sales started to pickup.

In 2003, the company made itsbiggest step by penetrating theinternational market, exporting itsproducts to Europe.

Two years after, FSFCtransferred to a bigger plant inBarangay Apokon.

The company kept pace with thechanging times by attending local,national and international food tradefairs.

Thus, demand for its product issteadily growing in Europe, USA, Asia,and Africa. It has now around 150 well-trained employees who enjoyreasonable salaries and additionallbenefits.

Its plant, with two annex buildings istechnologically equipped and capableof processing some 120,000 tons ofgreen bananas everyday. At present,FSFC’s net worth is pegged at P100million.

As a way of sharing its blessings tothe community, it supports the causesfor women, helps Tagum City’s tourismindustry, assists the Barangay NutritionProgram, gives financial assistance topoor but deserving students, plantstrees along river banks and supports

the Zero Waste Management Actthrough strong advocacy and actualpractice.

FSFC has stood the test ofseasons, and the success it is nowenjoying will surely last for a longtime.

Ian C. NeoBgy. Apokon, Tagum City

Agri-Entrepreneur

An advocate of fishery technolo-gies for 13 years in the Cordillera Ad-ministrative Region, 51-year old DaniloTrongco was able to establish his DJFarm in Nagtupacan, Lagangilang,Abra.

From a 2.8-hectare farmland, MangDani allotted one hectare for fish pro-duction and integrated this with veg-etable, fruit trees, and livestock pro-ductions.

The remaining 1.8 hectares wasdevoted to hybrid rice production.

Mang Dani’s fish production areahas 27 fishponds with various fresh-water fishes, 19 of which are forgrowing-out and eight for hatcheries.

He employed best managementpractices and other innovations that

Fisherfolk (Fish Culture)

Danilo C. TrongcoLagangilang, Abra

gave him excellent production in tila-pia, pangasius, carp and other fish

(Pls turn to p10)

Page 10: Aggie Trends December 2011

Young Farmer

Anthony SuguitaoAroroy, Masbate

Today’s younger generation opt toseek job in the urban areas. Most ofthem shun away from farming be-cause they believe they do not havefuture in farming.

This cliché is not true for AnthonySuguitao, 24 years old, President ofCabangcalan 4H Club in Aroroy,Masbate.

Exposed to different farm activities,at a young age, he was able to ex-pand and cultivate his family’s farmfrom half hectare to three hectaresby planting vegetables and raisinggoats, swine and native chicken.

His perseverance paid off as hewas able to buy two units motorcycle,one unit 3-hp water pump and work-ing animals out of his earnings.

Equipped with knowledge and skillson organic farming, Anthony is proudthat his farm serves as a show win-dow to other farmers not only in theirmunicipality but in from neighboring

towns in the province as well.As president of the Cabangcalan

4H club, he encourages the youth toventure into farming. Thru him, theclub received a Hog Fattening Liveli-hood Program amounting to seventythousand pesos (P70,000).

Anthony’s efforts andinnovativeness earned for him rec-ognitions including: Top Producer of

Vegetables in the municipality givenby the Barangay Council ofCabangcalan; Best Vegetable Pro-ducer presented by the LGU ofAroroy, and Outstanding YoungFarmer awarded by the PAFC of

Mr. Eddie Amorada grew up nearthe sea. The body of water whichwas his playground when he was achild is now his source of bread andbutter.

Mang Eddie decided to work toprovide good educat ion for hisyounger siblings and help his motherwho worked as laundrywoman intheir neighborhood, when his fathermet a tragic accident.

On his own, he improved the fish-

Fisherfolk (Fish Capture)

Eddie V. AmoradaPalawig, Sta. Ana, Cagayan

ing techniques taught by his father.Soon enough he became a productivefisherman in their locality.

Knowing that the country has un-predictable weather conditions, MangEddie acquired a tricycle and put up asari-sari store as other sources ofincome.

And when the price of fish in themarket is low, Mang Eddie processeshis produce into f ish pas te or“bagoong”, providing additional profit

for the family.He attended various livelihood

trainings on fisheries and otherlivelihood programs conducted byboth local and national governmentsand shared what he learned to hisfellow fishermen.

With almost six decades of fish-ing experience, Mang Eddie is al-ways tapped as a leader offisherfolk associations in their com-munity.

Large Animal Raiser

Desiderio I. LouBanlod, Bacong, Negros Oriental

Forty-one year old Desiderio “Derio”Lou is the youngest in a family of fourwho decided to follow the footstepsof his father and ventured into farm-ing.

As small-holder farmers, Derio andhis father raised livestock and poul-try. They also sold copra as a majorsource of income.

However, the profit from farmingwas not enough and he was forcedto quit school.

When he was old enough, he wentabroad in search of greener pasturesbut realized that his luck was not in aforeign land. And so he came backand settled in Bacong, Negros Orien-

tal with his wife Marites and their grow-ing family.

A farmer at heart, Derio worked onthe field again. This time, luck was withhim and with the support of his wife,he engaged in a livestock enterprise.

He planted napier and other foragegrasses for animal feed and constantlyconsulted with agri experts for techni-cal guidance in fighting off diseases.He also sought assistance on feedingmanagement and breeding.

In 2008, Derio availed of four milkingcattle under a dairy development projectof the National Dairy Authority, andsince then his enterprise grew.

At present, he earns a net income

species and also supplied adjacentcommunities in Abra.

His continuous endeavor in fisheries production earned him more thanP1 billion from his produce in 2009 and2010.

With his creative skills, knowledge,and attitude towards fish farming andwith close collaboration with the De-partment of Agriculture’s Bureau ofFisheries and Aquatic Resources

Fisherfolk (Fish Culture) ... (from p9) (BFAR), he was able to mitigate theeffects of climate change in fish farm-ing and increase the quantity and im-prove the quality of his yield.

Mang Dani learned to ut ilizeprobiotics made of indigenous materi-als, as a bio-control to regulate themicro flora in the water, control patho-genic microorganisms and enhancethe decomposition of organic materi-als.

With such innovations, he was able

to enhance the nutritional level of tila-pia and pangasius in his fish farm. Also,with the use of the probiotics, MangDani was able to save 30% from ex-penses on feeds.

The high demand of tilapia from hisfarm prompted him to convert hisricefield into fishponds.

However, vacant areas in the farmincluding the dikes were planted to as-sorted vegetables and fruit bearingtrees for home consumption and served

during trainings.Aside from keeping his fish farm

up-to-date with the latest technolo-gies, Mang Dani also empowersother fish farmers and interested in-dividuals by conducting seminarsand trainings and by rendering tech-nical assistance to them.

Moreover, he is also tapped bythe local government from time totime to share his farming practicesand innovations to the fisherfolk inLagangilang.

As a young girl, Genice Dalisdis tookcare of native pigs never dreamingthat she would become a swine raisersomeday. Today, the 31-year old wifeand mother of two is a bona fide ani-mal raiser.

Genice and husband John startedtheir enterprise with less than fortyheads of breeders and fattenerswhich were merely enough to supplythe demand for pork. Hence, with bor-rowed money the couple decided toenhance their piggery project with fivesow level fatteners.

Small Animal Raiser

Genice B. DalisdisTadiangan, Tuba, Benguet

Fortunately, the Provincial Veteri-nary Office awarded them a boar andincome started coming in. With theirearnings, they were able to buy hy-brid breeders which include gilts andpurebred boars. This enabled them toincrease their stocks and ensure theregular production of piglets.

Today, the 3.9 hectare farm is a nir-vana filled with sows, boars, nativechicken and a few heads of cattle forbreeding. It is also planted withguyabano, mango, lanzones, santol,coconut, oranges, calamansi and ba-

nanas.In 2010, Genice and her family

earned a net income of more than P1.2million.

Her farm, which carries the busi-ness name “Oink-Oink”, is considereda big contributor to the income of localswine raisers and serves as a show-window of her day-to-day operations

Generous in nature, she assists hercustomers with excellent technicalservice to help them in their ownswine raising enterprise.

of about P12,000 per week from thesale of milk to the Bacong Dairy Farm-ers’ Association (BADAFA) andabout P30,000 for selling foragegrass to other livestock raisers.

From his ventures, Derio was ableto expand his farm to five hectares.From his earnings, he bought twovehicles, a car and a second-handpick-up which he now use to delivermilk and grasses. He also bought amilking machine to ensure the qualityof the milk he sells to the coopera-tive.

Derio believes that there is goldin dairy farming when you are pa-tient, diligent and open to new tech-nologies.

Masbate.For Anthony, success is just

around the corner and the secret toobtain this is industry, perseveranceand willingness to learn.

At fifty-four, Dr. Carlos S. Dela Cruz,or “Doc Caloy” has dedicated morethan half his life serving the public.

Throughout his 30-year career inthe Department of Agriculture-RegionVIII, Doc Caloy worked long hours,studying the pathology of various fruitcrops and searching for viable man-agement technologies that will pushfor the development of the plant in-dustry not only in Eastern Visayas butfor the whole country.

The agri-scientist took a special in-terest in jackfruit—being the region’sbanner commodity—way back in1995. But it was only after eight

Agricultural Scientist

Dr. Carlos S. dela CruzBalinsayao, Abuyog, Leyte

(Pls turn to p11)

Page 11: Aggie Trends December 2011

years, when he was appointed asstation superintendent at the Re-gional Integrated Agricultural Re-search Center in Abuyog, that hebegan his crusade towards themore fruitful production of the ver-satile fruit, changing the way jack-fruit growers produce the crop atpresent.

Doc Caloy’s research and devel-opment initiatives on the pest man-agement of jackfruit have bridged in-

formation gaps on basic requirementsof crop production.

His studies seek to develop reliable,cost-effective, practical and sustainablepest management systems, and in turnincrease yield and income.

His advocacy expanded into reach-ing out to jackfruit growers and otherfarmers in the region particularly in thecluster areas of Abuyog, Mahaplag,Inopacan, Baybay, in Leyte; Ormoc City,also in Leyte and Calbayog City in Samar.Thanks to his extensive knowledge on

jackfruit and its pests, the farmers wereable to improve their crops quality andincrease their yield.

Among the notable outputs of DocCaloy’s project on the implementationof the Germplasm and Seed System inthe region is the EVIARC Sweet vari-ety which is considered the sweetestregistered jackfruit under the NationalSeed Industry Council.

It is currently cultivated and marketedin the province of Leyte .

Outstanding Family

Dureza FamilyBrooke’s Point, Palawan

Mr. and Mrs. Ceferino Dureza andtheir family of six from Palawan ,consider farming as a fun familyactivity cum enterprise. Engaged invarious agricultural projects, major-ity of their income metaphoricallycomes from the land.

Husband and wife Rey and Virgie,respectively resigned from their jobsas a security guard and clerk, to trytheir luck in farming when they trans-ferred from Aborlan to Brooke’sPoint.

Starting with an eight-hectare lot,the family persevered and workedhard together amidst challenges.With their best efforts, matched withthe assistance from the Departmentof Agriculture and concerned units,the family-owned farm expanded to

51 hectares giving more room for theproduction of a variety of agriculturalcrops and animals.

The lot was now planted to rice, corn,coconut, cacao, banana, cashew, andother cash crops.

The Dureza’s also ventured into ani-mal raising and now grow chickens,cows, swine and goats.

For additional income, the family em-barked into milling & palay trading whilesome parts of their land were plantedto mahogany and paper trees for lum-ber.

With the profits they earned, the chil-dren were sent to schools in Manila toearn their degrees. Geofrey is a Me-chanical Engineer, while Jeffrey is anIndustrial Engineer. Reggie is now aMedical Technologist, while Gerald is aComputer Science Specialist. Jenniferworks as a Nurse, while Glenn, theyoungest of the brood, is still in secondyear college taking up electronic com-munications engineering.

For the love of farming Geofrey,

Jeffrey and Gerald resigned fromtheir jobs and are now full-pledgedfarmers like their parents.

Today the family shares theirblessings to others particularly to aPalawan tribe who they encourageto grow bananas and cassavas forfood.

Aside from this, the family teachesthe natives how to read and writeas part of their social responsibility.They have also continuously pro-vided livelihood to other minoritiesand other residents of the commu-nity.

The Durezas, a family worthy ofemulation, are living example thatagainst all odds, working togethertowards a common goal will bringsuccess and victory.

Cabacungan 4H ClubBgy. Cabacungan, Allen,

Northern Samar

Cabacungan, Allen, NorthernSamar is a thriving community offarmers and fisherfolk. In terms ofrural development, it has now gonea long way. Thanks to the achieve-ments of Cabacungan 4-H Club, thisyear’s Gawad Saka OutstandingYoung Farmer/Fisherfolk Organiza-tion.

The club was organized in 1972with only 16 members, mostly out-of-school youth. Now, its members(31 in all) have continuously workedtogether for the betterment of theircommunity.

The 4-H club is involved in pro-moting community development inthe locality. It also supports impor-

Young Farmer/Fisherfolk Organization

tant socio- civic activities like tree-plant-ing, coastal clean-up, weeding, andwaste segregation.

The club implements agri-related ac-tivities such as vegetable gardening,rice and corn farming and swine fat-tening with assistance from the Depart-ment of Agriculture (DA), particularly interms of training and provision of initialinputs.

In 2009, the 4-H Club was grantedinterest-free loan assistance from theDA and Agricultural Training Institute forits Swine Fattening Project amountingto P40,000 which they presently useas roll-over fund.

The club was also chosen as recipi-ent of the Carabao dispersal program

Balidbid RICSalcedo,Ilocos Sur

Rural Improvement Club

The Rural Improvement Club (RIC)of Balidbid was established in 1964in an effort to organize and empowerthe women in the said barangay ofSalcedo, Ilocos Sur.

Since then, the Balidbid RIC fo-cused on programs such as Cleanand Green, livelihood, food and nu-trition, home management, social andreligious services, and bayanihan.Along with these, the group alsoconducted various activities and af-fairs to encourage active participa-tion of its members.

More importantly, the RIC imple-mented projects related to agricul-ture to provide livelihood to the mem-bers and their families.

The group conducted swinebreeding project wherein each mem-ber was given one female pigletwhich was also re-dispersed toother RIC members.

Agricultural Scientist ... (from p10) Doc Caloy has laurels resting on

his hat. Among them are 19 com-pleted researches, 16 published pa-pers and more than 20 recognitionsboth here and abroad.

This year, the scientist from Leytewill be recognized once more, as hereceives one of the highest awardsbestowed to the outstanding menand women in the field of agri devel-opment—all thanks to his hard work,patience and advocacy.

of the Municipal Agriculture and Fish-ery Council.

Last year, the young members es-tablished a 500-square meter fish-pond with a total cost of P45,802.00and assistance from the Bureau ofFisheries and Aquatic Resources.With its good fiscal management, ithas now a total monetary asset ofmore than P120,000.

The 4-H Club of BarangayCabacungan is a source of hope andinspiration for the people and thecommunity.

The members proved that commit-ment, dedication and teamwork arethe best ingredients of countrysidedevelopment.

Today, the RIC is engaged in variousprojects such as swine fattening andbreeding, poultry, buy and sell, rice mill,vegetable gardening and eatery.

The projects are either self- fi-nanced or from loans extended by thelocal government and the Departmentof Agriculture (DA) thru the LivelihoodEnhancement for Agricultural Develop-ment Fund (LEAD) Program.

With the dynamism and enthusiasmof its members, the Balidbid RIC hasnow 184 active rural women membersand has been hailed as the Best Per-forming Non-Government Organizationof Ilocos Sur.

Awarded as 2011 Gawad Saka Out-standing Rural Improvement Club, thegroup continues to hope for the fulfill-ment of its vision—to become effec-tive home managers, functional eco-nomic partners, and builders of com-munity.

Small Farmer/Fisherfolk Organization

Calumpit MPCSablayan, Occidental Mindoro

Calumpit Multi-Purpose Cooperative(CAMPCO) is an organization whichfollows the mantra of serving aboveprofit.

The group started in May 1990 when50 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries fromSitio Calumpit formed a cooperativethrough a meeting organized by theDepartment of Agriculture (DA). Theiragenda was simple: help poor farm-ers.

On the 7th year of its operation, theprovince was hit by a calamity. Theco-op had to close their operations asmember-borrowers had neither moneynor means to pay for their obligations.

In 2003, the Land Bank of the Philip-pines gave them amnesty, followed bythe approval of a Credit Line whichgranted them a P375, 000.00-loan forthe rehabilitation of the cooperative.

As of December 31, 2010, the co-op is composed of 349 members andan increased capital ofP12,669,392.87. Its assets amount toP62,707,208.32 and total net worth ispegged at P 19,374,788.22.

Services have also expanded andnot only limited from lending programs.CAMPCO has ventured in vegetable

and high value crops productionwhich include cassava, sorghum andsweet potato. It has also embarkedon deals with pre and post harvestfacilities and equipments, consum-ers store, rice milling, welding, grainsand farm inputs trading, hollowblocks making, furniture shop, ca-tering and fuel refilling station. Theyalso carry loan windows for hospi-talization, Salary Loan, and Educa-tional Loan to the qualified members.

An organization which faced theadversities and challenges of life,CAMPCO remained strong and stead-fast thru the years, because collec-tively they maintain the principle ofservice.

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Kayapa Nueva Vizcaya MAFC

Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council (MAFC)The Municipal Agricultural and Fish-

ery Council (MAFC) of Kayapa, NuevaVizcaya started in the 1980’s withonly 16 barangay members and wasjoined by the 14 remaining barangayslater on.

To ensure strong and continuedpartnership among all the members,regular meetings and dialogues wereconducted to settle issues and othermatters concerning the council.

Soon, it gained the trust of the Lo-cal Government Unit and the Liga ngmga Barangay and was given fundallocations for their activities.

As an organized group, the KayapaMAFC introduced livelihood programssuch as mushroom production andprocessing of high value crops. It alsodistributes fruit bearing trees, coffeeseedlings and vegetable seeds toqualified farmers.

At present, the council maintains arevolving fund from repayments ofdispersal projects, used for petty cashloans to members with a minimal inter-est.

The council is an active partnerof the Municipal Nutrition Committeein the implementation of projects andhas continuously supported the pas-sage and implementation of munici-pal ordinances including the controland prevention of Avian InfluenzaVirus, prohibition of electro-fishing,explosive fishing and use of poison-ous substances, implementation ofthe New Solid Waste Managementand recycling activities of the mu-nicipality.

Nueva Vizcaya PAFC

Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council (PAFC)

Composed of 30 private and eightpublic sector-members, the ProvincialAgricultural and Fishery Council(PAFC) of Nueva Vizcaya stronglysupports the province’s vision for itspeople, to enjoy good quality life in anecologically-balanced and sustain-able environment.

Having been awarded as NationalOutstanding PAFC (three times), thecouncil vows not to rest on its laurelbut work harder to maintain and evensurpass its outstanding achieve-ments.

The Nueva Vizcaya PAFC sus-tained strong linkages with nationaland local agencies that resulted to thesuccessful implementation of variousprojects such as construction and re-habilitation of irrigation canals, farm-to-market roads, mechanical and flat-bed dryers, tramlines, multi-purposedrying pavements, and irrigation sys-

Bgy. RebokonDumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur

Bgy. Food Terminal (LGU Operated)

The Barangay Food Terminal (BFT)of Rebokon sells all the basic com-modities-from rice, meat, fish, veg-etables, spices, root crops and evencharcoal.

BFT Rebokon is LGU-operatedserving 690 households and sevencatchment barangays.

Rebokon is a coastal barangay inDumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur acces-sible through habal-habal, jeepney orvan passing through rough roads.With an established BFT, residentsneed not to travel long for 14 kilome-ters just to go to the town proper or tobuy rice and other basic needs.

On May 7, 2009, the Department ofAgriculture Regional Field Unit 9through the Agribusiness Marketing

Bgy. Food terminal (Non-LGU Operated)

Sayapot MPCTadian, Mt. Province

Strategically located between theboundaries of Tadian, Mt. Province andMankayan, Benguet, the SayapotMulti-Purpose Cooperative-BarangayFood Terminal (SMPC-BFT) started itsoperation on February 9, 2009 with agrant of P170,000 from the Depart-ment of Agriculture.

Catering to about 200 householdsincluding those from nearbybarangays, the SMPC-BFT helps thefarmers in the locality in selling theirproduce through consignmentscheme, wherein they are paid aftertheir products were sold. Majority ofthe products being sold in the BFT arehighland vegetables such as beans,pechay, watercress, cabbage, broc-coli and sweet peas, among others.Lowland vegetables are also found inthe food terminal along with rice,spices, fruits, fish, frozen meat, con-diments and other processed foodssuch as milk, noodles, sugar and cof-fee.

Assistance Division opened up theBFT equipped with cold storage andstore facilities for the BarangayCouncil to operate.

With a start-up capital of onlyP27,000, BFT Rebokon exhibited anexcellent performance that promptedfor the DA-IX to give the manage-ment an additional capital of P50,000on Jan. 26, 2010. In a span of ninemonths, the BFT posted a net in-come of P172,947.90.

With the conduct of the 2010Barangay Election, a transition pe-riod took over. However, the opera-tion remained smooth and the man-agement established an assured andsustainable income.

Following the 3-year term of of-fice of Rebokon Barangay Council,the BFT has more than two years toearn thousands while 10 percent ofits net income goes to the coffers ofthe barangay.

Having projected possible busi-ness opportunities, the managementis optimistic to expand market link-ages with other food terminals in theregion and become a barangay con-solidator for different agri-fisheryproducts.

Bani FARMCBani, Pangasinan

Members of the Bani Fisheries andAquatic Resources ManagementCouncil (FARMC) live by the principlethat everyone has the ability to leadand inspire. With this, the council isable to impart exemplary contributionsto preserve Bani’s coastal area.

Among the remarkable achieve-ments of Bani FARMC were: partici-pation in crafting the ComprehensiveCoastal Development Plan for CY2001-2010 and the Coastal ResourceManagement Plan for CY 2005-2009by providing necessary coastal andmarine resources data and recom-mendations.

They have also been part in the re-view of the existing Management Planof Bangrin Marine Protected Area

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC)

(MPA) and prepared a more respon-sive plan in managing the Bangrin MPAwhich eventually becamePangasinan’s ecotourism area.

tems.It is also instrumental in the suc-

cessful organization and operationof the KINGBIKS Vegetable Grow-ers’ Association, a federation of five(5) vegetable growing barangaysof the town of Dupax del Sur.

Being a member of the ProvincialDevelopment Council, it regularlymonitors the implementation of agri-cultural and fishery programs andprojects funded by the Departmentof Agriculture, LGUs and other agen-cies and takes part in the passageand implementation of various mu-nicipal and provincial ordinances onagriculture, fisheries and environ-ment.

The council’s commitment to ser-vice goes beyond the agriculturesector as it is active in many com-munity activities.

Aside from monitoring damagesduring calamities, the members alsoextend material and financial re-sources to typhoon-victims. Theircapable members sometimes serveas resource speakers duringtrainings to complement the effortsof agricultural extensionists.

With the leadership of the NuevaVizcaya PAFC, the agri and fisherysectors of the province is off togreater heights.

Being a staunch partner of Bani’slocal government in managing coastalresources, the FARMC was able to gainexperiences and became capable ofconvening and organizing their ownmeetings, workshops, consultations,and seminars. Moreover, Bani FARMCbecame knowledgeable in formulatingresolutions on issues concerning fish-eries and aquatic resources.

Among the council’s notable projectsand activities were the: establishmentof mangrove nursery, mangrove refor-estation and rehabilitation, establish-ment of Aquasilviculture , coastal clean-up and waste management, water qual-ity monitoring, issuance of auxiliaryinvoice, dismantling of illegally con-structed nets, patrol and surveillance,fisheries registration and licensing atthe barangay level, market denials in

public market and conduct of check-points.

Through the years, the BaniFARMC has continued to strengthenits linkages with the local and na-tional agencies as well as variousforeign institutions while, its mem-bers remained inspired and dedi-cated to their commitment and man-date as partner of the government inagri-fishery development.

Freshly-harvested crops are de-livered by the farmers two to fourtimes a week, to ensure safe andquality produce for the consumers.Excess supplies are brought to theLa Trinidad trading post and mar-kets in Baguio City and Pangasinan.

The BFT operates daily with fourregular staff—manager, book-keeper, treasurer and sales clerkwho are supervised by five boardof directors.

THe BFT management maintainsa substantial linkage with suppliersand consumers to ensure continu-ous operation as well as improvethe profit of the food terminal.

Due to the continued patronageof the members, the SMPC-BFT wasable to gain a combined net incomeof P290,000 for 2009 and 2010.