aggie trends june 2013 issue

7/27/2019 Aggie Trends June 2013 Issue

1/12

Vol. XXVIII No. 6 A monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture June 2013

NEDA Board okays P27.5-B PRDP, 5 other projects

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala has urged top Depart-ment of Agriculture nationwide tosustain efforts and further im-prove the implementation of pro-grams and delivery of services toattain sufficiency in rice, corn and

major staples.Paghusayin pa natin ang

pagpapatupad ng mga programaat pagbibigay ng serbisyo sakanayunan, lalung-lalo na samga maliliit na magsasaka atmangingisda, said Secretary

Alcala at the mid-term DA na-tional management committee(ManCom) meeting in Cebu City,June 27, 2013.

He said achieving national suf-ficiency in rice and corn is alreadyin sight a feat, which many de-tractors said is unattainable.

Marami ang hindi naniniwalana mararating natin ito, angkasapatan sa bigas at mais.Subalit napangyari natin at abot-tanaw na ito,he said.

President Aquinos declarationof 2013 as National Year of Riceis significant and timely. And af-ter 40 years, we have started ex-porting rice, particularly aromatic,fancy and organic colored vari-eties, the DA chief noted.

He urged concerned DA fam-ily officials to vigorously pursueand implement their respectivecommodity roadmaps, and worktogether to attain the goals of the

Aquino administrations FoodStaples Sufficiency Program(FSSP).

The National Economic andDevelopment Authority (NEDA)Board, chaired by PresidentBenigno S. Aquino III, has ap-proved six projects on infrastruc-ture, education and agriculture,totaling P76.5 billion (B), includ-ing the P27.5 billion PhilippineRural Development Program,during its 11th meeting, inMalacaang, June 26, 2013.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso

DA chief urges officialsto sustain rice, cornsufficiency efforts

J. Alcala said the PRDP, whichwill be implemented from 2013 to2018 will complement current ini-tiatives of the DA to create a moremarket-oriented, climate-resilientagri-fishery sector, and furtherincrease the productivity and in-comes of small farmers andfisherfolk in 16 regions and 49priority provinces.

He said under the PRDP, theDA will engage local government

units, farmers and fisherfolksgroups and the private sector aspartners to implement needed in-frastructure and livelihoodprojects to support the productionand marketing of priority farm andfishery commodities.

The other five projects ap-proved by the NEDA Board arethe: E-Trike Project of the Depart-ment of Energy, worth P21.67B;Basic Education Sector Transfor-

mation (BEST) project of Depart-ment of Education, worth P9.42B;Philippine Ports and Coast GuardCapability Development of theDepartment of Transportationand Communications, worthP5.91B; and Post-Ondoy andPepeng Short-Term Infrastruc-ture and Rehabilitation Project,and Pasig-Marikina River Chan-nel Improvement Project Phase

He said effortsshould be sustainedto enhance the globalcompetitiveness ofthe countrys majorfarm and fisheryproducts, in the light

of the forthcoming freetrade among ASEAN

(Pls turn to p2)

Secretary Alcala reported thedevelopments achieved by thePhilippines in its campaignagainst hunger and poverty, dur-ing the 38th biennial Food and Ag-riculture Organization (FAO) min-

isterial conference, June 17,2013, in Rome, Italy.

He said the Philippine De-partment of Agriculture is one

Alcala reports Phl progressin fight vs. hunger at FAO

Secretary Alcala speaks at FAOconference, in Rome. (Pls turn to p10)

with the FAO in its mission tolessen and eradicate the inci-dence of hunger and malnutri-tion caused by insufficient foodsupply.

For the past three years, we

have pursued our Food StaplesSufficiency Program (FSSP),centered on rice production,Secretary Alcala said.

He explained that FSSP isanchored on improving farmproduction, attaining sufficiencyin rice, white corn and otherstaples, and enabling Filipinofarmers to compete with theirforeign counterparts.

Under the program, prioritywill be given to rice as the mainstaple of Filipinos. However, theDepartment has included in

their promotion the consump-tion and production of otherstaples which include white

In observance of its 115th an-niversary on June 24, 2013, theDepartment of Agriculture tookstock of its major accomplish-ments under the mid-term admin-istration of Secretary Proceso J.

Alcala.In a simple photo-essay ex-

hibit, DA highlighted solid resultsunder the direction of the Aquinoadministration. These include:

Investments in irrigationwere undertaken with active par-ticipation of farmers groups, irri-gators associations, and LGUs;

Livestock and poultry agen-cies were more vigilant in enforc-ing regulations and providingtechnologies and assistance tomaintain the countrys animaldisease-free status;

Successful implementation ofa selective fishing ban, enablingthe regeneration of species likesardines (tamban), resulting to a

DA turns 115,unveils PRDP logo

(Pls turn to p11)

(Pls turn to p2)

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala urges Department of Agriculture offi-

cials (right) to further improve the implementation of programs and delivery ofservices to attain sufficiency in rice, corn and major staples, during the mid-term DA national management conference in Cebu, June 27, 2013.


2/12

Editorial

2

Writers: Adora D. Rodriguez, Bethzaida N. Bustamante, Catherine N.Nanta, Marshall Louie Asis, Danica Melegrito, Adam Borja

Contributors: DA-RFU Info Officers, Public Info Officers of DA Bureaus,Attached Agencies & Corporations, MRDP & other Foreign-Assisted Projects

Photographers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan & Kathrino Resurreccion

Lay-out Artist: Bethzaida BustamantePrinting &Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staff

Editor-In-Chief: Noel O. ReyesAssociate Editors: Cheryl C. Suarez & Adora D. Rodriguez

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:da_afis @yahoo.com.

Inclusive growth.Ibig sabihin nito kasali lahat.

Lahat makikinabang. Walangmaiiwan.

Sa pag-unlad ng bansa,lahat ay kabilang.

Ito ang tuwinang binibigyangdiin ni Pangulong BenignoAq ui no sa kanya ng mgamensahe at iniaatas sakanyang Gabinete at mga

pi nuno ng pambansa ngahensya ng pamahalaan.

Dapat lahat lalung-lalo naang mga malil i it namagsasaka, mangingisda sakanayunan, at sa mga dahopna komunidad sa kalunsuran ay direktang makikinabangsa mga programang nakatuonsa pagpapaunlad at

pagpapataas ng an tas ngpambansang ekonomiya.

Marapat lamang nanararamdaman nila ang tulongng pamahalaan kagaya ng DA.

Kayat lambing ni Sec.Procy: Ipaabot natin sa maliliitna magsasaka at mangingisdaang tulong ng pamahalaanupang mahango sila sakahirapan at maging kabahaging pambansang kaunlaran.

Sa katunayan, angnalalapit na katuparan ngat ing target tungo sa

supisyenteng suplay ng bigasay patunay na lahat aykabilang at kaisa, mula pro-ducer hanggang consumer.

Magandang balita nga niSec Procy sa idinaos na DAnational management commit-tee meeting, na abot-tanaw naang self-sufficiency batay sarecord harvest ng palay atmais noong 2012.

Sa mga susunod na tatlongtaon, pangako ni Sec Procyna tututukan pa rin ang

pagpapataas ng produksyon

Panibagong hamon, Palayabanganng palay, mais at iba pang

pangunahing pagkain, kasamana ang gulay at isda.

Patunay na nga dito ang mulinating pagluluwas ng bigas saibang bansa noon nakaraang

buwan.Marahil ang mas marubdobna layunin ng DA sa ngayon ayang panatil ihin angmagandang estado ng rice pro-duction, kaya naman

pi nasimul an na ngay on g

buwan ang Palayabangan.

Itoy isang contest para

mahikayat ang mga research

center ng DA at ng pribadong

sektor, na maka-develop ng

teknolohiya upang lalong

mapalaki ang ani ng palayhanggang 10 metriko tonelada

kada ektarya, at mapababaang production cost sa P5

kada kilo, o 10-5.

Gagawing modelo ang

mananalong teknolohiya o

pamamaraan , at it oy

pa la la ganapi n sa buon g

bansa.At the end of the day,

mahalagang may matitirangpera sa kanilang bulsa, ayonnga kay Sec.

Di ba nga, ang sukatan ngmainam na proyektong pang-

agrikultura ay kung malaki angkita at may naitatabi kahit

papaano ang mga magsasakapara sa kanilang pamilya.

Pag nagkagayon,siguradong nakatagpo na tayong tamang sistema atteknolohiya tungo sa masmaunlad na pagsasaka.

Kailangan lamang nasiguruhin na hindinaisasakripisyo ang kalidad atdami ng ani, upang karadapat-dapat naman maipag-PALAYABANGAN.

NEDA Board okays ... (from p 1)

II, of the Department of PublicWorks and Highway,P6.48B andP5.54 billion, respectively.

DA Undersecretary JoelRudinas, who serves as the con-current PRDP national programdirector, said of the total projectcost, about P20.5B will be loaned

from the World Bank, the nationalgovernment through the DA willshare P3.58B, while the hostLGUs are expected to provideP3.2B as counterpart. He saidthe Global Environment Facility(GEF) will also provide a grant ofP287 million.

The DA-PRDP is a scale-upversion of the Mindanao RuralDevelopment Program (MRDP)phase 2 that will conclude thisyear, said deputy program direc-tor Arnel de Mesa.

Under the PRDP, he said theDA will introduce the value chain

approach (VCA) in agriculturalproduction and processing, and

President Benigno S. Aquino IIIhas signed Republic Act (RA) No.10601 or the Agricultural andFisheries Mechanization(AFMech) Law,on June 5, 2013,to encourage farmers andfisherfolk to use modern, cost-effective, and environment-friendly farm production, pro-

cessing and postharvest ma-chine and adopt new technolo-gies to further enhance their pro-ductivity and income.

The new law mandates theDepartment of Agriculture to crafta National Agri-Fishery Mecha-nization Program to promote anenvironment conducive to localmanufacturing of farm equipmentand machinery for agriculturaland fisheries production, pro-cessing, postharvest and market-ing.

The AFMech program will in-

clude conduct of research,provisiion of credit, crafting andimplementation of appropriateregulation for the local develop-ment and manufacture of farmand fishery machinery.

It will set quality, safety, andperformance standards, as wellas guidelines for registering own-ership of machinery.

Agricultural and f isheries ma-chinery and equipment will betested and evaluated by govern-ment, with owners registeringthem with the agriculture officesof local government units.

The DA through the PhilippineCenter for Post-harvest Develop-ment and Mechanization(PhilMech), and National Agricul-

P-Noy signs AFMech lawtural Fishery Council (NAFC),and other related agencies willbe tapped to coordinate with theprivate sector and academe, par-ticularly with the Agricultural Ma-chinery Manufacturers and Dis-tributors Assocation (AMMDA),and the UP Agricultural Machin-ery Testing and Evaluation Cen-

ter in Los Banos, to craft thelaws implmenting rules and regu-lations.

A study showed that increasedinvestments in farm mechaniza-tion would help raise thecountrys farm mechanizationlevel, and allow it keep pace withits neighbors in Southeast Asia.

The DA will also tap state uni-versities and colleges (SUCs) todisseminate farm mechanizationand postharvest technologies tofarmers and local farm machin-ery assemblers and manufactur-

ers.The law also aims to developand enforce farm machineryquality and performance stan-dards, regular testing and evalu-ation, registration, and accredi-tation and classification of sup-pliers, assemblers and manufac-turers.

It will also ensure that con-cerned farm machinery industrystakeholders abide by theadopted regulations and complyto prescribed quality standards.

The law also aims to establishfarm machinery performance

testing centers to certify and ac-credit qualified manufacturers,distributors and service provid-ers.

link farmers directly with institu-tional buyers to ensure regularmarket for their produce, andthus earn more income.

The DA will also look into poli-cies that will enable the businesssector to be effective partners ofsmall farmers and fisherfolk. DeMesa said the business sectorlike the Philippine chamber ofcommerce and industry will be in-vited to seat as a member of thePRDP program advisory board.

The PRDP will use vulnerabil-ity and suitability assessment(VSA) as a tool in prioritizing in-vestments in infrastructure likefarm-to-market roads, irrigationsystems, and postharvest facili-ties, to make these sturdy andwithstand adverse climate condi-tions.

The VSA is a scientific tool thatwill help the DA identify and in-vest in areas that are less vulner-

able to climate change, he said.(NEDA & DA Information Service)


3/12June 2013 3

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala has asked the countrysrural banks to implement inno-vative financing programs toserve and benefit more small

farmers, fishers and rural entre-preneurs.

Kailangan nating seguraduhinna walang maiiwan at lahat ngating kababayan, lalong-lalo naang mayoryang nasakanayunan, ay makakatikim ngbiyaya ng paglago, Secretary

Alcala said during the recent 60th

annual convention of the RuralBankers Association of the Phil-ippines (RBAP).

In particulr, he urged the RBAPto partner with the DA to suc-cessfully implement the Agro-In-dustry Modernization Credit andFinancing Program (AMCFP).

Last year, loan releases underthe AMCFP through cooperativerural banks (CRBs) totaled P1.12billion, more than double theP446 million lent in 2011.

This year, the DA has allottedan additional P1B under the

AMCFP to be lent to small farm-ers, fishers and rural entrepre-neurs.

Its high time that we consoli-date efforts to further enhance

growth and development for thebenefit of our poor and small

Secretary Alcala urges OFWs in Italy to invest in agri-fishery en-terprises, at an agribusiness forum in Rome, June 16, 2013, wherehe and other DA officials discussed various investment opportuni-ties. Jointly organized by the DA, DOLE, and the Philippine Em-bassy in Italy, the forum was also held in Milan and Turin, attract-ing a total of 700 OFWs. Also shown (from left) are Philippine con-sul-general in Rome Leila Lora-Santos, Philippine Ambassador toItaly Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr., and DA asst. secretary Ophelia Agawin.(Photo by DA Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano)

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala has urged overseas Fili-pino workers (OFWs) in Italy toinvest part of their earnings onagriculture and fishery enter-prises.

Alcala made the pitch duringa series of agribusiness forumheld in Rome, Milan and Turin,from June 16, 20 and 23, respec-tively, where he and other DAofficials discussed variousagribusiness opportunities thatinclude the production and pro-cessing of major crops, fruits,vegetables, livestock and poul-try, and fishery products.

The three-leg agribusiness fo-rum, attended by about 700 Fili-pino OFWs, was jointly orga-nized by the DA, Department ofLabor and Employment (DOLE),

and the Philippine Embassy inRome.

It is part of a P2-billion OFWreintegration and agribusinessprogram launched in May 7,2013 by the DA and DOLE.

We aim to empower OFWsand their families to venture invarious agri-fishery projects, as-sist them in production, process-ing and marketing, and earn asustainable income, Secretary

Alcala said before 350 OFWs inRome, and Philippine embassyofficials and staff led by Ambas-

sador Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. Todate, there are about 170,000OFWs in Italy, said Reyes

Secretary Alcala said inter-ested OFWs and their familiesmay inquire at the DOLEs Na-tional Reintegration Center forOFWs (NRCO) or OverseasWorkers Welfare Administration(OWWA), and the DAs

Agribusiness and Marketing As-sistance Service (AMAS).

(Pls turn to p10)

The Department of Agricul-ture is in favor of allowing for-eign direct investments (FDIs)in some aspects of rice mecha-nization and processing, butagainst full foreign equity in riceproduction and supply.

Rice, as the countrys mainstaple, is a political commod-ity. Therefore, its productionshould not be left in the handsof foreign capital to control, saidDA Assistant Secretary and na-tional rice program coordinatorDante Delima.

This was his recommenda-

DA welcomes foreign investments in rice

DA chief to OFWs:

Invest in agriLabor Secretary Rosalinda

Dimapilis-Baldoz said throughthe agribusiness forum OFWscould make wise investment de-cisions, even before they decideto come home for good.

She joined Secretary Alcala atthe Milan leg, on June 20, whereabout 200 OFWs attended. An-other batch of 150 OFWs joinedthe agribusiness forum in Turin.

After the forum at each of thethree sites, the DA raffled off tolucky OFWs several head ofgoat and sheep, boat engines,bangus and tilapia fingerlings,and fruit tree seedlings that willbe sent to their respective fami-lies in the Philippines.

Many Filipinos who attendedthe agribusiness forum in Romewere overwhelmed by the pro-

gram and posted their respectiveappreciation in social media net-works.

Noel Aragon Gofredo thankedthe DA and DOLE for encourag-ing OFWs wanting to come backto the Philippines for good andhelp their family and relatives en-gage in viable agriculture andfishery enterprises in their re-spective hometowns.

Lucille Corpuz Bolante saidshe is very happy that the gov-ernment is now showing concernand looking after Filipinos

abroad who have been workinghard for their families for so manyyears.

Secretary Alcala was in Rometo attend the biennial conferenceof the United Nations Food and

Agriculture Organization (FAO),on June 17.

He also met with FAO directorgeneral Jose Graciano da Silvaand led the inauguration of anewly-renovated Philippine con-

Rural banks asked to lend morefarmers, and I am optimistic thatyou will be part of it, the DA chieftold the RBAP, led by its presi-dent, Leandro Z. Garcia, Jr.

The amount of agricultural pro-

duction loans has been increas-ing through the years, expand-ing by more than five-fold fromP41 billion in 1990 to P231.8 bil-lion in 2011, according to theDAs Agricultural Credit PolicyCouncil (ACPC).

Secretary Alcala said the DAaims to further increase the for-mal borrowing among smallfarmers and fisherfolk, from 52%in 2007 to 61% by the year 2016.

Ito po ang dahilan kung bakitkailangan nating palakasin paang pagtutulungan ng DA at ngmga rural banks,he noted.

He also commended theRBAP for participating in the Ag-ricultural Guarantee Fund Pool(AGFP), which was created in2008 to encourage banks to lendto the agriculture sector.

The AGFP provides guaranteecoverage to unsecured loans ex-tended by financial institutionsand other lending conduits suchas rural and cooperative banksto small farmers engaged in rice,corn and food production

projects. To date, 118 rural bankshave joined the AGFP.

ference room, aptly called SalaFilipino,at the FAO headquar-ters. The room pays tribute to thebeauty of the Philippines includ-ing the local landscape of the

Banaue Rice Terraces. It also fea-tured colorful paraws, bamboostructures, and a panoramic viewof the Philippine countryside.(Adora Rodriguez, DA-AFIS)

tion to Secretary Proceso J.Alcala, who sought his com-ments on a letter from the Na-tional Economic and Develop-ment Authority seeking the DAsposition on a proposal to lift limi-tations on foreign participationin agriculture.

This level of food sover-eignty, in so far as rice is con-cerned, is consistent with the

Aquino administrations thrustto be sufficient in rice and otherfood staples, as outlined in theFood Staples Sufficiency Pro-


4/12


5/12June 2013 5

The Department of Agricultureis interested in pursuing techni-cal cooperation with Thailand onrice research and development.

DA Assistant Secretary andnational rice program coordina-tor Dante Delima said the pio-neering partnership will benefitthe local farming sector.

He said the Philippines andThailand will form a joint techni-

cal working group to determinethe R&D partnership, includingmodalities of cooperation.

We are keen in exchangingrice germplasm with our Thai-counterparts for breeding pur-poses, Delima said.

H e cited particularly thosebred by Dr. SurapongSarkarung, who successfullycombined the characteristics ofrice varieties in Asia, Africa andBrazil.

Some Thai rice varieties growin deep water or flooded areas,

and these can be adopted inMindanao, particularly at theLiguasan Marsh and theswamps of Agusan and Surigaoprovinces. Delima said suchThai varieties can be used as

Catch of yellowfin tuna up 25%The lifting of the ban on har-vesting yellowfin tuna in the Pa-cific Ocean has boosted domes-tic production, both in volumeand in value, by 25 percent (%)in the first quarter of 2013, ac-cording to the DAs Bureau of Ag-ricultural Statistics (BAS).

Total catch of yellowfin tunareached 32,348 metric tons (MT)valued at P1.4 billion, BAS datashowed.

Of this, commercial fishermengot 21,610 MT, accounting fortwo-thirds of total catch, up by38%; while municipal fisherscaught 10,738 MT, up by 6%.

The BAS attributed the in-crease in production to moreunloadings by foreign fishingvessels for canneries in GeneralSantos City due to lifting of banon tuna fishing in Pacific Seas.

Also, the BAS noted that theweather was good in the firstthree months, which allowedmore fishing trips.

The SOCCSKSARGEN regionaccounted for the bulk of tunacatch, which were mostly un-loaded at the DAs PhilippineFisheries Development Authorityfacility and in privately-managedfish ports in SouthCotabato.

Heavy unloadings of yellow-fin tuna were also observed inQuezon and Sulu, the BAS said.

The Western and Central Pa-cific Fisheries Commission(WCPFC) imposed in January2010 a ban on certain parts of

the Pacific Ocean where three-fifths of the worlds tuna produc-tion comes from.

The Philippines is among the25 countries that adopted theWCPFC Convention, whichseeks to address problems in

Phl, Thailand

to partneron rice R&D

the management of high seasfisheries resulting from causessuch as unregulated fishing andexcessive fleet capacity as wellas to conserve and managehighly migratory fish stocks.

cross-bred with local rice variet-ies.

The DA is also interested inaromatic, glutinous and pig-mented rice varieties that Thai-land grows commercially andexports to other markets.

The DA also welcomes coop-eration in hybrid-rice technology.Delima said Thailands Depart-ment of Rice Research-PathumThani Experiment Station is a keyplayer in developing hybrid rice.

The Philippines and Thailandcan also collaborate on Inte-grated Pest Management (IPM)to jointly develop and share bio-control of rice pests, conductdegree and non-degree IPMtraining courses.

Both countries can also part-ner on further improving tech-nologies on extracting oil fromrice hull.

For instance, the Asian Insti-tute of Technology (AIT) inBangkok is using rice hull gas torun a water pump, while the DAs

Philippine Rice Research Insti-tute (PhilRice) is using rice hull

to generate electric power forhouseholds and rice mills.

Thailand is also processingand refining rice hull oil into highquality-edible oil, Delima said.

The DA is also interested indeveloping other food productsderived from rice, and wants tolearn how the Thais have suc-ceeded in expanding the marketfor their products due to goodpackaging.

Delima said the DA is alsokeen on collaborating with theThais on farm engineering, farmmechanization, and postharvestequipment.

He noted that in the early1980s, the Philippines and Thai-land were almost equal in tech-nology and field operations ofrice engineering and mechaniza-tion.

He noted that UPLB actuallydeveloped the flatbed dryers thathave been improved by the Thais

and the Vietnamese.(BusinessMirror)

DA-BSWM celebrates 62ndanniversary.Secre tary Alcalaproudly shows a soil test kit (STK), one of the products exhibitedduring the 62ndanniversary of the DAs Bureau of Soils and WaterManagement (BSWM). Director Silvino Q. Tejada (left) said theBSWM shares the STK with farmers and agricultural extensionworkers to determine the available nutrients and acidity of anyfarm soil, and the recommended type and amount of fertilizers forspecific crops. Secretary Alcala enjoined the BSWM to sustain ef-forts in providing other major services that include the establish-ment of small scale irrigation projects to increase the productivityand incomes of farmers. Also shown (from left) are laboratoryservices chief Dr. Gina Nilo, STK chief Constancia Mangao, and

assistant Director Wilfredo E. Cabezon.

Last year, the WCPFC ap-proved a Philippine request tofish in the so-called Pocket 1of the Pacific, a 590,000 square-kilometer area east of southernIndonesia and north of Papua

New Guinea.BAS data also show there was

a 34% surge in the production oftuna skipjack, which reached56,260 MT in the first quarter of2013. (Phil. Daily Inquirer)

DA Undersecretary Emerson U. Palad (left) and Director RomeoRecide (3rd from left) award plaques of recognition to the out-

standing employees of the DAs Bureau of Agricultural Statisticsduring the agencys 50thanniversary .


6/126

Decades ago, before hebecame a successful entrepre-neur a farmer, trader,processor and exporter rolledinto one Lito Arenas used totoil in his fathers mango

orchard in Manaoag,Pangasinan.At his young age, he learned

the basics of taking care ofmango trees, flowers and fruits,and sell the golden fruit. Hisfruitfulexperience served as asolid foundation that pushedhim to be a self-made million-aire.

While he took a nursingdegree in college, his love forthe production and trading ofmangoes did not vanish. Hecontinued to be enterprisingwhile in school, earning himextra allowance.

After finishing college, hemarried his classmate andgirlfriend Ching, and decided toinvest in their mango orchard,instead of caring for the sick.

He used the money they gotfrom guests on their wedding,amounting to P2, 500, as initialcapital.

With hard work and dedica-tion, Mang Lito was able toestablish a name of his own,and gained the respect of otherfarmers and traders.

He expanded his three-hectare mango farm, andpursued trading and contract-growing in Pangasinan, Tarlac,La Union, and Nueva Ecija.

Through the years, heencountered problems such aslack of capital and technolog.He also faced a large debt,when a contract-growingscheme with fellow farmers inPangasinan failed.

But with determination andsupport of his wife Ching, hewas able to overcome the many

challenges that came their way,

Mango King Lito Arenas:

Shows way to sweet success

-

becoming one of the countryssuccessful mango farmers andentrepreneurs.

To finance his enterprise, hesought support from theDepartment of Agriculture

through a loan from the Agricul-tural Competiveness Enhance-ment Fund (ACEF), and otherlending institutions and credi-tors.

He was able to adopt new,modern processing technolo-gies. He also sought technicalknow-how from seminars andworkshops conducted by DAand other government agen-cies.

Through his initiative, he wasable to receive a drying ma-chine and cabinet-type dryerfrom the DAs Philippine Centerfor Postharvest Developmentand Mechanization (PhilMech)and Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR).

He was able to acquire anextended hot water treatmentfacility, and three additionaldrying machines with theassistance of the DAs HighValue Crops DevelopmentProgram (HVCDP). This helpedhis enterprise comply with thephytosanitary requirements setby foreign buyers.

In 2007, he was chosen as

Gawad Saka regional Out-standing High Value Commer-cial Crops Farmer. Two yearsafter, Mang Lito was named theNational Gawad Saka Out-standing Agri Entrepreneur.Hewas also recognized by theManaoag Municipal Govern-ment as its Outstanding farmerand agriculture processor.

With his success, Mang Litoremained humble and gra-ciously shares his knowledgeto fellow farmers and agri-entrepreneurs, serving as a

resource speaker in seminars,

workshops, and agri food fairand trade shows.

Currently, he owns andoperates the LA Trading that

supplies fresh mangoes tocompanies like Zest-O, KLTFruits, and Hi-Las Marketing,among others.

He also heads thePangasinan Tropical FruitsMulti-Purpose Cooperative,which processes dried andpickled mangoes, and ExtremeFarmers and Nursery Multi-Purpose Cooperative, whichproduces planting materials,and organic and foliar fertiliz-ers.

He looks forward to helping

other farmers and entrepre-neurs, by serving as theirconsolidator, processor andexporter.

He offers fellow farmers agood price for their freshmangoes, ranging from P18 toP25, depending on size andquality.

Last year alone, he was ableto sell 1,200 metric tons offresh mangoes, of which 900tons went to the local market,and the remaining 300 tonswere sold abroad.

He also operates a mangoseedling nursery, which is thefirst establishment in Luzon

accredited by theDAs Bureau ofPlant Industry(BPI).

Interestedfarmers andhobbyists visit hisnurserty to buyquality seedlings,and learn tips fromthe mangomagnate himself,when he is around.

Just recently,Mang Lito ven-

tured into the propagation ofcitrus seedlings, which hesupplies to growers andgovernment institutions all over

the country.During peak season, he buys

and sells fresh mangoes. Theexcess inventory is processedinto dried mangoes. To date, heproduces an average of 5,000packs of 100-gram dried andpickled mangoes daily.

Currently, he is seeking anaccreditation from the USDepartment of Agriculture, sohe could export dried mangoesto the USA. He is training hiseldest son to help in thegrowing family mango enter-

prise.During lean months, or wet

season, he plants palay andraises other high value cropssuch as eggplant, and papaya,among others.

Today, Mang Lito is not onlythe King of the Mangoes to hisfellow Manaoag-ons, as he waselected Vice Mayor in May andas a public servant, one of hisprojects will be to put up aPasalubong Center along thenational highway in Manaoag,to feature a variety of agri

produce from each of the smallcommunities.He also plans to venture into

raising organic livestock, free-range chicken, peking duck andother animals in his demolivestock farm. He plans todistribute the offsprings tointerested families in Manaoagfor them to have additionalsources of income.

Mang Lito cant help butsmile at how sweet his storycame out to be, just like aripened mango glowing underthe Pangasinan sun.(CatherineNanta, DA-AFIS and PamelaAblen, DA-HVCDP)

Lito Arenas, with wife Ching, proudly shows his DA national GawadSaka trophy as the Outstanding Agri Entrepreneur in 2009. Below,are workers in his dried mango processing facility in Manaoag. Insetis a one of his dried mango products for local and export markets.


7/12June 2013 7

AMASMarketAccessProgram

Barangay Vega is one ofthe most productive farmingcommunities in Bongabon,Nueva Ecija.

One proof is its evergreenfarm landscape and pan-orama, which lies alongsidepaved roads.

Variety of fruits and veg-etables are regularly har-vested from the fertilefarmlands of Barangay Vega,while poultry and livestock

animals roam freely on thebackyards.

Amidst the abundance, aperennial problem prevailed:Where to sell their prod-ucts?

Noon, pag nag-ani kami,dinadala namin sa palengke.Pag wala kaming suki,minsan di nabibili. Gumastosna kami sa pamasahe,napagod pa,Lolita de Leonrecalled.

While some took risks intransporting their products to

the towns business district,others opted to sell theirproducts door-to-door, butended up earning little.

Pagod na nga kami sapaglalako, binabarat pa,Severino Caysap said.

Without a regular center totrade their products, farmerswere left losing more money.

Everything changed fiveyears ago, with the openingof the BFT Valiant PrimaryMulti-Purpose Cooperative(VPMPCI).

Launched on March 10,2008, the BFT started itsoperation with only P50,000

Vega food terminal pushesmore farmers to plantBy Leah Deriquito and Oda Rodriguez

as working capital and afreezer from the Department of

Agriculture.Its first order of business was

to get a complete list of farmersinterested to sell their produceat the BFT. To date, 26 farmersregularly supply the barangayfood terminal.

It opens at six in the morn-ing, and closes at eight everynight, catering to the 1,228households in Barangay Vega,

providing them steady supplyof basic food and other goods.

Dati,kung ano lang anglinalako, yun lang ang amingnabibili. Kaya kung minsan,

pumupunta pa kami sa bayan.Ngayon, hindi na kami nag-

aabang dahil may mabibilhanna kahit na anong oras,Violeta Caysap said.

At present, the BFT sellsrice, corn, onions, andpinakbetvegetables likeampalaya, eggplant, sili

panigang, tomato, and sitao.

Apart from providing accessto basic goods, the BFT hasmotivated farmers to plant not

just for their own consumption.This in effect has enabled

them to increase their produc-tivity and income.

Jonel Cudal and otherfarmers are also growing othervegetables now, narrating:Noon talbos lang ng kamote atsaluyot ang aking tinatanimkasi takot ako na walang bibili.Pero ngayon, sari-saring gulayang aking tinatanim, kasi saBFT siguradong may bibili.

Other residents, includingout-of-school youth and

unemployed,are encouragedto plant cashcrops becauseof the readymarket the BFTprovides.

Dependingon the demand,an individualmay earn fromP50 to P100 aday.

Apart frombeing a tradingarea, the BFTserves as aconsolidator inthe area,selling excessproduce toBongabon Public Market.

With a bigger volume oftransaction, efficiency intrading is achieved, both interms of transportation andother logistics, providngfavorable price mark up forfarmers.

Obviously, the BFT hasstamped a positive impact onthe lives and livelihood of farmfamilies and other ruralfolk inBarangay Vega.

Lolita de Leon acknowledgesthe great help she receivedfrom the BFT: Malaking tulongtalaga at malaking ginhawa

para sa komunidad noongmagkaroon ng BFT.

Ang napagbilhan namingani, naibibili namin ng schoolsupplies, bigas at groceries.

Pag maganda ang ani,

nakakabili kami ng bagongdamit, gamit sa bahay o

napapa-repair ang sira sabahay.

The BFT even serves as alending institution in times ofemergency.

It has become a provider forthe residents needs, fromtuition fees of schoolchildrento start-up capital for smallbusinesses.

Some of the residents havealso started related enter-prises like carinderia thru aloan from the food terminal,while others pursued tradingbusinesses.

Pinapahiram kami ng BFTng pera para makapag-consolidate ng kalabasagaling sa iba-ibang farmers.Tapos yung buyer dito na

pumupunta at sya na ang

nagdadala sa Divisoria,Violeta Caysap boasts.


8/128

Two farm-to-market road(FMR) projects and one potablewater system (PWS) were cur-rently turned over by the Depart-ment of Agriculture under its Spe-

cial Projects Program to the Lo-cal Government Unit (LGU) ofBaliguian, Zamboanga del Norte(ZDN).

Outgoing Mayor Gani A.Esmali in his acceptance mes-sage said that Baliguian is thesecond poorest municipality inZDN and we are so glad that DAthrough its Mindanao Rural De-velopment Program (MRDP) andSupport to Emergency Livelihood

Assistance Program (SELAP) wewere able to get these projects.He further said that this turnover

is not the end of DA projects buta signal of more projects inBaliguian.

The two projects under MRDPamounting to more than P22Mare the construction of BaliguianLevel II PWS and construction ofNational Highway junction toBarangay Nonoyan 2.3 kmsFMR. The PWS will provide po-table water to residents just out-side their houses instead of hik-ing two hours to get drinking wa-ter. The FMR in Nonoyan will re-duce hauling cost and preservefreshness of farmers produce inthe market.

On the other hand the SELAP

The Department of Agriculturein Western Visayas through its

Agribusiness and Marketing As-sistance Division (AMAD) hassold and booked orders for vari-ous food products worth P46.7

million, at the recent 2013 Inter-national Food Exposition (IFEX).The products came from or-

ganic farmers, producers andprocessors in Negros Occiden-tal, according to Ma. TheresaSolis, chief of DA-AMAD 6.

The total amount is brokendown as: booked orders$124,620; export sales under ne-gotiation$448,147; local salesunder negotiationP1.56M; andlocal retail salesP455,056.

Solis said the agri-fisheryproducts that were ordered by in-ternational buyers included

muscovado sugar, dried fish, fro-zen seafood products, smokedbangus, and tea.

Further, airline catering ser-vices and health shops bookedorders and bought pastries,

DA-6 books P46.7-Mfood products at IFEX

herbal supplements and sugar-free candies.

Solis said during the IFEX, theDA-AMAD 6 has also linked withthe Vegetable Importers, Export-ers and Vendors Association

(VIEVA) Philippines on exportsof organic black rice; booked or-ders of calamansi to a Manilaprocessor; rice crispies or pinipigto Jamla Corporation inMandaluyong, Metro Manila;muscovado sugar to Korea;mango to Korean firm PKNARAE; and cacao and coffeeto Stanley Morgan Broker in NewYork, USA.

She said the DA in WesternVisayas will continue to promotethe regions major and emergingagri-fishery products through lo-

cal and international trade fairsand exhibits, and market match-ing and information seminars,and in investment opportunityforums. (James Earl E. Ogatis,DA-RAFID 6)

DA-MRDP completes FMRs,water projects in Zambo Norte

projects on concrete paving ofNational Highway junction to SitioDawa 1Km FMR amounting toP5M is located in the middle of arice field area. Cesar Tomboc one

of the farmer-beneficiaries saidthe road concreting project less-ened our farm cost since ourhauling cost was reduced fromP20/sack to P10/sack.

During the turnover ceremonyDA-Regional Technical Directorfor Operations Constancio G.

Alama handed over the certifi-cates of turnover to Mayor Gani.In his turnover message he saidDA is doing its best to help yourmunicipality by addressing yourneeds.

RTD Alama cited that Baliguian

has improved a lot and have seenthat DAs projects were utilize andmaintained.

Aside from Rural Infra (RI)projects, the KauswaganWomens Association is also abeneficiary of two units cassavagrater with presser under SELAP.For the convenience of the ben-eficiary, a demonstration of thesaid unit was facilitated by Os-car de los Reyes and AlmuzaidGahamal of Zamboanga City.

Gracing the occasion wererepresentatives from the SpecialProjects Coordination and Man-agement Assistance Division

Leyte Representative Lucy Torres Gomez and actor-husband Ri-

chard Gomez, distribute milk to children in Ormoc City, as part ofa milk feeding project jointly implemented by her office (4thDistrictof Leyte) and the DAs National Dairy Authority. The project willbenefit 1,562 children in day-care centers in Ormoc, and towns ofKanangga, Merida and Albuera.

For the first time in 15 years,government-owned ZNACRubber Estate Corp. (ZREC) isembarking to fertilize its 500-hectare rubber plantation in

Tampilisan, Zamboanga delNorte aimed at raising produc-tivity by 40 to 60 percent, andboosting revenue that stood atP12.88 million in 2012.

We started the fertilizationprogram this year to increaserubber harvest and ensure moreincome for the government andour farmer-partners, said DA

Assistant Secretary for admin-istration and ZREC President

Allan Q. Umali.The government has a 70:30

revenue sharing commitment

with Tampilisan farmers, Umalisaid.He noted that ZREC has re-

mained financially viable since2011, even if the company hasnot received subsidy or assis-tance from the Priority Develop-ment Assistance Fund of legis-lators.

ZREC is self-sustaining. Itsrevenue even increased to P21million in 2011, even if we with-drew from receiving PDAF sincethe new government took over,said Umali.

We are complying with the

recommendations of the Com-

Zambo firm fertilizes rubber farmmission on Audit (COA) re-garding regarding its audit re-port, he added.

Average selling price of rub-ber by ZREC has dropped from

P78 per kilo in 2011 to P49 perkilo from 2011 to 2012, accord-ing to Marianne Ebio, ZREC fi-nance officer. This resulted inthe decline of the firms net in-come from P21.3 M to P12.8 M.

Aldrin P. Mejares, ZREC plan-tation manager, said fertilizationshould help reverse low pricesof rubber in the global market.

ZREC is also instituting re-forms in operations to raise thequality of rubber, and subse-quently its price.

The poor quality of rubber in

previous years due to traditionalpractices has resulted in lowerprices, said Mejares.

A/Sec Umali wanted us to bemore business-focused, sowere working on improving pro-duction and rubber quality,Mejares added.

ZREC sells its coagulatedrubber to Standeco (StandardRubber Corp), DCL Rubber,and NJ Rubber.

Among the reforms in clean-ing up rubber operations is theuse of formic acid, a cleaningand antibacterial agent, said

Mejares. (Pls turn to p10) (Pls turn to p10)


9/12June 2013 9

Members of Rizalian Farm-ers Association (FA) in Bangatown will not worry where to milltheir palay (unhusked rice) af-ter the Department of

Agricultures Mindanao RuralDevelopment Program (DA-MRDP) formally turned-over

the project to their hands.The half-million worth of

Travelling Rubber Roll Rice Millwas received by the RizalianFA from the agencys specialproject on June 24, 2013.

In his message of accep-tance, Association ChairmanEldon F. Rodriguez stressedthat this project will definitelyfacilitate our milling needs at

MRDP turns-over P.5-M worth of rice mill to Banga farmersthe same time it can be an in-come generating project for theassociation which is the main ob-

jective of the MRDP.He also acknowledged the

MRDP team led by DA 12 Re-gional Executive Director AmaliaJayag-Datukan and the local

government unit of Banga underthe administration of Hon. HenryL. Ladot.

Rodriguez pledged to lead thegroup in properly handling thesub-project and in ensuring itssustainability so that their chil-dren and the younger genera-tions in the barangay would alsobenefit from the project.

Mayor Ladot congratulated the

association for successfully get-ting this project under his term.I wish that the new administra-tion will continue to provide theneeds of the people of Bangaespecially giving them the liveli-hood projects that they reallyneed, he added.

Mr. Rogaciano J. Lumen,MRDPs community fund for ag-ricultural development (CFAD)head extended DirectorDatukans congratulations to thepeoples organization sayingmore and bigger projects can beavailed of by the PO at the on-set of MRDPs expanded version

Philippine Rural DevelopmentProgram.

The PRDP is a six-year na-tional government platform foran inclusive growth, value-chain oriented, and climate-re-silient agriculture and fisheriessector expected to pool a totalfund of $671.59 million or closeto P28 billion from a World

Bank (WB) loan portfolio andequity share of national and lo-cal government units (LGUs)

Also present in the turn-overceremony were officials fromDA Region 12, South CotabatoPLGU, Office of the Municipal

Agriculturist headed by Mr.Jerry H. Estrella and the mem-bers of the farmers group. (LitoSalvo, RAFID 12)

After a successful exportationof organic colored rice to Dubaiand Hong Kong recently, the De-partment of Agriculture Region 12(DA-12) is now eyeing to sendmeat products to other countriessoon.

The DA, in partnership with theDepartment of Trade and Indus-try (DTI), is currently working onthe possible export of variousfresh and processed meat par-

ticularly pork products from Re-gion 12.

In a two-day National Meat(Fresh and Processed) ClusterHarmonization and ConvergenceWorkshop on June 20-21 at theTierra Montana Hotel in GeneralSantos City, representatives ofDA and DTI from Regions I, II,III, IV-A and X, discussed strate-gies on how to penetrate the glo-bal market.

Among matters finalized duringgroup discussions is the involve-

ment of the private sector espe-cially various meat processorswith the appropriate stakeholdersto realize the endeavor.

DA-12 Regional Executive Di-rector Amalia Jayag-Datukan,challenged the government,meat stakeholders, and other pri-vate organizations to workclosely to penetrate into the in-ternational market.

We need to reinvigorate thestanding of our products to com-pete in the global market by of-

fering fresh and processed meatproducts that are of high quality,

The Bicol delegation to the61st National Farm Youth (4-H)Congress brought home the ba-con as it was declared over-allchampion in the major and minorcontests during the congress

held on June 11-13 at the Leg-end Hotel in Puerto Princesa City.

The annual national congresspresents windows of opportunityfor the 4-H club members as theyconvened and participated in theyouth development activitiesalong their lines of expertise andinterest.

The 500 participants of the as-sembly is composed of variousyouth leaders, 4-H club mem-bers, regional winners of GawadSaka 2013 young farmer andyoung farmer organization cat-

egories, regional/provincial/ mu-nicipal 4H coordinators, volun-

Region 12 moves for export

of meat productsDirector Datukan emphasized.

For his part, DA Assistant Sec-retary Davinio Catbagan pre-sented the recent and generalupdates of the livestock industryin the country.

He said the Office of the Sec-retary is still reviewing the na-tional roadmap which will prima-rily serve as the countrys direc-tion towards advancing the live-stock and even the poultry indus-

try in the Philippines.According to the DTI, there is

a huge export potential for porkproducts in Asian countries whileHalal goat, preserved meat, andother processed meat productshave huge demands in MiddleEast countries and other Islamicstates.

Locally, there is an increasingdemand for semi-processed andprocessed beef and pork be-cause of the rising population inthe country as well as the bal-

looning number of foreign tour-ists coming in.DA-12 Regional Livestock Co-

ordinator Dr. John B. Pascual,explained to the participants thatthere is a big chance for the re-gion to export meat products toother countries by re-strengthen-ing and following-up the exportof pork products to Dubai.

Series of meetings with localmeat processors is expected tobe carried out soon in the regionto further develop the agencys

meat export program. (Lito Salvo,RAFID 12)

Bicol bags top spot innational farm youth congress

teer-leaders, International FarmYouth Exchange alumni, Agricul-tural Training Institute (ATI) per-sonnel, and Municipal Agricul-tural Officers and parents of 4-Hclub members.

This years themeProduktibong Kabataan:Kaagapay sa Kabuhayan atKaunlaran is in line with thegovernments policy that thosewho belong to the agriculture andfisheries sector shall participateand share in the developmentefforts in most effective, produc-tive and sustainable way.

The Bicol delegation was com-posed of 36 participants headedby ATI-5 Center Director EfrenSabularse and DA-5 regional 4-H coordinator Aloha Gigi I.

Banaria. (Pls turn to p10)

Military reservists graduate as farmers. Reservists who participatedin the High Value Crops-Urban Agriculture Training (HVC-UAT)

pose with Dir. Jennifer E. Remoquillo of HVCDP, Col. Johnny D.Centillo, Mr. Felix Joselito H. Noceda, OIC of TECHGEN andLTC Rynell More after the graduation ceremony held at the JTF-NCR Multi-purpose Hall in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City last July5, 2013.


10/1210

gram (FSSP), Delima said.More than two million house-

holds are engaged in rice farm-ing. and millions more of farm la-borers, and tens of thousands ofmerchants, depend on the riceindustry and trading for a living,he said.

In addition, he said the reali-ties of world trade make self-suf-

ficiency a desirable goal.Countries can be held to ran-

som by any reason (economic,political, or ideological), andworld rice trade is the subject ofpolitical decisions by govern-ments, who are the biggest mar-ket players and who consider ricea vital commodity, he added.

It is for these considerationsthat we strongly oppose a pro-posed 100 percent foreign equityin rice production and supply,while allowing for limited FDIs inpost-harvest and marketing ac-

tivities, subject to consultationswith rice stakeholders, Delimasaid.

We however support FDIs infarm mechanization, post harvestfacilities, credit, processing of by-products and other high-endproducts, and exports, headded.

He proposed that the amountof FDIs be designated by the DTIthrough the Board of Investments(BOI), while joint venture agree-ments be subject to mutually-agreed upon ratio of investments.

He also said tax holidays andtax relief may be granted for aspecific period (i.e. 5 years),while lease contracts may besubject to a 25-year term, andrenewable every 10 years.

Employment of local citizensmay be mandated in areas whereno or little skill is required; whilefor areas that need special skills,the number of employees fromthe local skilled labor force orexperts may gradually be in-creased over time.

A percentage of the net profit

of the investor should remain inthe country, while the remaindermay be transferred back to theforeign investors country, withthe permission of the BOI. (AdamBorja, DA National Rice Program)

DA welcomes ... (from p 3)

Bicol bags ... (from p 10)Three Bicol representatives

bagged top awards. They areEdson Manago of Poblacion 4HClub of Basud, Cam. Norte forthe Rootcrop based KakaninCooking; Carmela Dianne Domaof Caditaan 4H Club ofMagallanes, Sorsogon for theExtemporaneous Speaking; andManuel Odi of Napilihan 4-HClub of Vinzons Cam. Norte forthe Quiz Bee.

Bicolandia also placed 2nd forthe Livestock and Poultry Pro-cessing with Packaging and La-beling, Handicraft Making, and

Poster Making categories; 3rdfor the Rice Based Product De-

Alcala reports ... (from p 1)corn, cassava, sweet potato andbananas to relieve the pressureon rice, he said.

By doing so, he said Filipinoconsumers will be aware of otheroptions and lessen dependenceon rice.

To achieve the goals of theFSSP, he said PresidentBenigno S. Aquino III signed a

proclamation, declaring 2013 asNational Year of Rice, whichaims to intensify efforts to attainrice sufficiency by 2013.

The NYR proclamation alsoreinforces current efforts of DAin partnership with farmersgroups, local government unitsand the private sector to provideneeded infrastructure, technical,marketing and institutional sup-port to attain the sufficiency goal,and at the same time increasefarm productivity and incomes.

My government has invested

heavily in these strategic agricul-tural infrastructures for the pastthree years. Today, the Philip-pines is practically self sufficientin rice and corn, he said.

This early, he said the Philip-pines has started exporting fancyand aromatic rice to Dubai andHongkong this year.

On two separate occasions,the Philippines through the jointefforts of the DA, farmers groupsand the private sector hasshipped about 50 metric tons oforganic black rice andJasponica aromatic rice to Dubai

and Hongkong, as of June 2013.The DA Secretary also re-

ported to the FAO that the Phil-ippine government has taken aproactive stance on the effectsof climate change by developingrice varieties that are saline-tol-erant, drought-resistant, andflood-tolerant, which at the sametime are nutritious anddelicious.(Adora D. Rodriguez/AFIS)

IFEX agribiz ... (from p 4)

vestment opportunities in eggproduction; Adam Borja of DAnational rice program, on cur-rent status of the countrys riceindustry and DAs Food StaplesSufficiency Program; Phil. Coco-nut Authority deputy administra-tor Carlos Carpio, on productionand promotion of coconut prod-ucts for exports.Dr. Noel Solimanof Federation of Goat and SheepProducers Assn. of the Phils.,

on investments in goat produc-tion; and DemosthenesTogonon, on investment oppor-

tunities in mariculture parks.During the forum, DA

Undersecretary BernadetteRomulo-Puyat inducted the of-ficers of the PhilippineCalamansi Association Inc.(JaniceVargas & Joyce Bengo)

Pledge to end hunger and malnutrition. Agriculture Assis-tant Secretary Salvador Salacup (3rdfrom left) joins sector repre-sentatives commit to end hunger, at the recent launch of 2013 Nu-trition Month, in Manila Hotel. During the event, A/Sec Salacupsaid mitigating hunger and malnutrition is one of the major goalsof the Department of Agriculture by sustaining the production ofadequate, safe, nutritious, and affordable basic food items, includ-ing vegetables, milk, fish and meat. He said the country is on trackin achieving self sufficiency in rice and other staples by the end ofthe year. Also shown (from left) are: Concepcion Benosa, presi-dent of NCR Barangay Nutrition Scholars Federation; NEDA Dir.

Erlinda Capones; and DOH Undersecretary David Lozada Jr.

velopment; and 6th for the OPMVocal Solo.

As overall champion, the re-gion received a trophy and P5,000 cash, followed by Region 12at second spot, and region 7 forthe third spot. Runner-up regions

each received a trophy.(Lovella P.Guarin, RAFID 5)

(SPCMAD), Mr. Florencio Vivas-MRDP RI Component Head,Engr. Jerome Jamanulla-SELAPFocal Person, other representa-tives from DA 9 office, officialsfrom the LGU and beneficiariesof the projects.

The MRDP was developed in1999 as a targeted poverty re-duction program for the ruralpoor, women and indigenouscommunities in Mindanao.SELAP on the other hand is aspecial project of the Philippinesimplemented by DA under the USPL-480 program. Its main objec-tive is to contribute to the overallpeace and development initia-tives of the government in

Mindanao. (Yvette Avellaneda/RAFID 9)

DA-MRDP ... (from p8)

ZREC will implement a systemthat will use ethril on rubber trees--an antibiotic that increases latexproduction.

The fertilization program inTampilisan is not expected to im-mediately raise production, saidMejares. It may have a minimalpositive impact in 2013, perhapsa 10 percent increase in income,he said.

But government hopes to reap

the fertilization benefits in the nextfive to15 years.We want to replace old trees

and plant better varieties. But theonly option we have now is to fer-tilize to maximize yield. The landowner disapproved our requestfor land lease extension in theusufruct, said A/Sec Umali.

With fertilization, a higher yieldmay be achieved perhaps by2014.

Maximum yield is 20,000 ki-los, said Mejares.

Coagulated rubber, a raw formof rubber, is stocked up by buy-ers for several months. It is re-quired to be stored in clean con-dition in order to retain good qual-ity before milling.

So far, only five percent of theZRECs rubber plantation hasbeen fertilized. But a fertilizationrate of 100 percent on the entirearea covering 61,661 trees (ofwhich 50,000 trees are produc-tive) can raise yield to the maxi-mum 20,000 kilos per month.

Another reform is the transferof rubber preparations on ce-ment-paved or tiled areas.

Some of the workers used to

Zambo firm ... (from p 8)

(Pls turn to p11)


11/1211June 2013

DA @ 115 ... (from p 1)

positive 5.6% growth during thefirst quarter of 2013;

Implemented block sugar-cane farm system for a more ef-ficient and economical produc-tion of small farmers;

Exports of fancy and organicrice, corn silage, yellow onionand shallots have started; and

Focused on increased pro-duction and exports of non-tra-ditional products like coco coir,virgin coconut oil, coco sugar,and others.

Rice imports were greatly re-duced from a record high of 2.4million MT in 2010 to only187,000 MT this year. The coun-try is set to achieve 100% suffi-ciency in rice this year.

The celebration with thetheme, Kawaniy sama-sama,Misyon ng Kagawaran aykayang-kaya also featuredthe unveiling of the winning logo

made for the Philippine Rural De-velopment Program (PRDP) ledby DA Undersecretaries AntonioFleta and Joel Rudinas. Thelogo, created by fifth year engi-neering student FranciscoBaldoz from Baliuag, Bulacan,symbolizes the programs holis-tic strategy to engage the partici-pation of major players in thefood supply chain, and link farm-ers, fishers and other food pro-ducers with processors, manu-facturers, and trading partnershere and abroad.

As part of the celebration, theopening program of DAs 115thanniversary was featured on

work on the rubber right on thefield, which makes the productdirty, said Mejares.

ZREC just ended an agree-ment with a contractor that ex-hausted the capacity of rubbertrees to produce latex at a cer-tain time period. The contractorpracticed in 2012 an indiscrimi-nate tapping of rubber latex fromthe trees just to maximize yieldeven if this practice makes yieldunsustainable.

Coagulated rubber productionin Tampilisan ranges from 8,000to 15,000 kilos per month.

The ZREC has a current 50-year lease agreement, coveringa total of 1,000 hectares, with theformer Zamboanga National Ag-ricultural College (ZNAC) - West-ern Mindanao State University(presently Jose Rizal MemorialState University.)

Half of the area, 499 hectares,

is currently being turned over toholders of CLOA (certificate of

land ownership and authority).The Philippines continues to

face bright prospects in rubber.Despite price volatilities, the

outlook for natural rubber has re-mained positive due to new in-vestments in tire manufacturingworth $10 billion by Hankook,Bridgestone, Continental,Michelin, Pirelli, and Goodyear,among others in 2011 alone, ac-cording to Dr. Kamarul BaharainBasir in Rubber Asia.

As of 2011, global natural rub-ber production was at 10.342million MT. The world demand fornatural rubber was previouslyestimated to reach to 12.4 millionmetric tons (MT) by 2020.

The price of rubber is ex-pected to increase because oftight supply in the world market,said Mejares.

China is foreseen to have acontinuing demand for rubber, as

Zambo firm ... (from p 10)

rising consumer income is prop-ping up spending for more expen-sive goods such as automotivesthat extensively use tires.

There is currently an estimated150,000 hectares of rubber landin the country.

Rubber is also used as an ero-sion control, reforestation, and

DA celebrates 115th anniversary, unveils PRDP logo.DA Undersecretaries Joel S. Rudinas(2nd from right) and Antonio A. Fleta unveil a logo of the DAs Philippine Rural Development Pro-gram (PRDP), during the agencys 115th anniversary celebration, June 24, 2013, in Quezon City. Theweek-long DA anniversary also featured food products exhibits, parlor and exhibition games, and rec-

ognition of DA employees who have served at least 10 years. A six-year program, the PRDP will comple-ment initiatives of the DA, particularly in establishing infrastructure and livelihood projects to supportthe production and marketing of priority farm and fishery commodities, in partnership with farmersand fisherfolks groups, and local government units. The PRDP logo was designed by Francisco Baldos,Jr. (inset, 4th from left), an engineering student from Baliuag University, in Bulacan. Also shown arePRDP deputy director Arnel de Mesa (3rd from left) and finalists of the PRDP logo-making contest.

Good Morning Boss,aired 7 to9 am, over PTV 4.

Thru the national TV program,Undersecretaries Fleta andRudinas announced the accom-plishments of the agricultureagency during the past year, and

the itss priorities and thrusts inthe next three years of the

Aquino administration.In the afternoon, Fleta and As-

sistant Secretary Allan Umali, inbehalf of Secretary Alcala, recog-nized the contribution of the loyal

employees of the Departmentwho has served for at least 10years, and multiples of 5 yearsthereafter. They were handedtrophies and cash incentives inexchange of their commitmentand hard work.

environmental preservation crop,as it is biodegradable and is notpetroleum-based, unlike syn-thetic rubber.

Aside from coagulated rubber,ZRECs other income comesfrom interest income and miscel-laneous incomes. (MelodyAguiba, Manila Bulletin)

DA launches ... (from p 12)pes, which are healthy, deli-cious, and enticing especially tochildren, and can be served ei-ther for breakfast, lunch or din-ner as alternative to white rice.

Contestants can mix brownrice with other staples like sababanana, kamote sweet potato,white corn, white rice, and withvegetables, too.

Recipes for side dishes, des-

serts, and snacks are not in-cluded in the contest.

Only one recipe is allowedper contestant.

The criteria for judging are:taste (40%), health benefits(30%), simplicity (20%), andinnovativeness (10%).

Winners will receive cashprizes: P10,000 for the first;P7,000 - 2nd; and P5,000 - 3rd.

The winning recipes will beused by the DA for promotion,techno-demos, and other pur-poses. (Cath Nanta, DA-AFIS)


12/12

DA chief urges ... (from p 1)

countries by 2015.For instance, he said the DA

aims to further increase the av-

erage yield of palay (unmilledrice) and at the same time reducethe average production cost perkilogram (kg), which are currentlyat about four tons and P11 perhectare, respectively.

He said the DA National RiceProgram and the Philippine RiceResearch Institute (PhilRice) re-cently launched a contest dubbed as Palayabangan,among DA and PhilRice researchstations and the private sector to develop technologies thatwould produce an average yieldof 10 tons per hectare and pro-duction cost of P5 per kg.

Secretary Alcala said for theremaining three years of the

Aquino administration, the DA willfurther exert efforts to bring itsprograms and services down to

the countryside to benefit moresmall, marginal farmers andfisherfolk, and their families.

Sa susunod na tatlong taon,malinaw ang hamon sa atin ni

Pangulong Aquino: inclusivegrowth. Kaya, dapat makita,makarating at maramdaman ng12 milyung mga magsasaka atmangingisda ang ating mga

programa sa kanayunan,the DAchief noted

The DA will also invest moreresources particularly on majorcommodities to sustain the eco-nomic growth in the countryside.

Mayroon tayong mga focuscommodities na bubuhusan ngsipag, talino, gawa at budget upang ang hangad na pag-unladsa kanayunan ay mapangyari,he said.

Thus, in the next three yearsDA will focus on programs andinitiatives to benefit small, mar-ginal coconut farmers andfisherfolk families.

Cebu Farmers forum.Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcalapresents to Pedro Pantilag, of Kahugpugan sa Maguuma sa Sinsin,a carabao and plow that were raffled off during a Cebu CityHillyland farmers' forum, in Barangay Sudlon II. The DA chiefdistributed P3.5-million worth of agricultural projects to farmers

groups, rural organizations and several upland barangays in CebuCity. Joining him (from left) are Cebu City agriculturist JoeyBaclayon, DA region 7 technical director Joel Ilumba, and DA re-

i di A l i ( l hidd )

The Philippines and the Euro-pean Union (EU) delegation inthe country launched on June28, 2013, the third phase of theirTrade Related Technical Assis-tance Project (or TRTA 3) aimedat further promoting trade be-tween the Philippines and EUmember-countries.

The event was attended by topPhilippine and EU officials, otherdevelopment partners and re-lated private organizations, inceremonies held at Manila Pen-insula Hotel, in Makati.

With an EU financial supportof P456 million (M), the TRTA 3aims to deliver capacity-buildingand technical assistance for se-lected Philippine governmentagencies and private sector or-ganizations to enable them tofacilitate the countrys integrationinto the international and re-gional trading and investmentsystem. EU granted the Philip-pines P570M in cash fund andin kind for the implementation ofthe first two phases of the TRTA.

Through TRTA 3, the EU aims

to further support the PhilippineGovernments programs for eco-nomic development, inclusivegrowth, and poverty reduction.

The Department of Agricultureserves as the lead implementingagency for the TRTA 3 compo-nent on Sanitary andPhytosanitary (SPS) conformity.

It will undergo capacity devel-opment to strengthen its institu-tional resources for setting upSPS management and controlsystems.

The DA Policy Research Ser-vice and ISO 17025 technicalworking group will be given theneeded support so they couldtrain and guide other DA agen

Phl, EU launch TRTA 3 to furtherenhance trade of agri-fishery goods

services to farmers, fishers andprocessors so they could com-ply with international export stan-dards.

The TRTA 3 will also upgradethe SPS control procedures forregulated products (e.g.,feedsand medicines) and develop theDA quality seal system.

These initiaitives aims to en-hance the competitiveness ofPhilippine agri-fishery productsin the global market.

The TRTA 3 builds on thebreakthroughs and accomplish-ments by TRTA 1 and 2, notablygreater access of Philippine fishexports to EU, and formulationof the new Food Safety Law.

Secretary Proceso Alcala (middle) is flanked by top DA officialsundersecretaries, assistant secretaries, regional, bureau and OSEC servicedirectors, and heads of attached agencies and corporationsduring their mid-term national management committee meeting in Cebu City.

As part of the National Yearof Rice (NYR) advocacy cam-paign and National NutritionMonth celebration, the Depart-

ment of Agriculture will con-duct a cooking contest onbrown rice and other staples,dubbed as Healthier RiceChallenge.

Secretary Proceso Alcalaissued a recent memo on saidcooking contest, and enjoinedDA regional field units, bu-reaus, and attached agenciesand corporations to conductseminars on the health ben-efits of brown rice and ricemixes (rice-white corn, rice-adlai, and rice-kamote).

For the brown rice cookingcontest, interested individualsare asked to submit new reci-

DA launches cookingcontest in support

to NYR, nutrition month

(Pls turn to p11)

aggie trends june 2013 issue

Documents