Vol. XXVII No. 2 A monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture February 2012

2011 Top Rice Achievers, ‘Mga Bosing ng Palayan’. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala(left) poses with the respective governors of the 10 provinces declared as the country’s top rice producersin 2011 at the first-ever ‘Rice Achievers’ Award’ or ‘Parangal sa mga Bosing ng Palayan’. With him are(from left) governors Imee R. Marcos (Ilocos Norte), Josephine R. Sato (Mindoro Occidental), Alfonso V.Umali (Mindoro Oriental), Arthur Defensor (Iloilo), Alfredo G. Maranon (Negros Occidental), Gerardo J.Espina Jr. (Biliran), Rodolfo P. Del Rosario (Davao del Norte), Douglas RA Cagas (Davao del Sur), AdolphEdward G. Plaza (Agusan del Sur), and Johnny Pimentel (Surigao Del Sur).

The Philippine agriculture in-dustry grew by 2.34 percent (%)in 2011, bannered by the crops,livestock and poultrysubsectors.

Total gross production wasvalued at P1.4 trillion at currentprices, 11.5% more than in2010.

The combined positive perfor-mance of the three subsectorsserved as a cushion, as the fish-ery subsector registered nega-tive growth due to dwindling fishpopulation caused by overfish-ing, illegal fishing practices, andsuccessive typhoons during thesecond semester of 2011.

The crops subsector, contrib-uting one-half (49.6%) to totalagricultural output, registered a4.8% increase, led by palay(paddy rice) and corn.

Palay harvest totaled 16.68million metric tons (MMT), 5.8%more than in 2010 (15.77 MMT),while corn production amountedto 6.97 MMT, 9.3% more thanin 2010 (6.38 MMT).

Agri grows by 2.3%

DA-MRDP2 needs P6B more. The Philippine Governmentthrough the Department of Agriculture is requesting an additionalP6-billion fund infusion from the World Bank (WB) to finance moreinfrastructure and agri-fishery development projects, on top of theregular P4-billion budget, under the Mindanao Rural DevelopmentProgram phase 2 (MRDP2). Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (3rd fromleft) announced the request during a media conference, January 30in Davao City, after the MRDP2 7th review mission meeting. Joininghim (from left) are: WB officials Felizardo K. Virtucio, Jr. and Caro-lina Figueroa-Geron, DA Undersecretary Joel S. Rudinas, and Davaodel Norte Governor Rodolfo S. Del Rosario. (Pls read related story onp3, Photo by DA RAFID 11)

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala led the nation in honor-ing the country’s top rice-produc-ing provinces, cities, towns, irri-gators’ associations (IAs), and

DA honors 2011 top rice achieversoutstanding agricultural exten-sion workers (AEWs) of 2011 atthe first-ever Agri-Pinoy RiceAchievers’ Awards or ‘Parangal samga Bosing ng Palayan,’ Febru-ary 10, at the Philippine Interna-tional Convention Center (PICC),in Pasay City.

The winners are composed of10 provinces, 50 cities and mu-nicipalities, 8 IAs and 157 AEWs(pls see complete list on page 6).They received more than P100-million worth of prizes in the formof agricultural projects and cashincentives.

The top 10 provinces each re-ceived P4-M worth of agriculturalprojects, while the top 50 citiesand municipalities and 8 IAs eachreceived P1-M worth of agricul-tural projects. The 157 AEWseach received P20,000 as cashincentive.

Secretary Alcala said the con-test, launched last year, aims torecognize and encourage the fullsupport and participation of localgovernment units (LGUs), IAs,and AEWs in the Aquinogovernment’s goal to attain ricesufficiency by 2013, and surplusin succeeding years. The riceachievers’ awards is also part ofcampaign to promote the Aquino

The restoration of typhoon-damaged portions of theworld-famous Banaue riceterraces, particularly inBatad, Ifugao, will start soonwith the recent completion ofa P36-million (M) rehabilita-tion and upgrading plan.

A multi-agency team led bythe Department of Agriculturerecently completed a one-year operational, work and fi-nancial plan amounting toP36.25-M, of which P23.89-M will be shouldered by theDA, pending approval of Agri-culture Secretary Proceso J.Alcala.

Assistant Secretary andNational Rice Program Coor-dinator Dante S. Delima com-mended the speedy action of

Restoration ofrice terraces starts

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government’s f lagship FoodStaples Suff iciency Program(FSSP).

The top 10 provinces areIlocos Norte, Mindoro Oriental,Mindoro Occidental, Iloilo,

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

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

Editorial

Agri grows by ... (from p1)

Sugarcane production alsogrew significantly to 28.38 MMT,58.3% more than in 2010 (17.93MMT). Tobacco, pineapple andrubber also posted positive gains.

Total gross value of productionof the crops subsector reachedP804 billion at current prices,19.4% more than in 2010.

The livestock subsector, whichcontributed 16% to total agricul-tural output, registered a 1.99%growth.

It was led by the hog industrywhich produced 1.94 MMT, 2.2%more than in 2010 (1.89 MMT).Cattle and dairy production alsoincreased by 1.8% and 3.7%,respectively.

The livestock subsectorgrossed P212.9 billion at currentprices, 1% higher than in 2010.

Chicken production increasedby 4.5%, while chicken egg pro-duction moved up by 4.2%. Totalvalue of poultry productsamounted to P158.8 billion atcurrent prices, 4.8% than in2010.

The fisheries subsector, whichaccounted for one-fifth or 20.7%

to total agriculture output, de-creased by 4.1%, as commer-cial and municipal fish produc-tion dipped by 16.3% and 2.9%,respectively. Aquaculture pro-duction, however, grew by 2.4%.

The fishery subsector grossedP225.1 billion at current prices,1.85% more than in 2010.

Commercial and municipalfish catch declined due to over-fishing, illegal fishing activities,and rough seas and strong windsduring the 2nd semester causedby several typhoons.

Thus, the DA through BFARwill implement conservation poli-cies and measures, like impos-ing no fishing during breedingseason at selected seas to al-low fish stocks to regenerate.

In fact, the DA-BFAR hasimplemented a three-month nofishing season for sardines inthe Sulu and Visayan seas,starting December 1, 2011.

The policy is implemented inconsultation and coordinationwith commercial and municipalfishermen and industry stake-holders.

Overall, farmers, fishers andruralfolk were better off in 2011,as farmgate prices of various farmand fishery products increased byabout 9%.

Farmers of major crops en-joyed higher average prices, at14% more than in 2010.

For instance, prices of palayand corn went up by 4.7% and14.9%, respectively; coconut, upby 52%; pineapple, 27%; coffee,21%; rubber, 17%; abaca, 11%;

Secretary Alcala (center) re-ports the 2.3% growth of Phil-ippine agriculture in 2011,during a media briefing at theDepartment of Agriculturecentral office. Flanking himare DA undersecretary forpolicy and planning SegfredoSerrano (left) and assistantsecretary for agribusiness andfisheries Salvador Salacup.

Idinaos noong ika-10 ngPebrero ang kauna-unahang Agri-Pinoy RiceAchievers Awards sapangunguna ni KalihimProcy, Assistant Secretaryat National Rice Coordina-tor Dante De Lima at ngbuong pwersa ng riceprogram.

Ang patimpalak nainilunsad noon lamangnakaraang taon aynaglalayong bigyangpasasalamat at parangalang mga ‘Bosing ngPalayan’ na nagsisilbingmatatag na sandigan ngpamahalaan sa marangalnitong mithiin na kamtin angkasapatan sa pangunahingbutil ng bansa.

Ani Alcala, dimatatawaran angpagsisikap ng mgamagsasaka, irrigator’sassociation, agriculturalextension workers (AEWs)at lokal na pamahalaan namatagal nang ka-partner ngDA sa mga proyekto nitona nakatuon sa pagpapa-unlad ng kabukiran.

Saludo kami sa inyo, mga Bosing! Sa katunayan, halos

isang milyong metrikotonelada ang itinaas saproduksyon ng palay noong2011 bunga ng matimyas napagpupunyagi ng mgakabalikat sa sakahan. Ito aysa kabila pa ng hagupit naidinulot ng bagyongSendong.

Bumaba din ng 75% angmga imported na bigas napumasok sa bansa bungang pinaigting na kampanyang DA at NFA na bilhin angmga palay na mula sa mgamagsasakang Pinoy.

Di ba nga mismong siPangulong Aquino angnagsabing, “ang isasaing niJuan dela Cruz, ditoipupunla, dito aanihin, dibibilhin”.

Kaya bukod sapasasalamat at pagkilala sasipag at kagalingan ng mgarice achievers, layunin ngKagawaran na makahikayatpa ng mas malakingpagkilos bilang tugon saRice Self-Sufficiency targetsa taong 2013.

Ibubuhos sa sari-saring

proyektong pang-agrikultural ang malakingbahagi ng 2012 budget.Bibigyang prayoridad angpagsasaayos atpagdaragdag ng mga farm-to-market roads, irigasyonat iba pang mahahalagangimprastraktura.Ipagpapatuloy din angmekanisasyon ngpambansang agrikultura atmaglalaan ng mga abot-kayang lending schemepara matulungan angmaliliit na magsasaka samga gastusin sa bukirin.

Sa huli, tiyak na kakamtinnatin ang target nakasapatan bago pa manmag-2013 dahil sa sama-samang pagkilos ng mgasektor na direktangnakikinabang sa pagsasakaat ayuda mula sapamahalaan.

Kaya’t ngayon pa lang,bumabati na kami atsumasaludo sa inyong mga‘bosing ng palayan’.Ikinararangal kayo ng lahatng Pilipino.

is published monthlyby the Department of AgricultureInformation Service, Elliptical Road,Diliman, Quezon City. Tel. nos.9288762 loc 2148, 2150, 2155,2156 or 2184; 9204080 or tel/fax9280588. This issue is available inPDF file. For copies, please sendrequests via email :da_afis@yahoo.com.

and vegetables, led by cabbage(up by 157%), onion (86%), andeggplant (72%).

February 2012 3

The World Bank (WB) hasseen 15.5 percent (%) rise inthe income of poor families,particularly those who benefitedfrom the Mindanao Rural Devel-opment Program phase 2(MRDP2), a WB-funded pro-gram implemented by the De-partment of Agriculture.

WB lead rural developmentspecialist Carolina Figueroa-Geron said DA-MRDP2 hascontributed to increasing theincome of beneficiaries, mostlysmall farmers and fisherfolk,during a press briefing January30, 2012, in Davao.

Geron said from a baseline ofP71,822 income in 2007, theaverage income of MRDP2household-beneficiaries has in-creased by 15.5% to P82,926.The accomplishment is morethan twice the 7% target in-crease.

“Despite the 18-month hiatuson the earlier part of implemen-tation, the program is almoston-track, and has exceeded anumber of its targets as of mid-term,” Geron said.

For her part, MRDP2 programdirector Lealyn Ramos said the

WB: DA-MRDP boosts incomeof poor in Mindanao

DA-NIA to complete P498-M irrigation in Misamis Oriental.Secretary Alcala (left) inspects the Balingasag River irrigationproject along with National Irrigation Administrator Antonio Nangelduring a three-day regional visit in Northern Mindanao, Feb 1-3,2012. Once completed, the P498-million irrigation system will serve2,500 hectares, benefiting 2,123 farm-families in the towns ofBalingasag and Lagonglong, in Misamis Oriental, ensuring year-round palay production. Last year, Misamis Oriental produced closeto 26,500 metric tons of palay from 6,400 hectares, of which 5,950hectares are irrigated. The project will greatly contribute to increas-ing the province’s palay harvest in succeeding years, and attain self-sufficiency within the next two years, Alcala said.

strong partnership of the local gov-ernment units and the Program’sholistic approach to developmenthas contributed to increasing thebeneficiaries’ incomes, along withother positive results in respec-tive communities covered by theProgram.

“We also owe this feat to thestrong support of the local chiefexecutives who are at the forefrontof project implementation,” saidRamos, who is also concurrentDA Region 10 director.

The MRDP2 has a total fund of$123.57 million to undertake fourmajor components. These in-clude:

1. Rural Infrastructure (RI) - likeirrigation, farm-to-market roads(FMRs), bridges, potable watersupply (PWS), pre- andpostharvest facilities;

2. Community Fund for Agricul-tural Development (CFAD) – forresource-based livelihoodprojects;

3. Natural Resources Manage-ment (NRM) - environment con-servation initiatives; and

4. Investment for GovernanceReform – to capacitate LGUs inthe delivery of basic services.

The Program has a total of 499RI subprojects (under variousstages of implementation),amounting to P4.80 billion. Ofwhich, 375 are FMRs, amount-ing to P3.53 billion; 29 bridges –P293.76 million; 30 communal ir-rigation systems – P668.1 mil-lion; and 48 PWS – P298.12 mil-lion.

The remaining 27 subprojectsconsist of other infrastructureshas a total amount of P30.86 mil-lion.

Of the total infrastructureprojects, 101 subprojects werecompleted, amounting toP489.73 million.

These include 74 FMRs, witha total length of 236.34 km,amounting to P379.95 million; 7single-lane bridges with a totallength of 102.60 lm – P23.48 mil-lion; 1 communal irrigation, ser-vicing 100 hectares – P10.578million; 14 PWS – P65.94 mil-lion; and 5 other infrastructuresubprojects consist mostly ofpostharvest facilities – P9.77 mil-lion.

Of the livelihood subprojectsunder CFAD, 1,150 subprojectswere completed, 486 are on-go-ing, and 899 are for implementa-tion.

The MRDP has expanded theCFAD coverage by increasing themunicipal LGUs’ funding alloca-tion from P2.5 million toP5million.

Further, it has engaged theprovincial LGUs as directimplementers of CFAD projectswith a maximum fund of P10 mil-lion. The increased funding allo-cation is expected to boost ben-eficiaries’ capacity to developtheir livelihood into agribusinessenterprises.

Farm and Non-farm incomeWith the infrastructure and

livelihood projects now opera-tional, the beneficiaries are earn-ing from both farm and non-farmincomes.

The baseline farm income ofP40,093 has also increased byalmost 27 percent to P50,869by mid-term, while income fromnon-farm activities slightly roseby 1% to P32,082 from P31,729.

“As roads have become moreaccessible, farmers are able tobring in more inputs, cultivatemore farm lands to expand pro-duction which in turn increasetheir yield and boost income,”Ramos said.

She added that farmers alsoearned from value-adding as wellas save in hauling cost.

“In addition more sari-saristores are opening up, morejeepneys and motorcycles areplying the route of these previ-ously inaccessible bara-ngays,”she added.(Sherwin B. Manual,DA-MRDP)

Sen. Pangilinan, Sec Alcala launch ‘Sagip Saka.’ SenatorFrancis Pangilinan (right) and Secretary Alcala (third from left)hand over a golden shovel to Felix Baguilat, representing the firstbatch of beneficiaries of ‘Sagip Saka,’ an advocacy aimed at trans-forming agricultural communities to reach their full potential, im-proving farmers’ and fishers’ quality of life, and bridging gaps throughpublic-private partnerships. Launched January 27 at Club Filipinoin San Juan, Sagip Saka has an initial seed fund of P129 million toimplement various projects of the initial batch of 24 farmers’ groupsand communities. Of the amount, Senator Pangilinan has allottedP100 from his Priority Assistance Development Fund, while the De-partment of Agriculture is sharing P20 million to rehabilitate theIfugao Rice Terraces. The provincial government of Cavite is allo-cating P5 million for coffee projects, while several LGUs in Bicolregion are pitching in a total of P4 million for their respective SagipSaka projects. Joining them in the photo is Oriental Mindoro Gov.Aurelio Umali.

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Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala stressed that the Phil-ippines can do its part in helpingcontrol climate change and po-tentially earn P47 billion in theprocess at the recent APECSummit on Climate Change.

By planting coconut in 3.2 mil-lion hectares of land, the coun-try could help absorb 17.54 tonsof carbon dioxide per year, andat the same generate roughlyP47 billion in revenues per year,Secretary Alcala said.

“The Philippines has 3.2 mil-lion hectares devoted to coconutfarming. Based on studies, ahectare of coconut farm couldpotentially absorb 17.54 tons ofcarbon dioxide per year which isequivalent to P14.7 million per1,000 hectares through the CleanDevelopment Mechanism (CDM)valuation,” he said.

Alcala said there are other cli-mate change programs that buildthe adaptive capacity of farmingand fishing communities and in-crease the resilience of naturalecosystems to climate change.

Such programs also optimizeadaptation with mitigation oppor-tunities towards sustainable de-velopment, he added.

For instance, Alcala said, thegovernment is using the conceptof the farmers’ field school, andputting up the ‘climate f ieldschools,’ to integrate weatherdata gathering and forecasting,in addition to being an effectiveagricultural extension medium.

Likewise, Alcala said, the gov-ernment is starting to roll-out theweather-based insurance systemwhich has been tested to be aneffective risk transfer mechanism.

The government is also aggres-sively promoting organic agricul-ture that addresses both adaptionand mitigation.

“We support the adoption oflivestock breeds and fish strains,as well as organic inputs, thatimprove productivity and makeorganic produce more afford-able,” Alcala said.

“We advocate the use of bio-logical inputs to reduce or sub-stitute agri-chemical use. Wepursue biotechnology projects toimprove farm productivity andfood security, while causing theleast environmental harm,” headded.

Phl adopts measuresto mitigate climate change

The DA head explained thatthe rehabilitation of mangrovesand replanting of coconuts arepotential sources of carbon sinkand are effective adaptation mea-sures to prevent the damagesbrought by storm surges.

“At the end of the day, we ex-pect to map out climate changeadaptation and mitigation strat-egies, provide appropriate fi-nancing mechanisms, and

Secretary Alcala (2nd from right) exchanges pleasantries with Aus-tralian embassy second secretary Will Robinson (left), one of the 40delegates from 13 countries who attended the Asia-Pacific EconomicCooperation (APEC) Symposium on Climate Change, at EDSAShangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City, February 6 to 8, 2012. Secre-tary Alcala said the Philippines through the DA integrates climatechange adaptation measures in all its programs and projects. Theseinclude ‘Climate Field Schools’ that integrates season-long cropproduction modules with weather data gathering and forecasting,adoption of weather-based insurance system, promotion of organicagriculture that includes climate change adaptation and mitigation,use of biological inputs to reduce use of farm chemicals, pursuit ofenvironment-friendly biotechnology projects, and rehabilitation ofmangrove areas and replanting of coconut as potential sources ofcarbon sink and mitigating measure to prevent damages brought bystorm surges. Also shown are DA Undersecretary for policy and plan-ning Segfredo R. Serrano (2nd from left) and DA-APEC and climatechange initiatives focal person Director Alicia G. Ilaga.

implement what needs to be doneto sustain the productivity of ourland, water and marine resourcesto feed our region’s ever-increas-ing population,” Alcala said.

He noted that the Symposiumon Climate Change is one of thecommitments made by the Phil-ippines towards the achievementof food security under the actionplan. (Philippine Star)

Farm Working USecs. DAUndersecretaries Joel Rudinas andSegfredo Serrano lead the partici-pants of the Strengthening the Phil-ippines’ Institutional Capacity toAdapt to Climate Change(SPICACC) in planting tinawonrice in Banaue, Ifugao. TheCordilerra takes on strategic sig-nificance as climate change is ex-pected to effect changes in agricul-ture in the next 50 years. Accord-ing to USec. Rudinas, sea water isprojected to rise by one meter sonew options like upland rice plant-ing is being explored. (RobertDomoguen, DA-CAR)

The Department of Agricul-ture is encouraging rice farm-ers, particularly those servedby major irrigation systems inLuzon, to advance their ‘crop-ping calendar’ by a month ortwo to avoid typhoons that visitduring the months of Octoberto November.

“We are usually hit by strongtyphoons in October, so wehave to set the (cropping) sea-son earlier,” Agriculture Sec-retary Proceso J. Alcala said.

The DA, through its NationalRice Program directorate andthe National Irrigation Admin-istration (NIA), will spearheadthe initiative in partnership withthe respective irrigators asso-ciations (IAs).

Secretary Alcala said theearly planting scheme will beinitially implemented in Cen-tral Luzon, particularly thoseserved by the Upper Pampa-nga River Integrated IrrigationSystem (UPRIIS) and theMagat River Integrated Irriga-tion System (MARIIS).

About 190,000 hectares ofirrigated farms will be coveredunder the early plantingscheme, of which 110,000hectares are covered byUPRIIS and the remaining80,000 hectares are served byMARIIS.

To date, UPRIIS has a totalof 386 IAs under its jurisdic-tion, with some 82,000 farmer-members. On the other hand,MARIIS has 363 IAs with some65,000 farmer-members.

“It is from irrigation where wecan attain the biggest differ-ence for our yield. Farmers

DA urges farmersto advance ricecrop calendar

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5February 2012

The National Rice Program ofthe Department of Agriculture(DA) is employing a mixture ofboth innovative methods and time-tested programs to increase riceproduction and boost theprof itability of farmers in thecountryside.

In a report to AgricultureSecretary Proceso J. Alcala,assistant secretary and NationalRice Program coordinator DanteDelima said the innovations,which shall be carried over thisyear, have signif icantlycontributed to a 49.6 percentgrowth in total agricultural outputfrom the crops subsector lastyear.

Alcala recently announced thatpalay (paddy rice) production

DA uses innovativemethods for higherrice yield

The Department of Agriculture(DA) through the Sugar Regu-latory Administration (SRA), theDepartment of Agrarian Reform(DAR) and the private sector willallocate more than P97.690million (M) to fund the blockfarming project which aims tointegrate Agrarian Reform Ben-eficiaries Organizations (ARBO)and improve productivity fromsugarcane farms.

Of the amount, 11.2-M co-mes from DA, which will be al-located for farm to mill roadsand irrigation, 4.298-M fromSRA, for the management andtechnical assistance, 58.192-Mfrom DAR, and the remaining24-M from the private sector.

The program was launched inTuy, Batangas on January 20,2012, which was graced by DASecretary Proceso J. Alcala,SRA Administrator Regina Mar-tin-Bautista, and DAR Secre-tary Virgilio Delos Reyes.

Secretary Alcala said theproject is a component of theDA-SRA sugar industryroadmap to encourage smallfarmers to form themselves intogroups or cooperatives andadopt ‘economies of scale’ tomake their farm operations —land preparation, planting, fer-tilization and harvesting — morecost-efficient and thus more prof-itable per unit area.

He added that the DA-SRA —in partnership with sugarcanefarmers, sugar milling districtsand other sugar industry stake-holders — will sustain the pro-duction of sugar for both foodand biofuel feedstock.

Under the block farming sys-tem, small farms of less than10 hectares will be consoli-dated and integrated throughvarious schemes such as con-tract, joint venture, partnership,and sharing. The ‘block farms’should have a total area rang-ing from 30 to 50 hectares.

The project will initially cover927 hectares in Tuy involving919 agrarian reform beneficia-ries (ARBs), belonging to fourcooperatives.

The block farm project willalso be implemented in othersugarcane farms in Lian,Nasugbu and Balayan, all inBatangas.

Other proposed provinces forblock farming implementationare Tarlac, Albay, Antique,Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occiden-

P97 M for sugarcane block farming project

The DA through the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) andthe Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) joined hands to imple-ment a two-year pilot sugarcane block farming project that willconsolidate small farms owned by agrarian reform beneficiaries(ARBs) into blocks of 30 to 50 hectares to attain economies of scale.Photo shows Secretary Alcala (left), DAR Secretary Virgilio de losReyes (2nd from left) and SRA Administrator Regina Bautista Mar-tin signing the project’s memorandum of agreement, as Batangas1st District Representative Tomas V. Apacible (standing, at left ) andother DA and DAR officials look on.

tal, Negros Oriental, Leyte,Bukidnon and Davao del Sur.

The project launch includes aforging of a memorandum ofagreement among SecretaryAlcala, Secretary de los Reyes,and Administrator Bautista, chair-persons of the four ARBs, TuyMayor Jose Cerrado, and Bata-ngas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto.

DA partners with Filipino farm manufacturers. DA AssistantSecretary and National Rice Program Coordinator Dante S. Delimainspects the hand tractors or ‘power tillers’ manufactured in CauayanCity, Isabela by Equity Machineries Inc. (EMI), one of the DA’s ac-credited partners in the implementation of the Aquino government’sfarm mechanization program. DA is tapping Filipino manufacturersto produce various farm equipment and machinery which will beprovided to farmers’groups, irrigators’ associations and LGUs underan “85-15”counterparting scheme. Joining him are EMI presidentand CEO Mark Anthony Perez, and DA Region 2 officials.

yielded a total of 16.68 millionmetric tons, 5.8 percent morethan the 15.77-M MT producedin 2010.

Delima said innovationsintroduced during the year werethe establishment of communityseed banks, regional seed bufferstocks, the Rice Achievers’Awards, and forging ofpartnerships with variousstakeholders.

He said that the innovations,alongside traditional programslike ratooning, distribution offarm implements and machines,construction of irrigationsystems and post-harvestfacilities, and provision ofmarketing, research andextension support, are aimed atboosting the government’s FoodStaple Suff iciency Program(FSSP), as well as increase theprofitability of farmers.

The community seed bankingprogram aims to increase farm-ers’ access to quality seedsthrough sustainable commu-nity-based seed banks orga-nized, developed and managedby farmers, irrigators’ associa-tion (IA) members, and non-gov-ernment organizations.

Under the program, two kilo-grams of starter seeds are pro-vided to beneficiaries which theypropagate to become motherseeds for the next cropping sea-son.

Some 89,247 bags of two ki-logram starter seeds were dis-tributed to farmers belonging to103 IAs nationwide, while a to-tal of 227 seed storage facilitiesand warehouses were funded forrehabilitation and repair, Delimasaid.

The Seed Buffer Stocking Pro-gram, on the other hand, aimsto ensure the availability of highquality palay seeds in the re-gional offices that can be ac-cessed by farmers in times of

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DA honors ... (from p1)Negros Occidental, Southern

Leyte, Davao del Norte, Davao delSur, Agusan del Sur, and Surigaodel Sur.

They were judged based ontheir incremental rice productionvolume and area harvested from2008 to 2011, total funds allo-

Proceso J. AlcalaKalihim, Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka

Isang taos-pusong pagbati sabuong Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka sapamumuno ni Kalihim Proceso J.Alcala.

Nagpupugay po tayo sa tagumpayng inyong paligsahan na maylayuning iangat ang pambansang aning palay at mga pangunahingpagkain.

Malugod ko ring binabati ang mganahirang na “Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers ng 2011.” Nagsisilbikayong huwaran at inspirasyon sa lalo pa nating pagsisikap namakamit ang kasapatan sa bigas at iba pang pangunahingpagkain sa 2013.

Malaki ang kontribusyon ng ating mga programang pang-agrikultura sa pagsusulong ng kaunlaran sa ating bansa. Kayanaman puspusan ang pagtataguyod natin ng mga kapaki-pakinabang na programa tulad ng Food Staples Sufficiency Pro-gram (FSSP) upang mapaunlad pa ang ating produksyon atmaparami ang mga pangunahing butil at lamang-ugat.

Sa pangunguna rin ng inyong Kagawaran, isinasaayos na natinang mga imprastrakturang agrikultural, at nililinang angkaalaman at kasanayan ng ating mga magsasaka sa mgamakabagong teknolohiya at pamamaraan.

Tinatamasa na natin ang liwanag ng pag-asa at pagbabagosa ating bayan. Sa pagkakapit-bisig ng pamahalaan at ngmamamayan, tiwala akong tuloy-tuloy na ang ating tagumpaysa bawat hakbang natin tungo sa malusog, masigla atproduktibong pambansang sakahan at pangisdaan.

Tahakin natin ang tuwid na landas tungo sa isang maunlad naPilipinas.

Benigno S. Aquino IIIPangulo, Republika ng Pilipinas

Ang makamit ang kasapatan sa bigas aynapakalaking hamon at responsibilidad parasa Pamahalaang Aquino na nakaatang saKagawaran ng Pagsasaka.

Kaya naman, kailangan namin ng tulongat suporta ng lahat, lalung-lalo na ng mgakatuwang natin sa sektor ng sakahan,industriya ng palay at bigas, mgapamahalaang lalawigan, lungsod at bayan,kasama na ang mga samahan ng magsasaka,

partikular ang mga irrigators’ association (IA), at mga teknisyan oagricultural extension workers (AEWs).

Bilang pagkilala sa kanilang patuloy na pagsisikap at ambagupang maiangat ang pambansang produksyon ng palay at bigas,kami’y nagtaguyod ng kauna-unahang ‘Agri Pinoy Rice Achievers’Awards’ o ‘Parangal para sa mga Bosing ng Palayan.’

Alam namin na hindi lamang sila ang dapat bigyan ngpagpupugay, kaya naman ang parangal na ito ay taun-taon nam-ing itataguyod upang bigyan ng pagkakataon ang iba pang mgalalawigan, lungsod at bayan, mga IA at AEW sa buong bansa.Magsilbi sanang inspirasyon sa kanila at iba pang katuwang sasektor ng sakahan upang sama-sama nating makamit angminimithing kasapatan sa bigas at iba pang pangunahing pagkainsa taong 2013.

Nawa’y patuloy tayong patnubayan at pagkalooban ng PoongMaykapal ng kaaya-ayang klima at panahon, matipunongpangangatawan, at malinis at tapat na hangarin upang makamitang ating mga adhikain at pangarap ng masaganang ani, malakingkita, maunlad na kanayunan at magandang kinabukasan para saating mga pamilya at mahal sa buhay.

Muli, maligayang bati sa mga nagwaging ‘Bosing ng Palayan’ng taong 2011. Mabuhay!

cated for rice production, num-ber of LGU personnel deployedto rice production and other re-lated activities, and total farmer-beneficiaries, among other pa-rameters.

A similar set of criteria wasused to determine the top 50 cit-ies and municipalities.

“Saludo kami sa inyo, mga Bosing ng Palayan”Top 50 Cities/MunicipalitiesCAR: Tabuk City, Kalinga; Region 1: San Jacinto, Pangasinan; Region 2: Isabela –Alicia, Delfin Albano, Cabatuan , San Mateo, Cauayan City and Santiago City;Nueva Vizcaya – Bagabag, Solano , Bayombong, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Surand Aritao; Region 3: Nueva Ecija – Talavera, San Isidro, Sto. Domingo , Gen.Tinio, Guimba, Sta. Rosa and Llanera; San Rafael, Bulacan; Balanga, Bataan;Region 4A: Tiaong, Quezon; Region 4B: Occidental Mindoro - San Jose, Rizal andSablayan; Region 6: Aklan - Banga and Numancia; Sibalom, Ant ique; Dumalag,Capiz; I loilo – Dingle and Passi City; Moises Padill a, Negros Occidental; Region 7:Bohol - Pilar, Ubay and San Miguel; Toledo City, Cebu; Negros Oriental – Ayungonand Sta. Catalina; Region 8: Ormoc City, Kananga, Leyte; and Hinunangan, South-ern Leyte; Region 10: Don Carlos, Bukidnon ; and Plaridel , Misamis Occidental;Region 11: Braulio E. Du jali , Davao del Nort e; Davao Sur – Matanao and Hagonoy;Region 13: Trento, Agusan Sur; and Butuan City, Agusan NorteTop Irrigators’ Associations: Badagoy IA, Inc., Magsaysay, Davao Del Sur; Basak-Pangutosan Carp IA, Inc., Nabunturan, Compostela Valley; Boan Bida IA, Inc., Wasian,Rosario , Agusan Del Sur; Dujali Isidro Talisay Casay IA, Inc . (Ditci a 1), BugtongTalisay, Dujali , Davao Del Norte; MTG PLIVRISCAF IA, Inc. , Pandalla, ScienceCity of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; Barangayan Siete IA, Inc. , Rizal, Science City of Muñoz,Nueva Ecija; Salbar IA, Inc. , Brgy. Ayungon , La Carlo ta, Negros Occidental; andNapal-Conel Road IA, Inc. , Brgy. Lagao, GenSan CityTop Agricultural Extension WorkersCAR: Tabuk City, Kalinga - Jul ibert L. Aquino, Clari ta T. Aricheta, Felici tas W.Balmores, Crispina M. Buco, Ri ta D. Codiam, Elsie D. Edduba, Dominga W.Lacson, Marivina B. Martinez, Felomina B. Nalog, Nobleto N. Sagun, MarcelinaV. Saquing, Fatima P. Solimen, Erwin B. Tangdol, and Victor G. Yague; REGION 1:San Jacinto, Pangasinan - Es tefania T. Ventigan; REGION 2: (Isabela) Sto.Domingo, Alicia - Sammy M. Zamora; Delfin Albano - Amadeo R. Baquiran,Florencio M. Dumlao , Jr., and Al fredo C. Mamuri; Cabatuan - Samuel A. Fal laria,Federi co S. Sison, Jr., Marciano A. Ramil, Jr., Pabli to L. Guloy, Regie C. Mariano,and Ariel N. Macugay; San Mateo - Adelia B. Pascua and Jemin io B. Ri llon;Cauayan City - Mary Jane S. Yadao; Santiago City - Edi lberto P. Abes; (NuevaVizcaya) Bagabag - Ar temio Tuquero; Solano - Victoria C. Damian; Bayombong- Engr. Leonardo Corsino; Dupax del Sur - Precy Pudiquet; Aritao - Marialit a G.Gaboy; REGION 3: (Nueva Ecija) Guimba - Eudiosia P. Abesamis , Vilma M. Bautista;Gen. Tinio - Patri cia G. Abesamis and Jacinto C. Brisueño; Talavera - Virg inia A.Leandro and Flora V. Clariza; Sto. Domingo - Myrna F. Angeles , Arsenia M.Aquino, Emelita R. Flores, Celi a E. Laureta , and Franci sca Q. Salamanca; SanIsidro - Rodolfo F. Buenaventu ra and Danilo M. Ru iz; Sta. Rosa - Resti tuto F.Batin; Llanera - El izabeth L. Pacada; Science City of Muñoz - Luzviminda Piga-Ruiz; (Bataan) Hermosa - Mercelita T. Banal, Cat alina O. Benitez, Es tela Y. Capati,Priscil a S. Layno, Susana M. Macalino, Eduardo M. Manuel and Enrico H. Puno;Balanga City - Reg ina B. Jav ier and Ronnie G. Lopez; (Bulacan) San Ra fael -Evelyn B. Cruz, Flo rdeliza E. Matunan, and Emelita V. Reyes; (Pampanga) Cit y ofSan Fernando - Donalene P. Meg ino; REGION 4A: Tiaong, Quezon - Zenaida V.Amargo; REGION 4B: (Occidental Mindoro) San Jose - Domingo A. Florent ino,Ricardo J. Gelena, Rosalila A. Austral, Editha L. Lim, Fernando G. Leonci to, InyLourdes S. Peroy, Romel B. Calingasan, and Al rizza C. Zub iri; Riza l - Lauderick A.Jimena, Glecy V. Plaquino, Bernardo P. Sta. Rinala, Jr. and Phebe Q. Barr ientos;Sablayan - Celia B. Baranda, E lma T. Tamo, and Evelia S. L icos; (Oriental Mindoro)Naujan - Noel S. Ni lo; REGION 6: Banga, Aklan - Neniveh Ron; Siba lom, Ant ique- Anthony Abong, Efren Embanecido, and Junel Pineda; (Iloi lo) Bana te - Jose A.Arroyo, Elidelia B. Bagonoc, Sanly B. Galvez, Gloria Q. Lagradante, and GregoriaT. Torrechante; San Miguel - Ma. Divina C. Buenaflor; San Dionisio - May A.Carnaj e and Virginia L. Layson; Passi City - Anabel C. Castillanes , Ma. Japeth D.Fernandez, Rowena C. Palmares, Eva S. Patino, Liela A. Rosbero and Araceli P.Alba; Cabatuan - Presentacion N. Continente, Tita A. Ducasi and Hepzibah C.Santoceldes; Oton - Car idad S. Florencondia and Magdalena D. Sonora; Miagao -Ma. Frea N. Monsale; Dingle - Jose L. Loreno and Ronaldo L. Quicoy; (Capiz)Dumalag- Berni e Protacio and Teresita Bad illa; Mambusao - Lorna Lipardo;(Negros Occidental) Kabankalan City - Melba T. Bañares; San Carlos City - MarianitaD. Latoza; Moises, Padilla - Ramonita I. Ronqu illo; REGION 7: (Bohol) Pilar -Romeo T. Tariao; Ubay - Hercules B. Reyes; Dagohoy - Maribeth C. Halasan;Alicia - Panfilo R. Olagui r; San Miguel - For tunata T. Palma; (Cebu) Argao -Laurencia R. Baricuatro; Toledo City - L ibertine M. Bucao; (Negros Oriental)Guihulngan - Joel U. Cad iz; Ayungon - Bebewien F. Romano; Sta. Ca talina -Norma M. Namacpacan; REGION 8: (Leyte) Tabon-Tabon - Dr. Arturo T. Juanico;Ormoc City - Samuel P. Daroy, Dante B. Albarico, Judy Veneranda B. Mendiola,Judith F. Paredes, Sofronio G. Laguna Jr., and Consolacion Y. Mendez; Kananga -Carlito J. Torreon, Virgilio B. Burato, Rosalina B. Cab iling and Rowena P. Lacandazo;St. Bernard - Erma K. Capilitan; Libagon - Marlina M. Bagohin; Macrohon -Marietta C. Alago; Naval, B iliran - Shi rley J. Jadu lco; Culaba, Biliran - Christ ineC. Devio; (Southern Leyte) Hinunangan - Marlou H. Pan and Rober ta R. Manun-og;REGION 10: Don Carlos, Bukidnon - Lenie Baylo; Plaridel, Misamis Occ. - JosefinaJ. Jaco l, Elizabeth A. Talam, Virginia C. Namocatcat, Wendel C. Demit, andMelisa B. Sinconiegue; REGION 11: (Davao Del Sur) Hagonoy - Marcos T. Bacosa,Virgin ia G. Culango, and Rodrigo L. Hermosura; Matanao - Evelyn C. Nisas,Generoso Y. Alagdon, Sr., Visi tacion L. Panal, Beatri z O. Escobar te, and Juli eta A.Albarracin; (Davao Del Norte) Braul io E. Dujali - Lorna A. Escobar; REGION 13:Brgy.Sto.Niño, Bu tuan City, Agusan del Norte - Gertrudes S. For tun; Poblacion,Trento, Agusan del Sur - Alfred A. Gimang

6

If twinning in buffaloes is aone-in-a-million chance, twincalves born several days apartfrom each other could be one-in-a-trillion.

This rare phenomenonhappened at the PhilippineCarabao Center at CentralLuzon State University (PCC-CLSU) farm where twin calveswere born nine days apart.

The first calf was born lastyear on July 25 at six in themorning, reported Dr. AntonioSalazar, Jr., PCC-CLSU farmmanager.

On the night of the sameday, the calf was separatedfrom its mother and was givenmilk replacer for supplement.The mother was joined withthe other lactating dams in thebarn. Lactating and pregnantcows usually have separatebarns.

On August 3, the night shiftcaretaker, Dominador Gaspar,saw that one of the lactatingdams gave birth. When Dr.Salazar went to the farm, hewas surprised to see that thebuffalo that gave birth is thesame animal that deliverednine days ago.

The phenomenon, whichwas immediately reported toPCC-CLSU’s center directorDr. Edwin Atabay and PCCexecutive director Dr.Libertado C. Cruz, drew thesame reaction as that of Dr.Salazar’s.

”Pambihira! Ang galing! (It’srare! That’s great!),” Dr. Cruzdeclared.

Dr. Salazar, who had beenearlier engaged in PCC’stwinning project which em-ployed the use of in-vitro-produced-vitrified embryos,said that this was the firsttime he saw this kind ofoccurrence among pregnantbuffaloes.

Rare phenomenonTwin calves born nine days apart

Dr. Atabay, ananimal breedingand reproduc-tion expert,added that thetwinning mighthave beencaused by therelease of twodistinctoocytes thatwere bothfertilized attwo differentmating times.

Dr. Atabay saidthat the dam was oneof the 40 pregnantBrazilian murrah buffaloesthat were brought to the farmfrom the quarantine site. Thisnumber was part of the 2,000head imported from Brazil last

7February 2012

High value cheeses frombuffalo’s milk will be producedstarting early next year by thePhilippine Carabao Center(PCC) Central Processing andCollection Plant.

This projected plan wasbolstered by the completion ofthree PCC staff members in atraining program on cheeseprocessing/production. Theirtraining was carried on at theKorea Institute of Small-scaleMilk Processing (KISM),Sunchon National University,Republic of Korea, from January11 to 24 this year.

The three staff members,science research assistantVenus C. Quines of the PCCCentral Processing and Collec-tion Plant, Mina P. Abella,science research assistant ofPCC at CLSU,and Thelma L.Canaria, science researchassistant of PCC at UPLB, hadhands-on training on processing

PCC central processing plant soon to produce quality cheesesof ripened and unripenedcheeses from cow’s milk afterimbibing knowledge on cheeseproduction.

The training aims to improvethe participants’ technicalcapabilities on the processingof high quality cheeses frombuffalo’s milk.

Every step in making varietiesof cheeses was fully discussedby their trainer.

Among those taken up in thelectures were fundamentals ofcheese-making and the detailson the different treatments onthe curd resulting to differentcheese varieties. Dr. Inhyu Bae,KISM director, was the trainingprofessor.

Although cow’s milk wasused during the training, Quinessaid it was no problem adjust-ing the procedure in usingbuffalo’s milk.

The essential thing, she said,was that they already learned

year that were infused insmall dairy farms in selectedareas in Nueva Ecija.

to standardize and balancedifferent treatments on thecurd to produce differentcheeses.

Cheese produced frombuffalo’s milk is of higher valuethan cheeses made out ofcow’s milk.

Ripened cheeses are morehigh-end cheeses, Quinessaid. They include goudacheese, tilsiter cheese,appenzeller cheese, asiagocheese, berg cheese, edamcheese, and caciocavallo.These can be produced within6 months to one year ofprocessing, she added.

Unripened cheeses, on theother hand, are mozzarellacheese and string cheese, shesaid.

The training also providedthem knowledge and skills inthe production of yogurt andcultured butter. (Mark Lyndon F.Antaran, PCC)

Thetwin

calveswere

named aftertheir respective birth

months, July and August.(Joahna G. Goyagoy, PCC)

(Photo by DA-PCC)

At left are the PCC staff who trained on cheese processing in Korea.Above is the PCC showroom in Munoz, Nueva Ecija. (Photos by DA-PCC)

8

Marking his third visit to theBicol region, Agriculture Secre-tary Proceso J. Alcala hasalloted more than P19-millionworth of agricultural and fisheryinputs, equipment and livelihoodprojects, benefiting thousands offarmers, fisherfolk, and their re-

spective communities in Albayand Sorsogon.

He also ordered DA-PhilippineCoconut Authority (PCA) Admin-istrator Euclides Forbes andPCA Bicol regional directorEduardo Allorde to stop issuingpermits to cut coconut treesstarting this year.

Sec. Alcala held dialogues andconsultations with over 1,000agriculture stakeholders, localofficials, student-leaders, mem-bers of the academe, media per-sons, DA Bicol officials and staff,including heads of DA attachedagencies in different locations inthe provinces of Albay andSorsogon, on January 26, 2012.

A significant outcome of theconsultations was his immediateaction to impose a ban on cut-ting of coconut trees in Albay, asrecommended by Governor JoeySalceda and local chief execu-tives. Salceda said the uncon-trolled cutting of coconut treescould trigger landslides and flood-ing in low lying villages in the prov-ince.

Another issue brought to hisattention are the massive illegalfishing activities and intrusion ofcommercial fishers into Albaymunicipal waters, especiallyalong Burias Pass.

Thus, he ordered Bureau ofFisheries and Aquatic Resources(BFAR) Bicol regional director

DA allots P19M agri projects in Bicol, bans cutting of coco treesDennis del Socorro to closelycoordinate with local officialsand go after and prosecute com-mercial fishers who violate thelaw.

Sec. Alcala said the DA-BFARis already addressing the lackof livelihood opportunities of

marginal f ishermen via theaquasilviculture program, wherefish species like grouper, tilapiaand mudcrabs are raised inmangrove areas.

Likewise, the DA-BFAR is put-ting up multi-species hatcheriesin Bicol and other parts of thecountry to provide additional in-come and employment opportu-nities to marginal fisherfolk.

He said the DA-BFAR is pro-viding Albay an initial P600,000to implement an aquasilvicultureproject and a community-basedcrab hatchery.

Problems and issues on irri-gation were also immediatelyacted upon by NIA Administra-tor Antonio Nangel, who alsojoined Sec. Alcala during thesortie.

Other agricultural issues werealso addressed promptly or re-ferred for follow-up to DA regionalexecutive director Jose V.Dayao, BFAR director Dennisdel Socorro, NIA regional direc-tor William Ragodon and otherheads of DA attached agencies.

During the trip, Sec. Alcala dis-tributed to farmers’ and fishers’cooperatives, irrigators associa-tions, and local officials variousfarm equipment worth P14M, 20units bottom-set gillnets worthP1.2M, and livelihood projectsamounting to P1.2 under the‘Agrikultura: Kaagapay ng

Bayang Pinoy’ or AKBAY liveli-hood program.

He also gifted the students andteachers in 100 public schoolsin Albay through the Departmentof Education regional office 100sets garden tools and assortedvegetable seeds, which they willuse to develop school vegetablegardens under the DA-DepEd‘Gulayan sa Paaralan’ program.

Alcala raffled off more than P2-million worth of farm inputs,equipment and draft carabao tofarmers, school officials and stu-dents who attended and activelyparticipated at the farmers’ forain Albay in Sorsogon.

The items included 10 handtractors worth P130,000 each (fora total of P1.3M), 10 sets ofcarabao with harrow and plow val-ued at P40,000 each (P400,000in all), and 4 threshers worthP80,000 each (P320,000).

To cap his hectic one-day visit,Sec. Alcala also met with the dis-trict and party-list representativesof both provinces, led by Gov.Salceda in Albay, and in

Sorsogon by former agriculturesecretary and incumbent 1st Dis-trict Representative Salvador H.Escudero III.

He also took time to meetwith the officials and staff of theDA regional office and attachedagencies to thank them andprod them to continue doingtheir job well.

In all, his tight schedule in-cluded marathon meetings, dia-logues, stakeholders fora andmedia conferences in three ven-ues (Legaspi City; Bacacay,Albay; and Sorsogon City).

The short but close encoun-ter of Secretary Alcala with theBicolanos left a positive im-pression on farmers and otheragriculture stakeholders thatthe Aquino administrationthrough the DA is willing to lis-ten and ready to respond andact on the issues and concernsraised by farmers, fishers, ag-riculture and f ishery industrystakeholders, and developmentpartners. (Emily Bordado, DA-RAFID5)

Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (left) allots P19 million worth of agriand fishery inputs and livelihood projects for the benefit of farmersand fisherfolk in Albay and Sorsogon. With Alcala are DA RFU-VDirector Jose Dayao and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda.

Secretary Alcala (right, top photo) cheerfully answers a query duringa techno-demo forum held at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlifein Quezon City, attended by more than 100 farmers and urban farmingenthusiasts (foreground). He said the DA with an increased budgetof more than P61 billion this year will frontload investments — inirrigation, farm inputs and equipment, community seed banks,postharvest, storage and trading facilities, farm-to-market roads,and fish ports — to achieve the targets and goals set under the FoodStaples Sufficiency Program. To ease the pressure on rice, the DAwill massively promote the production and consumption of otherstaples like white corn grits, saba or cardaba banana, cassava, sweetpotato, other rootcrops, and adlai. Top photo also shows DA region4A director Abelardo Bragas (middle) and Radyo ng Bayan farmbroadcaster Francis Cansino (left).

9February 2012

Sec Alcala inspects the Cabula Tramline System. Secre-tary Alcala inspects the Cabula tramline system, designed by thePhilippine Center for Post Harvest Development and Mechaniza-tion, which enables the easy transport of agri-products fromBaungon, Bukidnon to the markets of Cagayan de Oro City. Thefacility is part of the interventions of the Aquino government to theSendong-affected areas in Region X.

The Bureau of Fisheries andAquatic Resources (BFAR) isbatting for value adding to en-able local milkfish and other fishspecies to find markets over-seas.

BFAR Director Asis G. Perezsaid aquaculture companiescan produce fillets and specialby-products for the Asian, Eu-ropean and American marketsand noted that processed prod-ucts enjoy better prices.

Perez said the strides madeby aquaculture has increasedits share of the food-fish supplyfor the domestic market, whichis now comprised of 94 millionpeople.

“While we buy whole fish,other markets prefer processedproducts like fillets,” he said.

Perez also noted the entry ofAlsons Aquaculture Corp. (AAC)in the China market, shippingout an initial nine tons of milk-fish to Xiamen, an industrial andcommercial hub that has growntremendously in the last twodecades.

With the initial shipment,Gabriel H. Alcantara, AAC as-sistant vice president for theprocessed food division, saidthe company became the firstPhilippine company to test thepotential of bangus in the lucra-tive China market. (BusinessMirror)

BFAR notes Alsonsaquaculture break-through into China

Mussel Production in Benoni, Camiguin. Secretary Alcala (cen-ter) listens to provincial fishery officer Claudio Fabre (left) as heexplains an innovation on mussel production being practiced at theBenoni Bangus Breeding and Experimental Center in Benoni,Camiguin. Photo shows Alcala, Fabre and Camiguin governor JurdinJesus M. Romualdo (right) inspecting the mussels cultured and grownin a rubber tire as part of the fishery programs implemented by theBureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region X. Aside frommussel, the Center produces roughly 100 million bangus eggs annu-ally which has enabled Northern Mindanao to be self-sufficient invarious aqua products.

Diversifying conglomerate SanMiguel Corp. (SMC) and BountyFresh Food Inc. are negotiatingwith Korean firm Sinwoo Food Inc.for a possible exportation ofchicken to Korea, the Bureau ofAnimal Industry (BAI) said yes-terday.

In a press conference, BAI di-rector Efren Nuestro said that

SMC, Bountry Fresh eye chicken exports to KoreaKorea has been importing 93 mil-lion kilos of chicken per year.Korea, however, has been sourc-ing their chicken from Thailand.

Nuestro said that last Novem-ber, his counterpart from Koreavisited the country to check if thePhilippines can supply Korea withchicken.

According to Department ofAgriculture assistant secretaryfor livestock Davino P. Catbagan,the government of Korea inquiredon how the Philippines is han-dling pesticide and drug residues.In this regard, the DA has alreadysubmitted documents on howpesticides and drug residues arehandled.

Catbagan stressed that Philip-pine chicken meat is the bestchicken in Asia and that the Phil-ippines is Avian Influenza-free. Interms of logistics, the Philippinesis closer to Korea than Brazil.Brazil is the primary meat ex-porter to Korea.

SMFI told the Koreans thatthey have been exporting chickento Japan since 2004. SMFI saidthey were able to meet the strin-gent requirements of the Japa-nese government which is a goodindicator for Korea to pursue im-portation from the Philippines.

Catbagan promised to help theKoreans in their bid to buychicken from the Philippines. Theexportation could possibly beginthis May. (Philippine Star)

The government plans to putup clonal gardens in Baguio toproduce high-yielding specialtyArabica coffee “cuttings” thatshould help displace some of thePhilippines’ 40,000 metric tons(MT) of coffee imported yearly.

The Bureau of Plant Industry-Baguio National Crop Researchand Development Center (BPI-BNCRDC) aims to establish twoto three clonal gardens inBaguio.

The proposed pilot sites arehigh elevation areas Sagada andAtok, and lower elevation areasSablan or Kabayan.

When successful, the pro-posed pilot clonal gardens maybe replicated nationwide.

BPI-NCRDC agriculturistAvelina M. Galacio said BPI isseeking funding support from theDepartment of Agriculture-Bu-reau of Agricultural Research’s(DA-BAR) for the clonal gardensto propagate Arabica cuttingswhich have proven successful inraising farmers’ yield and in-come.

Cuttings as planting materialswere found by the BPI to give ahigh yield of an average of 4.38metric tons (MT) per hectare,about double the 2.25 MT perhectare yield from seeds.

Coffee clonal gardensbeing put up to increaselocal coffee production

The Department of Agricul-ture (DA) is establishing a(DNA) Library of Crops, Fish-eries, and Livestock (LCFL)which will help speed up cropimprovement and enhancePhilippines’ ability to benefiteconomically from geneticand proprietary rights.

DA already started the DNALCFL Library under its 2011biotechnology program whichfor the first time received aP150 million budget under the2011 General AppropriationsAct (GAA).

DA UndersecretarySegfredo R. Serrano said thatDA already has a more stablebudget for biotechnology pro-gram office (BPO) as govern-ment recognizes the functionof new techniques in its pov-erty and hunger reduction andfood security drives.

DA establishesDNA crop library

(Pls turn to p10)

(Pls turn to p10)

10

DA, LBP ... (from p12)

Secretary Alcala and LBP President Gilda Pico shake hands at the launch of the P400-M Sikat Sakacredit program to benefit rice farmers in Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Iloilo and North Cotabato. Also shown(from left) are LBP board member Crispino Aguelo, DA Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, LBPEVP Wilfredo C. Maldia, and LBP Board member Gerardo Bulatao.

To qualify, IA members shouldat least own one to five hectaresof irrigated land, which will beused as a “table collateral” fortheir loan.

Other loan requirements in-clude a farm plan and budget,purchase order from NationalFood Authority or NationalAgribusiness Corporation, and apromisory note for the amountborrowed.

Applicants should have no ex-isting palay production loan.

Borrowers will be charged 15%interest per annum, inclusive ofcrop insurance, payable withinsix months.

Declining interest will be ap-plied to borrowers who establishgood credit standing.

For the f irst two croppingcycles, the interest rate will bepegged at 15% which will be re-duced by 1% every succeedingcycle, starting from the 3rd cycleup to the 6th cropping cycle.

The program also introducesthe use of automated teller ma-chines (ATMs) in releasing pro-gram loans to farmers.

Secretary Alcala said the use

of ATM cards will in a way em-power and uplift small farmers.

For her part, LBP PresidentPico said they look forward tomaking the Sikat-Saka programas one of the strategies to reachsome 55 municipalities that re-main unserved by LBP.

Other DA family agencies willalso extend technical supportunder the Sikat-Saka, namely:extension and training, throughthe Agricultural Training Institute(ATI); processing and market

linkage, National AgribusinessCorporation (NABCOR) and theNational Food Authority (NFA);and organizational support to po-tential IAs, through the NationalIrrigation Administration (NIA).

The Agricultural Credit PolicyCouncil (ACPC), which provided

Secretary Alcala swears into office lawyer Emerson Palad (middle)as Undersecretary and Chief of Staff, and Edicio dela Torre as mem-ber of the Board of Trustees of the DA’s Philippine Rice ResearchInstitute (PhilRice). Also, Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup isdesignated as the OIC-Executive Director of the National Agricul-tural and Fishery Council, in addition to his tasks as Asec. for fish-eries and agribusiness and DA spokesperson .

the DA’s initial P200 millionfund, will evaluate the SikatSaka Program. ACPC executivedirector Jovita M. Corpuz saidthey prepared credit program’sguidelines. (DA Information Ser-vice / ACPC).

“We’re making sure we’re get-ting our due share from the morethan 60 percent budget increasefor the DA system,” saidSerrano.

Dr. Candida B. Adalla, direc-tor of DA’s biotechnology pro-gram office (BPO), in an inter-view, said they have alreadystarted the project last year.

“We have already donebarcoding for native chicken. Itwill be a continuing thing as wework on other crops,” Adallasaid.

For about 10 years since2000, the BPO obtained its bud-get from the US PL480 Food forPeace program for a total ofP280 million. But the GAA fund-ing through the Bureau of Agri-cultural Research (BAR) willmake commitments for BPOmore permanent through ayearly allocation.

Adalla said the DNA Libraryis an electronic or digital data-base of genetic materials thatwill be kept and maintained bythe Bureau of Plant Industry’sNational Seed Industry Council.

“If I’m a breeder I can easilyimprove on my crop because Iwill have access to a databaseof the genetic material that Ineed,” she said.

The database will enhancethe country’s intellectual prop-erty claims for plant and ani-mal genetic development.

Under the 2011 PL480 re-search and development pro-gram, BPO had 28 programsfor crops and plants, six pro-grams for livestock and poul-try, and three for fisheries andaquatic species.

The program under the 2011GAA include varietal improve-ment for non genetically modi-fied (GM) crops using biotech-nology tools such as markerassisted selection or breedingwhich took up the highest num-ber of projects at 22 percentof total while genetic conser-vation and gene banking got14 percent.

Other BPO projects are va-rietal improvement for GMtechnologies, improvement ofbioprocessing using biotech-nology tools, commercializa-tion of biotechnology prod-ucts, and support for policy,regulation, and quality assur-ance and safety.

BPO is also allocating a sig-nificant budget for skills or ca-pability building as governmentneeds to strengthen presenceof research experts althoughit already has a good number.(Manila Bulletin)

DA establishes ... (from p9)

The yield from cuttings is manytimes more than the very low av-erage yield of 300 kilos per hect-are in the Cordillera AutonomousRegion (CAR), despite havingcoffee as its priority crop.

This is based on BPI’s four-year study and green coffeebean’s price of P150 per kilo.

A clonal garden costs an esti-mated P1 million (M) each or upto P3-M for the proposed sites,Galacio said.

The seedlings from cuttingshave substantially cut coffee ges-tation period from planting to har-

Coffee clonal ... (from p9)vesting to just 1.5 years insteadof three to four years when us-ing seeds.

Around 410,000 farmers na-tionwide depend on coffee forlivelihood, thus, they should betaught of using cuttings as ma-terials.

“Our cutting materials are stilllimited. Farmers have not yetfully adopted the cuttings tech-nology. Thus, in the region, theystill use 50 percent from cut-tings and 50 percent f romseeds,” she said

BPI also noted that coffeeplants from cuttings were less

susceptible to diseases with alower of 2.3 incidence for coffeeleaf rust rating compared toseeds’ 2.9 incidence. A lower3.06 incidence was also noted foranthracnose in cuttings com-

pared to seeds’ 3.25.The BPI study was conducted

in BPI’s research station inBNCRDC and in Atok, Benguetin September 2004 to Decem-ber 2010 using 80 samples.

11February 2012

the multi-agency team com-posed of the DA central andCordillera regional offices, DA-National Irrigation Administra-tion (NIA), DA-Philippine RiceResearch Institute (PhilRice),Department of Social Welfareand Development (DSWD), pro-vincial and municipal local gov-ernment officials under Gov.Eugene Balitang, and the of-fice of Ifugao RepresentativeTeodoro Baguilat, Jr.

Baguilat earlier committedan additional P10-M from hisCongressional DevelopmentFund for the rice terraces res-toration project, adding to theinitial P20-M committed by theDA and another P10-M fromthe office of Sen. Francis “Kiko”Pangilinan.

The rice terraces’ restorationand upgrading plan also in-cludes three major compo-nents, said Dr. Danilo Daguio,DA Cordillera regional techni-cal director. These include pro-duction, extension support,and agri-infrastructure supportcomponents.

Under production support, theproject entails the establishmentof community seed banks, andsoil and water conservation mea-sures such as nurseries and re-forestation efforts.

Extension support activities in-clude technology demonstrationfor farm mechanization, establish-ment of rice-based farming sys-tems, conduct of farmer f ieldschools, strengthening of rural-based organizations, and otherrelated extension activities andtraining activities.

Agri-infrastructure support,meanwhile, includes restoration ofdamaged and abandoned rice ter-races, construction of protectionwalls, rehabilitation and improve-ment of irrigation facilities andother irrigation projects support-ing the rice terraces, constructionof cobble stone solar dryers, andinstallation of a hydraulic rampump.

Immediate activities followingthe submission of the plans toSecretary Alcala involves thepreparation of a Memorandum ofAgreement (MOA) and the prepa-

Restoration of Ifugao ... (from p1)ration of work programs for agri-infrastructures, Daguio said.

The operational plan targets therestoration of 8,700 cubic metersof eroded stone walls, rehabilita-tion of 2.5 kilometers of irrigationsystem to irrigate 106 hectaresof rice paddies, reforestation of 25hectares of watershed, increaseforest cover in 12 hectares of com-munal forests called “pinugo,”establish one barangay nursery,improve 5 kilometers of farm-to-market roads, and intensify infor-mation, education and campaignactivities.

A farm-to-market road compo-nent is also being eyed for fund-ing by the DA through the officeof Ifugao Congressman Baguilat,while restoration projects shall beundertaken under a convergenceinitiative between the local govern-ment and DSWD’s cash-for-workprogram, Daguio also said.

It may be recalled that 38 pad-dies of the world famous BanaueRice Terraces at Batad town col-lapsed in September 2011 duringthe onslaught of typhoons Pedringand Quiel. Irrigation infrastruc-tures and footpaths were also

Secretary Alcala and Ambassador Guy Ledoux of the EuropeanUnion to the Philippines shake hands at the launch of the DA’s Sani-tary and Phytosanitary Electronic Portal (DA SPS e-portal), one ofthe initiatives under the RP-EU Trade Related Technical Assistance2 Project, at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City. Amongother benefits, the system allows electronic accessibility of SPS issu-ances, thereby facilitating trade through improved information avail-ability and transparency. In particular, it will greatly speed up theprocessing and approval of SPS or import applications of plants,ornamentals, fresh and processed farm, fishery and livestock prod-ucts. The DA SPS e-portal facilitates the collection and systematicarrangement of SPS and other trade issuances, and serves as a tool toreview policies.

DA urges ... (from p4)can plant rice only once us-

ing rainwater, but we can makeit two and a half times if irriga-tion is improved,” Alcala said.

Traditionally, the country gets60 percent of its annual palayharvest from the main wet sea-son cropping, while 40 percentcomes from the dry seasoncropping.

“If we have enough waterthrough more irrigation systemsin place, it is possible to shiftthe trend, where we would har-vest 60 percent of our total pro-duction during the dry season,”he added.

Despite strong typhoons dur-ing second semester of 2011,the country has managed toharvest 16.68 million metric tons(MMT) of palay, 5.8 percentmore than the 15.77 MMT pro-duced in 2010.

This year, the DA targets toproduce 18.46 MMT, and morethan 20 MMT by 2013, and at-tain 100 percent sufficiency inrice, utilizing a P6.2 billion fundfrom the department’s budget tofinance various rice initiatives.

Alcala said that aside fromadvancing the cropping calen-dar, the DA is also workingclosely with the Department ofPublic Works and Highways toutilize the full potential of floodcontrol projects and majordams in the country.

He said the DA-NIA plans tobuild a series of impounding damsdownstream of major dams thatwill serve as check dams. Thesewill store excess water during therainy season, and irrigate farmsduring the dry season.

Meanwhile, the DA will continueto implement several innovationsin tandem with traditional initia-tives to further increase the pro-ductivity and profitability of ricefarmers, and attain rice suff i-ciency by end of 2013.

The innovations will be under-taken alongside traditional initia-tives like ratooning, provision offarm equipment machines toqualified farmers’ groups, irriga-tors’ associations and LGUs, con-struction and repair of irrigationsystems, establishment of post-harvest facilities, and provision ofmarketing, research and exten-sion support.

All of these will be pursued toattain the goals and targets setunder the government’s FoodStaples Suff iciency Program(FSSP), Delima said.

severely damaged, leading tototal losses and damages incrops, livestock and agri-infra-structure at an estimatedP872-M.

On October 17, 2011, theprovincial government of Ifugaosubmitted a project proposalentitled, “Emergency Assis-tance for the Restoration of theBanaue Rice Terraces atBatad, Banaue” with an esti-mated project cost of P20-M.

Following up on the state ofdamages to agriculture in theprovince, Secretary Alcala per-sonally visited Ifugao on No-vember 25, 2011, where he ap-proved in principle the pro-posed P20-M needed to re-store the Batad Rice Terraces.

On January 28, 2012, Assis-tant Secretary Delima also vis-ited the town to meet with theprovincial government headedby Gov. Eugene Balitangwhere he confirmed the ap-proval of the proposal after vali-dating the proposed rehabili-tation project. (Adam Borja, DANational Rice Program / RobertDomoguen, DA-CAR Info Div.)

calamities and unforeseenevents.

“For 2011, this program enabledthe procurement of 200,000 bagsof certified seeds, to be distrib-uted in times of calamities by theregional offices. To date, the re-

DA uses ... (from p5) gional field units have already dis-tributed 175,924 bags of certifiedseeds to calamity affected farm-ers,” Delima said.

The Rice Achiever’s Awards wasalso established to encourage theinvolvement of Local GovernmentUnits in rice production by recog-nizing high-performing provinces,

municipalities, cities, IAs, andAgricultural Extension Workers(AEWs) and highlight their con-tributions to the FSSP.

For 2011, the Awards coveredthe wet season croppingawarded to the Top 10 prov-inces, Top 50 municipalities, Top8 Irrigators’ Associations andTop 157 AEWs.

The Department of Agriculturerecently provided more than P78-million (M) worth of agri-fisheryprojects, farm equipment and in-puts to farmers, fisherfolk andlocal government units in North-ern Mindanao, particularly theprovinces of Camiguin, Bukidnonand Misamis Oriental, and thecities of Iligan and Cagayan deOro (CDO).

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala personally distributedthe respective projects, farmimplements, inputs and animalsto hundreds of beneficiaries, in-cluding farm and fishing familiesadversely affected by typhoon‘Sendong,’ in Iligan and CDO,during a three-day regional visit,February 1 to 3, 2012.

The projects include farm-to-market roads (FMRs), tradingcenters, other agricultural infra-structure projects, farm imple-ments and inputs.

The Province of Camiguin re-ceived a total of P41.7-M worthof FMR and agricultural projects;Iligan City got P23.6-M; Cagayande Oro, P4.6-M; and Bukidnon,P7.9-M.

The DA chief handed over thecertificates of award and agri-fish-ery livelihood project funds to thebeneficiaries during a series of‘Agri-Pinoy’ techno-forum in re-spective provinces and cities,where he also dialogued with farm-ers, fisherfolk and local officials.

Secretary Alcala promptly re-sponded to the varied issues and

DA grants Northern Mindanao P78M agri-fishery projects

queries raised during the forum,committing to provide appropri-ate interventions to help improvethe lives of farmers and fishers,particularly those in far-flung ar-eas where help is most needed.

“Kaya po ako narito ay dahilpo napag-utusan po ako ngating mahal na PangulongBenigno S. Aquino III na ilapitat iparamdam sa inyo ang mgaprograma ng pamahalaan,” hesaid.

The DA chief also visited ty-phoon Sendong-affected areas

in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro,where he gave away packagesof assistance to farmers and theirfamilies to enable them to reha-bilitate their farms and revive theirlivelihood.

In Iligan City, where damagedue to typhoon ‘Sendong’reached close to P80-M, Alcaladistributed farm animals andequipment to residents of Bayug,Hinaplanon and nearby commu-nities. He also approved a P1.1-M worth of livelihood project sub-mitted by Barangay CaptainVeronico Echavez, consisting of70 head of hogs, two head ofcarabao with farm implements, afishing boat, two rubber boats,and a revolving capital for abarangay food terminal, amongother projects.

Secretary Alcala also visitedthe municipality of Baungon in

Bukidnon, where he inspectedthe Cabula tramline system es-tablished by DA through thePhilippine Center for Post Har-vest Development and Mecha-nization (PhilMech). The facilitywill transport farm products fromBaungon to markets in Cagayande Oro, as the Cabula bridgewas damaged by typhoonSendong.

He said the DA opted to de-liver interventions this time andnot immediately after the on-slaught of typhoon Sendongbecause he believes it was notthe right time then.

“The people needed food andshelter then, but what we areoffering now are sustainable live-lihood projects that will benefiteverybody in the long run,” hesaid. (Adora Rodriguez, DA In-formation Service)

Left Photo:Secretary Alcala and Barangay Captain Veronico Echavez (right) of Hinaplanon, IliganCity show an approved project proposal, where the DA will provide P1.1-million worth of farm ani-mals, fishing boats, and an operating capital for a barangay food terminal, among other projects.Right Photo:Alcala hands over fishing nets and paraphernalia to a fisherfolk leader in Cagayan deOro (CDO). Assisting him are Northern Mindanao DA director Lealyn Ramos (right) and Bureau ofFisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director Visa Tan-Dimerin (2nd from right) and CDO cityofficials. The projects are part of the P78-million worth of agri-fishery projects, farm equipment, inputsand livestock animals granted by the DA.

DA, LBP launch ‘Sikat-Saka’P400-M rice credit program

(Pls turn to p10)

• agri-fisheries production data, demand & supply and price trends• alternative markets for your agricultural products• technologies that could improve your agricultural products and be competitive in the local and foreign markets• directory of buyers/sellers of agri products• better investment opportunities• market outlets/trading centers for agri-fishery products• market assistance and advisory services• farmers’ and fishers’ success stories

Visit AFMIS Website @ http://afmis.da.gov.phto get updated information on .....

The MDC is composed of Information Technology Center for Agri-culture and Fisheries (ITCAF); Agribusiness and Marketing Assis-tance Service (AMAS), Agriculture and Fisheries Information Ser-vice (AFIS), Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS); and NationalAgricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC).

Agriculture and Fisheries Market Information System (AFMIS) isa web-based system that integrates various information resourcesof the Market Development Cluster (MDC) agencies into a singledata base and application system. It caters to the needs of farm-ers/fisherfolk, traders, and other users of market information.

The Department of Agricultureand Land Bank of the Philippineslaunched on January 20, 2012 aP400-M loan program for ricefarmers in four pilot provinces.

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala and LBP President andCEO Gilda E. Pico launched theprogram, which serves as one ofthe credit components of theAquino administration’s FoodStaples Suff iciency Program(FSSP).

The DA and the LBP sharedP200M each to come up with theinitial P400-M credit program thatwill be initially implemented this

2012 dry season in Isabela,Nueva Ecija, Iloilo and NorthCotabato.

It will initially serve farmerswho are members of Irrigators’Associations (IAs) of goodstanding. They could borrow amaximum of P42,000 per hect-are per cropping, if they willplant hybrid rice, and P37,000per hectare for those who willproduce inbred rice.

The initial P400-M will serveapproximately 2,000 farmers perprovince, for a total of 8,000 farm-ers.