Vol. XXIV No. II A Monthly Publication of the Department of Agriculture February 2009

The Department of Agriculturetargets to create this year an initial131,670 new jobs, as it implementsagricultural infrastructure andlivelihood projects that form part ofthe Arroyo administration’s P330-billion economic stimulus programto insulate Filipinos from theadverse effects of the globalfinancial meltdown.

 Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap

Agri infra projects, livelihood

to benefit 131,670 individuals

Buoyed by a bigger budget thatwill be spent mostly on hard infra-structure such as irrigation sys-tems, farm-to-market roads andpost harvest facilities, the Depart-ment of Agriculture is eyeing toachieve a four-percent growth thisyear.

“The completion of such projectsand other initiatives will increasefarm and fishery productivity, lowercosts, higher rural incomes, andbetter returns on investments foragribusiness,” said AgricultureSecretary Arthur Yap during thePhilippine Economic Briefing, withthe theme, “Challenges and Oppor-tunities in a Global Crisis,” heldFebruary 25, in Makati City.

President Gloria Macapagal Ar-royo keynoted the affair, where sheassured the public that the govern-ment is up to the challenge ofkeeping the economy stable in theface of the global economic crisisthrough investments. She called onthe private sector to work with heradministration in order to ensurethat the country’s resources will beused to provide long-term opportu-nities and thus improve the lives ofthe Filipino people.

Sponsored by the Investor Rela-tions Office of the Bangko Sentralng Pilipinas (BSP), the briefingalso featured respective presenta-tions of the other economic man-

made the commitment during therecent ‘Jobs Summit’ inMalacañang, where he reported theDA’s various job-generatinginitiatives, namely:repair andrehabilitation of irrigation facilities -81,134 jobs;construction of farm-to-market roads - 36,500;production of organic fertilizers -10,400; and goat and swine raising- 3,645 jobs.

“The jobs to be created in theagricultural sector represents aboutone-sixth of the total commitmentof at least 800,000 new jobs thatwill be generated through thevarious economic pump primingprojects of government this year,’added Secretary Yap, who alsoserves as the Cabinet steward incharge of livelihood and emergencyemployment projects in theprovinces of Region 2 (CagayanValley) and Bohol.

He said such infrastructure andlivelihood projects will not onlybenefit rural workers in the shortterm, but will also benefit Philippineagriculture in the long run, as these

(Pls turn to p2)

(Pls turn to p15)(Pls turn to p15)

As a precationary measure, theDepartment of Agriculture throughthe Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) will depopulate a swine farmin Pandi, Bulacan, where there wastransmission of Ebola Reston Vi-rus (ERV), based on test results ofblood and tissue samples takenfrom said farm in January 2009.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yapsaid the procedure — as recom-mended by the joint mission of in-ternational and Filipino who con-ducted a 10-day investigation lastJanuary — is needed to prevent fur-ther spread of the ERV among pigs

DDDDDA-BA-BA-BA-BA-BAI culls ERAI culls ERAI culls ERAI culls ERAI culls ERVVVVV-af-af-af-af-affffffected pigsected pigsected pigsected pigsected pigswithin and outside the farm.

The mission was composed of in-ternational experts from the Foodand Agriculture Organization of theUnited Nations (UN-FAO), WorldAnimal Health Organization (OIE),and World Health Organization(WHO), and Filipino veterinary andmedical experts from the DA andDOH.

The pigs, totaling about 6,000head, would be burned and burriedin a designated area within thefarm. The culling operation will bespearheaded by the DA-BAI,DOH,the farm owner and LGU veterinar-

ians. International experts will ob-serve the entire process.

Secretary Yap assured that theswine farm owner will be compen-sated for all the pigs to be culled,and that the DA-BAI will provide ap-propriate assistance to enable thefarm to get back on its feet imme-diately after the culling operations.

The culling operations will followcurrent OIE procedures to ensureanimal welfare (that is, humane kill-ing), operator safety (to minimizehuman exposure) and bio-security(to curtail wider spread).

DDDDDA eA eA eA eA eyyyyyes 4% aes 4% aes 4% aes 4% aes 4% agggggri gri gri gri gri grrrrrooooowth in 2009wth in 2009wth in 2009wth in 2009wth in 2009

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap (right) presents the challenges and opportunities of the agriculture and

fisheries sector at the recent Philippine Economic Briefing.

agers, namely: Finance SecretaryMargarito Teves, BSP GovernorAmando Tetangco Jr., NationalEconomic and Development Au-thority (NEDA) Secretary RalphRecto, Trade and Industry Secre-tary Peter Favila, Budget and Man-agement Secretary RolandoAndaya Jr., and Energy SecretaryAngelo Reyes.

In his presentation, SecretaryYap said the bulk of the proposed2009 DA budget of P44 billion willbankroll the various interventionsunder the FIELDS program.

National moral recovery

The urgent change within

Writers: Adora D. Rodriguez, Arlhene S. Carro, Mc. Bien Saint Garcia

Contributors: Info Officers of DA-RFUs, Bureaus, Attached Agencies &

Corporations, Foreign Assisted Projects

Photograhers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan & Alarico Nuestro

Lay-out Artists: Almie Erlano, Alan Jay Jacalan & Bethzaida Bustamante

Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staff

Printing: Oscar Barlaan & Romulo Joseco

2

Editorial

is published monthly by the Department of Agriculture

Information Service, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Tel. nos.9288741 loc 2148, 2150, 2155, 2156 or 2184; 9204080 or tel/fax9280588. This issue is now available in PDF file. For copies, pleasesend requests via email da_afis@yahoo.com.

Editor-In-Chief : Noel O. Reyes

Associate Editors: Karenina Salazar, Joan Grace Pera, Cheryl C. Suarez

(DA eyes 4% ... from p1)

“Rice self-sufficiency will con-tinue to be our centerpiece pro-gram,” he said, “In tandem with thelocal government units, we will helprice farmers increase their produc-tivity, primarily through irrigationrepair and small water impoundingprojects.

“We will capacitate farmers toproduce their own organic fertiliz-ers. We will strengthen the Agri-cultural Guarantee Fund Pool,which today stands at P 3.68 Bil-lion, and allow Land Bank to lendagainst that sum for food produc-tion, including providing financialassistance to seed growers to pro-duce quality certified seeds,” headded.

The DA will also establish postharvest dryers and milling centersfor rice and corn, and ice makingmachines, chillers and ports for thefishery sector.

More importantly, he noted,“we will also ensure reasonablefarmgate prices through aggressivelocal palay procurement and a pro-active rice distribution strategy toassure us that we will not experi-ence another rice price crisis thisyear and in 2010.”

He noted that the DA bannerprograms have been refined, withfunds being moved to hard infra-structure. This will bring about thelowering of costs, higher rural in-comes, and better returns on in-vestments for agribusiness.

All told, the DA forecasts a4.4% increase in palay harvest to17.54 million metric tons.

Aside from palay, the other2009 ‘growth drivers’ are: aquacul-ture, expected to expand by 8.2%;banana - 6.2%; poultry - 5.4%; andmunicipal fisheries - 4.7%.

In closing, he said: “For de-cades, we chose to neglect thepath of agriculture in our marchtowards industrialization. In theface of the experiences of China,India, Thailand, and today, Viet-nam, we realize the folly of ourways.

“Let us stay this course of ag-gressive rural infrastructure invest-ment and bequeath unto our chil-dren, the genuine gift of a fightingchance, in the years to come, tobanish hunger from our belovedland.”

It should be viewed as thestrengthening of the country’s pub-lic institutions, the weeding out ofthe corrupt in public service, anddiscouraging those “corruptable”ones. Anchored on the premisethat good governance is one of thekey underpinnings of a progressivenation, it seeks to resurrect thefaded and jaded but time-honoredconcept that a public office is apublic trust.

On January 30, 2009, PresidentGloria Macapagal-Arroyo issuedAdministrative Order No. 255,which calls for the adoption of "zerotolerance for corruption" in thecountry's anti-corruption drive, andfor the promotion of the Filipino val-ues of being "maka-Diyos, maka-tao, maka-bayan and maka-kalikasan," as embodied in the1987 Philippine Constitution.

Through the AO, all bureaus, re-gional offices and attached agen-cies of executive departments na-tionwide are directed to "adopt andimplement the Integrity Develop-ment Action Plan (IDAP) which isthe National Anti-Corruption Frame-work for the Executive Branch."

Further, the President instructedall agencies to join the values for-mation activities of the Presiden-tial Council on Values Formation,and to "enlist the participation ofreligious, civil society and civicgroups through consultations, pro-gram development, promotion andimplementation of their respectiveMoral Renewal Program."

As such, it envisioned to be amulti-sectoral, government-ledmoral cleansing and renewal move-ment meant to strengthen thepeople’s awareness and their re-solve to combat corruption.

In spirit, there’s really nothingnew about the AO. Rather, it is anreiteration of this administration’senduring pledge to live and breathethe principle of leadership-with-a-conscience — by advancing valuesformation and ethical behavioramong government officials andworkers.

President Arroyo’s anti-corruptiondirective can never come at a bet-ter time, especially now that we inthe Department of Agriculture arein thick of our wide-ranging effortsto rebuild our agency’s corporateimage.

The order of the day is to restorepublic confidence in the Depart-ment of Agriculture and in all ourinstitutions.

We believe that the dispense ofgraft-free services and initiativesthat can withstood the test of thesetrying times are a hallmark of amodern, strong government. Torealize this objective, we mustmake certain that our financial andother resources are administeredwith transparency, accountability,and tough fiscal regulations.

For starters, we have crafted andrefined a comprehensive blueprintto ensure effective implementationof “high-impact” projects that wouldnot only cushion the farm sectorfrom the adverse effects of the glo-bal economic crisis, but more im-portantly guarantee easy monitor-ing of such to ensure the judiciousdisbursement of funds particularlyto its program partners in the pri-vate sector.

Our aim is to award and carryout 60 percent of our hard infra-structure projects by the first halfof 2009 — so we could create morejobs and rev up the economy, es-

pecially in the countryside wheremost of our poor families reside.

This blueprint dovetails with ourearlier order issued October lastyear to create teams to conduct“periodic field validation and rapidappraisal” of the department’s in-tervention measures as undertakenby our Ginintuang Masaganang Ani(GMA) banner programs (rice, corn,livestock, fisheries and HVCC), andthe adoption of stringent guidelineson the release of funds to programpartners like nongovernment orga-nizations and people’s organiza-tions.

To maximize the use of DAfunds, we are also doing away from“soft interventions” such as inputsubsidies for farmers and fishers,and instead pour investments on“hard or big-ticket projects” includ-ing the rehabilitation and repair ofsmall-scale irrigation systems,fishports, postharvest facilities,farm-to-market roads, and farmers’trading centers.

For instance, instead of the fer-tilizer discount coupons that we inthe DA have handed out to farmer-beneficiaries via local governmentslast year, we will empower farmersto produce their own organic fertil-izers to provide them with cheaperand more sustainable alternativeinputs,in view of the high cost ofpetroleum-based fertilizers.

Moreover, the DA will give prior-ity to areas where the local govern-ment units are willing to providecounterpart funding for farm-friendlyprograms. As our bridge to farm andfishery stakeholders, the supportand commitment of our local chiefexecutives are also vital to ensurethe effective and speedy implemen-tation of these projects from whichour small farmers and fisherfolkbeneficiaries can continuously ob-tain tangible and sustainable ben-efits.

It is our mission to pluck millionsof our countrymen from the quag-mire of poverty and despair. Obvi-ously, poverty is not merely a socio-economic issue. And as publicservants, we are aware of theenormonity of this task, which lendsan urgency to our attitude and workethic.

Hence, the reforms that we mustcarry out will not only involve ourdevelopment policies. It also aboutchanging mindsets.

In all, we are facing a tall orderfor the sake of the Filipino people.But it can be done. It must be done.

Most of all one discovers that the

soil does not stay the same, but

like anything alive, is always

changing and telling its own story.

Soil is the substance of transfor-

mation. – Carol Williams

February 2009

SACY renders HVCCs

to SoKor, Thai investorsPhilippine agriculture can turn out

to be a highly profitable enterprisefor foreign investors willing to bank-roll big-ticket projects to meet therising global demand for biofuelalong with the country’s high-valuecrops and marine species.

In separate briefings late thismonth with prospective investorsfrom South Korea and Thailand, Ag-riculture Secretary Arthur Yap saidthe country’s high-value commer-cial crops--particularly bananas,mango, and pineapple--offer oppor-tunities for investors to developpostharvest and processing facili-ties, expand areas for production,and build physical infrastructure.

He with the South Korean busi-nessmen at the Manila Hotel, andofficials of the Charoen PokphandGroup of Thailand headed by its

Agriculture is bestAgriculture is bestAgriculture is bestAgriculture is bestAgriculture is best

inininininvvvvvestment optionestment optionestment optionestment optionestment optionInvesting in agriculture sector is perhaps the best option an

investor can make this year.Thus said Daniel Go, an investment consultant, noting the

agriculture sector prospers even during hard economic conditions.“As an investment option, growth possibilities in the industry are

boundless with the modernization of farming techniques, improvedweather forecasting technologies, including renewed interest of theprivate sector together with government agencies, not to mentionnew demands in biofuel products,” said Go.

“Countries like the US, Japan, China, and Taiwan trace theireconomic prosperity to agriculture. During a crisis, they could stillfeed their people with basic food staples,” he added.

Globalization is also a key factor why investing in agriculture isfeasible.

“The agriculture playing field has changed a lot owing to global-ization, where it has now leveled off, making the Philippine agricul-ture sector better exposed to the demands of a bigger market.Since the country is blessed with fertile land, skilled workers and agreat tropical weather, we are at an advantage.”

For her part, academician Leonor Briones, former head of theBureau of Treasury, said now is a good time to invest in agriculture.

“The first priority of the country should be in food production,marketing and distribution. It has been proven time and again thatagriculture is a very resilient sector, even during hard economictimes,” she noted. (The Philipine Star)

President Gloria Macapagal Ar-royo has offered to Thai business-men the Island Garden City ofSamal in Davao as an ideal invest-ment site for poultry and maricul-ture projects.

 “The President and AgricultureSecretary Arthur Yap had briefed avisiting delegation of Thai business-men on the rich investment poten-tials of Samal Island during theirrecent visit to Mindanao,” said DAAssistant Secretary SalvadorSalacup.

 The 38-member business del-egation was led by DhaninChearavanoni, chairman and chiefexecutive officer of the Bangkok-based Chaoroen Pokphand GroupCo. Ltd (CP), the biggestagribusiness conglomerate in Thai-land and the fifth largest feed milloperator in the world. 

  Salacup said the President andSecretary Yap accompanied theThai investors around a 2,000-hect-are area in Talikud Island that isideal for poultry and maricultureprojects.

 Only 20 hectares of the 200-hectare mariculture park, jointly runby the DA’s Bureau of Fisheries andAquatic Resources (BFAR) and thecity government of Samal, has thusfar been developed by Davao-basedagribusiness entrepreneurs intofish cages for bangus and otherhigh-value marine species.

Salacup said Talikud Island is an

PGMA offers Samal Island as investment site

for poultry, fishery projects  

ideal location for a poultry projectbecause it was a relatively pristineisland with wide and open flat androlling highlands and that was out-side the country’s typhoon belt andthat was very accessible to a ma-jor economic hub as well as to aninternational airport and interna-tional seaport.

 Moreover, he said, President Ar-royo and Secretary Yap had notedthat raw materials and other supple-mentations are locally available,farm equipment and other logisticscan be easily obtained, skilled la-bor was available, and the peaceand order situation was generallystable.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap (left) with Mr. Dhanin Chearavanont,

Chairman and CEO of the Charoen Pokphand Group of Thailand.

 The most preferred locationamong several options wasBarangay Cogon, within Talikud Is-land of Kaputian District, which isan isolated island on the island’ssouthernmost tip and was very farfrom existing tourism facilities.

 As for the mariculture park,Salacup said the President andYap had told the Thai businessmenthat the Samal Island MariculturePark facility is an excellent loca-tion with clean water and away fromthe typhoon belt, with reasonable

rental rates plus available techni-cal assistance from BFAR and thelocal government unit (LGU).  

 The President and DA chief alsocited the availability of marketingassistance from BFAR, LGUs andnongovernment organizations; theavailability of feeds, fingerlings, fishcages, trained manpower and otherancillary services; and the availabil-ity of HACCP-accredited fish pro-cessing plants. HACCP stands forHazard Analysis and Critical Con-trol Points.

 Samal enjoys several compara-tive advantages as an investmentarea, Salacup said. First, it is aCoastal Resource Management orCRM-certified (Level 2) for qualitymanagement of coastal areas. Ithas excellent water quality. It issheltered from the prevailing mon-soon climate of Davao Gulf andSouthern Mindanao. And it enjoysthe full support of the City Govern-ment of Samal, the congressionaloffice of Congressman AntonioLagdameo, Jr., and the provincialgovernment of Davao del Norte.

 Aside from the mariculture park,Salacup said the government isalso offering the Thailand investorsanother possible expansion site ata BFAR-managed 500-hectaremariculture park in Davao mainland.

Chairman and CEO DhaninChearavanont in Samal Island,Davao.

For banana, investment opportu-nities include expansion of produc-tion areas; banana processing intoflour, cereals and vinegar; bananaproduction and processing into Inu-lin; packaging equipment; logistics;research and development; andfarm-to-market roads (FMRs).

Mango offers opportunities in de-veloping irradiation facilities, ex-tended hot water treatment tanks,freeze drying facilities, individual-quick frozen banana products, andprocessing plants, Yap said.

Investment opportunities in pine-apple include expansion of produc-tion areas, R&D on effective pestmanagement, processing facilitiesand packinghouses, and FMRs.

3 February 2009

The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Units (DA-RFUs), intandem with the local governmentunits, launched simultaneusly onFebruary 25 the construction of

DA starts FMR, irrigation projects nationwide

Shown are the recently

completed concrete bridge

(above) and newly-opened

FMR (right) in Sitio

Fataldon, Brgy San Jose,

General Santos City.

nator for President Arroyo’s Com-prehensive Livelihood and Emer-gency Employment Program(CLEEP) in Region 2 and Bohol,said that more than half of the total

length of these FMRs would be builtin Central Philippines and theMindanao Super Region, wheremajor food production sites are lo-cated.

 The 567.6 kilometers of FMRsto be built in Central Philippines areexpected to benefit 56,760 farmersand create 14,190 new jobs, whilethe 536.94 kilometers of roads inMindanao will have 53,694 directfarmer-beneficiaries and require13,424 workers.

 The North Luzon AgribusinessQuadrangle, where Yap concur-rently serves as development cham-pion, will have 420.8 kilometers ofnew FMRs that will benefit 42,080farmers and generate 10,520 jobs.Finally, 366.8 kilometers of FMRs

farm-to-market roads (FMRs) andirrigation systems nationwide.

This year, the DA targets to con-struct more than 2,100 kilometersof FMRs, and undertake rehabili-tation and restoration of irrigationsystems, covering 148,000 hect-ares.

These infrastructure projects willcreate about 53,000 jobs, as partof the Arroyo administration’s eco-nomic stimulus program to help thecountry weather the global eco-nomic slowdown.

 Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yapsaid the projects will also benefit212,000 farmers in food-producingand hunger-prone areas.

President Arroyo ordered the DAand other agencies last January tofrontload labor-intensive projects inline with her P330-billion economicresiliency program meant to stimu-late the domestic economy andgenerate about 1.5 million jobs bymidyear alone.

 Yap, who is the Cabinet coordi-

will be constructed in the MetroLuzon Urban Beltway, which in-clude Central Luzon,  to help36,680 farmers and create 9,170jobs.

 Another 230.8 ki-lometers of FMRswill be constructedin other priority ar-eas identified by theDA. These will cre-ate 5,770 jobs andbenefit 23,080 farm-ers.

 These FMR

projects, worth P5.3 billion, will linkfarm and fishery areas to major roadnetworks, onto markets and trad-ing posts.

The roads will also serve othernon-convergence areas within theStrategic Agricultural and FisheriesDevelopment Zones, Community-Based Forest Management Agree-ments, and Agrarian Reform Com-munities, and vulnerable areas iden-tified by the National NutritionCouncil, and those within conflictareas, mostly in Mindanao.

 Secretary Yap has instructed DAregional directors to bid out and

implement infrastructure projectswithin the first semester of the yearto generate jobs and stimulate eco-nomic activity in the countryside.

 He has also created national andregional monitoring teams to con-duct periodic field validation andappraisal of all DA-funded interven-tions.

The DA will also enforce strin-gent guidelines on the release offunds to program partners like non-government organizations (NGOs)and people’s organizations (POs).

  

Misamis Occidental has a newfish hatchery. Thanks to the jointefforts of the provincial government,the Australian Government and theDepartment of Agriculture throughthe Southeast Asia Fisheries De-velopment Center (SEAFDEC).

The P8.8-million hatchery was in-augurated last January by Presi-dent Arroyo, along with AgricultureSecretary Arthur Yap, MisamisOcc. Gov. Loreto Ocampos andAustralian Ambassador to the Phil-ippines Rod Smith.

The project, which forms part ofthe Misamis Occidental Aquacul-ture Park, will directly employ fish

PGMA inaugurates fish hatchery in Misamis Occ.farmers and family members, anddevelop the aquaculture industry inNorthern Mindanao.

The hatchery was built throughthe Philippines-Australia LocalSustainability (PALS) program,which allocated P5.56 million, whilethe Misamis Occidental provincialgovernment provided the P2.44 mil-lion counterpart fund to completethe project.

SEAFDEC, headed by Dr.Joebert Toledo, provided the tech-nical support, technology, and su-pervision over the project.

“The hatchery is expected to pro-duce annually 576,000 grouper

(lapu-lapu) fry,” Dr. Toledo said.Milkfish, red snapper, crablets,

seabass, seahorse and other high-value species are also expected tobe produced in the hatchery, Toledoadded.

The facility can support 32 grou-per grow-out fish cages. It will bereplicated in other areas along the169-kilometer coastline of PanguilBay and Murcillagos Bay.

With production cost of P70-P75per kilo, a fish farmer could easilyearn some P90, 000 per cage, or atotal of P180, 000 for two croppingperiods per year.

A new facility, an agriculture andfisherfolk training center, has risenup in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat,Maguindanao.

It is the first of its kind in the Au-tonomous Region of MuslimMindanao (ARMM), funded by theJapan International CooperationAgency (JICA).

It was inaugurated recently, andgraced by Nasser Sinarimbo ofJICA, ARMM Exec. Sec. DatuQuirino Udasan who representedSultan Kudarat Mayor Bai ShajidaMastura Bandila, Secretary KeiseT. Usman of the Department of Ag-riculture and Fisheries-ARMM, fieldoperations director Dr. Salik B.Panalunsong, Jalika D. Mangacop,director for research and develop-ment, and ARMMIARC ManagerSiya Belongan.

The facility will serve as the venuefor various agricultural and fisherytrainings. The counterpart fundingfor various equipment, facilities andother training needs was providedby the DAF-ARMM.

The center will contirbute itsshare in enhancing the develomentof the agriculture and fishery sec-tor in Muslim Mindanao. (DAF-

ARMM Info Div)

JICA funds agri

training center

4 February 2009

In the past, people used toconsider that corn husks areworthless. Today, they aresources of income for housewivesand children.

In thisregard, theDepartmentof Agricul-ture-Region 7has beenconducting aseries oftraining foragriculturaltechniciansand ruralwomen on how to turn cornhuskinto an income generatingproject. For instance, dried anddyed cornhusks can be madeinto flowers, dolls, wall decors,slippers, trays, and can beutilized as garments.

Initially, two batches of theSkills Training on CornhuskUtilization were conducted among

The Department of Agriculturehas earmarked at least P400 mil-lion this year under the GinintuangMasaganang Ani (GMA) Corn pro-gram to construct post-harvestfacilitaties and related infrastruc-tures, as well as bankroll variousfarm mechanization and researchand development (R&D) initiativesto further increase corn productiv-ity and quality and trim down post-harvest losses.

The amount represents one-halfof the GMA-corn program’s pro-posed 2009 budget of P817.7 mil-lion, nine percent more than lastyear’s P658-million allocation.

“This is reflective of the DA’spolicy shift toward pouring more in-vestments in hard infrastructures--away from providing soft interven-tions such subsidies for corn seedsand microbial inoculants.

In a report to Agriculture Secre-tary Arthur C. Yap, Assistant Sec-retary and concurrent GMA-Cornprogram national coordinator Den-nis B. Araullo said P132 millionwill be spent for the construction of44 units of village-type corn cobdryer, which will feature large-ca-pacity dryers capable of drying 10metric tons of corn for every 14hours.

Araullo said the DA-GMA CornProgram is currently identifyingqualified corn-producing areas of100 to 200 hectares across the

DA to focus on hard infra

for corn in 2009

Corn supply to stabilizeCorn may be in tight supply in

Luzon, but a surplus in other partsof the country will be enough to tideover end-users, until the summerharvest starts in March, PhilippineMaize Federation president RogerNavarro said.

“Right now, we may have a cornsurplus of 360,000 metric tons inVisayas and Mindanao, so it’s allgoing to Luzon,” Navarro said.

He added that the tightness insupply felt in Luzon has more todo with the traditional shortfall be-tween harvests, as well as the lin-gering effects of high fertilizer pricesduring the planting season lastyear.

The private sector has initiallyforecast that there may be a short-fall of 600,000 tons for the full year,although stakeholders said the es-timate could be firmed up only af-

By McBien St Garcia

Corn husk dolls, anyone?agricultural technicians fromBohol, Negros Oriental, Siquijorand Cebu. These were funded bythe GMA-Corn program.

Inspiredby thepositiveturnout,moretraining willbe con-ducted inthe munici-palities ofDaanbantayanand Borbonin Cebu,

Carmen and Sagbayan in Bohol,La Libertad in Negros Oriental,and in the cities of Cebu, Talisayand Toledo. To date, about 400have availed of the training andare in turn expected to re-echothe technology to more farmers intheir respective municipalities.(DA-RFU7 Info Div. / M.N.

Sumagang)

country to receive the equipmentdesigned to help farmers meet theglobal quality standard of a maxi-mum of 14 percent moisture con-tent of corn.

An additional P120 million hasbeen allocated for the establish-ment of five (5) corn-postharvestand trading centers, which formspart of the DA’s bigger goal of build-ing 50 of such facilities by end ofthe year through joint venture agree-ments with local government units,farmers’ cooperatives or the privatesector.

The total target of 50 includes the15 corn centers—seven in Luzon,two in the Visayas and six inMindanao—which are under con-struction and will be finished by thefirst semester of 2009, through thelead effort of the DA-NationalAgribusiness Corp. (NABCOR),and the 30 corn centers whosefunding will be derived from othersources, possibly including the Ag-ricultural Competitiveness En-hancement Fund (ACEF).

Each of these corn centers candry 200 tons of corn every 36 hours.

On top of the National CornProgram’s initiatives, the DA-Na-tional Food Authority will alsospearhead the establishment of 50corn post-harvest and trading cen-ters between now and 2010.

“We are hopeful that these infra-structure developments will serve

ter the summer harvest in Marchand April. The government said sup-ply may fall short by 300,000 tons.

In any case, the government hasallowed poultry raisers and hograisers to import a total of 200,000tons of corn for their feed needs.

The corn will be imported throughthe National Food Authority with a35-percent tariff.

Poultry and livestock farmersearlier expressed fear that a cornshortage this year could raise pricesand discourage farmers from in-creasing production.

In a production forecast releasedin January, the DA’s Bureau of Ag-ricultural Statistics said corn pro-duction in the first half of 2009 coulddrop 2.6 percent to 3.21 millionmetric tons, based on farmers’standing crop and planting inten-sions. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

as magnet for the private sector toinvest in the industry,” he added.

Araullo blamed the current lackof drying facilities for much of thecurrent 15 percent post-harvestlosses. The DA-GMA Corn Programis aiming to cut post-harvest lossesby up to 7 percent this year, Araullosaid.

To date, there are already fourcorn processing and trading cen-ters operating in the country—oneeach in Kabacan, North Cotabato;Banga, South Cotabato;Malungon, Saranggani Province,and Sergio Osmeña, Zamboangadel Norte—which provides dryingand marketing services to hundredsof corn farmers in Mindanao.

Apart from post-harvest facilities,the DA-GMA Corn Program willsustain its distribution of produc-tion support, including 333 shallowtube wells worth P24 million for theirrigation needs of farmers, and 111units of 4x4 four-wheel tractorsworth P130 million to selected cornclusters through counterpartingscheme with LGUs and farmers’cooperatives.

In addition, it will intensify its ef-forts to expand farm lands devotedto corn by opening new corn fieldsnationwide; encouraging more farm-ers to use organic and microbialfertilizers to reduce productioncosts and maximize their incomes;and pushing further the use of hy-brid corn technology.

Regarding its R&D projects,

Araullo said the national corn pro-gram through its partner agency,the Bureau of Agricultural Research(BAR), will carry out studies aboutthe profitability of corn farming, spe-cifically on production, distribution,usage and surplus.

To date, 43 corn projects havebeen funded by DA-GMA Corn Pro-gram since the collaboration com-menced in April 2006. Theseprojects include: 14 projects onseed systems, 12 projects on fer-tilizer trials, and 17 projects on postproduction and marketing systemsand other areas.

Amid the combined impact ofhigh fertilizer prices and typhoondamage on corn plantations, lastyear’s national corn productionreached 6.93 million tons, whichsurpassed 2007 harvests by morethan 200,000 tons.

For 2009, however, the DA is look-ing at figures lower than its originaltarget of 7.9 million tons due to ahost of factors, including the ex-pected decline in corn yields dueto reduced fertilizer usage in reac-tion to high cost of this input, andthe government’s directive to tem-porarily lift the tariff on feed wheatimportation, which reportedly dis-suaded some farmers to plant corn.

Araullo said the revised produc-tion target also took into accountthe possible effects of adverseweather conditions as a result ofshifting weather patterns on thefarm sector.

5 February 2009

The Bureau of Plant Industry ofthe Department of Agriculture (DA-BPI) starts conducting “growthtests” to determine the performanceof a hybrid rice variety, whichaccording to farmers in Nueva Ecijaand Isabela had demonstratedabnormal growth patterns.

“The growth tests will be done inPangasinan, which will be handledby the BPI’s regional seed qualitycontrol laboratory in Sta. Barbara,”said DA-BPI Director Joel Rudinasin a report to Secretary Arthur Yap.

The tests will complement the“hybridity” tests that it willundertake in partnership with sisteragency, DA-Philippine RiceResearch Institute (PhilRice), usingthe facilities of the InternationalRice Research Institute (IRRI) inLos Baños, Laguna.

 Rudinas said the “growth tests”would last for five months, fromplanting to harvest.

 Secretary Yap has also directedDr. Frisco Malabanan, nationalcoordinator of the DA’s GinintuangMasaganang Ani-Rice Program, tocontinue providing technicalassistance to affected farmers so

DA-BPI starts testing rice hybrids

Above are members of the investi-

gating and monitoring team that

verified the reported abnormalities

of a commercial hybrid rice vari-

ety in several towns in Nueva Ecija.

At left, an agricultural technician

measures the tillers of SL-8H.

they could attain high yields. Contrary to earlier media reports

about widespread devastation,hybrid farmers, and Municipal

Agricultural Officers (MAOs) fromNueva Ecija and the other affectedareas said their hybrid rice plantsstarted to recover when they

continued employing the propercultural management methods.

 For his part, Dr. Malabanan saidbased on previous experiences andplanting schedules, the initialfindings of the quick responseteams had traced the stuntedgrowth and fewer tillers to the coldstress and strong winds in NuevaEcija and Isabela from December2008 to the early part of February.

 Malabanan dismissed,meanwhile, the allegation that SL-Agritech has been enjoying amonopoly on seed subsidies, atP1,500 per hectare. He said thatthe program has been subsidizingthe hybrid seeds produced not onlyby SL Agritech but by other privategrowers as well, and that farmersare free to choose the varieties theywish to plant, such as Bayer CropScience, BioSeed ResearchPhilippines, HyRice Corp.,Syngenta Philippines, and evengrowers’ cooperatives that alsoproduce hybrids developed byPhilRice.

For his part Engr. Redentor S.Gatus, Regional Executive Direc-tor of DA-RFU 3, said most of thereported ‘abnormal’ SL-8H are nowshowing signs of improvement, asconfirmed by the three compositeteams that include representativesfrom the DA-RFU3, agricultural of-ficers and technicians from NuevaEcija, PhilRice, BPI-National SeedQuality Control Service, and SLAgritech.

The teams, led by DA-RFU 3Regional Technical DirectorEduardo M. Gonzales, conductedthree separate visits in each of the10 towns where the abnormalitieswere reported, namely: Aliaga,Gapan, Licab, Llanera, Rizal, SanIsidro, San Jose City, Sta. Rosa,Sto. Domingo and Zaragosa.

Gonzales said the teams ob-served the continuous increase interms of plant height, as well asthe number of tillers of the plantsin every visit they made.

Moreover, farmers who followedthe advice of technicians--particualrly not to replant, apply theproper fertilizers, and irrigate thefield--saw their rice plants recover.

The agri experts also attributedthe ‘abnormal’ growth of the SL-8Hto the cold weather that pervadedin the months of December andJanuary.

“Sa nakikita kong improvement

sa tanim naming palay, naging

panatag na ang kalooban namin

(With the improvement I see in ourrice plants, we are now appeased),”remarked Ernesto Palon, a farmerfrom San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. (DA-

RFU3 Info Div)

Government thorugh the Depart-ment of Agriculture’s National FoodAuthority (DA-NFA) targets to buysome 3.2 million 50-kilo bags ofpalay from farmers, starting Marchthrough June.

At an effective support price ofP17.70 per kilo, said procurementvolume translates to P2.84 billion.

NFA administrator Jessup P.Navarro said his agency will ag-gressively buy the summer orpalagad harvest of farmers, withthe following monthly targets:March - 939,200 bags; April - 1.1million; May - 889,800; and June -232,300 bags.

 In addtion to the support priceof P17 per kilo, the NFA has in-creased the additional incentivesfor cooperative development to P0.30 per kilo, while the drying andtransport incentives are now atP0.20 each per kilo – for a total of70 centavos per kilo for clean anddry palay.

 For the month of January 2009,the NFA was able to buy 798,519bags, overshooting its target of796,900 bags.

For the entire year, it targets tobuy a total of 14 million bags, sixpercent more than last year’s 13.2million bags.

NFA to buy 3-Mbags summer palay

With more and more farmersplanting quality seeds coupled withcheaper fertilizers, the country ex-pects a “good harvest” of palay this1st quarter of 2009.

Thus reported Dr. FriscoMalabanan, national coordinator ofthe Department of AgricultureGinintuang Masaganang Ani(GMA) rice program, to AgricultureSecretary Arthur Yap.

Malabanan said as of February16, total area planted to hybrid andcertified seeds (CS) has reached1,157,404 hectares (has.):1,051,811 has. to CS, 386,775has.more than last year; and therest to hybrid varities.

Harvest will commence lateMarch and peak in April.

His projection reinforces the 20091st quarter palay production fore-cast of the DA’s Bureau of Agricul-tural Statistics (DA-BAS), basedon its January 2009 survey of farm-ers’ standing crop and planting in-tentions.

The DA-BAS said palay produc-tion for January to March 2009 mayreach 3.99 million MT, 240,000tons or 6.4% higher than lastyear’s 3.75 million MT. Harvest areamay expand to 1.1 million has.

Six regions are expected to con-tribute to the additional harvest:

Good harvest seen in Q1Bicol, Cagayan Valley,Soccsksargen, Davao, Ilocos,andCentral Luzon.

Further, the DA-BAS said theavailability of seeds, restorationand rehabilitation of some irrigationfacilities, continuous release of ir-rigation water, and early onset ofrainfall have enabled farmers toplant early in November and De-cember last year. Subsequently,harvest would start early, in March.

On the average, farmers are ex-pected to improve their productiv-ity, from 3.6 MT to 3.63 MT perhectare due to more usage of hy-brid and certified seeds, sufficientwater supply and good weatherconditions.

In all, the DA-BAS forecasts thatpalay harvest for the first semestermay reach 7,214 million tons, 1.3percent more than last year for thesame six-month period.

For his part, Malabanan said ef-forts of the DA family through theGMA Rice program directorate andRegional Field Units (DA-RFUs), inpartnerships with the local govern-ment units (LGUs) and private seedcompanies, are paying off. Theseinclude subsidies for hybrid andcertified seeds, conduct of techni-cal briefings, and establishment oftechno-demo farms.

 6 February 2009

Filipino farmers will now haveaccess to new legume varieties,notably peanut, pigeonpea, andchickpea.

Thanks to a recent partnershipforged between the Department ofAgriculture through the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (DA-BAR)and the International Crops Re-search Institute for the Semi-AridTropics (ICRISAT), based in India.

In a report to Agriculture Secre-tary Arthur Yap, DA-BAR DirectorNicomedes P. Eleazar said thethree ICRISAT-developed legumeswill be field-tested in selected re-gions of the country.

The agreement was signed byDA-BAR Dir. Eleaza and former DAacting secretary and ICRISAT Di-rector General Dr. William D. Dar.

The one-year project entails fourcomponents: varietal introductionand field-testing; on-station seedproduction; technology dissemina-tion and promotion; and educationalenhancement of R&D personnelthrough research fellowships andtraining at ICRISAT.

The project will be implementedby ICRISAT in collaboration withselected DA Regional Integrated

BAR, ICRISAT to test new legumes

At right, ICRISAT

officials show a good

stand of sweet sorghum.

Based on DA-BAR field

tests, several of such

varieties--for food, feed

and bio-ethanol uses--

are adapting well in the

Philippines.

Agricultural Research Center(RIARCs).

Dr. Carmencita V. Kagaon, DA-BAR’s chief of the Program Devel-opment Division, will serve asproject leader.

ICRISAT is known for its signifi-cant contributions to agriculture ofseveral semi-arid countries in thepast decades.

Through the years, it has suc-cessfully generated cutting-edgeknowledge and high-impact tech-nologies on crop genes and produc-tion systems that it shares withinterested research partners.

 Prior to this project, ICRISAT hasshared packages of technologieswith the DA-BAR, particularly onthe development of confectioneryvarieties for Asha peanut and sweetsorghum for biofuel production.

These have been proven effectiveand beneficial to farmer-partnerswho have adopted the technologies.

 Dr. Kagaoan said that ICRISATpeanut germplasm and breedinglines/selections were proven suit-able under Philippine conditions.

Rat infestations in Nueva Ecijapalay farms are very minimal, ac-cording to DA-Region 3 directorRedentor Gatus.

In his report to Secretary ArthurYap, Gatus said timely massive ratpoison campaign was the key,teaming up with the Office of Pro-vincial Agriculturist of Nueva Ecijaand Municipal Agricultural Officesin Talavera and Sta. Rosa.

They jointly caried out an “Oplan

Pain” using zinc phosphide as ratpoison.

 He belied earlier media reportsof rampant rat attacks in Talavera,saying these were only true for ricefields near creeks and irrigationcanals.

 Further, as reported by AndresPadilla, the provincial IPM and cropprotection coordinator of NuevaEcija, only an average of 4.3% ofthe total rice fields in 16 munici-palities was attacked by rats.

 For her part, Virginia Ferrer, Mu-nicipal Agriculturist of Talavera, saidonly two to five percent in her townwas rat-infested.

 She said in Talavera, theMabaloslos Creek and NIA sub-ir-rigation canals serve as breedinggrounds of rats.

 Creeks and canals are fre-quently inhabited by rats becauseof the abundance of dirty water andanimals consumed by the verminsuch as frogs and snails,

 In all, a united community effortis essential to eradicate rats.

This can be done by employingthe following procedures:

1. Proper sanitation or removingall straw piles in the paddies afterharvest;

2. Synchronous planting, prefer-

Minimal rat damage

in Nueva Ecijaably within the month of the regu-lar planting time; and

3. Synchronous extermination ofthe rodents by massive applicationof rodenticides like zinc phosphide.

 Gatus said it is also imperativeto teach farmers various ways toeliminate rats.

 These included narrowing thesizes of their dikes and levies, sixinches in height and eight inchesin width so as to preclude rats fromliving in them and digging the holesand burrows found in their farms,he said.

 Farmers are also advised to en-circle the rice fields with plasticsheets through the Total Rat Bar-rier System.

This should be done one monthbefore the regular planting.

The plastic sheets are designedto trap the rats attempting to pen-etrate the fenced area, whichhouses rice plants intended to lurethe rodents inside the blockade,Gatus said.

 Besides Central Luzon, the DAhas also extended assistance tofarmers in Bicol and Cagayan Val-ley that were affected by floods andrat attacks.

 Earlier, DA Bicol Regional Direc-tor Jose Dayao reported to Secre-tary Yap that they have to date dis-tributed over 9,900 sacks of certi-fied seeds to affected farmers inJanuary in Bicol alone.

 Another 1,200 bags fromPangasinan and 2,000 bags fromNueva Ecija were due for deliveryin Bicol, Dayao said.

 A total of 1,500 hectares of ricefields were damaged by rats inBicol: 1,000 hectares in Albay, andthe rest in Camarines Sur.

The indiscriminate use andabuse of our natural resources,from the uplands and watershedsdown to the coastal areas, con-tinue to threaten not only our eco-system, but also our life supportsystem. 

This is the regrettable scenarionot only in the Philippines, but alsoworldwide.

There’s a bit of good news!A ray of hope shines in

Mindanao, particularly in Nasipit,Agusan del Norte, where a novelcommunity-based watershed andcoastal resource management isready to take off the ground, so tospeak.

Implemented under the Depart-ment of Agriculture’s MindanaoRural Development Program–Adaptable Program Loan 2 (DA-MRDP), the project adopts a natu-ral resource management strategythat cuts across the entire water-shed area — from the upland, low-land and down to the coast.

The initiative features four relatedsub-projects, namely: JaguimitanCommunity Based Agro-ForestryProject; Riverbank StabilizationUsing Bio-Engineering Technol-ogy; Establishment and Develop-ment of Fishery Reserve in Punta;

Model watershed coastal resource

project up in Agusan Norteand the Development of theNasipit Marine Sanctuary. Theseprojects total around P7 million.

But before the municipal govern-ment could proceed they shouldprovide a counterpart of at leastone-fifth or 20% of the total projectcost.

Thus, Nasipit town officials, ledby Mayor Roy Orlando Doyon andmembers of the SangguniangBayan, banded together to raisethe needed counterpart, andsought financial support from theProvincial Government and otherinstitutions, and they succeeded.

The Provincial Governmentthrough Governor Erlpe JohnAmante gave the municipalityP170,000, while the Nasipit Wa-ter District shared P250,000.

Other partners—the DA-RFU13, the target barangays, and aPeople’s Organization—are alsoextending their share.

The Nasipitnons are thus hope-ful for a bright future and sustain-able development ahead. 

The road ahead may seem diffi-cult, but with strong partnershipamong the national governmentthrough DA-MRDP, LGUs, POs,and the private sector, nothing isimpossible. (DA-MRDP)

In fact, three of its pea-nut lines have alreadypassed the standard fieldtesting requirements of le-gumes under the NationalCooperative Test (NCT).(Rita T. dela Cruz, DA-BAR)

7 February 2009

Grow veggies in dairy farmThe parishioners of Sta. Cruz in

Lipa City are now also raisingvegetables, in addtion to theirongoing venture -- raising dairycattle.

This is the latest among theinnovations that Pastor Rogerhas introduced in their farm. Ifyou go by his logic, then youwould know he has good reasonto do so.

For the first time in EasternVisayas, particularly in Villaba,Leyte, a Farmers’ Field andMarket Day and Goat Festivalwere held.

The goat parade -- with around200 goats of different breeds suchas Anglo-Nubian and Boer,including upgraded ‘natives’ --was made even more interestingwith the animals’ unique adorn-ments, colorful costumes andaccessories, while they walkedaround the thoroughfares of themunicipality.

  “What we see happening inthe goat industry particularly inthis part of the region is a positiveimpact of the Rural EnterpriseDevelopment (RED) throughInnovative Goat ProductionSystems, a project spearheadedby RTD Wilson A. Cerbito,” saidRegional Executive Director LeoP. Cañeda.

  “We are fortunate that Region-8 was included in the four pilotareas under the project. The otherareas are Regions 1, 2 and 3.

GoaGoaGoaGoaGoats parts parts parts parts parade in Leade in Leade in Leade in Leade in Leyteyteyteyteyte

It takes some three months togrow forage grasses for grazingfor large ruminants like cows.

Likewise, it takes also thatsame amount of time to growcash crops, such as vegetable.

So, while waiting for thepasture grasses to grow, raisingtomatoes, cabbage, and pepperin-between waiting periods was

beneficial to the parishioners.The operating principle is by

the time the cash crops are readyfor harvest, the forage grasseshave grown in time for livestock topasture.

Cabbage can be intercroppedwith tomatoes and Humidicola

grass.After picking the tomatoes, the

cabbage has enough space to

By Ching M. Lumanta

grow more leaves while theHumidicola grasses inch theirway upwards.

What is the moral lesson inthese times of dwindling re-sources?

Be it land or capital, the bestway to beat the odds is beingcreative, innovative, focused, andmaking do with what is available.

Combining the strategy with alot of common sense is a surefireformula “in growing money intrees.”

Growing cash crops along withraising dairy cows to beat theeconomic crisis this 2009 can bedone with one’s self respectintact. Remember the GreenRevolution?

The challenge is: Try it.The church in Lipa – the

Batangueños – shows that it canbe done.

The alternative projects thatprovide foradditional incomes notonly help the church peopleprovide for the food and nutritionneeds of their amilies but, moreimportantly, keep them away fromtrouble for having so much time intheir handsdoing nothing. (DA-

Nat’l. Dairy Authority)

Tomatoes (left and below) are grown between

humidicola, a pasture grass. Intercropping veg-

etables is a profitable venture while waiting for

forage grasses to grow.

It was a welcome sight in

Villaba, Leyte, as villagers

witnessed the first-ever parade

of goats in colorful costumes.

We are grateful for the all-outsupport of the municipal andprovincial government, as well asthe other collaborating agenciesand most especially the farmersin the successful implementationof the project,” he added.

  He further mentioned that theRED project in the region coversthe municipalities of Villaba andTabango, in Leyte .

“Based on the latest inventory,we have 115,122 goat populationin the region, in which Villaba, isknown as the goat capital of

Region-8,” said Dir. Cañeda.  Meantime, in his keynote

speech, Edwin C. Villar, Directorfor Livestock Research andDevelopment of the PhilippineCouncil for Agriculture, Forestryand Natural Resources Researchand Development (PCARRD)said: “We have a very favorablemarket for goat nowadays. Oncegoat production in the regionimproves, we can export to otherregions. Using the right technol-ogy on goat raising, I believe ourfarmers in the region can be as

competitive as other goat raisersanywhere, especially in Luzon.

“Right now, we are glad that ourgoat population especially in theareas covered under the project,are mostly upgraded, with goodpasture and proper housing.”   

  Other important activities werethe launching of the techno-gabay; Investment Forum;Community-based Goat Market-ing Enterprise and booth, logo,slogan and trivia contests; bestbuck/doe/kid contest, cookingcontest and skills competition.

  In all, the affair was attendedby 150 participants, mostly ofofficials and members of theVillaba Association of GoatEntrepreneurs (VILLAGE) andfarmers from nearby municipali-ties, LGU officials headed byMayor Claudio Martin A.Larrazabal and Dir. Caneda andhis staff, Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo ofthe Visayas State University, Dir.Paulino T. Cabahit of the Agricul-tural Training Institute-8, ManagerCresencio Deligero of the Phil.Crop Insurance Corp. and somepersonnel from the Office of theProvincial Agriculturist of Leyteled by Mr. Rogelio O. Portula.(Rodel G. Macapañas, DA-RFU8

Info Div)

February 20098

“San Agustin, Isabela is knownto have the most number ofbuffalo crossbreds in Region 2, ifnot in the Philippines,” MayorVirgilio A. Padilla declared.

“This resource, if continuouslynurtured, will gain for the munici-pality the reputation of beingthe province’s buffalo milkcapital,” he added.

At present, San Agustintakes pride in its close to1,000 buffalo crossbreds thatgive added income to a goodnumber of farmers.

Padilla said they bankrolledthe training of 72 farmer-owners in 2001on on cross-bred buffalo management, milkcollection and processing, atthe Department ofAgriculture’s PhilippineCarabao Center (DA-PCC) atCagayan State University, inPiat. In 2006, another 52farmers were trained on thesame courses.

After the training, the partici-pants organized themselves intothe San Agustin CrossbredBuffalo Farmers’ Cooperative(SACBF). Their main businessfocused on the collection of milk,processing and selling of dairyproducts such as pastillas deleche (milk candies), kesong puti(white cheese), chocolate-flavoredmilk and yema (custard candy).

However, the group did not

San Agustin, Isabela is country’s ‘buffalo capital’pursue their interest due to lackof capital. The situation wasremedied when the provincialgovernment of Isabela led by Gov.Grace Padaca, upon seeing thepotential of buffalo dairy industryin the area, donated P500,000 for

the construction of a milk pro-cessing center in the municipal-ity. The building is alreadynearing completion.

With this development, a newcooperative was formed in July2008 called the San AgustinDairy Development Cooperative(SADADECO). It was organizedcollectively by the crossbredowners in 23 barangays (villages),which were divided into sixdifferent clusters. Each cluster iscomposed of three to fivebarangays.

Meanwhile, the provincial officeof the Department of Labor and

Employment (DOLE) organizedthe San Agustin Women DairyProcessing Association(SAWDPA), which is responsiblefor milk processing. The stronginterest of the women convincedthe DOLE to provide processing

equipment worth P150,000. TheDepartment of Trade and Industry(DTI) also gave its share bytraining the coop’s farmer-members on packaging andmarketing of dairy products, andassisting them in promoting theirproducts in various trade fairs inCagayan Valley.

For its part, PCC facilitated theproduction of buffalo crossbredsin by loaning out to interestedbarangays 17 purebred Murrahbuffalo bulls. Moreover, the centertrained six municipal andbarangay technicians on artificialinsemination (AI) and pregnancy

Tacloban City – “This situationcalls for our cooperation and vigi-lance,” ordered Department of Ag-riculture Region 8 Executive Direc-tor Leo P. Cañeda, as he receivedreports of hog mortalities in Brgy.Old Manunca, Sta. Rita, Samar, inDecember last year.

His office immediately conductedan investigation and laboratorytests of liver and tissue samples ofanimals infected with salmonella.

It was not hog cholera as earlierreported, Cañeda revealed.

Hogs infected with salmonella

bacteria exhibit clinical signs, suchas inappetence, high fever, diar-rhea, nasal discharge and conjunc-tivitis.

He said that the DA-8, throughits Quick Response Team in col-laboration with the local officials ofSta. Rita and neighboring munici-

Salmonella is ‘under control’ in Samarpalities, including Tacloban City, arepresently administering certain pre-vention and control measuresagainst the disease.

“We have been conducting a se-ries of animal health missions inthat municipality, giving priority tothe affected barangays.

So far, 334 pigs had beentreated, 252 were given prophylaxisand 87 were vaccinated,” Dir.Cañeda disclosed.

Latest data indicate a total of 676sick pigs, 84 of which have died,while 25 were slaughtered whendetected by owners that the a0been prevented if only suspectedanimals were at once reported andconsequently given treatment. Weencourage the hog raisers to im-mediately contact the nearest vet-erinary or agriculture office oncethey observe manifestations of the

disease,” he stressed. Based on assessment, at least

90% of the animals given treatmenthave recovered, Dir. Caneda added.

“We are presently intensifyinginformation campaign focused onproper management practices inbackyard swine raising, observanceof good hygiene and proper dis-posal of dead animals.

“In order to prevent the spread ofthe disease to non-affected areas,we recommended a 30-day strictquarantine regulation in Sta. Rita.This means, in particular, thatmovement of hogs will be regulatedthrough several checkpoints in-stalled at strategic locations.

“Likewise, we proposed banningthe slaughter of sick animals,” heconcluded. (Rodel G. Macapañas &

Jessa Faye G. Esponilla -- DA-RFU8

Info Div)

The Philippines and South Ko-rea recently forged a memoran-dum of agreement (MOU) to en-hance bilateral cooperation in ag-riculture and livestock industries.

The MOU was signed January6, 2009, by Dr. Libertado Cruz,executive director of the DA-Phil-ippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC),Director Hak Kyo Lee of theGyeonggi-do Regional ResearchCenter (GRRC) of Hankyung Na-tional University, and DirectorJong Kee Kim of GRRC-Chungang University at the DA-PCC, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

The agreement calls for tech-nical cooperation for two years,focusing on conduct of collabo-rative researches and training,and dispatch of experts in thefields of dairy farm management,and ensuring production of hy-gienic and safe products. (Minda

Diloy, DA-PCC)

RP, Korea forge

agri-livestock MOU

A fraction of the 1,000 or so

buffalo crossbreds take

center stage during the

annual “Nuang (Carabao)

Festival” in San Agustin,

Isabela.

diagnosis (PD). They were alsoprovided with AI kit, liquid nitrogenfield tanks, and continuoussupply of frozen buffalo semenand other items. Then formerIsabela Provincial Veterinarian Dr.Andrew Villacorta, now assistant

regional director of DA-RFU II,played a key role by providinghis full support.

To give San Agustin farmerswith better appreciation ofbuffalo-based dairy enterprisedevelopment, PCC organizededucational tours (LakbayAral) to various dairy coopera-tives in Nueva Ecija andLaguna provinces.

San Agustin farmers willundertake several initiatives tofurther improve their opera-tions.

These include four majorinitiatives:

1. Gradual improvement oftheir milk processing center tocater to the growing milk

production in the area;2. Production of superior

crossbred progenies with higherbloodline from 50% Murrah bloodto as high as 87.5% or higher toimprove the quality of their dairybuffaloes;

3. Establishment of a triple Aslaughterhouse and meat freezingplant for meat derived fromfattened male crossbreds andunproductive cows and bulls; and

4. Establishment of closelinkages with various governmentagencies and private groups thatprovide technical and financialsupport.(DA-Phil. Carabao Center)

9 February 2009

From the RegionsSelected news and developments on agriculture, fisheries, agribusiness and relatedsectors, as reported by the DA-Regional Field Units, and those published in nationaland provincial publications.

“In unity, there is strength.”Thus said Dr. Roger C. Chio, DA

Davao regional executive director,as he recognized projects collabo-rated by various government agen-cies during a formal launch of theRubber Development Program inSouthern Mindanao at RIARC Sat-ellite Station for Hillyland inMarahan, Marilog, Davao City. Thatwas in 2006, when the vast, idle,and barren hilly terrains in the areawere seen everywhere.

Today, the opportunity in this vastterrain becomes a sprawling pro-ductive agricultural hub of indig-enous and tropical cash crops ofvegetables, high value fruit crops,root crops, and plantation crops.

“Research is allocated in this 50-ha area. We want to empower andhelp our poor indigenous brothersnot only earn from their labor, butfro them to become entrepreneursin the near future” quipped Dr.Alfredo M. Cayabyab, chief of theSouthern Mindanao Integrated Ag-ricultural Research Center(SMIARC).

He added that various rubber-based projects are established inthe area in close collaboration withvarious units and program of DA-RFU 11, private sector, local gov-ernment units (LGUs), members ofthe academe, and concernedstakeholders.

Noel T. Estellena, SMIARC se-nior agriculturist and chief ofhillyland farming station in Marilogsaid that the “rubber program cameat time when DA RFU 11 is start-ing to focus in developing the sta-tion adding that it was an oppor-tune time that the Bureau of Agri-cultural Research (BAR) has in-cluded rubber as its priority com-modity for research and develop-ment (R&D).

“Rubber is a viable agro-forestcrop suited to grow in hilly areas.The crop’s increasing trend in mar-ket demand and Davao’s favorableclimate made it ideal for growingrubber which is comparable toMalaysia’s condition”, Estellenastressed.

Curious on how this project willgain impact, Prospero Tanutan, re-gional rubber coordinator and pro-gram leader, explained that rubber

RRRRRubububububber prber prber prber prber prooooogggggrrrrram in Southam in Southam in Southam in Southam in South

Mindanao in full sMindanao in full sMindanao in full sMindanao in full sMindanao in full swingwingwingwingwingbecomes productive on its sixthyear but with proper care and main-tenance, tapping can start as earlyas its fourth year. Farmer can earna cumulative net income of 32,000per hectare from cuplump during thesecond year of tapping.

With high value intercrop likelakatan banana, planted in betweendouble rows of rubber, Tanutan hasalready yielded six cycles of har-vest, since his farm was estab-lished in August 2007. Initial har-vests from sweet potato and cas-sava were likewise noted as prom-ising. The latter cuttings were usedas shade for the growing lanzonesas another intercrop to rubberplants.

Jessel Cardines, project in-charge, reported on several com-ponents of the program such asadaptability trial on different clones

of rubber, where she observed theamazing growth of rubber clones,PB 260, PB 330, and USM 1.

The establishments of rubbernursery and budwood garden inMarahan and in Central Experimen-tal Station (CES) in Manambulanhave already gained their impacts.Cardines reported that 18 munici-palities in the five provinces of Re-gion 11 were given quality rubberbuddings from four different clonesas source for their respectivebudwood gardens.

On technology transfer, Informa-tion, Education and Communica-tion (IEC) activities have been suc-cessfully undertaken from 2006 to2008 wherein 452 rubber stakehold-ers were trained on planting rubber.They were also given copies of printmaterials as references. Rubberenthusiasts coming from different

provinces in Mindanao and other re-gions have also come to the areafor a field tour of the project.

Cardines said that with BAR’scontinued fund support, phase II ofthe program has now been imple-mented. Three hectares expansionproject was devoted to rubber-based farming system. An initialone hectare on rubber + coffee (Ro-busta) has been established whichwill be followed by another onehectare on rubber + cacao (F-1hybrid). Earmarked for the year areexpansion projects on rubber nurs-ery area for seedlings propaga-tion and additional area for produc-tion projects.

Part of the station initiatives wasthe establishment of a reservoirthat supplied the potable water forhousehold use. Through the High-Value Commercial Crop (HVCC)program, manpower, infrastructure,and vehicle unit were provided insupport to the hillyland projects ofSMIARC. This serves as reinforce-ment in the efficient delivery of ser-vices to the stakeholders. (Anecita

Telabangco and Jessel Cardines,

DA-SMIARC)

Lanao Norte farm families benefit from ‘PEACE’The Productivity Enhancement in

Agriculture through CommunityEmpowerment (PEACE) project isreaching out to ruralfolk in threebarangays of Baroy, Lanao delNorte with technology interventionsand opportunities to augment in-come of households.

The project -- initiated by the De-partment of Agriculture-RegionalField Unit 10 (DA-RFU 10) and theBureau of Agricultural Research(BAR) through the NorthernMindanao Integrated AgriculturalResearch Center (NOMIARC) -- hasprovided farm inputs, livestock,technical assistance, and technol-ogy interventions to an initial 42farmer-cooperators in BarangaysPange, Upper Sagadan, andPrincesa.

Re-dispersal and rollover of ben-efits sustain the project ensuringextension to more community ben-eficiaries thereafter.

Components of the project in-clude crop diversification, poultryand livestock production and capa-bility building.

Cropping patterns in diversifiedfarming systems using componenttechnologies were introduced,namely: organic + inorganic fertil-izer application, use of appropriateand improved varieties, Integrated

Nutrient Management (INM), and In-tegrated Pest Management (IPM).

To maximize land utilization, in-come, and ensure affordable meatfor the family, livestock production(goat and swine) is integrated in thesystem. Initially, improved breedsof one packet of goat (1 buck and5 does) and weaned piglets for eachbarangay were delivered to benefi-ciaries.

A group of PEACE staff, led byProject Leader Cora Dumayacaand Site Coordinator Jaime Jerusa-lem recently met the recipients of

the project and discussed issues/concerns on how the project pro-gressed in the sites.

Dionesio Artajo, one of the recipi-ents, said he is most enthusiasticthat with the PEACE and the con-tinuing cooperation of communitymembers, more of his communityfolks can experience greater oppor-tunities to improved living condi-tions, more food available at table,more income and self-sufficiency.(Mae Odimyrl Abarabar-Morales, DA-

NOMIARC)

Above are some of the PEACE beneficiaries in Baroy, Lanao Norte.

10 February 2009

DA fasttracks implementation

This year, the Department of Ag-riculture through the National Irri-gation Administration (DA-NIA) willcontinue to restore and rehabilitatenational and communal irrigationsystems, with a proposed 2009budget of P6 billion.

It will enable the agency to reha-bilitate 24,430 hectares (has.) andrestore 41,735 has.

Last year, the DA-NIA has allot-ted P206 million in the Ilocos Re-gion, rehabilitating 1,688 has. andrestoring 2,852 has.

Early this month, AgricultureSecretary Arthur C. Yap visited

Laoag City and inspected the re-habilitation and restoration of irriga-tion systems to highlight the ur-gency of fasttracking the implemen-tation of agri infrastructure projectswithin the first semester of 2009.

One such project is the rehabili-tation of the Laoag-Vintar River Irri-gation System.

While thre, he also committed topursue other infrastructure projectsin Laoag City, totaling P22M. Of thisamount, P14M will go to the repairand rehabilitation of national irriga-tion systems, particularly theLaoag-Vintar NIS and additionalP2.5 million for other irrigationprojects; P2.5M for FMRs and oneflatbed dryer; and P3M for fishcages through the Bureau of Fish-eries and Aquatic Resources.

Yap also enjoined the farmers toavail of the loan programs of the DAwith P3B in the Land Bank of thePhilippines as guaranteed fund forrural and thrift banks.

For this purpose, he directed allbranch managers of LBP to makefurther information and massive pro-motion drive about the loan pro-grams to enable farmers to availsaid program

Aside from these commitments,Yap in his visit took chance to in-teract with the officers and mem-bers of the irrigators associationand heard directly from them theirissues and concerns.

Realizing all these bold movesand doable strategies, Yap ex-pressed high hope that the countrywould be able to surpass again thechallenge of dwindling global eco-nomic conditions this CY 2009.

of countryside infra projects

Wanted:

PPPPPererererermanent marmanent marmanent marmanent marmanent markkkkkererererersssss

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap (2nd from right) inspects the

construction of irrigation canals, at Bgy. Lataag, Laoag City, which

forms part of the P8-million Laoag–Vintar River Irrigation System.

Once completed in May, the project will irrigate 1,850 hectares and

benefit 2,642 farmers.

Baguio City — A monitoringteam from the Department ofAgriculture’s National Agricultureand Fishery Council (DA-NAFC)has recently completed its initialmonitoring and validation of agricul-tural infrastructure projects in theCordillera, funded by the DA, Na-tional Irrigation Administration (DA-NIA), Department of Public Worksand Highways (DPWH), and localgovernment units (LGUs).

As part of its mandate, the NAFCwas requested by DA SecretaryArthur Yap to undertake the inde-pendent evaluation. I joined the

team in some of its trips to the hin-terlands, not as an evaluator, butto document some of the com-pleted and on-going projects.

The NAFC evaluation team hasyet to prepare and submit its find-ings to the DA Secretary. I am writ-ing this as my own impression.

Specifically for the Cordillera, wemay declare that for CY 2007-2008,the DA implemented millions-worthof farm-to-market roads FMRs),multi-purpose drying pavements(MPDPs), small farm reservoirs(SFRs), spring developmentprojects (SDPs), screenhouses andgreenhouses, footpaths, agricul-tural tramlines, small water im-pounding projects (SWIPs), diver-sion dams (DDs), and deliveredfarm and postharvest equipment.

The public may have actuallyseen a lot of completed or on-go-ing infrastructure work or deliveriesof farm and postharvest equipment.But without labels, signboards andmarkers, the credit can go to any-body or organization, except theright one, the DA and NIA. For in-stance, only one of all the FMRswe visited in one province had a

By Robert L. Domoguen

Shown above is the ongoing concreting of a DA-NIA funded tunnel

type irrigation system in Abra.

concrete marker, declaring that itwas a DA-assisted project.

In another locality, when theevaluation team asked a farmerwhom he thought constructed theFMR, he answered: “An NGO didit.”

It was also unfortunate that theDA’s Bureau of Postharvest Re-search and Extension (BPRE) andNIA have also neglected to installsignboards and permanent mark-ers on their on-going and completedprojects.

What is the big fuss about projectsignboards and permanent mark-

ers anyway?Simply, they tell the public what

the project is all about. In fact, theimplementers install them as an actof transparency and commitmentto follow through with the require-ments of the project. Of course,putting the name of the agency andthe people involved in the projecttells the public that they are prima-rily involved and accountable forsuch facility or infrastructure.

The markers or signboards con-tain basic information, such as:project’s name, cost, proponent,starting date, and target or actualcompletion date, purpose, andtechnical dimensions, among oth-ers.

But it is worth it, if a permanentmarker is installed in every project.This will be a good reference tocommend the implementer if theproject would last beyond its ex-pected life, or denounce the respon-sible agency if it did last longenough, say, for only a few months.

Markers are therefore tools oftransparency, as the projectsshould be implemented well.

DA-Cordillera Regional Executive

Director Cesar Rodriguez has beenparticular on installing project sign-boards and markers.

And provincial officials supporthim like Governor Maximo Dalogof Mt. Province and GovernorEustaquio Bersamin of Abra.I amcertain that other governors in theregion share the same sentiment.

Thus, for every DA-CAR project,our field personnel would preparesteel, G.I sheets or wooden sign-boards, which are delivered to thebeneficiaries. However, some ben-eficiaries do not want to install thesignboards. Worse, some markersalready set up were stolen.

In the case of FMRs, it is pro-posed that the contractors shouldset-up the permanent markersthemselves. To ensure that mark-ers are not stolen or destroyed,these should be in the form of ce-ment structures.

(Editor’s note: The author is the

Regional Information Officer of DA-

Cordillera Administrative Region)

February 200911

International News Round-upA digest of selected news, developments and breakthrough agriculture, fisheries,agribusiness and related fields culled from websites and publications of

international institutions and organizations.

IFAD, FAO and EC extend assistance

to bankroll part of RP rice programThree United Nations food and

development agencies — the Foodand Agriculture Organization(FAO), World Food Program(WFP) and the International Fundfor Agricultural Development (IFAD)— continue to join hands to pro-tect the welfare of the poorest andhungriest by providing direct sup-port to governments on an emer-gency basis and beyond, while pro-viding resources and designing poli-cies to re-launch agriculture and re-vitalize rural economies.

For instance, together with theGovernment of the Philippines,IFAD and FAO developed the RapidFood Production EnhancementProgram, which aims to contributeto government’s emergency re-sponses to soaring food prices. Inparticular, it will; support long-termplans of the Philippines to improvepaddy production; contribute to gov-ernment policy and its developmentefforts to improve the overall livingcondition of rural people in all re-gions; and facilitate policy dialoguein the agriculture sector.

IFAD will finance the programwith a loan of US$15.9 million anda grant of US$500,000. Recently,the European Commission also ap-proved a •10-million grant to co-fi-nance the program by scaling upits coverage and scope. Twoprojects will be implemented under

the program: The Rapid Seed Sup-ply Financing Project, which seeksto acquire and distribute just under1,000,000 bags of certified inbredpaddy seeds during the 2009 dryseason crop in selected rice-pro-ducing provinces; and the IrrigatedRice Production EnhancementProject, which will support the re-habilitation of at least 5,000 hect-ares of communal irrigationschemes in focus provinces, underthe Philippines’ initiative entitled,‘Focusing on Increasing ProvincialProductivity – Rice Self-SufficiencyPlan 2009-2013.’ The plan envi-sions to attain 100-per cent suffi-ciency in rice by 2013.

“Access by farmers, especiallyindigenous people and women, toresources such as land, water andrural financial services, is key toensuring food security,” said SanaF.K. Jatta, IFAD country programmanager, during the Second IFAD-Philippines Partners Knowledgeand Learning Market: Food Secu-rity, People’s Wealth, held in Ma-nila, 28-29 October 2008.

Given the right support and op-portunity to access resources, andwith their high level of adaptabilityand resourcefulness, Filipinos cancope with the challenge posed bythe soaring food prices, he said.(IFAD Newsletter Issue 24: Jan-

Feb 2009)

Researchers in Finland reportsuccessful use of an unlikely fertil-izer for farm fields that is inexpen-sive, abundantly available, and un-deniably organic — human urine.

Despite the ‘yuk!’ factor, urinefrom healthy individuals is virtuallysterile, free of bacteria or viruses.Naturally rich in nitrogen and othernutrients, urine has been used asfertilizer since ancient times.

Urine fertilization is rare todaybut it has gained attention in someareas as farmers embrace organicproduction methods and try to re-duce use of synthetic fertilizers.

In the new study, human urinewas collected from private homesand used it to fertilize cabbagecrops.

The analysis showed that growthand biomass were slightly higher

Human urine: Safe, cheap fertilizer

with urine than with conventionalfertilizer.

There was no difference in nutri-tional value of the cabbage. Theresults show that human urinecould be used as a fertilizer for cab-bage, and does not pose any sig-nificant hygienic threats or leaveany distinctive flavor in foodproducts.(sciencedaily.com)

New research shows that rapidlywarming climate is likely to seri-ously alter crop yields in the trop-ics and subtropics by the end ofthis century and, without adapta-tion, will leave half of the world’spopulation facing serious foodshortages.

The stresses on global food pro-duction from temperature alone aregoing to be huge, and that doesn’ttake into account water suppliesstressed by the higher tempera-tures.

Thus, there is a compelling rea-son to invest in adaptation becauseit will take decades to develop newfood crop varieties that can betterwithstand a warmer climate.

There is greater than a 90 per-cent probability that by 2100 the

Half of world’s people could face climate-

induced food crisis by 2100lowest growing-season tempera-tures in the tropics and subtropicswill be higher than any tempera-tures recorded to date.

In the tropics, the highertemperatures can be expected tocut yields of primary food crops,maize and rice, by 20 to 40 percent,researchers said.

But rising temperatures also arelikely to play havoc with soilmoisture, cutting yields evenfurther.

Many people will just move outof agriculture, and even move fromthe lands where they live now.

Currently 3 billion people live inthe tropics and subtropics, andtheir number is expected to nearlydouble by the end of the century.(www.sciencedaily.com)

Some biofuels cause morehealth problems than petrol anddiesel, according to scientists whohave calculated the health costsassociated with different types offuel.

The study shows that corn-basedbio-ethanol, produced extensivelyin the US, has a higher combinedenvironmental and health burdenthan conventional fuels. However,there are high hopes for the nextgeneration of biofuels, which canbe made from organic waste orplants grown on marginal land thatis not used to grow foods. Theyhave less than half the combinedhealth and environmental costs ofstandard gasoline and a third of cur-rent biofuels.

Several studies last year showedthat growing corn to make ethanolbiofuels was pushing up the priceof food. Environmentalists havehighlighted other problems such

deforestation to clear land for grow-ing crops to make the fuels.

The health problems caused byconventional fuels are well studiedand stem from soot particles andother pollution produced when theyare burned. Problems are causedby particles given off during theirgrowth and manufacture.

Health problems from biofuelsand gasoline include increasedcases of heart disease, respiratorysymptoms, asthma, chronic bron-chitis or premature death. The teamhas calculated the economic costsassociated with these.(www.guardian.co.uk)

Biofuels are more harmful to humansthan petrol, diesel

Agriculture is the noblest of

all alchemy; for it turns

earth, and even manure, into

gold, conferring upon its

cultivator the additional

reward of health.

-Paul Chatfield

February 200912

‘World Agri Forum’ set in Thailand

The World Agricultural Forum will hold the 2009 AsiaRoundtable in Phuket, Thailand, March 8-10, 2009, with thetheme, “Balancing the Agricultural Bottom Line.”

Topics to be discussed include agriculture’s impact on theglobal economy and its potential to reverse current condi-tions, and on managing risks and exploring the options forsecuring the finance needed to sustain and grow agriculturein a global recession.

The forum strives to generate action plans to form effectivepartnerships between the participants, while attracting greaterglobal attention to agriculture. Participants include heads-of-state and other government officials, corporate CEOs, lead-ers of non-governmental organizations and renowned aca-demics.

The Asia Roundtable will serve as the final meeting leading upto the World Agricultural Forum’s Sixth Biennial World Congress,scheduled on May 18-20, 2009, in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.(www.poultry.com)

Aquaculture is expected to playa crucial role in meeting thedeveloping world’s growing demandfor fish, which is likely to double by2020, accroding to World FishCenter.

It currently accounts for 30 percent of the global fish output and isthe fastest growing segment ofworld food production.

It is an increasingly importantactivity to the economies ofdeveloping countries, whichaccount for 90 per cent of theworld’s aquaculture output.

And one aquacutlture species willplay a major role.

It is known as GIFT (GeneticallyImproved Farmed Tilapia). It willhelp farmers raise fish that arebigger and grow faster.

The tilapia, often called the‘aquatic chicken,’ is now the mostwidely farmed fish in the tropics. Itoriginated in Africa, but is nowfarmed extensively in Asia.

‘GIFT’‘GIFT’‘GIFT’‘GIFT’‘GIFT’ will pr will pr will pr will pr will prooooovide vide vide vide vide AsiansAsiansAsiansAsiansAsians,,,,, AfricansAfricansAfricansAfricansAfricans

The freshwater fish is prolific andeasy to grow. It is alsoexceptionally hardy and requireslittle or no expensive high-proteinfeed to growquickly. Thefish eatsa l m o s tanything,

f r o mgrass clippings tovegetable matter and suspendedsolids.

Also, it requires only modestamounts of water — the fishtolerates incredible overcrowding —and is cultivated in many differenttypes of production systems, fromextensive to super-intensivepractices at small-scale as well aslarge-scale level.

GIFT grows 60 per cent faster

and has a 50 per cent highersurvival rate to adulthood than theoriginal fish. Sometimes alsoknown as the Super Tilapia, the fishwas developed through vigorousselection-breeding programs — the

first time atropical foodfish hasb e e nimprovedu s i n gs u c hmethods.

The fish used to breedGIFT was the Nile tilapia

(Oreochromis niloticus).The fish allows three crops a year,

instead of two that is obtained withnormal strains. Impactassessments show that GIFTfarmers enjoy significantly lowerproduction costs (20 to 30 per cent)and better profits.

Being fast growing and highyielding, GIFT has encouraged

more of the poor to take up fishfarming, and in the processpromote low cost, environmentallyfriendly aquaculture. It has alsogiven economic empowerment towomen who grow them in localponds.

GIFT is now being farmed in 13countries in Asia — includingBangladesh, China, thePhilippines, Thailand, Indonesiaand Vietnam — where it is makingimportant contributions toincreasing the supply of low-cost,high-quality protein to the poor.

GIFT was developed with fundingfrom the United NationsDevelopment Program (UNDP) andthe Asian Development Bank.

The Philippines ‘ Bureau ofFisheries and Aquatic Resourcesand Central Luzon State Universitycollaborated on the project, alongwith the Aquaculture ResearchInstitute of Norway and institutionsin Egypt , Ghana , Kenya andSenegal .(www.worldfishcenter.org)

People who sit down to a dailybreakfast of eggs may have an in-creased risk of developing type 2diabetes, new research suggests.

In a long-term study of 57,000U.S. adults, researchers found thatthose who ate an egg a day were58 percent to 77 percent more likelythan non-egg-eaters to developtype 2 diabetes.

Based on the current data, it isrecommended to consume eggs inmoderation and not to exceed sixeggs per week.

The study does not explain ex-

Hong Kong, believed to havebeen free of H5N1, is forced to cullthousands of poultry after a recentoutbreak. Meanwhile, two avian fludeaths are reported in Egypt andIndonesia.

Just when it thought it could

scratch bird flu off its list of thingsto worry about in 2009, the deadlyH5N1 virus has resurfaced inHongkong in poultry for the first timein six years, reinforcing warningsthat the threat of a human pandemicisn't over.

India, Bangladesh, Vietnam andmainland China also experiencednew outbreaks in December. Dur-ing the same period, four new hu-man cases -- in Egypt, Cambodiaand Indonesia -- were reported tothe World Health Organization.

The new cases come af-

New bird flu cases revive fearsof human pandemic

ter a two-year decline in the num-ber of confirmed human deaths fromH5N1 bird flu and as fewer coun-tries are reporting outbreaks amongpoultry. The United Nations reportshowed improved surveillance andthe rapid culling of potentially in-

fected poultry forhelping to con-tain and evenprevent out-breaks in manycountries.

H5N1 alreadyhas been a di-saster for poultryfarmers in Asia.Public health of-ficials estimatethat as many ashalf a billion fowl

have been killed by the virus orculled to contain its spread, caus-ing enormous economic strain andfood shortages.

But the bigger fear has alwaysbeen that H5N1 would give rise toa human pandemic like the so-called Spanish flu of 1918, whichkilled an estimated 50 millionpeople worldwide. And as long asthe virus continues to circulate, thethreat that it could mutate to passmore easily among humans re-mains, according to the U.N.report.(www.latimes.com)

Egg intake linked to diabetes riskactly why eggs are linked to diabe-tes, but cholesterol may play a role.The study participants' daily choles-terol intake was also related to dia-betes risk, and when the research-ers factored this in, the relationshipbetween egg intake andd i a b e t e s w e a k e n e d .(www.reuters.com)

lololololow-cost,w-cost,w-cost,w-cost,w-cost, high-quality f high-quality f high-quality f high-quality f high-quality fish prish prish prish prish proteinoteinoteinoteinotein

February 200913

‘Golden rice,’ anyone?The Philippines may be the first

country to commercialize VitaminA-fortified or ‘golden rice’ to providea healthier staple for Filipinos.

Golden rice is rich in Vitamin A,Vitamin E, Zinc and Iron, and re-sistant to tungro, said DirectorRonilo A. Beronio, of the Depart-ment of Agriculture’s PhilippineRice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice).

In 2004, Swiss biotechnology firmSyngenta donated the Golden Rice,which is characterized by its highbeta-carotene content, to the Hu-manitarian Board, granting inves-tors and countries license-freerights to use and enhance the tech-nology.

Since then, the government hastried to crossbreed it with localstrains.

“It is now under the confined test-ing. Thereafter, we will test it in thefields,” Beronio said.

The rice will then be subjectedto assessments to ensure the qual-

Davao City -Three modifiedcrops would be available in thenext three years, according to Dr.Eufemio Rasco of the University ofthe Philippines in Mindanao.

These include a variety of Khak

Nuan papaya, genetically-modifiedto resist the common pest ringspot,an eggplant variety modified to re-sist fruit and shoot borers, andGolden Rice. They would add to thefour already in the market: Bt corn,soybeans, cotton and canola.

In Mindanao, Rasco has led thefield experiments in sago, a kind ofpalm, where starch could be derivedfor baking and other industrial uses,and source of lactic acid; and thepitcher plant, for ornamental use.He said experiments have beendone in the last 12 years.

He is also experimenting on aplant called nepenthes, which ex-hibits the unique characteristics ofbeing a cross between a plant andan animal. “It grows like otherplants would, but it also feeds onother plants, a different kind of‘plant-animal’ hybrid,” he said.

The plant could become a newplatform for genetic engineering.“We may hijack its own sap to de-termine why it eats on other plants,while growing as a plant,” Rascoexplained.

Nepenthes is an ornamentalplant, “and biotechnology couldhelp save this plant-endemic in thePhilippines-from extinction.”

“Yes, this is an endangered spe-cies,” he said.

“These are our achievements inplant biotechnology: seed propaga-tion media, hydropriming biology offlowering and seed production; in-vitro cutting propagation, callus andregeneration, plant growing media,acclimatization, selling of in-vitroseedlings and selling of clones,” hesaid.

Contrary to common perceptions,however, “what we are using herein the Philippines is still the tradi-tional kind of biotechnology, but weare using new materials,” Rascoadded.

In developed economies, scien-tists use gene-splicing, or geneticengineering and protoplast fusion,or, “in general, any technique thatforces unnatural or horizontal DNAtransfer.

He said current uses of traditionalbiotechnology are in food process-ing and production, biomedical ap-plications such as drugs and vac-cines, and in industrial applicationssuch as cleaning agents.(Business

Mirror)

ity and safety of the produce.“There has been a significant im-

provement (in beta-carotene con-tent). Now we have 15% to 25%microorganism of beta-carotene pergram from less than 10% before,”Beronio said.

“Among our crops, rice is themost important food crop, espe-

Three biotech

crops in the offing

cially for the poor,” said Randy A.Hautea, director for Southeast Asiaof the International Service for theAcquisition of Agri-Biotech Applica-tions.

Other countries interested oncommercializing golden rice areChina, Vietnam and Thailand. (Busi-

ness World)

Rice is a labor-intensive crop thatalso requires plenty of water. Of-ten, water pumped to flood ricefields comes from shallow aquifersthat are dwindling.

The Agricultural Research Ser-vice (ARS) of the US Departmentof Agriculture (USDA) and cooper-ating scientists are studying a sys-tem that cuts water use by 24 per-cent, called multiple-inlet rice irri-

MIRI reduces water use in rice fieldsgation (or MIRI).

It involves laying disposable, thin-walled, polyethylene irrigation tub-ing to connect rice paddies as theyare flooded with water. Currently,most rice fields are flooded by grav-ity, discharging water from the high-est paddy and allowing it to flowinto lower paddies.

Reducing irrigation water on MIRIfields is important to farmers for

more than just water and energysavings, since rice fields oftenshare water supply with other crops.The amount of water available toirrigate other crops usually dependson how much water is used to firstadequately irrigate rice fields. Thus,a 24-percent reduction in ricecrop's water usage could meanhigher yields for other crops.(www.ars.usda.gov)

DAVIS, California -Scientistshave bred a new strain of flood-tol-erant rice that could help feed mil-

lions.As sea levels rise and world

weather patterns worsen, floodinghas become a major cause of ricecrop loss. Scientists estimate 4million tons of rice are lost everyyear because of flooding. That’s

Golden RiceA genetically modified rice that produces

high amount of beta-carotene in its grains,

producing its characteristic yellow color

Phytoene synthase

gene from maize

and

Phytoene desaturase

gene from a commonbacterium

+

Source: Dr. Antonio A. Alfonso, DA-PhilRice

Flood-tolerant rice may solve hungerenough rice to feed 30 millionpeople.

Rice is grown in flooded fields,usually to killweeds. But riceplants do notlike it whenthey are sub-merged in wa-ter for long pe-riods.

Normal ricedies after threedays of com-plete flooding.Researchersknow of at leastone rice varietythat can toler-ate flooding for

longer periods, but conventionalbreeding failed to create a strainthat was acceptable to farmers.

The isolated the gene, calledSub1, and introduced into normalrice varieties, is a generating ricethat could withstand being sub-

merged in water for 17 days.Using precision breeding, scien-

tists introduced the Sub1 genethree years ago into test fields inBangladesh and India. The subse-quent rice harvests were a resound-ing success.

The farmers found three- to five-fold increases in yield due to floodtolerance. They can plant the nor-mal way. They can harvest the nor-mal way and it tastes the same.Farmers had more food for theirfamilies and they also had addi-tional rice they could sell to bring alittle bit of money into the house-hold.

Because the plants are the prod-uct of precision breeding, ratherthan genetic modification, they arenot subject to the same regulatorytesting that can delay release ofgenetically modified crops.

Farmers hope to have drought-tolerant, salt-tolerant and insect-resistant varieties someday.(www.cnn.com)

February 200914

DA-BAI culls ... (from p1)

The DA-BAI will also survey ad-joining farms to ensure that theERV is effectively contained, includ-ing other major swine diseases. Secretary Yap made the an-nouncement, along with HealthSecretary Francisco Duque III, dur-ing a press conference, February23, at the DA’s Bureau of Soils andWater Management (DA-BSWM),in Quezon City, after receiving thecomplete laboratory test results ofthe 160 pig blood and tissuesamples analyzed by the ResearchInstitute of Tropical Medicine of theDepartment of Health (DOH-RITM)and the US Centers for Disease

would contribute to increase foodproduction and incomes of farmersand fishers, reduce postharvestlosses, speed up the transport anddistribution of farm and fishery prod-ucts to the markets, and improvethe competitiveness of small farm-ers and fisherfolk. 

He also called on Congress ofthe Philippines to do its share bypassing an economic stimulus billthat would bankroll commitmentsreached during the Jobs Summit.

The other government agenciesthat committed their respectivecontributions during the JobsSummit are the Departments ofPublic Works and Highways(DPWH), Education (DepEd),Environment and NaturalResources (DENR), Labor andEmployment (DOLE), Trade andIndustry (DTI), and StateUniversities and Colleges (SUCs).

In all, under the FIELDS program,the DA will continue to implementinfrastructure and livelihood projectsnationwide, which include:

·Production of organic fertilizersin Ilocos;

·Construction of flatbed dryers,

Agri-infra ... (from p1)

‘Let’s all be proactive’

Control and Prevention (CDC), inAtlanta, USA.

Of the total samples, 133 camefrom Bulacan and 27 fromPangasinan.

RITM and CDC analysis showedthere is ongoing ERV transmissionin Bulacan, but none inPangasinan.

“From the time of the collectionof the samples up to the present,none of the pigs in both farmsshowed signs of any illness. Quar-antine can now be lifted in thePangasinan farm,” Secretary Yapsaid.

The RITM and US CDC likewisetested 147 human samples — from

Thus said newly-appointedPress Secretary Cerge Remonde,as he urged more than a hundredpublic information officers (PIOs)of various government depart-ments, agencies andcorporations who con-vened February 12, atManila Hotel, for theirfirst consultative meet-ing, upon his invitation.

“Let us all serve ascatalysts in effectivelydisseminating andcommunicating theaccomplishments andpriorities of the Macapagal-Arroyoadministration to achieve thecountry’s development goals,”added Remonde, who was ap-pointed to his new post February1, 2009.

He lamented that PresidentArroyo’s policies and programshave not been proactively and ad-equately communicated to thepeople, thereby creating a gapbetween public perception andwhat is actually happening.

“We must close this gap to bringgovernance closer to the peopleand make them productive partici-pants towards nation building,”noted Remonde, who previouslyserved as Presidential Manage-ment Staff Director-General.

Thus, barely two weeks aspress secretary, he instructed theholding of the first consultative con-ference of PIOs under his watch

“to specifically attend to this glar-ing crack in the government infor-mation dissemination system.”

Secretary Remonde distin-guished himself as a hard-hitting

Cebu radio broad-caster, who waselected nationalchairman of theKapisanan ng mgaBrodkaster ngPIlipinas (KBP) for arecord six terms.

“If there is anygroup of people whoknow the sacrifices,

the endeavors, the efforts beingmade by public servants in publicservice, people who know whatgood the government has done andhas been doing, it is the PIOs,”he said.

Heeding his call, the PIOspledged to consolidate their re-spective efforts in responding to theneeds of the people, and agreedto be grouped accordingly, follow-ing the Cabinet cluster system.They also concurred to conveneregularly to share strategies andexperiences in effectively and effi-ciently communicating the mod-est successes and triumphs of theArroyo administration.

The DA was represented by NoelO. Reyes, Information ServiceOIC-Director; Cheryl Coloma-Suarez, editorial section chief;and Cecille Quimbo of the Fertil-izer and Pesticide Authority.

Press SecretaryCerge Remonde

Wearing the prescribed personal protective equipment (PPE), Dir.

Davinio Catbagan (center) leads volunteer veterinarians and work-

ers from the DA-BAI and provincial government of Bulacan, in-

cluding the Department of Health and international observers, as

they commence the depopulation procedures in Pandi, Bulacan.

repair of irrigation systems, andagro-forestry projects in CagayanValley;

·Production of organic fertilizersand vegetables in the Cordilleras;

·Livestock production andconstruction of irrigation systems inCentral Luzon;

·Setting up of more Tindahan Natinoutlets in Metro Manila;

·Construction and repair ofirrigation systems in Bicol;

·Swine livelihood, bantay-dagatprogram and establishment ofBalicasag marine sanctuary inCentral Visayas;

·Construction of FMRs and flatbeddryers and employment of Bantay-Dagat in Eastern Visayas;

·Livestock production, coconut-corn intercropping and agro-forestryin Zamboanga Peninsula;

·Repair of irrigation systems andproduction of organic fertilizer inNorthern Mindanao;

·Agribusiness, irrigation projectsand fishers’ livelihood programs inDavao;

·Marine management resourceproject in Soccsksargen; and

·Fisherfolk livelihood programs atthe ARMM.

affected farms in Bulacan andPangasinan, and from slaughter-houses in Pangasinan andCabanatuan — for ERV antigensand antibodies (either IgG or IgM).Of these, six were found to be posi-tive for IgG antibodies.

“The additional positive humansample (five were previously re-ported) was traced to a male workerin a slaughterhouse in Cabanatuan.The worker was not sick when vis-ited by the investigation team. Hedoes not recall any direct contactwith sick pigs, but remembers hav-ing flu-like illness in the past 12months. There is no evidence how-ever that the flu-like symptoms canbe attributed to ERV infection,”Health Secretary Duque said.

To date, Duque said ERV poseslow risk to humans. However, as ageneral precaution, swine farmworkers in Bulacan are advised toreport to health workers in casethey get sick.

“Until depopulation is carried out,some of the workers can still handle

pigs in the farm using of course,proper Personal Protective Equip-ment (PPE) ,” Secretary Duquesaid. All workers in farms andslaughterhouses should wear ap-propriate farm gloves, mask, boots,and apron.

The DA and DOH will continue topartner with international agencies,and LGUs to carry out further sci-entific studies to determine thesource of the ERV in pigs, andcharacterize pig-to-pig and pig-to-human transmission and infection.

In all, Secretary Yap assures thegeneral public that pork is safe toeat. It should be properly handledand cooked. Consumers shouldbuy their pork and other meat fromstores accredited by the DA-Na-tional Meat Inspection Service.

Likewise, he enjoins all farm own-ers and workers, and LGU veteri-narians to immediately report sickpigs to the DA-BAI, tel. (02) 925-9999. Consumers are also encour-aged to report suspected marketretailers selling ‘double-dead meat.’

February 200915

Giving creditwhere it is due.

Such was the ap-preciative and heart-warming mood ofAgriculture Secre-tary Arthur Yap,when he com-mended the menand women of theDepartment ofAgriculture’s Bureauof Animal Industry(DA-BAI), interna-tional and Filipinoexperts, and repre-sentatives of the live-stock and poultry in-dustry, during the agency’s 79th an-niversary celebration,.

“What could have been a disas-trous blow to the country’s reputa-tion as a reliable source of high-quality agricultural products, not tomention the potential public healthhazard it could generate, wasnipped in the bud with the timelyand decisive action to contain andmanage the emergence of theEbola Reston Virus (or ERV),”noted Secretary Yap

He thus thanked not only the BAIofficials and staff, led by Dir. DavinioCatbagan, but also the vital andcritical assistance extended by theDepartment of Health, Food andAgriculture Organization of theUnited Nations (FAO), Office Inter-national des Epizooties (OIE) orWorld Organization for AnimalHealth, World Health Organization(WHO), and the country’s livestockand poultry industry.

To symbolize the DA-BAI’s grati-tude, Secretary Yap and BAI Dir.Gatbagan handed over plaque ofappreciation to five internationaland Filipino experts, during theanniversary celebration held Feb-ruary 25, at the BAI compound inQuezon City.

They include Dr. Juan Lubroth ofFAO Rome, who led the joint mis-sion of FAO, WHO, OIE, DA-BAIand DOH that conducted a 10-dayinvestigation of ERV-affected swinefarms in Bulacan and Pangasinan;Dr. Soe Nyunt-U, WHO represen-tative in the Philippines; Mr.Kazuyuki Tsurumi, FAO represen-tative in the Philippines; and twoDOH officials, Dr. Enrique Tayag ofthe National Epidemiology Centerand Dr. Yolanda Oliveros of the Na-tional Center for Disease Preven-tion and Control.

The DA chief urged the BAI to

SACY lauds BAI, DOH, int’l experts

for nipping ‘Ebola’

further pursue its mandateto sustain the development,modernization and globalcompetitiveness of thecountry’s livestock and poul-try industry—as part of the DAfamily’s enhanced ‘farm-to-plate’ initiatives under theFIELDS program of PresidentGloria Macapagal Arroyo.

He cited in particular fivemajor initiatives that BAIshould pursue with greatereffort, namely the:

Swine Breeders Farm Accredita-

tion Program, in partnership withthe Swine Breeders Association ofthe Philippines (SBAP), to estab-lish a Philippine Swine Registrysimilar to the US Swine Registrythat offers services such as litterregistrations, performance pedi-grees, breed promotion and mar-keting assistance. During the af-fair, Secretary Yap inducted thenew SBAP officers. The group iscomposed of 20 DA-BAI accreditedbreeders farms in Luzon (16),Visayas (3), and Mindanao (1).

*Swine Accreditation for Export

to Singapore. To date, five commer-cial farms in Mindanao have beencertified as compliant to interna-tional production standards;

*Policy support for the creation

of an accreditation system for

Swine Artificial Insemination Cen-

ters and Providers (the Administra-tive Order was signed last year);

*Code of Good Animal Hus-

bandry Practices, to ensure stron-ger focus on food safety, and em-phasize the importance of hygienicpractices throughout the productionchain to complement efforts in ani-mal health protection; and

*United National Artificial Insemi-

nation (AI) Program to enhance AIservices extended by local govern-

ment veterinarians and technicians.Secretary Yap also cited the con-

tinuing efforts of the BAI, LGUs andlivestock and poultry industry part-ners as they jointly safeguard andprotect the animal population fromFMD and bird flu, thus furtherboosting the country’s competitiveadvantage in the global market.

“I thus commend the men andwomen of our national, regional,provincial, city and municipal AvianInfluenza and FMD Task Forces.Likewise,” he added, “we thank thecontinuing assistance extended bythe governments of Australia, NewZealand, US and Japan, and theFAO and OIE.”

For instance, to continuouslydefend the country bird flu, he saidthe DA-BAI has set up Community-Based Early Warning Systems(CBEWS) in high-risk areas, wherebirds from temperate countries mi-grate for temporary shelter duringthe winter months, from October toFebruary.

He added that the DA will con-tinue to implement stringentbiosecurity measures — fromfarms, sites of migratory birds,meat processing plants, to quaran-tine checkpoints at airports andseaports — and impose temporaryimport ban on poultry and livestock

animals andmeat productsfrom coun-tries, whereincidence oroutbreak ofmajor dis-eases havebeen detectedand validatedby the OIE.

He addedthat the DA willcontinue toi m p l e m e n ts t r i n g e n tb iosecur i t ymeasures —

from farms, sites of migratory birds,meat processing plants, to quaran-tine checkpoints at airports andseaports.

He added that the DA will con-tinue to implement stringentbiosecurity measures — fromfarms, sites of migratory birds,meat processing plants, to quaran-tine checkpoints at airports andseaports.

The BAI will also continue toimplement its major programs thatinclude:Livestock genetic improve-ment; Rabies eradication; Vaccina-tion versus Newcastle Disease, hogcholera, Hemosep, and other dis-ease; Operation and rehabilitationof livestock auction markets; Pricemonitoring of meat, and other live-stock and poultry products in MetroManila public markets and super-markets; and Implementation of“Kambingan at Bakahan SaNiyugan” and “Manukang Bayan.”

In all, Secretary Yap said, “if allgoes well, the Philippines would ex-pect to resume exports and unlocklucrative international markets.

“Our policies and services arehoped to spur the continued expan-sion and modernization of the Fili-pino animal industry, and more im-portantly secure a better life forsmall farmers and entrepreneurs.”

Agriculture Secretary Arthur

Yap (middle, left photo)

congratulates Dr. Juan Lubroth

of the Food of Agriculture

Organization (FAO), as DA-

BAI Director Davinio

Catbagan look on and guests

(foreground) applaud during

the agency’s 79th anniversary

celebration.

16