Vol. XXVII No. 6 A monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture June 2012

DA shares P510Mfor ARMM FMRs,agri projects

(Pls turn to p10)

(Pls turn to p6)

(Pls turn to p2)

The Department of Agricultureis alloting an additional P510 Mil-lion (M) to increase the produc-tivity and incomes of small andmarginal farmers and fisherfolkin the Autonomous Region inMuslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala said the fund serves asthe DA’s share and forms part ofthe Aquino administration’sP8.59-billion Transition Invest-ment Support Plan (TISP) or‘stimulus fund’ for the ARMM.

The DA’s share will mainlybankroll farm-to-market roads(FMRs) worth P293M, and sev-eral agri-fishery projects, whichare part of DA’s continuing ini-tiatives to transform the regioninto a major farm and fishery pro-ducer.

The DA will also construct ahalal livestock facility (worth P23M), establish a rubber nursery

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (4th from left) leads the celebration of the DA’s 114th anniver-sary with a tribute to former DA secretaries — incumbent Sorsogon 1st District Rep. Salvador H. EscuderoIII (right), who received a DA Lifetime Achievement Award, and Bohol 3rd District Rep. Arthur C. Yap(3rd from left) — and ‘soft’ launch of a Food Staples Sufficiency Program policy document, on June 25,at the DA-BSWM hall, in Quezon City. Also shown (from left) are DA Undersecretary Joel Rudinas,Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Rep. Rey Umali, and DA Assistant Secretary Dante Delima.

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala led the men and womenof the DA family in paying tributeto thier former bosses, during theagency’s114th anniversary cel-ebration, at the DA’s Bureau ofSoils and Water Management(BSWM) convention hall, June25, 2012.

Among the past DA chiefspresent were Sorsogon 1st Dis-trict Rep. Salvador H. EscuderoIII and Bohol 3rd District Rep.Arthur C. Yap, while former Sec.Domingo Panganiban was repre-sented by Dr. Jess Binamira.

The event also featured the‘soft’ launch of a policy documenton the Food Staples SufficiencyProgram (FSSP), which servesas the medium-term banner pro-gram of the Aquino administra-tion to attain sufficiency in riceand major staples.

The 72-page FSSP documentwas formally launched on July 5,during Makina-Saka 2012 or 2nd

agricultural machinery exposi-tion, at the World Trade Centerin Pasay City, with PresidentBenigno S. Aquino III as guest ofhonor and speaker.

Secretary Alcala said the craft-ing of the FSSP document was

The Provincial governmentof Apayao will receive P278million (M) this year from theDepartment of Agriculture tobankroll several irrigation andagricultural projects that willfurther solidify its distinctionas a surplus rice producer,and a potential exporter offancy, aromatic rice in suc-ceeding years.

Agriculture SecretaryProceso J. Alcala said theinvestment also aims to trans-form Apayao into a major pro-ducer of corn, coffee, veg-etables, fruits and other highvalue crops.

He made the commitmentduring his two-day (June 11-12, 2012) visit, where he dia-logued with thousands offarmers and local governmentofficials, and visited several

agricultural and irrigationprojects.

Of the total P278M investment,the DA through the National Irri-gation Administration (NIA) isalloting P237M to construct or re-pair 45 irrigation projects inseven municipalities. Whencompleted, the 45 systems willirrigate an additional 2,290 hect-ares (ha), said NIA Administra-tor Antonio Nangel.

Of the 45 projects, two arenational irrigation systems, withan initial budget of P100M thisyear: P80M for the newly-launched Marimay Small Reser-voir Irrigation Project (MSRIP);and P20M for the rehabilitationand expansion of the WestApayao-Abulug Irrigation Sys-tem (WAAIS).

The MSRIP is a four-yearproject with a total budget ofP499M, while the WAAIS is afive-year project with a total bud-get of P399M, funded by theWorld Bank under the Participa-tory Irrigation Development Pro-gram, said Nangel.

When completed in 2015, theMSRIP will irrigate an additional1,200 ha in Flora, Apayao, andbenefit 600 farm-families; whilethe WAAIS, when completed in2016, will serve 1,742 ha inPudtol and Luna towns, inApayao, and 2815 in Abulug andPamplona towns, in Cagayan,benefiting a total 3,363 farm-families, said NIA Cordillera re-gional manager John Socalo.

Secretary Alcala said with thecompletion of the MSRIP andWAAIS, Apayao will become amajor rice surplus producer inthe Cordilleras, including a sup-plier of fancy, aromatic and up-land rice varieties for both thedomestic and export markets.

Last year, Apayao producedclose to 98,500 metric tons (MT)of palay, according to the DA’sBureau of Agricultural Statistics.The volume is equivalent to64,017 MT of rice at 65 percentmilling recovery.

With an estimated populationof about 120,000 in 2011, and aprovincial per capita consump-tion of 125 kilograms (kgs),Apayao’s total rice requirementwould amount to a maximum of18,000 MT, including 20 percentfor seeds, postharvest lossesand wastage, said NIA-CARmanager John Socalo. Thisleaves a surplus of more 45,000MT, which is traded and sold inrice-deficit provinces in the Cor-dilleras and other Luzon prov-inces, Socalo said.

During a Stakeholders’ Forumand Irrigators’ Associations’ (IAs)Congress, in Luna, Apayao, onJune 11, 2012, Secretary Alcalaalso handed over certificates ofawards and entitlement for vari-ous agricultural and livelihood

(Pls turn to p11)

DA honors former chiefs, unveils FSSPnot an easy task, and the imple-mentation of programs toachieve self-sufficiency in foodstaples is a continuing challenge.

“We need all the help we canget from all sectors, and the ges-ture of unity and support offormer DA secretaries on thisoccasion makes the load a lotlighter,” he said.

In his foreword, PresidentBenigno S. Aquino III said “thegovernment has invested in ag-riculture with a record budget ofP61 billion in 2012. This is ourinvestment in the future: to se-cure the food for our people.

“We expect the commensuratereturns on these investments interms of more irrigated areas, cli-mate-resilient farm-to-marketroads, community seed banks,postharvest facilities, and effec-tive research, extension, finan-cial and marketing service.”

He also commended Secre-tary Alcala and the members ofthe DA family “for pursuing ournational goal of food staples suf-ficiency that will favorably impacton the lives of our food produc-ers.”

Further, he said the broad participation of irrigators’ associa-

tions and other farm-basedgroups in implementing andmonitoring FSSP interventions isour assurance that the benefitsactually reach the farmers.

Secretary ‘Procy’ Alcala (right) leads the ceremonial switching ofthe P499-million Marimay Small Reservoir Irrigation Project(MSRIP), June 11, 2012, in Luna, Apayao. When completed, theMSRIP will irrigate 1,200 hectares and benefit 600 farm-families,and further solidify Apayao’s distinction as a rice surplusproducerand supplier of fancy, aromatic and upland rice for do-mestic and export markets. Also shown (from left) are NIA Admin-istrator Antonio Nangel, Apayao Governor Elias K. Bulut, Jr., andRepresentative Eleanor Bulut-Begtang.

Apayao gets P278Mfor irrigation,agri projects

Apayao gets P278M ... (from p1)

The Department of Agriculturehas provided Maguindanao smallfarmers’ and fisherfolk’s groups,and local government units withP24.2-million (M) worth of agri-cultural and fishery projects, ma-chinery, equipment and inputs toincrease their productivity andincomes.

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala handed over the variousprojects to respective beneficia-ries during his two-day trip (June18-19, 2012) in Maguindanao,the 80th province he visited sincehe assumed office in July 2010.

At his first stop at the capitaltown of Buluan, Secretary Alcalakeynoted a provincial ‘Agri-PinoyStakeholders’ Forum,’ and dia-logued with about 1,500 farmers,fishers and local government of-ficials, led by Governor Esmael

DA allots P24M for MaguindanaoMangudadatu.

He also handed over an initialP24-M worth of projects, consist-ing of the following:

• P7.9-M worth of farm equip-ment and inputs through the De-partment of Agriculture and Fish-eries (DAF) in the AutonomousRegion in Muslim Mindanao(ARMM), led by Regional Secre-tary Sangkula Tindick. Theamount also included a 95-HPfarm tractor for the provincial gov-ernment from DA-Region 12, ledby Dir. Amalia Datukan;

• P7.3-M worth of farm reser-voir, small water impoundingprojects, and engine pump setsfor shallow tube wells, from theDA’s Bureau of Soils and WaterManagement;

• P5-M worth of irrigationprojects to be undertaken by the

DA’s National Irrigation Adminis-tration (NIA). The allocation ispart of the total 2012 NIA budgetfor Maguindanao worth P471 Mto rehabilitate and repair existingsystems. When completed,these would irrigate an additional5,327 hectares; and

• P4-M worth of fishery proj-ects, implements and inputs, con-sisting of boat engines, payaos,a multi-species hatchery, gillnets, and hook and line parapher-nalia – from the DA-ARMM Bu-reau of Fisheries and Aquatic Re-sources (BFAR), led by Dir.Janice Musali.

Secretary Alcala said the as-sistance will enable Maguin-danao farmers and fisherfolk en-gage in sustainable farm andfishery projects, produce ad-equate food for their families, andearn decent incomes.

More importantly, he said theAquino government’s initiativesthrough the DA also aim to re-build the image of Maguindanaoas a peaceful and development-oriented province.

He said the P24-M assistanceis on top of the regular projectsand interventions funded throughthe DAF-ARMM, DA nationalcommodity programs (rice, corn,high value crops, livestock, andfisheries), and foreign-assistedprojects like the Mindanao RuralDevelopment Program (MRDP).

The MRDP alone has allottedP285M for Maguindanao to un-dertake infrastructure projectslike farm-to-market roads, acqui-sition of farm machinery andequipment, and livelihood andnatural resources managementprojects.

Aside from the capital town ofBuluan, Secretary Alcala also vis-ited the towns of Talayan, DatuOndin Sinsuat, and Sultan

(Pls turn to p12)

The Department of Agriculturein partnership with small Davaobanana growers and exporterswill put up common packing fa-cilities that comply with requiredexport standards.

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala said the DA in tandemwith the Mindanao BananaFarmers and Exporters Associa-tion (MBFEA) will initially put uptwo common facilities atbarangays Kinnamon and Casig-an, both in Sto. Tomas, Davaodel Norte, worth P3.1 million (M)each.

The DA chief visited the pro-spective sites on June 20, 2012,accompanied by MBFEA offic-ers, led by their chairman Romeo

Common bananapacking facilitiesto rise in Davao

projects worth P36M to farmers’and fisherfolk’s groups, IAs, ru-ral women and youth, and theirrespective local governmentunits. The forum was attended bymore than a thousand partici-pants, led by Governor EliasBulut, Jr., Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, and Mayor Betty C.Verzola of Luna, Apayao.

In appreciation for their atten-dance and active participationduring the forum, the DA chiefraffled off to lucky attendeesP5.4-M worth of farm machinery,equipment, inputs, and farm ani-mals. These included a handtractor with trailer, 30 rice thresh-ers, 10 cutter/harvesters, 10power and knapsack sprayers,10 laminated storage sacks, 100fruit tree seedlings, three headof carabao with implements, anddozens of native pigs, upgradedAnglo-Nubian bucks, and rab-bits.

Secretary Alcala (2nd from left) hands over to Maguindanao Gover-nor Esmael Mangudadatu a certificate for P24-million worth ofagricultural, fishery and irrigation projects for the benefit ofMaguindanao farmers and fisherfolk. Maguindanao is the 80th

province Secretary Alcala has visited since he assumed office inJuly 2010. Also shown are Buluan Mayor Datu IbrahimMangudadatu (left) and Maguindanao provincial agriculturist Dr.Salik Panalunsong.

2 11June 2012

Editorial

Writers: Adora D. Rodriguez, Arlhene S. Carro, Bethzaida N. Bustamante,Catherine N. Nanta

Contributors: DA-RFU Info Officers, Public Info Officers of DA Bureaus,Attached Agencies & Corporations, MRDP & other Foreign-Assisted ProjectsPhotographers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan & Kathrino ResurreccionLay-out Artist: Bethzaida Bustamante & Almie Q. ErlanoPrinting & Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staff

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

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

Common banana packing facilities... (from p1)

DA shares P510M ... (from p1)

Ngayong buwan ng Hunyo, kasabay ng kasarinlan ng atingbansa, ay ipinagdiriwang din natin ang ika-114 anibersaryo ngKagawaran ng Pagsasaka, na may temang: ‘Sa matuwid nadaan, pagkain ay sapat, kabuhayan ay angat.’

Malayo na ang narating ng ating ahensya, mula nang ito’yitinatag ni Pangulong Emilio Aguinaldo noong ika-23 ng Hunyo1898.

At nakakataba ng puso ang pagpuri ni Pangulong BenignoS. Aquino III:

“Saludo po ako sa idinidilig na pawis, sakripisyo, atdedikasyon sa panglilingkod ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasakaupang maihatid ang kaukulang serbisyo sa kanayunan.

“Tuloy-tuloy ang pagsasakatuparan natin ng mga de-kalidadna proyekto, … upang mapataas pa ang produksyon at kita ngating mga magsasaka at mangingisda.

“Isa-isa po nating nagagapas ang mabuting bunga ngpagbagtas sa tuwid na landas.”

“Kung makikiayon ang panahon, maari na po nating maratingang minimithing kasapatan sa pambansang kamalig ng bigas.

“Kasabay ng inyong pakikipagsapalaran ay ang pagsiguronating may pagkain sa hapag ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino.

“Ang hiling ko lang po, huwag sana tayong magpapalunodsa negatibismo o magpapalinlang sa pain ng tukso at katiwalian.

Para kay Secretary Procy Alcala naman, buong puso niyangipinagmamalaki — kasama ang mga pinuno at kawani ngKagawaran sa buong bansa — ang pagbabalik-tiwala ng atingmga kababayan sa pamahalaan, bilang matatag na sandiganupang sila’y mahango sa kahirapan at gutom, at guminhawaang kanilang kabuhayan.

At malaki ang naiambag ni Sec Procy upang maisakatuparanito — dahil siya mismo ang naging kinatawan ni PangulongAquino sa kanyang pagtungo sa lahat ng walumpong lalawigansa buong bansa. Siya marahil ang kauna-unahang miyembrong gabinete ni Pangulong Aquino ang nakagawa nito.

Dahil sa kanyang ‘paglalambing’ nailapit niya ang agwat sapagitan ng ating mga kababayan at ng pamahalaan, at sabayniyang ‘hinaplos’ ang kanilang mga puso upang manumbalikang kanilang tiwala sa pamahalaan

Sabi nga ng mga batang kawani ng DA, ‘kina-reer’ ni SecProcy ang adhikaing ‘Bridging the gap, touching the heart’ sailalim ng panuntunang Agri-Pinoy.

Kaya naman, dapat lamang na tapatan din ng ating mgapinuno at kawani ang ginagawa ng ating mahal na Kalihim sapagbibigay ng mabilis at makabuluhang serbisyo at ayuda saating mga kababayan.

Akmang-akma rin ang temang napili sa taong ito ng komitena pinangunahan ni Undersecretary Antonio Fleta at AssistantSecretary Allan Umali at Ophelia Agawin.

Nawa’y sa tulong ng Poong Maykapal at sa ating patuloy napagsasama-sama, ating makamit kasapatan sa pagkain, atmaiangat ang kabuhayan ng ating mga kapatid sa kanayunan,lalung-lao na ang maliliit na magsasaka at mangingisda.

Ani nga ni Pangulong Aquino: “Patuloy po tayong magpunlang integridad, katarungan, at katapatan tungo sa lalo pangpagyabong ng makabuluhang pagbabago sa ating bayan.

“Sama-sama po nating anihin ang kaunlaran at kasaganahanng Pilipinas.”

(P5 M), and provide farmers’groups with cassava graters withpressers (worth P5.75 M).

To formalize the fund alloca-tion, Secretary Alcala forged amemorandum of agreement withARMM Governor Muj iv S.Hataman, June 19, 2012 inDavao City.

Secretary Alcala said theP510-M fund is on top of the bud-get that the DA provides theARMM through its Department ofAgriculture and Fisheries (DAF).

The budget includes thosefrom the DA commodity pro-grams (rice, corn, high valuecrops, fisheries and livestock),National Irrigation Administration(NIA), and foreign-assistedprojects like the Mindanao RuralDevelopment program (MRDP)

For instance, Secretary Alcalasaid the DA is allotting this yearan initial P52 M for the ARMM topursue rice program projects andinitiatives.

In addition, under the MRDPthe ARMM has a total portfolioof P726 M for FMRs and otherrural infrastructure and agri-fish-ery livelihood projects, SecretaryAlcala said.

For irrigation projects,Maguindanao alone has a bud-get allocation of P470 M, headded.

The Aquino government isimplementing TISP to fast-trackdevelopment initiatives in theARMM, institute governance re-forms, improve service delivery,create enabling environment andattract public private partnershipinvestments, and more impor-tantly promote justice and socialequity, and attain lasting peace.

High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) National ProgramCoordinator Jennifer E. Remoquillo (2nd from left) proudly holds abunch of ripe Lakatan banana during the 1st Harvest Festival inMaguindanao. With her are Dir. Kalunsiang B. Dimalen (left), FieldOperations Service Director of the Department of Agriculture and Fish-eries-Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM); Dr.Salik B. Panalunsong (center), Provincial Agriculture Officer ofMaguindanao and P4MP Reg’l President Datu Yamashita Mangacop(2nd from right); and HVCDP Regional Coordinator Ali Tatak (right)..Secretary ‘Procy’ Alcala (2nd from left) inspects bananas for export at

the packing facility of the Philippine Fresh Fruits Corp. (PFFC), inDavao City, one of the 44 packing facilities accredited by the DA’sBureau of Plant Industry (BPI). The DA will initially put up two fa-cilities at barangays Kinnamon and Casig-an, in Sto. Tomas, Davaodel Norte, funded under President Aquino’s Social Fund. Also shown(from left) are Dicky Puyod of PFFC, BPI Dir. Clarito Barron, andDA -HVCDP national coordinator Jennifer Remonquillo.

Garcia, and DA officials.Secretary Alcala said the

amount and other expenses aresourced under PresidentAquino’s Social Fund, which al-lotted P50M to construct com-mon packing facilities and up-grade existing ones to enablesmall banana farmers complywith international sanitary andphytosanitary standards (SPS).

Meanwhile, he said the DAthrough the BPI is currently in-specting small banana packingfacilities in Davao region, andaccrediting those that meet re-quired standards.

To date, the DA-BPI has ac-credited 44 facilities, operated bysmall and medium banana grow-ers and exporters.

The DA chief urged theMBFEA members to form them-selves into clusters so they couldbe served by the common BPI-accredited packing facilities.

He made the call during aJune 20 consultation in TagumCity with MBFEA, and othersmall and multinational bananagrowers and exporters, alongwith Davao local government of-ficials, led by Davao del NorteVice Governor VictorioSuaybaguio, Jr.

During the forum, the DA chiefurged the ‘big players’ — ormembers of the Philippine Ba-nana Growers and Exporters

Association (PBGEA), headedby its executive director StephenAntig — to share their technolo-gies and good agricultural prac-tices with the small growers andexporters, so they could be moreproductive and meet the strin-gent export standards.

He said the DA will also pro-vide small banana growers andexporters technical and market-ing assistance, and trainingthrough the BPI, DA-Agribusiness and Marketing As-sistance Service (AMAS), andDA-HVCDP.

However, he cautioned someof them not to resort again to‘pole-vaulting’ or reneging onmarketing contracts with multina-tional companies and dealingwith other buyers and importerswhenever export prices of ba-nana spike or shoot up, and inthe process hastily skipping orrelaxing on the required SPS orexport standards.

Meanwhile, he said the DA,represented by AMAS DirectorLeandro Gazmin, and officers ofthe MBFEA and PBGEA, alongwith trade industry officials wenton a trade mission to exploremore export markets for Philip-pine bananas.

The group left June 23, for theMiddle East, Brussels, Nether-lands and Italy.

DA allots P7.5M ...(from p8)

farm lands in the said munici-pality. The rubber plantationscover five barangays in LakeSebu namely; Takonel,Tasiman, Ned, Lamlahak andLake Lahit.

The DA-HVCDP throughNABCOR shouldered the80% of the total project’s costor 6 million pesos while theLKKFPI provided the remain-ing 20% or 1.5 million pesosand the production areas asits counterparts.

Region 12 ranked 2nd inrubber production thecountry’s with a total produc-tion of 157,701.56 metric tons(MT) in 2011 posting a 5.16%increase compared to 2010’s149,964.88 MT.

Launching ceremonies onthe implementation of Sus-tainable Area DevelopmentProject through Rubber Enter-prise Development was donelast June 14, 2012 in LakeSebu, South Cotabato.(PDERana/LMSalvo)

P5.5 million. On the other hand,the 1.82 kilometer Yungod FMR(P3.9 million) is now nearing itscompletion.

“While the constructions of theFMRs were done on track, LGUSalay consistently adheres to thetransparency and accountabilitymechanism upheld by MRDP,”Ramos said.

“Transparent bidding proce-dure was instituted and techni-cal team was assigned to over-see various stages of projectdevelopment,” she added.

Salay municipal agriculturistDanilo Maputol said barangayroad and operation maintenance(BROM) teams to ensure thatoperation and maintenance willbe observed beyond projectcompletion.

“The creation of BROM teamswas supported with barangayresolutions which include regu-lating the passage of vehiclesespecially heavy vehicle duringrainy days as this will affect theroad condition,” Maputol said.

MRDP cites ... (from p3)

tion inputs like palay seeds, gar-den tools, training supplies andother agricultural items.

The DA-12 also granted as-sorted vegetable seeds to theNational Nutrition Council to bedistributed during the celebrationof Nutrition Month this July.

The celebration also featureda motorcade that kicked-off thefete. DA-Research OutreachStation-Tupi led the ceremonialplanting of various vegetables onplastic drums and other emptycontainers at the DA-12 Com-pound. Ten water plastic drumswere drawn for DA 12 employ-ees.

Agri-Pinoy Livestock con-ducted free anti-rabies vaccina-tion while the Agribusiness andMarketing Assistance Division(AMAD) turned-over certificatesfor organic trading posts to therecipients.

DA 12 Regional Executive Di-rector Amalia Jayag-Datukansaid, “We should reflect on ourattitude, performance and con-tributions to make our targetsachievable.”

She also encouraged DA em-ployees to work little by little butat the end of the day, “giving thebest services to the farmers andfishers to make them happy andsatisfied.”

P3.65M agri ... (from p9)

The local government has alsopassed a municipal ordinanceappropriating a minimum of P50,000 per kilometer per year for theoperation and maintenance notonly of MRDP infrastructureprojects but other projects underthe DA.

“We are glad that with the re-forms introduced by MRDP, afourth class municipality such asSalay was able to allocate its lo-cal resources and governance tobetter serve its constituents. Italso shows that the President’svision of Tuwid na Daan can bedone at the local level, “ Ramossaid. (Noel T. Provido/DA-MRDP).

PhilRice announces ...(from p5)

In a related development,PhilRice and BulacanAgricultural State College(BASC) agreed on a five-yearMemorandum of Understandingentailing collaborations on riceresearch, training,communication, extension, andhuman resource development.

Under this tie-up, BASCundergraduate and graduatestudents are encouraged toconduct rice researches whilethe university’s faculty membersare welcome to work, on a shortstint, as PhilRice research orpostdoctoral fellows.

Prospective fellows candownload the application, thesis/dissertation, and proposal format www.philrice.gov.ph.

DA-PhilRice is a government-owned and –controlledcorporation that aims atdeveloping high-yielding andcost-reducing technologies sofarmers can produce enough ricefor all Filipinos.

For more information, pleasevisit or contact DA-PhilRice atMaligaya, Science City ofMuñoz, Nueva Ecija withtelephone number (044) 456-0285 loc 511/512 or any PhilRicestation near you. You may alsovisit their website atwww.philrice.gov.ph or text yourquestions to 0920-911-1398.

BIARC ... (from p10)

create a Department of Fisher-ies and Aquatic Resources, to-tally distinct and separate fromthe Department of Agriculture.He also challenged the researchmanagers to come up with acompilation of 300 technologieson crops and 300 technologieson fisheries complete with com-prehensive technical, financialand marketing study for dissemi-nation to farmers and fisherfolks.

Also present during the work-shop/meeting were DA 5 Re-gional Executive Director Jose V.Dayao; RTD Orlando Lorenzanoof Region 2; RTD Yvon Viñas ofRegion 4B; Rosario SegundinaGaerian, OIC ARD for fisheriesof Region 1; Noemi Lanzuela,Chief of Fisheries and ExtensionDivision of BFAR Region 5; andMs. Luz R. Marcelino, RIARCManager of the DA 5, the hostregion. (Lovella P. Guarin)

Patuloy nating anihinang kaunlaran, kasaganahan

June 201210 3

DA allots P24M ...(from p12)Kudarat — where he consultedand discussed with farmers, fish-ers and local government officialscollaborative projects to developtheir respective agri-fishery re-sources, and increase their pro-ductivity and incomes.

At Talayan, he visited a 1,060-hectare palm plantation and nurs-ery of the Talayan Agri-Farm Mar-keting Cooperative chaired byDatu Ali Midtimbang, Sr., and dia-logued with hundreds of farmersand local officials, led by MayorTungkang Midtimbang.

At Datu Ondin Sinsuat, he vis-ited a rubber nursery andbudwood garden and dialoguedwith farmers and local officials,led by Maguindanao Rep. BaiSandra Sema.

Finally, in the town of SultanKudarat, Secretary Alcala key-noted a farmers’ forum, where hedialogued with thousands offarmers and fisherfolk and localoff icials, led by Mayor HadjiTucao Mastura and Vice Gover-nor Datu Dustin Mastura.

The DA chief also handed overvarious agri-fishery projects, ma-chinery, equipment and inputs toSultan Kudarat farmers’ groupsand irrigators’ associations.

As a regular attraction in everysite and town hall dialogues, theDA chief raffled off farm and fish-ery machinery and equipment,livestock animals and farm inputsto lucky attendees.

In Maguindanao, the raffledIf only the country had

enough drying and post harvestfacilities, it could have savedat least one million metric tons(MT) of palay yearly, SecretaryAlcala said.

At a conservative milling re-covery of 60 percent (%), suchsavings is equivalent to600,000 MT of rice.

This means the countrywould have enopugh rice sup-ply, and thus would have not im-ported 500,000 MT this year.

Studies conducted by theDA’s Philippine Center forPostharvest DevelopmentMechanization (PhilMech) andPhilippine Rice Research Insti-tute (PhilRice) show a total of16 per cent is lost or wastedfrom the time palay is harvestedfrom the field, threshed, driedand then milled into rice andstored.

With enough harvesting,threshing, drying and millingequipment, the country’s farm-ers would have saved a maxi-mum of 2.66 million metric tons(MMT), based on last year’s to-tal palay harvest of 16.68 MMT,

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala is encouraging more pri-vate sector partners to invest andsupport the Aquino government’sprogram to attain sufficiency inrice and other food staples by theend of 2013.

He said they could consider in-vesting in grains handling andprocessing, and farm servicesoutsourcing that could result inmore efficient rice production,lesser post-harvest losses, andmore profitable operations.

He made the call during theJune 27 rice industry forum, atthe Banco De Oro (BDO) corpo-rate headquarters, in Makati City,where he presented the Aquinoadministration’s Food StaplesSufficiency Program (FSSP).

The forum was attended by topofficials of BDO, Land Bank ofthe Philippines, and rice indus-try agribusinessmen.

“We can minimize post harvestlosses in palay that reaches over1 million tons year if we haveenough drying facilities,” the DAchief said.

We can make palay produc-tion a lot cheaper, more efficient,and more convenient for farmersif we have enough farm machin-eries in place,” Secretary Alcalasaid.

He thus encouraged the pri-

DA chief urges private sector to invest in food sufficiency programvate sector to invest in rice pro-duction, processing and trading,including exports when the coun-try eventually achieves suffi-ciency by 2014 and beyond.

He also urged bankers and fi-nancial institutions to providefarmers and fishers with afford-able credit.

“Bawa’t magsasaka aynangangailangan ng financing.Mas epektibong magpahiram

ang pribadong sektor kaysa sagobyerno. The Agri-Agra Lawexists as a source of sound fi-nancial services for the agricul-ture. Panahon na upang gawingbankable ang pagsasaka at angmga magsasaka,” he added.

“Let us do the groundworknow, as the Philippines aims tobecome a major agri-fisherytrader in Asia,” he said.

He also urged the private sec-

according to PhilMech.Bringing the total wastage or

losses to a single-digit, say sixpercent, is an achievable tar-get, said newly-installedPhilMech Director Rex L.Bingabing.

This would be equivalent toroughly 1 MMT of palay.

PhilMech and PhilRice stud-ies show that in terms of per-centage the biggest amount ofpalay lost is during drying andmilling, combining for morethan 11%.

As much as 5.8% of threshedpalay is lost during drying, asmost farmers dry along roads.

During milling, another 5.5%is wasted, as majority of ricemillers still use single-pass fa-cilities, with low milling recov-eries ranging from 50% to 57%.Modern multi-pass mills have65% to 70% milling recoveries,PhilMech said.

Other manual postharvestoperations that result in palaylosses are threshing (2.2%),harvesting (2%), storage andpiling (1%).

1M tons palay saved meansno rice imports

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

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

The MDC is composed of Information Technology Center for Agricul-ture and Fisheries (ITCAF); Agribusiness and Marketing AssistanceService (AMAS), Agriculture and Fisheries Information Service (AFIS),Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS); and National Agricultural andFishery Council (NAFC).

Agriculture and Fisheries Market Information System (AFMIS) is aweb-based system that integrates various information resources ofthe Market Development Cluster (MDC) agencies into a single database and application system. It caters to the needs of farmers/fisherfolk, traders, and other users of market information.

tor to invest in outsourcing farmservices.

“We are looking forward to theday when farm chores and ser-vices — like field preparation,paddy diking, input purchasing,harvesting and processing andmarketing — may be outsourcedor contracted out to workers whoare not necessarily from thesame farm or locality,” he said.

The Mindanao Rural Develop-ment Program has cited the mu-nicipal government of Salay,Misamis Oriental for initiatingreforms in infrastructure devel-opment.

“The local government unit[LGU] of Salay had been mak-ing headway in implementingfarm-to-market roads [FMR] hav-ing shown good constructionsupervision and management oftheir rural infrastructure projectsincluding their contractors,” saidagriculture director in NorthernMindanao Lealyn Ramos.

MRDP as a special projectunder the Department of Agricul-ture (DA) is implementing vari-ous anti-poverty alleviationprojects such as rural infrastruc-ture, livelihood, and natural re-source management. The pro-gram is jointly funded by theWorld Bank, national govern-ment, and LGUs.

The program is also introduc-ing governance reforms that pro-mote transparency and greater

MRDP cites Salay’s infra reforms, devt

Best performing LGU. President Benigno S. Aquino III andSecretary Procy Alcala (left) handed over the Award as Best Per-forming LGU for MRDP Rural Infrastructure Project to SalayMayor Romeo Gue, Sr. (3rd L) during the people’s organizationcongress held in May in Davao City. Joining them is Misamis Ori-ental Governor Oscar Moreno.

accountability among its LGUbeneficiaries. These include ef-ficient and participatory biddingprocess and enhancement ofLGUs’ capacity in implementingbasic agricultural services.

President Benigno S. AquinoIII and Secretary Proceso Alcaladuring the recent people’s con-gress handed to Mayor RomeoGue, Sr. the award citing thetown for its exemplary perfor-mance in rural infrastructureimplementation. The goes witha cash incentive of P5 millionworth of infrastructure project.

Ramos who is also the cur-rently MRDP program directorsaid it was a well deserved rec-ognition for LGU Salay havingimplemented two FMR projectswithout slippage and were ableto complete and turned overahead of schedule. These cov-ered the upgrading of 2.6 kilo-meter Guinalaban FMR amount-ing to P4.1 million and 3 kilome-ter Alipuaton FMR amounting to

(Pls turn to p8)

DA Chief promotes organic farming at agriculturists’convention. Secretary ‘Procy’ J. Alcala (left, top photo) encour-ages the country’s agriculturists (foreground) and Department ofAgriculture regional directors to intensify efforts to achieve suffi-ciency in rice and other major staples by the end of 2013, duringthe national convention of the League of Municipal AgriculturalOfficers, and Municipal/City Agriculturists of the Philippines(LeMMCAP) in Aklan, with the theme: “Organikong pagsasakatungo sa malusog na mamamayan at kaaya-ayang kalikasan.” TheDA chief, who authored the ‘Organic Agriculture Act of 2010,’ saidthe DA promotes organic farming to restore the soil’s fertility, en-able farmers save on chemical inputs, increase farm productivityand income, and provide consumers with natural, more nutritiousfood products. Top photo also shows (from left) DA-NAFC Direc-tor Ariel Cayanan, Assistant Secretary and national rice programcoordinator Dante Delima, LeMMCAP President Jesusa Noveda,and Aklan Governor Carlito Samson Marquez.

items consisted of hand tractorswith trailers, small fishing boats(bancas) with engines, gill nets,rice and corn seeds, knapsacksprayers, laminated tarpaulinsand collapsible dryers, draft cara-bao with implements, goats andsheeps, and fruit tree seedlingsfor all attendees.

of/2.5 kilometers of irrigation sys-tem to irrigate 106 hectares ofrice paddies, reforestation of 25/hectares of watershed, increasein forest cover in 12 hectares ofcommunal forests called/”pinugo,” establishment of onebarangay nursery, and improve-ment of 5 kilometers of farm-to-market roads.

Delima noted the rice terraces’restoration and upgrading planalso includes three major/com-ponents, namely, production,extension support, and agri-in-frastructure support/compo-nents.

The Unesco decided to/delistthe Rice Terraces of the Philip-pine Cordilleras from the “WorldHeritage Site in/Danger” duringits 36th session in Russia.

Dubbed as the Eighth Wonderof the World, Unesco typified therice terraces as an “outstanding/example of an evolved, livingcultural landscape that can betraced as far back as two/millen-nia ago in the pre-colonial Phil-ippines.”

The hand-carved terraceshave deteriorated due to a num-ber of factors including the ef-fects/of climate change and ne-glect due to the perceived unat-tractiveness of palay farming./

The Unesco had provided thePhilippine government $153,200to help in its efforts to restore/the paddies.

The Philippine governmenthad requested to have the riceterraces included in the “World/Heritage in Danger” list in 2001to “raise national and interna-tional support and cooperationin/the preservation of these re-mote high fields.”(Business Mirror)

Unesco ... (from p4)

(Pls turn to p11)

through Integrated Managementusing CPAR Approach with re-gion 5 as the lead agency; Es-tablishment and Promotion ofGood Agricultural Practices(GAP) For Mango in Major Pro-duction Areas in Luzon by the DARFUs 1 and 3; Establishment ofthe Quality Plan for “Pinakbet”Vegetables in Support to GoodAgricultural Practices (GAP)Implementation in Luzon Clusterof the Region 4A; and “Calibra-tion of Fertilizer Recommenda-tions for N, P & K using YieldResponse to Corn” by CagayanValley Region.

Bureau of Agricultural Re-search (BAR) technical staffheaded by Tito Arevalo pre-sented the updates on BAR2012 activities which include thedrafting of the adlai roadmapduring the national adlai reviewand planning workshop held atClark, Pampanga on May 29-31,2012. Community –based Par-ticipatory Action Research(CPAR) re-orientation on CPARconcepts and implementation forCPAR implementers. To date,there are 93 CPAR projects na-tionwide with 230 sites managedby 2,420 farmer co-operators.The project has 3,684 other

BIARC hosts ...(from p9)

adoptors. Another future activityof BAR is the regional deploy-ment of e-Pinoy FARMS CPARMonitoring and Evaluation Sys-tem for Agriculture and Fisher-ies.

Dr. Edgar Madrid , DA5 RTDfor Research and Regulationswho presided over the businessmeeting said that the gatheringaimed to clear out issues on theimplementation of the variousBAR funded projects in Luzonand to widen access of researchproponents especially LGUs toBAR funded projects.

Representative Luis R.Villafuerte of the 2nd district ofCamarines Sur in his messagesaid that the role of the fisheriesin the Philippines as an archipe-lagic country is very critical, thevery reason why he is pushingfor the passing of his bill that will

(Pls turn to p11)

9June 20124

THE World Heritage Commit-tee of the United Nations Edu-cational, Scientific and CulturalOrganization (Unesco) an-nounced that the Banaue riceterraces have been officially re-moved from the “List of the WorldHeritage in Danger” followingconservation measures imple-mented by the government.

The Ifugao rice terraces wereinscripted in the list of UnescoWorld Heritage Sites in 1995 forits outstanding cultural land-scape. But in 2000, the majesticcultural heritage of the Ifugaoswas placed under the List ofWorld Heritage in Danger due tolong years of neglect, particularlyits irrigation system.

“The preservation of the riceterraces required better manage-ment and development plus thecountry also needed increasednational and international sup-port. Both actions were success-fully undertaken, leading to theconservation of the remote highrice fields,” said a Unesco state-ment on Thursday.

The Unesco also hailed theremoval of the Fort andShalamar Gardens in Pakistanfrom the list of World Heritage inDanger, commending the Philip-pines and Pakistan for the con-servation measures imple-mented on the respective sites.

Unesco removes Banaue rice terraces from endangered listThe List of World Heritage in

Danger is intended to inform theinternational community of thethreats to the outstanding univer-sal values of sites inscribed onthe World Heritage List. Moreimportantly, it was designed toencourage corrective action andsupport, said Unesco.

Ambassador Cristina G.Ortega, Philippine permanentdelegate to Unesco, said thePhilippines achieved the resto-ration of at least 50 percent ofthe collapsed terraces and therequired documentation and re-habilitation of major irrigationsystems in the site had beenaccomplished.

She said the Unesco also rec-ognized the government’s effortsto implement policies and lawspreserving the site. “Community-based land use and zoning plansare being developed and mea-sures ensuring the site’s propermanagement and its protectionfrom natural disasters had beenimplemented.”

“The decision is a historic mo-ment for the Philippines,” saidOrtega. “To have the interna-tional community recognize ourcommitment and effort reinstat-ing the rice terraces of the Phil-ippine Cordilleras in the WorldHeritage List is, for us, a greathonor and accomplishment. Its

The value of coconut waterexports rose by 260.55percent to $1.32 million in thef irst quarter of 2012, thePhilippine Coconut Authority(PCA) said in a statement.

PCA Administrator EuclidesForbes said the Philippinessold 4.49 million liters of cocowater in the first quarter, a 300-percent jump from the 1.12-million liters sold in the sameperiod last year.

Forbes said that this year’svolume of coco water exportwill exceed the 2011 total of16.68-million liters. This wasequivalent to $15.11 million inreceipts, the PCA said.

Just like last year, the UnitedStates was the main buyer ofPhilippine coco water. Exportearnings from the USincreased by 426.75 percentto $3.94 million in the firstthree months of the year.Americans bought 3.72 millionliters of Philippine coco waterin the first quarter of 2012,against 796,887 liters in 2011.

When he visited the UnitedStates last year, PresidentBenigno Aquino III promotedcoco water, meeting with USbusinessmen who had put upa coconut water processingfirm in Camarines Sur.

Coco water also made astrong showing in theNetherlands, which bought189,800 liters, from 32,000last year, and Australia, whichregistered a 362.55-percentvolume increase to 65,2919liters.

Forbes said coconut waterhad become a popular energydrink abroad because of itsnatural qualities and lack ofchemical preservatives.

Coconut water is rich inpotassium and magnesium,and contains a considerableamount of vitamin B whichaids in strengthening themuscles, delaying fatigue andmaintaining normal heartfunction.

It is also regarded as a goodsource of electrolytes andglucose and has been foundsuitable for intravenousrehydration. It is also a healthyand effective treatment forurinary stones.

Forbes stressed that thecountry needs to plant morecoconut trees to be able tomeet the growing demand forcoconut products. He said thePCA is currently implementingan aggressive program toreplace mature trees andfertilize coconut plantations.(Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Coco water salesjump 260%

DA allots P30M for Dinagat farmers, fisherfolk. Secretary ‘Procy’ Alcala assures farmers, fish-ers and local government officials the Aquino government through the DA will provide needed assis-tance to increase their productivity and incomes, and raise their standard of living. He made the com-mitment during a farmers’ and fisherfolk’s forum, June 1, 2012, in San Jose, Dinagat Islands, where hehanded over certificates of award to beneficiaries of various farm and fishery projects, implements andinputs, including construction of farm-to-market roads, totaling P30 million. Inset shows DA-CARAGAregional director Edna Mabeza (right) handing over a certificate of award to a beneficiary, while Dinagatprovincial agriculturist Oswaldo Borja looks on. Also shown is Administrator Euclides Forbes of theDA’s Philippine Coconut Authority.

removal from the list of the WorldHeritage in Danger reinforcesanew its grandeur and relevanceas a globally important culturallandscape.”

Meanwhile, the government istargeting to complete the reha-bilitation of the Banaue rice ter-races by the/first quarter of nextyear and is setting its sights oncrafting a plan that would ensurethe/preservation of the world-fa-mous site.

Agriculture Assistant SecretaryDante Delima, coordinator of thenational rice program, said thegovernment will encourage thecultivation of rice, particularly thetraditional variants such astinawon, unoy and ulikan in therice terraces.

“A management structure andsystem should be put in place toprotect the rice terraces after ithas been rehabilitated,” saidDelima.

The DA which spearheads therehabilitation of the rice terracesstarted its rehabilitation and up-grade of the terraces in March.The national and local govern-ments and Sen. FrancisPangilinan committed P36.25million for its restoration.

The plan targets the restora-tion of 8,700 cubic meters oferoded stone walls, rehabilitation

(Pls turn to p10)

DA-1 gives P8.1M worthof farm machineries

Jaycee Villanueva of the Zanjera de Gulla of Vintar in Ilocos Nortereceive from DA-RFU I’s OIC- Regional Executive DirectorValentino Perdido the keys of the two units’ four-wheel drive trac-tors as part of the DA’s On-Farm Mechanization Program in aturn-over ceremony held at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Center lo-cated at Brgy. Tabug, Batac City, Ilocos Norte.

In line with its thrust of mod-ernizing agriculture in Ilocos Re-gion via its On-Farm Mechaniza-tion Program, the Departmentof Agriculture-Regional Field UnitI through OIC-Regional Execu-tive Director Valentino Perdidohanded over P8.1M worth of fourwheel drive tractors and imple-ments to nine Farmers Associa-tions (FA) in the region.

Out of the nine units distrib-uted, the province ofPangasinan received five units.These were equally distributed tothe Casala Irrigators Associationof Brgy. Capulaan, Balungao,Pangasinan, Talibaew KasamaIrrigators Association of Brgy.Talibaew in Calasiao, Balite MultiPurpose Cooperative, Inc. ofSan Leon, Umingan, Sta. CruzMulti Purpose Cooperative, Inc.of Sta. Cruz in Sta. Maria and theCabison Bolaney Niyog CIS Irri-gators Association ofMangatarem, Pangasinan.

Ilocos Norte was granted withtwo units of tractors, equally dis-tributed to the De-gulla BubuiganZanjera of Vintar c/o Mr. JayceeVillanueva and the Batac Fed-eration of Zanjeras, Inc. in BatacCity c/o Batac City MayorJeoffrey Jubal Nalupta. IlocosSur and La Union also each re-ceived one unit for use by the

members of the Bagnus Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. of Sta.Maria, Ilocos Sur and the SeedGrowers Multi-Purpose Coop-erative, Inc. La Union, respec-tively.

The On-Farm MechanizationProgram is one of the priority pro-grams of Sec. Proceso Alcala aspart of the the DA’s Agri-PinoyFood Staple Sufficiency Programwhich aims to provide farmmechanization facilities andequipment to interested and de-serving FAs towards improvingfarmers’ productivity and in-come.

To avail of said project, inter-ested FA must comply with all theeligibility requirements. Theseinclude the latest certificate ofregistration issued either by theSecurities and Exchange Com-mission (SEC), Cooperative De-velopment Authority (CDA) andDepartment of Labor and Em-ployment (DOLE) as well as aletter of intent from the FA and aBoard resolution which specifyfor the need of the technologyand the associations capacity tomanage the project. Aside fromthese requirements, the propo-nents are also required to sub-mit a project proposal.

In addition, the FA’s represen-tative or proponent must enterinto a Memorandum of Agree-ment (MOA) with the DA and thesupplier of the machineries tosignify their interests of accept-ing their duties and responsibili-ties in the course of implement-ing the project.

As specified in the MOA, partof the beneficiaries’ responsibil-ity are to utilize the mechaniza-tion facilities in accordance withtheir intended use, allow accessand use by farmer-members andshall not in any way sell or mort-gage the units. Likewise, theproponents are required to for-mulate their own lending opera-tion scheme of the machineriesto ensure that the memberswould definitely benefit from theproject.

Apart f rom these require-ments, the proponents shall paythe 15% equity of the total esti-mated cost of the machinery inaddition to the 85% being shoul-dered by DA.

Before the actual turn-over of

the machineries, the trained Re-gional Agricultural Engineers ofDA through the Regional Agricul-ture Engineer Division staff con-ducted a technical inspection,testing and evaluation of theunits. This is to ensure that theunits are in place, of good qual-ity and will satisfy the farmers’aspirations to own durable farmmachineries.

Moreover, a training on theoperation and maintenance willbe conducted by the suppliers incollaboration with the DA-RFU Iand the Philippine Center forMechanization (PhilMech) toequip the operators with thetechnical know-how in operatingand maintaining the machine.

The Department of AgricultureRegion 12 (DA-12) has distrib-uted various farm machinery andagricultural implements worthmore than P3.65 million (M) tomark the department’s 114 th

founding anniversary celebra-tion.

Both local government units(LGUs) and various farmers’groups received grants from DA-12 in monetary form or in kind.

The LGU beneficiaries Sena-tor Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudaratreceived the following: P2 M forthe establishment of one uniteach of small farm reservoir,postharvest equipment and stor-age, village level coffee process-ing equipment; Malapatan,Sarangani, P500, 000 for theconstruction of one unit each ofsmall farm reservoir andpostharvest equipment storage;Malungon, Sarangani, P350,000

P3.65M agri assistance extended by DA 12for the rehabilitation of bio-or-ganic fertilizer plant and estab-lishment of three units rain shel-ter, one unit nursery and one uniteach of screen house;Tantangan, South Cotabato,P100,000 for the establishmentof one unit spring development;General Santos City, 30 pieces(pcs.) water plastic drums and2,000 meters HDPE pipes; andGlan, Sarangani, five kilogramsof assorted lowland vegetableseeds, two sets farm imple-ments, 10 pcs. water plasticdrums, 2500 meters HDPE pipeand rehabilitation of one unitnursery.

The farmers’ groups beneficia-ries on the other hand include:Matutum B’laan Farmers Asso-ciation which received P200,000for the procurement of 23 unitsof coffee processing equipment;Moro National Liberation Front in

Pres. Quirino, Sultan Kudarat,one unit farm tractor; and Fed-eration of Farmers’ Associationof Pres. Roxas, North Cotabato,1,000 kgs of soybean seeds.

Moreover, MagsasakangSiyentista Mr. Edward Pesariowas granted P 50,000 for the es-tablishment of technology dem-onstration for Organic VegetableProduction in his farm, while theOffice of the Provincial Agricul-turist of South Cotabato received20 pcs. of water plastic drums.

Farmers of the provinces ofSarangani and North Cotabatostricken by calamities also re-ceived assistance from DA 12.

To coincide with the event, theAgriPinoy Rice Program hasnamed this year’s six modelfarmers as the beneficiaries ofPalayamanan Program. As farmmodels, they were given produc-

Some 80 participants com-posed of Managers of Re-gional Integrated AgriculturalResearch Centers (RIARCs),and Regional Technical Direc-tors for Research of regions1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 5 and CARconvened at the LRV Agri-Sci-ence Farm in San Bernardino,Calabanga, Camarines Surfor the 1st and 2nd quartermeeting of the Zonal Re-search Center for Agricultureand Fisheries on June 19,2012.

The highlight of the meet-ing was the presentation, re-view and evaluation of the dif-ferent zonal BAR fundedprojects conducted by the re-gions. Among these projectsare “Comparative Perfor-mance and Community-based Production of NativeChicken in Luzon” by the leadagency DA RFU IV-B; “En-hancing Goat Production

BIARC hostsLuzonwide research

centers’ meeting

(Pls turn to p11)(Pls turn to p10)

5May 20128

At the eastern most part of theVisayas region, particularly in thepristine coastal town of Guiuan,frequented by beach lovers andinternational and Filipino surfers,one could also find a haven filledwith a variety of aquamarine spe-cies.

The Bureau of Fisheries andAquatic Resources-Guiuan Ma-rine Fisheries Research and De-velopment Center (BFAR-GMFRDC), is a 1.25-hectaremulti-species hatchery for bluecrabs, abalones, sea cucumbers,giant clams, and lapu-lapu, andsoon for lobsters and mub crabs,too.

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala said the center mainlyaims to produce qualityseedstocks of aquamarine spe-cies that will be ‘seeded’ or dis-persed back to the wild or coastalwaters and revive depletingstocks in Eastern Visayas.

Initially, the DA-BFAR plans tomake the center a source of qual-ity blue crabs for dispersal atmunicipal waters, and for inter-ested fisherfolk groups and en-trepreneurs who wish to go intocommercial crab production andcrab meat processing.

Guiuan center chief NonitaCabacaba said they started theirblue crab hatchery operations in2009, and since May 2010, theyhave cultured and dispersedmore than 10,000 blue crabletsback to the wild or awarded tomunicipal fishermen.

She said they regularly buy'berried' or blue crab spawnersfrom fishermen at a premiumprice of P170 per kilo.

She said such strategy ischeaper and more convenientthan raising female crabs, as cul-turing them until they spawn ismore expensive in terms of foodand shelter.

The berried crabs from the wildare 'nursed' at the facility, whichserves as a 'lying-in' or maternityclinic, which they lay their eggsin just a couple of days, saidCabacaba.

A week after, the mother crabsare returned back to the wild. Theeggs then hatch and grow intocrablets in a span of 35 days.

Each spawner lays from600,000 to 1.2 million eggs – ofwhich only about three to fivepercent survive and develop intocrablets, ranging from 30,000 to50,000, Cabacaba said.

At present, GMFRDC focuseson seeding back or stockingcrablets at fish sanctuaries likeMonbon Reef and ManapagReef, in Eastern Samar.

Further, Cabacaba said they

DA-BFAR to transform Guiuan into top aquamarine producer

Secretary ‘Procy’ Alcala holds a ‘berried’ or spawner blue crab, asNonita Cabacaba (left), chief of the Guiuan Marine Fisheries Re-search and Development Center in Eastern Samar, explains that itcould lay as much as 1.2 million eggs, of which only about 30,000 to50,000 survive and grow into crablets. Secretary Alcala said the DA-BFAR is putting up similar multi-species hatcheries and ‘lying-in’centers nationwide to increase the production of blue crabs, mudcrabs, lobsters and other high value marine fish species. Also shownare DA-BFAR Eastern Visayas Director Justerie Granali (2nd fromright), Guiuan Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan (3rd from left),National Irrigation Administrator Antonio Nangel (2nd from left),and a Guiuan facility technician.

can also raise and produce ‘soft-shelled’ crabs, a delicacy in Chi-nese cuisine which sells morethan ordinary crabs.

In all, Secretary Alcala com-mended Cabacaba and her stafffor their continuing efforts, andassured them the DA-BFAR willinvest more in GMFRDC to serveas a major 'lying-in' center orhatchery, not only for blue crabsand also for lobsters and mudcrabs (alimango).

For her part, Guiuan MayorAnnaliza Gonzales-Kwan saidshe will encourage investors toset up a crab meat processingfacility, as she aims to transformGuiuan into a major crab pro-ducer in two to three years' time.

At a fisherfolk’s forum aftertouring the center’s facilities,Secretary Alcala dialogued withfisherfolk and committed to pro-vide them technical and market-ing assistance to increase theircatch and income.

He assured them that the Cen-ter will continuously producecrablets, which will be dispersedin the wild or municipal waters fortheir benefit.

He said the DA-BFAR will in-stall payaos for tuna fishermen inGuiuan.

DA chief ... (from p3)

Secretary ‘Procy’ Alcala (inset) encourages the private sector to invest in grains handling and process-ing, and farm services outsourcing for more efficient rice production, lesser post-harvest losses, andmore profitable operations, during the rice industry forum at the Banco de Oro headquarters in MakatiCity on June 27, 2012.

“After all, among food distributors like supermarkets, the prac-tice of contracting the fresh pro-duce that they will sell in theiroutlets has already started totake root,” he added.

“Let us unite in believing thatwe are all winners when we pro-duce, process and distributeenough food, and ensure in-creased incomes for our foodproducers and industry workers,”Secretary Alcala said. (Adam O.Borja, DA Rice program)

DA turns over P20Mfor agri-fishery projects

in E. Samar, BiliranThe Department of Agriculture

has extended over P20-million(M) worth of assistance to farm-ers, fishers and local govern-ment units in Eastern Samar andBiliran to increase their produc-tivity and incomes.

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala handed over the certifi-cates of awards to beneficiaries,during his two-day (May 31 –June 1, 2012) visit, where healso dialogued with thousands offarmers, fishers and local gov-ernment officials.

Of the total agri-f isheryprojects, farm equipment and in-puts, Eastern Samar receivedP12M, while Biliran got P8M, in-cluding a P2.8M from the DA’sBureau of Fisheries and AquaticResources (BFAR) for anaquasilviculture project of theNaval State University (NSU).The DA-BFAR is tapping se-lected agri-fishery state univer-sities and colleges to promoteaquasilviculture which aims torehabilitate mangrove areas andincrease the production of ma-rine fish species, including crabsand other crustaceans.

The various equipment distrib-uted to farmers’ and fishers’groups include hand tractors,rice threshers, flatbed dryers,multi-purpose drying pavements,corn mill, pump and engine sets,cassava granulators, seedcleaners, banana chips process-ing equipment, and fish cages,fishing paraphernalia and imple-ments.

Secretary Alcala also distrib-uted certified rice seeds, hybridand OPV corn seeds, coconutseedlings, salt and organic fer-tilizers, assorted vegetableseeds, seaweed planting mate-rials, veterinary drugs and medi-cines, and several livestock ani-mals like Brahman bulls, cara-baos, dozens of sheep andanglo-nubian bucks.

He also raffled off to lucky fo-rum participants in three sepa-rate locations dozens of farmand equipment, paraphernaliaand inputs that include handtractors, boat engines, severalhead of carabao with imple-ments, and anglo-nubian bucks.

Recognizing a large number offarmers and ruralfolk in Biliranand Eastern Samar who eatwhite corn grits as their staple,Secretary Alcala committed toprovide them with quality whitecorn seeds that include hybrid,OPV and traditional

tiniguib,along with several unitsof corn mill.

He also encouraged coconutfarmers to intercrop white cornand raise goat and sheep underthe coconut trees. They will beassisted by the DA through thePhilippine Coconut Authority(PCA) under its nationwide co-conut replanting, intercroppingand livelihood program calledKasaganahan sa Niyugan ayKaunlaran ng Bayan (KAANIB).

In all, Secretary Alcala visitedseveral agri-fishery projects andconsulted with thousands offarmers, fishers and local offi-cials at eight different sites.These include: a DA-BFAR mari-culture project in Barangay SanRoque, Biliran town; KAANIBproject in Barangay Busali,Biliran town; Calumpang com-munal irrigation system inBarangay Atipolo, Naval; lunchmeeting with Biliran local officialsled by Governor Gerardo Espina,Jr. and Rep. Rogelio Espina; pro-vincial farmer’s and fisherfolk’sforum at Naval, Biliran; mediaconference and meeting with topofficials of various DA familyagencies in Eastern Visayas;visit and dialogue with fishers atDA-BFAR’s Guiuan marine fish-eries research center; and pro-vincial farmers’ and fisherfolk’sforum at Quinapondan, EasternSamar, with Governor ConradoNicart and Rep. Ben Evardone.

During these fora, he enjoinedprovincial and local governmentofficials to enlist Biliran and East-ern Samar, and their respectivemunicipalities under the pro-posed Central Philippines RuralDevelopment Program(CPRDP), which the DA is final-izing for possible funding by theWorld Bank. The CPRDP entailsthe construction of needed infra-structure such as farm-to-marketroads, irrigation systems, agri-f ishery trading centers, andpostharvest facilities, including

the implementation of sustain-able farm and fishery enterprisesand livelihood projects.

After Eastern Samar, the DAchief visited the island-provinceof Dinagat.

Since July 2010 when he as-sumed office, Secretary Alcalahas gone through 78 provincesto fulfill his self-imposed targetto visit all 80 provinces by June2012, in his journey to bring thegovernment closer to the people,as instructed by PresidentAquino himself, and feel thepulse and resolve the needs ofsmall farmers, fishers and otherruralfolk, including local officials.

The Department of Agricul-ture is currently strengtheningthe optimization of rubber pro-duction as one of the priorityhigh value crops in Region 12.

As part of this undertaking,the DA through its AgriPinoyHigh Value Crops DevelopmentProgram (DA-HVCDP) allotteda total fund of 7, 500,000 pe-sos to boost the Rubber Enter-prise Development Project inLake Sebu, South Cotabato.

This initiative is in collabora-tion with the New NationalAgribusiness Corporation(NABCOR) and the LikasKayang Kaunlaran FoundationPhilippines, Incorporated(LKKFPI).

“This project was establishedto develop the rubber nurseryin the locality that would buildup the enterprise whereagribusiness should be the ut-most frontline in advancing eco-nomic growth,” cited Honesto F.Baniqued, NABCOR President.

The project, Baniqued furtherstressed will also address farm-ers’ needs like the availabilityof rubber seedlings. (Pls turn to p11)

DA allots 7.5M to optimize rubberproduction in South Cotabato

“The development of thisrubber project seeks to im-prove the quality of life of thecommunities through genera-tion of job opportunities,”Mr.Martin P. Atinen, Jr., LKKFPIExecutive Director expoundingthe project’s endeavors.

Besides enhancing the skillsof the members of these com-munities, the project is also ameans of reforestation therebycushioning the effects of cli-mate change.

Included in the project pack-age were one hectare rubbernursery, one hectare budwoodgarden and 40-hectare rubberplantation. Planting materialsneeded for this project will besourced from the establishedrubber nursery and budwoodgarden.

Moreover, each componentof the project is considered aproject investment where farm-ers in the locality and other ar-eas could source out rubberseedlings from this project.

Direct beneficiaries of theproject were the farmers with

In appreciation for their atten-dance, Secretary Alcala raffledoff prizes from DA-BFAR to luckyfishermen, who won five units of

7-horsepower motor boat en-gines, 10 anglo-nubian bucks,and one boat complete with en-gine.

Philippine Coconut Author-ity (PCA) AdministratorEuclides G. Forbes reported a138.65 percent increase inexport earnings for Virgin Co-conut Oil (VCO) for the firstquarter of this year with earn-ings of $7,566,132.00 com-pared with figures of the sameperiod last year in the amountof $3,170,394.00. He addedthat the first quarter 2012 vol-ume likewise registered an in-crease of 93.58 percent with1,719.23 MT compared withlast year’s 888.11 MT.

According to the Administra-tor, VCO is exported to 27countries in Asia, Europe andthe United States of America.He said that the first quarterexport to France registered thehighest with a 1,011.76 per-cent increase in value withearnings of $76,000 for thisquarter compared with lastyear’s figures of $6,836.00.Volume also increased by662.96 percent with thisquarter’s volume recorded at16.48 MT as against lastyear’s 2.16 MT.

First quarter virgin coconut oilexport up by 138.65%

  The Administrator addedthat last year’s total VCO ex-port was a high 0f 169.74 per-cent increase in value with$22,498,130.00 as against$8,340,742.00 in 2010. It wasalso up by 79.51 percent involume with 4,913.50 MT asagainst 2,737.17 MT the pre-vious year.

The administrator attributesincreasing demand for VCO tothe growing awareness on thehealth benefits of VCO. He re-iterated the announcement ofAgriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala early this year thatVCO intake is good for thebody based on the PCA spon-sored study conducted by theUniversity of Santo TomasResearch Team on the Effectof VCO on Human with Em-phasis on Cholesterol.

VCO is obtained from freshmature, kernel of coconut bymechanical or natural meanswith or without the use of heatis suitable for consumptionwithout further process-ing. (Coconut Media Service)

Philippine Rice ResearchInstitute (PhilRice), the country’slead agency in rice research anddevelopment, is calling onscientists, researchers, andthesis students to avail of theInstitute’s research fellowshipprogram.

Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco Jr,PhilRice executive director, saidthe program aims to providecareer growth opportunitieswhile helping the countryachieve rice self-sufficiency.

Research proposals fosteringrice science for improvedproductivity and profitability willbe accepted until July 15 for thefirst semester and Sept. 30 forthe second semester.

Fellowships on research andthesis/dissertation and graduateresearch assistantship rangefrom P150,000-P300,000 andmonthly stipend of P30,000-P50,000.

Research fellowship foroutstanding research anddevelopment practitionerscovers six months to two years.On the other hand, thesis anddissertation funding andgraduate research assistantshipcover two semesters.

(Pls turn to p11)

PhilRice announcesresearch grant

7May 20126

Proceso J. AlcalaKalihim, Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka

Kaisa ng sambayanang Pilipino,binabati ko ang mga opisyal at kawaning Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka sapagdiriwang ng inyong ika-114Anibersaryo ng Pagkakatatag. Binabatiko rin po ang ating mga magsasaka,mangingisda, at iba pa nating kababayansa kanayunan na siyang ugat ngtagumpay sa mga programangagrikultural ng ating pamahalaan.

Patunay ang pagyabong at pag-unlad ng sector ng agrikultura samalwak na oportunidad na maaring matamasa sa labas ng lungsod.Ito rin and patuloy na nagpapalusog at nagpapasigla sa takbo ngpambansang ekonomiya. Saludo po ako sa idinidilig na pawis, sakripisyo,at dedikasyon sa panglilingkod ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka upangmaihatid ang kaukulang serbisyo sa kanayunan. Tuloy-tuloy angpagsasakatuparan natin ng mga de-kalidad na proyekto tulad ngpatubig, kalsada, pamilihang-bayan, daungan, community seed bank,at post-harvest facilities upangmapataas pa ang produksyon at kita ngating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Ikinalulugod nga po natingkung makikiayon ang panahon, maari nap o nating marating angminimithing kasapatan sa pambansang kamalig ng bigas.

Isa-isa po nating nagagapas ang mabuting bunga ng pagbagtas satuwid na lands. Kasabay ng inyong pakikipagsapalaran ay angpagsiguro nating may pagkain sa hapag ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino;katumbas ng inyong pagsisikap ay ang paghakbang natin palapit sakatuparan n gating mga pangarap. Ang hiling ko lang po, huwag sanatayong magpapalunod sa negatibismo o magpapalinlang sa pain ngtukso at katiwalian. Patuloy po tayong magpunla ng integridad,katarungan, at katapatan tungo sa lalo pang pagyabong ngmakabuluhang pagbabago sa ating bayan. Sama-sama po nating anihinang kaunlaran at kasaganahan ng Pilipinas.

Muli, isang masaya at makahulugang anibersaryo po sa inyong lahat.

Benigno S. Aquino IIIPangulo, Republika ng Pilipinas

My warmest greetings to officials, colleaguesand the hardworking staff of the Departmentof Agriculture on the celebration of theDepartment’s 114th Anniversary.

More than the services rendered and pro-grams we have implemented, it is the commit-ment and dedication of the men and women thatpropels the Department – realizing targets andprogram beneficiaries, but more importantlyearning the trust and confidence of farmers, fish-ers and entrepreneurs.

For our 115th year, we will continue to push the sector forward. Fo-cus is on providing the necessary infrastructure and technical assistance,so as to assure long-term benefits: stable food supply, lower produc-tion cost and in turn decrease market prices.

To this end, we are happy to note that we are on course to reach ourirrigation targets. Trainings on proper soil preparation, cultivation andharvesting practices are conducted all-year round. Research & devel-opment efforts have yielded positive outputs: headlined by high-yield-ing and new varieties such as the drought-resistant and submergence-tolerant rice varieties. Providing cold chain facilities and farm-to-mar-ket roads will complement the trading posts we will put-up – ensuringthat produce and other agricultural products reach the consumer fasterand fresher at less cost.

Kaya naman, inaasahan natin na patuloy na lalago ang sektor ngagrikultura. Mula sa pagtaas ng produksyon, pagpapababa ng gastusin,at higit sa lahat, mas mapabilis ang pag-asenso ng buhay ng magsasakaat mangingisda. Tutulungan natin silang maging negosyante – matutong value-adding processes ng mga produkto. Ito ay para mabawasanang middlemen, mapalaki ang kanilang kita at mapaunlad ang farm-ing at fishing communities.

Mabuhay!

MENSAHE

DA honors ... (from p1)

During the anniversary pro-gram, Secretary Alcala receivedcopies of the FSSP documentfrom DA Undersecretary for Op-erations Joel Rudinas and Assis-tant Secretary and National RiceProgram Coordinator DanteDelima. They led a DA technicalteam that crafted the FSSPdocument.

The FSSP features three ma-jor interventions, namely: pro-duction support – which includesirrigation, quality seeds, postharvest facilities, and other com-

ponents; enhancing economicincentives and enabling mecha-nisms - which include market re-forms in palay procurement andrice distribution, and provision ofcredit and expansion of crop in-surance coverage; and manag-ing food consumption - whichrelates to conservation of riceand reduction of food wastage,consumption of alternative foodstaples, and intensifying produc-tion of other staples like sweetpotato, banana, corn, and cas-sava.

114th DA Anniversary Celebration114th DA Anniversary Celebration114th DA Anniversary Celebration

Sec. Alcala andAsec. Delima visitthe exhibit.

Sec. Alcala and Usec. Fleta present Plaques of Appreciation toformer DA Secretaries Salvador Escudero III and Arthur C. Yap.A Lifetime Achievement award was also given to Sec. Escudero.

Thanksgiving Mass Loyalty Awardees

40, 41 and 42 years

30 years

25 years

20 years

15 years 10 years

Sportsfest

Lavender Team, overr-all champion