Vol. XXVI No.

A monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture

August 2011

The Philippines has achieved record-breaking harvests of palay (unmilled rice), corn and sugarcane for the first six months of 2011. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said palay production for the first semester of 2011 topped 7.577 million metric tons (MT), 14.4 percent (%) more than last years volume of 6.621 million MT for the same six-month period. First semester corn harvest is also the highest in the countrys history, at 3.309 million MT, 37% more than last years output of 2.415 million MT. As for sugarcane, total production for the first six months of 2011 totaled 19.64 million MT,

Phl attains record 1st sem DA lowers farmers palay, corn, sugar harvests equity to avail of farm machines, equipment
75.6% more than last years output of 11.19 million MT for the same six-month period. Secretary Alcala said the record 1st semester palay and corn harvests were mainly due to the expansion of harvested area and increase in average yield per hectare. The previous highest 1st semester harvests of palay were recorded in 2009 (7.376 million MT) and in 2008 (7.121 million MT), and for corn, in 2008 (3.293 million MT) and in 2009 (3.218 million MT). The total harvested rice area for the 1st semester of 2011, increased to 1.993 million hectares, 9.6% more than in 2010, at 1.819 million hectares. The expansion is due to the increase in irrigated area primarily through the rehabilitation and repair of irrigation facilities. This was complemented by more rice planted in non-irrigated areas, which received sufficient rainwater from relatively favorable weather during the first six months of 2011.
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Surplus sugar eyed for export

W ith a bumper sugarcane harvest, the Philippines is set to export at least 300,000 metric tons (MT) of raw and refined sugar this crop year (CY). Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said with a harvest of 2.39 million MT for CY 2010-11, 21.3 percent (%) more than last year, the country will regain its previous distinction as a sugar exporter. We have been making great strides in sugar production the past year. This may very well be the start of the country producing more than enough to meet its domestic requirements and quota obligations, but also to ensure that sugar farmers have a reasonable, sufficient, and livable income, Secretary Alcala said during the 17th Asia International Sugar Conference (AISC) in Cebu, August 16, 2011 W ith continuing synergistic efforts of sugar industry farmers and stakeholders, and government through the DA-Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), the country may no longer import sugar and instead be a major sugar supplier in Southeast Asia, Secretary
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To enable more farmers cooperatives and irrigators associations (IAs) avail of farm machines and equipment, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala recently approved a more affordable scheme by reducing their counterpart or equity to only 15 percent (%), from the previous 30%. Secretary Alcala said with the scheme the Aquino government is making modern farm equipment within easy reach of farmers nationwide. He said the DA will shoulder 85% of the cost under its farm mechanization and postharvest program. This year, the DA has earmarked P1.8 billion for the purpose under its national rice program, and proposes to increase it further to P3 billion next year. Secretary Alcala made the announcement during an agricultural farm machinery and equipment roadshow, dubbed as AgriMach 2011 in Muoz, Nueva Ecija, August 23, 2011. More than 1,100 farmers, local officials, and farm machinery manufacturers, distributors and dealers attended the two(Pls turn to p12)

P57.7-M project irrigates 1,000 hectares in Isabela .

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (3rd from right) leads the inauguration of Balaobao Creek checkgate No. 3, at Bgy. Rang-ay, Cabatuan, Isabela, August 25 ,2011, despite rains due to typhoon Mina. It is one of the three checkgates constructed last year by the DAs National Irrigation Administration along Balaobao Creek. Worth P57.7 million, the project irrigates up to 1,000 hectares planted to rice and corn on both sides of the waterway before draining through Magat River. It forms part of the DA-NIAs Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS), where two more checkgate projects will be constructed in 2012. Secretary Alcala instructed NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel to construct similar river and creek irrigation projects and mini-dams to irrigate more farmlands nationwide to contribute in attaining rice and food staple sufficiency by 2013. Joining Secretary Alcala (from left) are: DA Region 2 Director Lucrecio Alviar, Jr.; Jose Fontanilla, council chairman of seven Irrigators Associations along Balaobao Creek; Cabatuan Mayor Cid Dayrit; NIA-MARIIS manager Mariano Dancel; and other farmerleaders.

DA wants P61.73-B budget in 2012

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is proposing a budget of P61.73 billion for 2012, which is 60 percent more than this years allocation. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said with the amount the Aquino administration will be on track towards achieving selfsufficiency in rice and major staples by end of 2013.
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Editorial
Wanted: Young farmers, fishers
Kahit pa man sabihing techy na tayong mga Pinoy, mahigit sa 39% ng kabuuang populasyon ng kayumanggi nating lahi ang umaasa pa rin sa agrikultura di lamang para sa ating pagkain, kundi maging para sa ating kabuhayan. Humigit-kumulang sa pitong bilyong piso ang naitalang kontribusyon ng sektor ng agrikultura sa pambansang ekonomiya sa unang anim na buwan ng taon. Ito ay bunsod ng magandang produksyon ng palay (na nagtala ng 15% pagtaas) at ng mais (na umangat naman ng mahigit sa 30%). Pagtatanim. Pangingisda. Pag-aalaga ng hayop. Ilan lamang ang mga sektor na ito sa mga pangunahing pinagmumulan ng kita ni Juan at ng kanyang pamilya. Maliban sa ambag nito sa ating ekonomiya, sa agrikultura rin nagmumula ang kanin, gulay, karne, itlog, at gatas na inihahain natin sa ating mga hapag sa arawaraw. Ngunit dapat tandaan, na hindi madaling proseso ang pinagdadaanan ng mga manggagawa ng ating mga sakahan at pangisdaan. Gaya nga ng sinabi sa kanta: Magtanim ay di biro. Hindi madali ang maging magsasaka (o mangingisda man). Anumang larangan sa sektor ng agrikultura ay nangangailangan ng malakas na pangangatawan at matalas na kaisipan. Kahit pa nga sabihing wala namang espisipikong kurso sa kolehiyo ang kailangan upang maging isang practicing farmer, kailangan pa rin ang patuloy na pag-aaral at pananaliksik upang magtagumpay lumaki ang ani at kita, at yumaman sa larangan ng sakahan, pangisdaan at agribusiness. Sa gitna ng modernisasyon at mabilis na pag-ikot ng mundo, hinihikayat ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka ang ating mga kabataan na mag-aral ng kursong may kaugnayan sa agrikultura at pangisdaan, agribusiness, agricultural engineering, o food processing. Kaya naghahandog ang DA ng college scholarship sa mga high school graduate na tutustusan ang kanilang matrikula, kasama na ang monthly stipend at pambili ng mga libro. Ang programang ito ay popondohan sa ilalim ng Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF). Mayroon ding mga tulong na inihahatid sa mga kabataan ang DA sa pamamagitan ng Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) sa ilalim ng 4-H Club program. Mayroon ding Young Farmer Program na ipinapatupad ng DA sa pamamagitan ng National Agriculture and Fishery Council (NAFC), na kung saan binibigyan ng kaukulang kapital ang mga kabataan o kanilang grupo na magsagawa ng anumang agri-fishery o livelihood project. Ang lahat ng programang ito ay upang bigyan ang ating mga kabataan ng kaukulang kaalaman, pagsasanay at paunang kapital upang maitaguyod ang kani-kanilang hangarin na maging matagumpay na magsasaka, mangingisda at entrepreneur. Sa kabuuan, lahat ding ito ay upang patuloy na buhayin ang pamana ng kanilang mga magulang at ating mga ninunong nagpagal sa sakahan at pangisdaan. Bagamat hindi popular at high-tech, ang simpleng mundo ng agrikultura ay mananatiling sandigan nating lahat, sa anumang panahon. Kaya patuloy nating itaguyod ang payak na sektor na ito para sa mas masaganang sambayanan ngayon at sa mga susunod pang taon. Kaya naman, ating hikayatin at ipakita sa mga kabataan na malaki ang kita sa agrikultura, pangisdaan, at agribusiness at marami na ang nagtagumpay at yumaman.

Sec. Procy Alcala proudly reports that the Philippines attained record harvests of palay (unmilled rice), corn and sugarcane during the first semester of 2011. With him are DA undersecretary for policy and planning Segfredo Serrano (left) and assistant secretary for agribusiness and DA spokesperson Salvador Salacup.

Phl attains record harvests ...

Significant increases in harvested area were particularly noted in Western Visayas and Cagayan Valley. The average palay yield per hectare for the first half also improved to 3.8 tons (or 76 cavans of 50 kilos each). This is roughly three cavans more than last years average yield of 3.64 tons per hectare. The increase in productivity was a result of good weather, increased use of high quality seeds, encouraging palay prices, and production and marketing support to farmers provided by the DA, in collaboration with the LGUs and the private sector. As for corn, the record harvest was due to the 13.8% expansion in harvested area combined with a 20.4% improvement in average yield. Favorable weather during the first half of the year, as well as good farm prices have encouraged the expansion of corn plantings and harvested area. More importantly, the DAs continuing promotion of higher quality hybrid corn seed has contributed much to higher yields.

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Secretary Alcala said in addition to the improved delivery of support services and infrastructure support, the active engagement and participation of the LGUs and private sector partners have more than made up for the phasing out of the traditional fertilizer and seed subsidies. In all, he said the DA will vigorously implement its rice and corn programs to attain 2011 targets and more importantly 100% sufficiency in rice, corn, and other staples by 2013 in partnership with farmers groups, particularly irrigators associations, LGUs, rice and corn industry stakeholders, NGOs, academe, and other concerned agencies. The national estimates of the 2011 1st semester palay and corn harvests were based on the palay and corn production survey, conducted in July 2011 by the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). The survey is conducted regularly to monitor and evaluate the production performance of the palay and corn subsectors.

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

Editor-In-Chief : Noel O. Reyes Associate Editors: Karenina Salazar, Cheryl C. Suarez & Adam Borja Writers: Adora D. Rodriguez, Jo Anne Grace B. Pera, Arlhene S. Carro, Bethzaida Bustamante, Mc. Bien Saint Garcia, Jay Ilagan, Catherine Nanta Contributors: DA-RFU Info Officers, Public Info Officers and Staff of DA Bureaus, Attached Agencies & Corporations, Foreign-Assisted Projects Photographers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan, & Kathrino Resurreccion Lay-out Artist: Bethzaida Bustamante Printing & Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staff

DA, Negros Occidental share P200M for irrigation, other agri projects
The Department of Agriculture and the Province of Negros Occidental will jointly implement P166-million worth of irrigation projects next year that will irrigate an additional area of 2,675 hectares, benefiting 2,920 farm families. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said of the total amount, the DA through the National Irrigation Administration will share P90M, while Negros Occidental will counterpart P76M. The DA will also provide the province P36.65-M worth of various agricultural projects, equipment and farm inputs. He commended Governor Alfredo G. Maraon, Jr. and the members of the provincial board for allotting P76M from its 2012 budget for the repair and rehabilitation of 41 existing irrigation systems in six districts. Sec. Alcala, who visited Negros island early this month, said he enjoins other progressive provinces to similarly allot funds to counterpart with the DA so they could combine limited financial resources and implement more agricultural and fishery projects. The P90-M counterpart for irrigation projects forms part of the P126.65-million worth of various agricultural projects, farm equipment and inputs the DA will provide as counterpart to the provinSec. Alcala (left) and Governor Alfredo G. Maraon, Jr. (middle) cial government of Negros Occiseal with a handshake the recent counterparting agreement between dental. the Department of Agriculture and the Provincial Government of The balance of P36.65M include Negros Occidental to repair and expand 41 irrigation projects next the following: a rice processing year worth P166 million (M). Of the amount, the DA through the center (P18M), four combine har- National Irrigation Administration (NIA) will allot P90M, while vesters (P8M), four transplanters the province will counterpart P76M. Sec. Alcala thanked Gov. (P2M), four flatbed dryers (P2M), Maraon and members of the provincial board for joining hands one 4-wheel tractor (P1M), seven with the DA to increase the production of rice, and other major hand tractors (P1M), four multi- agricultural and fishery products, and contribute to attaining napurpose drying pavements or so- tional sufficiency in rice and other staples by 2013. He enjoins other provinces to similarly allot funds to counterpart with the DA and lar dryers (P1M), one hauler truck implement more agricultural and fishery projects. Looking on is (P1M), a high value crops devel- NIA administrator Antonio Nangel. opment project and coffee seedlings (P1.6M), a production support and irrigation project for the 3rddistrict (P1M), and corn seeds The Department of Agriculture riculture, Forestry, Natural Re(P50,000). aims to plant additional 5,000 sources Research and Develophectares in Cagayan Valley to ment (PCARRD). peanut, a legume which has niWe want to stabilize peanut trogen-fixing property. production in Region 2 as it has The initiative will be carried out been erratic because farmers by the DA through the Cagayan shift to yellow corn, mainly due Valley Integrated Agricultural Re- to insufficient peanut seed supsearch Center (CVIARC), and ply, said Aquino. funded by the Bureau of AgriculThe country imports from tural Research (BAR). China an estimated 30,000 to It aims to increase the regions 50,000 metric tons (MT) of peapeanut production by 43 percent nut yearly to augment local supin three to five years. Present ply of 60,000 to 70,000 MT. area planbted to the crop is estiCurrently, average yield is low mated at 3,500 hectares. at only 650 kilograms per hectWe want to continue our sup- are. port for peanut breeding and proUsing better varieties, Aquino duction because peanut remains said farmers can harvest at least to be a minor crop rather than a 2,000 kilos per hectare. cash crop even if farmers have Region 2 was once a big peaan opportunity to make money nut producer. But due to the low Sec. Procy Alcala (3rd from left) appreciates quality vegetables from it by replacing our big im- yield and therefore low income, on display at the recent 9th National Vegetable Congress in port, said BAR director farmers shifted to yellow corn, Dumaguete City, where he urged 2,000 farmers, entrepreneurs and Nicomedes P. Eleazar. BAR said. local officials to consolidate their efforts to produce quality, safe He said peanut is a sturdy, However, farmers could earn and competitive vegetables, and remain vigilant to prevent the drought-resistant crop that re- more when they intercrop peaentry of smuggled commodities, particularly onions and garlic. He quires minimal water. nut with corn or rice. enjoined farmers to engage in crop rotation to plant and harvest As in other legumeslike At a production cost of on a regular basis, and enable them to stabilize supply and fetch mungbean and soybeanpeanut P27,030, a farmer may earn a higher prices for their produce. He said the DA will partner with plants through their roots can net income of P22,970 out of a farmers groups and local governments to establish more trading capture or fix nitrogen from the 2,000 kilo per hectare yield, centers nationwide, where farmers could bring and sell their proair, and use it to fertilize the whole given a P25 per kilo farm gate duce directly to institutional buyers and thus earn more income plant. price. similar to the Sentrong Pamilihang ng Produktong Agrikultural CVIARC peanut project leader What is beneficial about peain Quezon, which he established when he was still a Representive. Rose Mary G. Aquino said BARs nut is that it enriches the soil Also shown in photo are Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo program involves breeding for im- after every planting season, (left), agribusinessman Willy Co, Florida Ybanez (right), President proved peanut varieties. This also Aquino said. of Cebu-Negros Oriental Integrated Upland Vegetable Develophas a seed support component Leguminous plants have a ment Council, and vegetable seed industry entrepreneurs. from the Philippine Council for Ag(Pls turn to p9)

DA to expand peanut area in Cagayan

August 2011

Tramline aids Laguna farmers

Farmers in Nagcarlan, Laguna can now easily transport their quality agricultural produce to the market on time, thus saving P1,000 to P1,500 per hectare for hauling and transportation expenses. This was made possible with the turn-over of more than P6 million worth Agricultural Tramline System to the farmer-beneficiaries in Barangay Bukal, Nagcarlan, Laguna by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala. Secretary Alcala said that with the 1.8-kilometer tramline system installed in the area, farmers can transport their produce faster to the markets from their farms and other farm inputs like fertilizers in the highland. He said that 74 farmers will benefit from the tramline. He also requested the local government officials who attended the turn-over ceremony and inauguration led by Laguna 3rd District Representative Ma. Evita Arago-Gapit to look into the possibility of putting up a packaging house in the area as this can be the bagsakan center of the town if not the whole province of Laguna. W e ask for the cooperation and support of the farmer-beneficiaries and the local government unit for the success of the project. This is a part of our program to strengthen the economy of the upland community through a comprehensive and technically precise upland agricultural development blueprint. At the heart of our vision for the uplands is a strong partnership between national and local governments,

Sec. Procy Alcala helps unload baskets of vegetables hauled through the 1.8-kilometer tramline system constructed by the DAPhilMech, benefiting 70 farm families in Nagcarlan, Laguna. With the tramline , farmers can now easily and swiftly transport their agricultural produce to the markets, saving them P1,000 to P1,500 in hauling and transportation expenses. Assisting him (from left) are: DA-RFU IV-A Regional Executive Director Abelardo Bragas, Laguna 3rd district Representative Ma. Evita Arago-Gapit and PhilMech tramline national coordinator Engr. Raul Paz.

and between the government and other sectors. Alcala said. He also directed Regional Executive Director Abelardo R. Bragas of DA-RFU IV-A to provide technical and marketing as-

Asia-Pacific Plant Protection Convention. The Department

of Agricultures Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) Director Clarito M. Barron addresses delegates to the 27th Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC) convention in Makati City from August 15 to 19, 2011. Delegates from 24 APPPC member-countries discussed mutual cooperation on plant quarantine, pesticide management, and implementation of international and regional phytosanitary standards to uphold the plant protection agreement for Asia and the Pacific Region. The other member-countries include Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Samoa (Western), Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga and Viet Nam.

sistance to the farmers and link them to trading posts and other markets in CALABARZON and Metro Manila and to conduct special training for farmers on conventional farming or organic farming. This way, the farmers can learn how to make their own organic fertilizers, save for their farm inputs and help maintain the productivity of their farm soil, Alcala said. Moreover, to further boost the support and cooperation of the farmer-beneficiaries, Sec. Alcala through DA-Region 4 raffled off 10 heads of horses that farmers can use to haul and transport their farm produce and inputs. The Nagcarlan tramline is among the 106 tramline systems that the DA will set up through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) nationwide this year. The tramline is an alternative transport system for farmers in areas isolated from road network because of ravines, rivers and dense vegetation. It is a hauling facility using cables and pulleys to transport agricultural products and farm inputs from isolated farms to the nearest road.

DA-PCIC to pay P23M in typhoon Juaning crop insurance claims

The Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (DA-PCIC), has started paying farmers a total of P22.8 million in crop insurance claims whose insured rice and corn crops were damaged by typhoon Juaning last July. In a report to Agriculture Secretary and PCIC Board chairperson Proceso J. Alcala, PCIC PresidentJovy C. Bernabe said the firm will pay damage claims by farmers faster than the usual 20-day claim settlement response time. The shorter payment period will allow rice and corn farmers to recoup their losses and pay for immediate replanting. Bernabe said some 18,443 hectares (has) of farmlands covered by PCICs insurance program were damaged by typhoon Juaning. Of the affected area, 17, 111 has were planted to rice while 1,113 has were corn lands. The affected farmers num(Pls turn to p10)

DA to prioritize R&D on 12 fishery commodities

The Department of Agriculture will provide a strong research and development (R&D) support for 12 fishery commodities eyed as potential export earners, and thus source of rural jobs and livelihood. The medium-term initiative will be undertaken from 2011 to 2016 by the DA through the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR-DA). The fishery products inlcude tuna, seaweeds, shrimp, tilapia, milkfish, abalone, oyster, mudcrab, rabbitfish, sea cucumber, grouper, and pangasius. All told, export revenues generated by these marine and aquculture products reach $700 to $800 million annually, according to the DAs Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR). Governments thrust to make the fisheries sector a big dollar earner and jobs supplier is a potential that the fishery industry has long recognized. Our research programs will help establish these hopes and sustain the sector in reaching revenue targets, said BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar. Tuna, being the countrys top export earner at close to $400 million, is on top of the DA-BAR R&D agenda. Research on tuna includes mapping through geographic information system (GIS) of migratory patterns of tuna and value-adding technologies to generate more, higher-priced products. This will be done in collaboration with the BFAR, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD), and the University of the Philippines Visayas. For shrimp, which contributes $70 million to fishery export, there is a need to come up with a Philippine-bred, disease free broodstock. The country presently imports disease-free, Specific Pathogen-Free or Specific Pathogen-Resistant (SPF or SPR) broodstock for Black Tiger Shrimp. Use of biocontrol agents, such as the green water technology, in grow-out culture is now practised by shrimp producers in the country. The development of this farmer-friendly technology was a project funded by the BAR through its Biotechnology R&D Program. Seaweeds, exported at around $130 million mostly in the form of semi-processed carrageenan, require R&D to develop disease-free species, particularly the food processing grade cottonii variety. Other seaweed programs are the establishment of live gene bank for the identification of quality seaweed germplasm and a study on seaweed growings stock enhancement and stock monitoring system. For tilapia, the R&D agenda focuses on the development of lowcost, high-quality, and environment-friendly feeds. While BFARs National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) has already developed excellent tilapia strains such as saline-tolerant and coldtolerant tilapia, there is a need to produce their broodstock and fingerlings. The production of fry for tilapia suitable for extreme temperature arising from climate change is an important concern as much as this is also a concern in other fishery species. A popular local fish species, milkfish, needs improved hatchery techniques on broodstock management, nutrition, larval rearing, and handling. Low cost feed production, map ping of fry sources, and proper cage design under extreme environmental conditions are other milkfish research areas.

Sec. Alcala expresses his support to the coconut industry, stating the numerous benefits one can get from the tree of life, during the recent 25th National Coconut Week Celebration and 10th Coconut Festival. He said the DA through the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) will aggressively pursue the Kasaganaan sa Niyugan ay Kaunlaran ng Bayan (KAANIB) program to help farmers in production, capacity-building, and marketing, among other enterprises.

PhilRice increases agri infoshop collection

Filling knowledge gaps in rice farming will enable farmers more progressive, and eventually help the country achieve rice self-sufficiency, he added. Emphasizing the importance of widening the knowledge and enhancing the practices of rice farmers, Miranda encouraged extension workers to regularly update themselves with information on agriculture as they are the governments frontliners in reaching and serving farmers. Forty extension workers from Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Aurora received boxes of publications including rice technology bulletins, diagnostic kits, magazines, and books on rice science and technology. Low-cost materials featuring Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQs) on rice issues and new technologies and videos on rice production were also included in the package. Meanwhile, Diadem B. Gonzales, head of PhilRice Development Communication Division, urged extension workers to share the materials to academicians, students, and general public in their localities to hasten the dissemination of innovations in rice farming. PhilRice free publications, photos, and videos are also uploaded in www.philrice. weebly.com. The site integrates other online sites of the Institute. PhilRice products such as tapuy and other publications can also be ordered through the website. (DA-PhilRice)

To help farmers respond to the challenges of achieving rice selfsufficiency by end of 2013, the DAs Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) donated books to the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers in several municipalities with location-specific technology development sites. FITS is considered a one-stop information shop on agriculture, and it is a good venue in bringing innovations to rice farmers to increase their knowledge, said Ruben B. Miranda, PhilRice deputy executive director for de(Pls turn to p10) velopment.

Sec. Procy Alcala presents grains adlai (Jobs tears) featured at the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit (RFU) IV-A booth during the opening of the 7th Agricultural and Fisheries Technology Forum (AFTF). He said adlai is an alternative to rice and is part of the governments campaign towards the governments Food Staples Sufficiency Program. The forum is part of the 24th anniversary celeberation of the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research.

August 2011

DA to help transform 2 Negros towns into veggie bowls

The Department of Agriculture will partner with local officials and farmers to transform semitemperate areas in Negros Island as vegetable salad bowls in the Visayas that will provide the vegetable needs of the cities of San Carlos, Dumaguete, Bacolod andCebu. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala recognized the vast potentials of two areas in Negros the town of Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental during his two-day visit last week. There is a large potential for organic vegetable production in these areas, as well as for upland rice, coffee, cacao, tea, dairy, and for small ruminants, Secretary Alcala said. Don Salvador Benedicto, a fourth class municipality located in the mountainous regions north east of Negros island, was established as a town in 1983. Its semi-temperate climate with temperatures ranging from 16 to 24 degrees Celcius has earned for itself the title as summer capital of the island. This has also enabled farmers in the area to raise socalled Benguet vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, sayote, potato and tomato. In fact, town Mayor Laurence MJ Dela Cruz said a Korean firm has established a vegetable farm in the area to supply the needs of Korean restaurants in the Visayas. To support the production of organic vegetables and other crops, Secretary Alcala said the DA through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) will construct an irrigation project next year that will put into productive use an additional 1,500 hectares of farmland. Secretary Alcala said the DA will help Don Salvador Benedicto farmers to engage in the production of coffee, cacao and tea. During a farmers forum in Don Salvador Benedicto, attended by 2,000 farmers, the DA chief gifted the town through a counterpart scheme two hand tractors, two threshers, five carabaos with farm implements, two flatbed dryers, hundreds of coffee and cacao seedlings, and 10 four-year college scholarship grants (inclusive of tuition, books and monthly stipends) to deserving high school students who will pursue college degrees in agriculture, fishery and other related courses. Meanwhile, at Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, the DA will counterpart with the city government through Mayor Jimmy Jayme Clerigo and Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong to expand and modernize its existing farm trading center, provide a transport truck, establish a training center for upland rice , coffee and vegetables, and put up a P5-million tissue culture laboratory. Canlaon City is at the eastern foot plain of Mt. Kanlaon . It is at the boundary dividing both provinces of Negros Island . It s bounded on the north by San Carlos City . During a farmers forum in Canlaon, Secretary Alcala also committed to provide under a counterparting scheme five shallow tube wells, five carabaos with farm implements, two hand tractors, two flatbed dryers, and 10 ACEF scholarship grants. He said the DA Agribusiness Marketing and Assistance Service and the High Value Crops Development Program will also train farmers on production and marketing of their semi-temperate vegetables and other products.

Sec. Procy Alcala (2nd from right) appreciates fresh harvest of sayote at the Canlaon City trading center, which the DA will help refurbish and expand. With him are DA region 7 director Leo Caneda (left), Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong (with hat), and Canlaon City Mayor Jimmy Jayme Clerigo (right).

Study on jackfruit wins region 8 best paper

A research on regional baseline information on jackfruit won the best paper under the applied research category during the 23 rd Region 8 Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) review, in Naval, Biliran Province. The paper, entitled Development of Regional Baseline Information for Jackfruit, was written by Dr. Elvira C. Torres, et al, of the DAEastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (EVIARC). Dr. Torres paper details the results of a study on NSICregistered jackfruit variety called EVIARC Sweet. The research provides information on the status and extent of the plant material production and distribution of the EVIARC Sweet in the region covering the years 2006 to 2008. The RD&E Review is a major annual gathering of researchers and development workers. It is jointly sponsored by the Visayas Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Proj ect (VICARP) and the Regional Research, Development and Extension Network (RRDEN). VICARP and RRDEN jointly orchestrate, plan, implement, monitor and evaluation of R&D works in Region 8. Dr. Torres research work bested four other entries from government and the private sector. In her study, Torres said the total production of jackfrui planting materials reached 227,457 pieces, of which 119,309 pieces were recorded to have been distributed to farmers throughout the region. Of this, about 50% (59,065 pieces) were availed of through the Plant Now, Pay Later Scheme (PNPL), while the others (60,244 pieces) were distributed under the regular distribution scheme. Out of the total number of j ackfruit planting materials received by the farmers, only 43% or 51,865 pieces were actually planted and of these, 67% (34,820 trees) are existing as of this date and about 44% (15,170 trees) are bearing fruits. In terms of hectarage, the study further revealed that the region has about 332 hectares planted to EVIARC Sweet, 223 hectares with existing trees, and only about 97 planted hectares are bearing fruits. Complete enumeration was done on all j ackfruit farmers
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Organic pig production to make lechon a distinct Filipino dish

A pilot production of organic pigs by 10 farmer-cooperators in Southern Luzon will build up marketing of lechon as a distinct Filipino dish, preserve indigenous pig species, and give livelihood to farflung areas. The breeding and production of native pigs by 10 initial farmercooperators in Southern Luzon will bolster the Philippines unique culture of serving lechon in special occasions. It can consequently carve a niche for the Philippines that can make lechon, a roasted pig deemed as a delicacy, internationally-renowned, according to Dr. Nicomedes P. Eleazar, executive director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) which funds the program. The Conservation, Evaluation and Commercialization of the Philippine Native Pigs covers three provinces Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon. But the 10 initial farmer-cooperators are found in Quezonand Laguna. The program uses an organic material from pigs endemic to the country. It has started propping up hog production of some countryside farmers, according to Dr. Rene C. Santiago, National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center (NSPRDC) chief. Upon seeing the advantage of raising pigs which gives big savings in the cost of feeds and materials for housing, farmers who are growing commercial hogs have started adding native pigs to their herd,Santiago said. Government will also promote the use of native pigs in commercial farms as a product differentiation strategy that has a market among organic and health buffs. The organic pigs, while carrying lower feed costs, command a higher price in the market owing to its healthful, organic nature and quality meat. Compared to the farm gate price of only P95 per kilo of live weight for commercial hogs, organic pigs are priced P100 to P180 per kilo. Even native pigs heads can have a high average price of P100 per kilo at farm gate since bulk buying can average P1,000 for 10 kilos. The Philippines has a one-ofa-kind opportunity to market native pigs for lechon. The United States has turkey for Thanksgiving. The Chinese have the Peking Duck, and we have lechon that without it, your feast is not complete. Genetically, our native pig is suitable for lechon which is why we see a lot of economic potential in it, said Santiago. The government is also encouraging production of native pigs not only to have a continuous supply of native pigs to local market but also to aid in cutting pork import which reduces employment opportunities for farmers. Pork import reached to 172,626 metric tons (MT) in 2010, up by 54 percent from 114,365 MT in 2009. Native pigs can be organically grownraised without the use of antibiotics and using naturallyavailable feeds since they are highly-adaptable to the environment. They can tolerate heat and cold better than imports. Their small size30 to 50 kilos for mature weight and a 10 to 30 kgs of grower stocks makes them ideal for lechon. The alternating layers of fat and meat in native pigs make for its delicious taste, said Santiago. A type of feed developed by NSPRDC costs only P11.40 per kilo, just about 50 percent of the cost of commercial feeds at P20 to P22 per kilo. This consists of corn, rice bran, copra meal, molasses, salt, and limestone. W ithout this BAR-NSPRDC breeding project, Philippine native pigsknown for their black, black spotted, or black with white belly color, are feared to soon become extinct. BAR has initiated funding this project because we need continuous R&D (research and development) so we wont lose our native breeds, said Eleazar. There are herbs used as medicine for native hogs. These are chili for treating respiratory problems and as appetite stimulant and dewormer; oregano for diarrhea and anticoccidial; black pepper against fowl pox; antibacterial ginger and onion; anti-diarrheal guava leaves, star apple, and banana; and dewormer ipil-ipil, beetle nut, and kakawate. Government aims to train farmers on how to select superior breeds to be used for reproduction of better offspring. Among the preferred traits are good litter size of eight piglets and up, fast growth rate, thick body, strong legs, at least five to six pairs of teat, and good mothering ability. NSPRDC has already come up with a standard feeding practice.

This is 1-1.5 kilos of low-cost breeder mash per day with adlibitum (at ones pleasure) feeding of other feeds source such as from forages, kitchen left over, and root crops. For suckling piglets, feed is hog starter mash from one to six weeks old while for weaner grower, its feed is 0.5 to one kilo of low cost grower mash with adlibitum feeding of other feeds. Farmers can opt to feed the animals with indigenously grown crops. Among these are the rootcrop Gabing San Fernando and Madre de Agua which is easy to propagate and has high protein and calcium content while also palatable to pigs. NSPRDC also trains farmers on maintaining a healthy herd. This is through quarantine of an animal for one month upon arrival in the farm so that it can be checked up for any disease, keeping animals from stress, and preventive medicine and good nutrition and housing. The pigs may also be vaccinated for hog cholera at 45 days old and every six months. However, NSPRDC stressed farmers should not claim their animals organically grown when treated with antibiotics. Aside from lechon, native pigs are ideally used for other Filipino specialties like longanisa, etag, and bagnet. I think our original longaniza came from native pigs because the delicious longaniza has a good amount of fat, said Santiago. With government support, there are already emerging small and medium enterprises that are going into commercial native pig production. Among them is Mr. Elmer

Rivero of Nasugbo, Batangas. Under the training program, each farmer was provided with a set of five female and one male native pigs as breeder stocks. BAR gave a grant of P10,000 for a one-time housing and P1,000 worth of feeds for each farmer. Recommended housing materials are available in rural areas including coconut coir dust, saw dust, and rice hull for beddings; nipa, cogon, and anahaw for roofing; and bamboo, and coconut husks for walling; and hog wire and coconut husks for range fences. The good thing about using rice hull, saw dust, coir dust, and other biodegradable materials for bedding is you have a beddings that after 1 to 2 years of using you have organic fertilizer for plants and replace it with new one. This kind of bedding type pig pen use no water to bath the animals. And these do not emit four air, Santiago said. To demonstrate housing for organic pigs, NSPRDC constructed its own housing model for native pigs using steel, concrete, and other locally-available materials including coconut husk, bamboo, nipa, coconut lumber, and rice straw. The farmer-cooperators of the native pig program in Quezon are: Dionesio Samiano and Virginia Bautista from Dolores; Renato Macalendro and Dexter Nase, both fromTagkawayan; Teresita Saniano from Tiaong; and Aristotle Ilao from Sariaya. From Laguna, the farmers are Edmer Valencia, Jun Alacasid, and Sister Rosalie. (Dr. Rene C.
Santiago, NSPRDC)

August 2011

Secretary Alcala graces SOLABC and 7th Bicol Business Week

Agriculture Secretary urged participants to vigorously support the production, processing and promotion of pili nuts, formosa pineapple, coconut and abaca-Bicol regions major commodities, during the 20th South Luzon Area Business Conference (SOLABC), August 27, 2011. The affair was spearheaded by the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI) together with the Local Government Unit of Camarines Sur, held at the provincial convention center, in Pili, Camarines Sur. Some 1,000 participants attended the conference, with the theme, Leveraging Growth and New Opportunities under a Strong and Dynamic Public-Private Partnership One global, Filipino. The theme was coined to enhance collective efforts in attracting as many domestic and foreign investors as possible to find investment opportunities in the region. CSCCI president Jeremie S. Lo said the region needs investors who will help modernize the agriculture and fisheries sectors through agribusiness ventures. In his speech, Secretary Alcala also discussed the DAs current thrusts and programs that complement with the CSCCI in modernizing the regions agriculture and fishery sector. He also discussed possible partnerships with the private, LGUs and farmers andf fishers groups. He also urged the different stakeholders to support and promote the respective regional champion commodities for them to build a niche in both local and foreign markets. For region 4A (Calabarzon), he mentioned coffee, pineapple, mango and cacao; and for region 4B (Mimaropa) - cashew and kalamansi. He said the DA will continue to empower small farmers and fishers to transform them into iagri-entrepreneurs. He added that DA is filling the gap through support services like provision of farm to market roads, processing centers/facilities, post harvest facilities, trading posts, farm machineries and equipment and appropriate

Sec. Proceso J. Alcala stresses that Filipinos have the capability to produce and create new opportunities in agriculture with the help of both government and the private sector, during the 20th South Luzon Area Business Conference, at the Capitol Convention Center in Pili, Camarines Sur, August 27, 2011.
trainings. The agency is also pushing food staples sufficiency program wherein it also considers promoting rice varieties tolerant to saline intrusion, flooding and other adverse conditions. Since Bicol region is floodprone, he suggested farmers to plant the submarino variety of rice, as it can survive flooding for two weeks. He said the DA will also promote other food staples like white corn, adlai, banana (saba), sweet potato, cassava and gabi. While in Bicol, Secretary Alcala also graced the 7th Bicol Business Week jointly sponsored by the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the local government of Naga, held at Naga City Coliseum on August 27, 2011. The activity showcased and promoted the regions best businesses and provided investment opportunities that will spur economic growth and development in the region. The activity also tackled new policies, reforms, and initiatives to guide industry stakeholders in addressing the need to ensure food security and self-sufficiency amidst the threats caused by changing global climatic and trading conditions. This years theme, Make it Bicol: Bicol Heats Up, focused on the advancements and accomplishments of local business through their best practices. The activity also highlighted conferences, techno fora, trade shows, exhibits. The DA for its part conducted a farmers forum where over 100 farmers participated. It also assisted the organic agriculture advocators/producers in the region to set up two booths to showcase their products. In his speech, Sec. Alcala highlighted the agriculture sectors accomplishments for the first semester of 2011, where palay and corn harvest boosted the growth of the sector by 5.48 percent (%). He lauded the efforts of the organic farming advocaes for promoting organic agriculture in the region. He urged farmers to consider organic farming as a business enterprise. Right after the farmers forum a press conference followed attended by over 20 media persons. In the afternoon, Sec. Alcala distributed 400 bags of certified seeds to farmers affected by typhoon Juaning in Canaman, Camarines Sur. He also distributed certificate of awards for certified seeds to Calabanga Mayor Evelyn Yu for 600 bags, Bombon Mayor Maria Luisa Angeles 175 bags and 150 bags for Magarao. Aside from certified seeds, the DA also provided each municipality with a carabao complete with implement and one unit handtractor. In addition, Canaman was also a recipient of one unit flatbed dryer. Also present during the distribution were: 3rd district Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte, Agriculture Regional Executive Dir. Jose V. Dayao, RTDs Ellen de los Santos and Edgar Madrid, Canaman Mayor Emmanuel Requejo, BFAR Regional Director Dennis del Socorro, NIA Regional Manager W illiam Ragodon and the municipal officials of Canaman. (DA-RAFID 5, Mabelle R. Ilan)

DA-PCIC, Negros launch P180-M crop insurance program

The Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) in partnership with the Province of Negros Occidental recently launched a P180million crop insurance program that is expected to benefit 10,000 rice farmers. The joint initiative, called the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program (NFUCIP), was launched August 5, 2011 by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and Governor Alfredo J. Maraon, Jr., at the Negros Occidental multipurpose activity center, in Bacolod City, where 2,000 farmers, fishers, livestock raisers and local officials attended. Sec. Alcala and Gov. Maraon distributed crop insurance policies to 1,500 farmers to kick-off the NFUCIP. They were assisted by lawyer Jovy C. Bernabe, president of the DAs Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). Bernabe said the insurance policy guarantees each farmer a maximum of P17,680 per hectare in insurance claims if his or her insured crop is totally destroyed or lost due to pest infestation, plant disease or natural calamities. Assuming that Negros Occidentals estimated 10,000 rice farmers have at least one hectare each, the NFUCIP guarantees close P180 million in crop insurance coverage, Bernabe said. Under the program, the provincial government of Negros Occidental agreed to shoulder 60 percent or P500 of the insurance premium worth P840 per hectare per cropping. The balance of P340 is paid by the farmer. The PCIC indemnifies the farmer of up to P17,680 when his rice crop is totally damages by pests, diseases or flood. In some special cases, Bernabe said, the provincial government has agreed to subsidize the entire crop insurance premium.

DA-MRDP boosts rice yield in Davao Oriental

The municipality of Cateel in Davao Oriental is being transformed into the provinces rice granary. Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon said this will be realized after they have successfully bidded out the biggest irrigation project, worth P256 million, in the province to be implemented in Cateel town. When completed, the project will irrigate at least 1,600 hectares. It is a joint investment of the provincial government and the Department of Agriculture Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP). This priority project is a valuable investment to develop the rice production potentials of the province, the governor said. We have a wide rice field capable of producing enough [grains]. We see that this irrigation system can help us achieve food sufficiency in the province and contribute to the countrys, she added. In the vast rice field in Cateel, only 500 hectares are irrigated but once the irrigation project is completed it can be expanded to 1,600 hectares. She also said the MRDP funds will benefit rice farmers and create other livelihood opportunities. If there would be enough livelihood, farmers will have sufficient income to sustain their basic needs, she said. This is the biggest single proj ects under MRDP, said deputy program director Arnel V. De Mesa. De Mesa added that this big ticket project is divided in three packages: one for the diversion works or the dam construction with fish ladder with direct cost of P139.78 million, one package for canalization amounting 65.62 million and another for canal structures for 7.01 million. The province will also receive livelihood projects from MRDP under the Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD) while the towns of San Isidro and Gov. Generoso are beneficiaries of environment conservation projects under the Programs Natural Resources Management component. Except for the town of Manay, all other towns in the province: Gov. Generoso, Mati, Tarragona, San Isidro, Lupon Caraga, Banaybanay, Boston, and Baganga are

also receipt of the MRDP Public Information Office projects. NIA-ARIIP, Rosales, Pangasinan Malanyaon expressed gratitude for MRDP as it complements her administrations agenda of addressing food sufficiency and improving rural incomes. As we are an agricultural area, we need to invest in agricultural infrastructure and sustainable livelihoods to maximize our production potentials as this will help farmers improved incomes and other economic opportunities for my constituents, Sec. Procy Alcala (4th from left) and Congressman Luis Villafuerte Malanyaon said. (Sherwin B. (2nd from left) distribute 925 sacks of certified rice seeds to farmers
Manual/DA MRDP)

By Angelito E. Arceo II

DA to promote white corn in Mindanao

To ease the pressure on rice and minimize its importation, the Department of Agriculture will encourage and convince Mindanaoans to once again eat white corn grits as a staple. Hence, in Zamboanga Peninsula, the DA Regional Field Unit 9 will distribute certified corn seeds to farmerbeneficiaries in expansion corn areas, according to Felizardo Salomes, regional corn coordinator. He said the quality corn seeds were procured from the University of Southern Mindanao in Kabakan, Cotabato. These are composed of two varieties: USM-VAR-10 and IPB VAR 6, which are found to be high in protein and lysine, and of the tryptophan varieties ideal for human consumption. He said under the DA OPV (Open Pollinated Variety) white corn seed exchange program, each farmer beneficiary will receive nine kilograms (9kg) of seeds which he will repay double in-kind, or simply 18 kg of corn seeds. This will in turn be redistributed to other farmer beneficiaries for the next planting season. The same seed varieties are good for three generations, he said. For his part, Dionisio Adante, DA-regional seeds coordinator, said that the official list of farmerbeneficiaries were j ointly validated in coordination with concermned local government units in Zamboanga region.

in four towns in Camarines Sur (Canaman, Calabangan, Bombon and Magarao) as part of the Aquino governments assistance to those affected by Typhoon Juaning last July. The seeds form part of the rehabilitation project extended by the Department of Agriculture to Bicol region, where more than 17,000 hectares of farmlands were affected. Also in photo are (L-R) Canaman Mayor Emmanuel S. Requejo, farmer-beneficiary Jose Sapalaran, DA-Region V Dir. Jose Dayao and farmer-benficiary Salvador Salodes.
For instance, 800 bags each of certified white corn seeds are allotted for Districts I and II of Zamboanga del Norte, respectively. Another 800 bags is allotted to the NABCOR (National Agribusiness Corp.) in support of its postharvest facility situated in the town of Liloy that will soon be inaugurated. Six hundred (600) bags are for distribution in Districts I and II in Zamboanga Sibugay, while Zamboanga del Sur and Isabela City will receive 500 and 100 bags, respectively. Each bag contains nine kilograms (9kg) of certified corn seeds. Salomes said that the distribution and planting of certified white corn seeds is in support of the governments food staple sufficiency program.
(DA-RAFID 9)

DA to expand ...

(from p3)

give-and-take (symbiotic) relationship with a (soil) bacteria called rhizobia that thrive in the plants root nodules. Rhizobia can supply about 225 kilos (4.5 bags) of nitrogen per hectare per year or equivalent to a chemical feritilizer input cost of P4,500 , Aquino said. The DA-CVIARC has developed high-yield peanut varieties like Namnama-1 or NSIC Pn 11 and Namnama 2 or NSIC Pn 14. Both varieities produce a gross peanut pod yield of 2.2 to 2.6 tons per hectare. The varieties were developed out of the mother varieties shared by the India-based International Crops Research Institute (ICRISAT) to the Philippines. Another high-yielding ICRISAT variety is the Asha or hope, with a pod yield of up to 3.1 MT per hectare. It is called a 3-in-1 variety because of its flexible size of Class A export quality (one gram per

seed), Class B for domestic market, and Class C for planting and processing. Aside from their high protein content at 26 to 28 percent, peanuts are rich in B vitamins, folate, niacin, and Vitamin E. It has the good fat that helps remove cholesterol from blood, consequently helping reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Peanut as a plant has other uses. Its hay is a good fodder for livestock with its rich crude protein, better palatability compared to other fodder materials, and digestibility. Peanut hay also makes quality forage for cattle, carabao, horses,goat, sheep, rabbits. The peanut protein cake residue from oil processing and extraction is also used as feed. Crops inter-planted with peanut usually have better performance even with low or no fertilizer application due to legumes nitrogen-fixing capability.(DABAR)

August 2011

ACPC crafts credit action plan

The Department of Agriculture through its Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) recently crafted a strategic action plan aimed at making agricultural credit more accessible to small farmers and fishers. The strategic action plan, according to ACPC Executive Director Jovita M. Corpuz, was among the outputs at the Agriculture and Fisheries Credit Summit, held August 18, 2011, at Centrury Park Hotel in Manila. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala graced the affair along with Senator Francis Kiko Pangilinan. The credit summit was a joint undertaking of the DA-ACPC and the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM), co-chaired by Senator Pangilinan and Batangas Rep. Mark Llandro Mendaoze. The strategic action plan will serve as the countrys roadmap for agricultural finance over the medium-term, Corpuz said. She said they have identified five core credit issues, namely: Microfinance for agriculture and other innovative credit delivery mechanism for small farmers and fishers; Interest rates on agriculture and fisheries loans; Absorptive capacity and bankability of small farmers and fishers; Risk management in agriculture and fisheries credit; and

Governance and institutional reforms necessary for improving credit access of farmers and fishers. During the summit, participants agreed to pursue possible solutions to the problems that surround said five issues. Other personalities who served as resource speakers during the credit summit were: Dr. Emil Javier, of the National Academy of Science and Technology and former president of the University of the Philippines; Dr. Aris Alip of CARD Bank, and 2008 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee; Former Agriculture Secretary Senen Bacani; National Credit Council Deputy Executive Director Joselito Almario; and Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives, Inc. business manager Raul Montemayor. The summit is a follow up to the Agriculture and Fisheries 2025 Summit initiated by the COCAFM in February 2011. Corpuz said they are hopeful that with the support of high-level officials, the credit strategic action plan we would be able to close the P252-billion credit gap in the agricultural sector, and make more credit available to small farmers and fishers. Also present duirng the summit were: COCAFM members Representatives Imelda Dimaporo, Agapito Guanlao,

Cagayan Farmers Gifts DA Chief with Corn Artwork.

Sec. Procy Alcala (left) receives an artwork made of corn kernel and other plant parts as a token of appreciation from the officers of the Cagayan Valley Center for Rural Development Empowerment, Inc. (CREDO), when he served as main guest and speaker during their second annual general assembly, August 26, 2011, at Cauayan City, Isabela, while typhoon Mina breezed through the region. He committed to support the group, whose members are mostly corn farmers, by initially providing them with P1.3-million worth of hand tractors (5 units), draft carabaos (5 head with implements), and 100 bags each of certified palay seeds and OPV corn seeds. Handing the artwork to him are CREDO cooperative board chairman Santiago Corpuz and vice chairman Vicente Macapulay, while general manager Essex Lara looks on.
and Jesus Sacdalan; Climate Change Commission Vice-Chairperson Mary Anne Lucille Sering; DA Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat; and DAR Undersecretary Jerry Pacturan. (DA-ACPC)

DA to prioritize ...

(from p5)

DA-PCIC ...

(from p4)

Philippines to export mangoes to China. Sec. Alcala (left)

guarantees Mr. He Rirong (center) and Mr. Hong Xiaojun of Chinas Department for Supervision on Animals and Plants, that the Philippines is ready to improve its current facilities for quality control system as well as procedures and regulations to respond to Chinas standard requirements for imported mangoes during a courtesy call on August 2, 2011 at the DA Central Office. The Chinese delegates visited the country to evaluate six mango treatment facility sites in Manila and Mindanao for the eventual export of mangoes to China.

bered 9,929. Of the total, 8,892 are rice farmers while 1,037 are corn farmers. We have estimated the total value of crop losses at about P22.844 million, Bernabe said. The PCICs damage assessment report showed that the affected farmlands were located in 18 provinces in six regions. Region V suffered the most crop damage, estimated at P8.523 million, P7.770 million of which in rice. Camarines Sur posted the greatest damage in rice, at P6.238 million, while Isabela posted the greatest damage in corn, at P2.210 million. The other affected areas are: Quirino and Nueva Vizcayain Region 2; Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Nueva Ecija and Aurora in Region 3; Quezon in Region 4; Albay, Camarines Norte, and Sorsogon in Region 5; and Bohol, Cebu and Negros in Region 7. (DA/
PCIC)

BAR will also support R&D on mudcrab, which includes development of a hatchery system, production of quality broodstock, and value adding technologies. Similar R&D initiatives will also be undertaken on rabbitfish, sea cucumber, abalone, and other shellfishes. For pangasius, the R&D concern is on the production of fingerlings. The rest of the research areas are on identification of potential sites for oyster and quality control standards particularly for the depuration from PSP (paralytic shellfish poisoning) toxins of oyster; genetic fingerprinting for breeding of grouper; and development of grow out culture protocol and marker assisted breeding for abalone and other shellfishes. Among the goals are to produce one million metric tons (MT) of bangus and 500,000 MT of tilapia, and 90,000 MT of shrimp from the present 35,000 MT; establish a 1,000-hectare aquaculture area that is mechanized and a tilapia grow-out facility for private farmer partnership; and set up a fisher technician training program and a community organizing volunteers project. (Carol Rosqueta, BFAR)

10

Surplus sugar...(from p1)

Alcala said. Due to the bumper harvest, supply of raw sugar increased five-fold to more than 623,500 MT. This is also due to lesser sugar consumption, which dipped to 1.5 million MT, from 1.8 million MT in CY 2009-10. As a result, too, prices of raw sugar fell from a high of P2,480 per 50-kilo bag to P1,300. The same is true with refined sugar. Domestic consumption dramatically dropped to 655,840 MT, 31% less than last year, leaving a balance of more than 300,000 MT. Similarly, prices of refined sugar also dropped from a high of P2,600 per 50-kilo bag to about P1,950 per bag. Secretary Alcala said the country remains confident to maintain a high level of production for CY 2011-12, of at least 2.4 million MT of raw sugar. We look forward to build from these gains next year, as more farms are planted and program interventions continue for CY 2011-2012, he said. In particular, he said the DASRA will improve the efficiency and productivity of small farms by providing necessary infrastructure like bigger and automated loading ports, farm-to-mill roads, irrigation facilities, financing windows, and other support services through the DA convergence initiatives with other departments, particularly agrarian reform (DAR) and environment and natural resources (DENR). Further, he said the DA-SRA will continue to partner with the Bureau of Customs, other concerned agencies and sugar industry players to prevent the entry of smuggled sugar, which adversely distorts local supply and prices. Also, the DA-SRA will support the development of other feasible alternative uses of sugarcane and its by-products such as bioethanol and power co-generation. As we near the realization of the full potential of sugarcane especially in biofuel, and with a more stable supply, we anticipate a more productive and profitable Philippine sugar industry, Secretary Alcala told over 2,000 conference delegates from Europe, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Brazil, Indonesia, China and Hongkong, Singapore, and Africa.

BAFPS holds food safety seminar in Zambo City

The DAs Bureau of Agriculture and Fishery Products Standards (DA-BAFPS) recently conducted a one-day seminar on Food Safety and Quality Standards in Zamboanga City. DA Region 9 Dir. Carlos Mendoza said the seminar was aimed at setting safety and quality standards for fresh meat, poultry products, fresh fruit and vegetables, and acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills in the general principles and practices on food safety, purchasing, receiving, storing, preparing and serving food. In his message read for him by Ferdinand Gamorot, chief of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, Mendoza urged the participants to disseminate to their respective clients and the general public -most particularly farmers, fisherfolk and their families, and consumers -- the maj or principles and practices of food safety standards. Among the topics discussed during the seminar were on home food safety, fresh meat and poultry products, fruit and vegetables, safety quality from market to table, personal hygiene, and microbiological , chemical and physical food hazards. It was attended by officials from the national, regional and local government units and from various state universities and colleges in Zamboanga region. Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP) is the centerpiece program of the Aquino administration. He said an important feature of the FSSP is the frontloading of investments, particularly of infrastructure namely irrigation, FMRs, and postharvest facilities. We hope to regain our momentum in irrigation development, particularly focusing on cheaper and shorter gestating small irrigation systems, Sec. Alcala said. In support of the FSSP, the DA will also promote the increased production and consumption of white corn as a major staple, including traditional staples like cassava, saba, gabi and adlai.

Agriculture Sec. Alcala (inset, right) announces during the 17th Asia International Sugar Conference (AISC), in Cebu, August 16-17, 2011, that the Philippines is set to export at least 300,000 metric tons (MT) of raw and refined sugar due to a bumper harvest of 2.39 million tons of sugarcane for CY 2010-11. He said the DA through the Sugar Regulatory Administration will continue to improve the efficiency and productivity of small farms by providing necessary infrastructure like bigger and automated loading ports, farm-to-mill roads, irrigation facilities, financing windows, and other support services. These initiatives will ensure a sustainable income for sugarcane farmers and at the same time provide consumers with reasonably-priced sugar.

DA wants P61.73-B ...

(from p1)
other infrastructure (P11.28B), production support (P4.86B), and research and extension (P4.75B). The proposed budget for other major components are: Policy formulation, planning and advocacy - P2.29B Market devt. - P1.32 B Regulatory services - P1.2B Information services - P770M; and Credit facilitation - P116M. The various DA attached corporations have a total proposed budget of P7.438B. Also part of the 2012 DA proposed budget are automatic appropriations worth P553 million. On a per banner program, irrigation or the NIA is alloted the biggest budget, at P24.765B. The national rice program will get P6.18B, while construction of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) is alloted P5B. The respective proposed budgets of other programs, OSEC, attached agencies and corporations are: Corn - P950M High Value Crops - P1.3B Livestock - P1B Fisheries - P1.9B OSEC - P3B Attached agencies - P1.86B Attached Corps. - P7.44B. In his opening statement at the committee of appropriations, Sec. Alcala highlighted that the

He presented the proposed DA 2012 budget, August 17, 2011, before members of the House of Representatives appropriations committee. He said the 2012 budget frontloads investments in irrigation (P27.1B), postharvest and

Study on jackfruit ...

(from p6)

covered under the PNPL, while simple random and proportional sampling was performed in the selection of jackfruit farmers who availed of the EVIARC Sweet under the regular distribution scheme. The researchers also used the Geographic Information System (GIS) in making a j ackfruit suitability map that indicates the suitable and unsuitable areas for the production of the fruit in the region. All the data gathered or results generated will be uses by the DARFU8 in charting the future direction of the jackfruit industry. For their feat, Dr. Torres and coresearchers Dr. Leonarda A. Londina, Dr. Pastor P. Garcia and Arnel Nombre received a cash award of P7, 000 plus a plaque of recognition from Director Edwin C. Villar of the Livestock Research Division of PCARRD, who is also the chairman of the panel of evaluators in this years Search for Outstanding Local R & D Projects. (DA-RAFID 8, Francis
Rosaroso)

August 2011

11

Transport of livestock animals, meat nationwide now allowed

Livestock farmers, traders and processors can now freely transport their animals and meat products within the country, as long as appropriate permits are secured from concerned agencies of the Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said this is one of the favorable results of the recent recognition and declaration of the entirePhilippines as free from foot and mouth disease (FMD) without vaccination by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) or World Organization for Animal Health, on May 26, 2011. Secretary Alcala recently signed Administrative Order (AO) No. 19, August 2, 2011, lifting all FMD-related transport restrictions for swine, cattle, carabao, sheep, goats, and other clovenfooted animals, including their meat, meat products, and other by-products nationwide. However, he urged livestock farmers, processors and traders to remain vigilant to maintain the FMD-free status of the country. In fact, under AO 19, the DA and its concerned livestock agencies--in partnership with livestock farmers and industry stakeholders--will continue to implement an FMD monitoring and preventive plan, maintain a stock of FMD vaccines, and ensure that requirements are complied with prior to transport of animals, their meat, meat products, and other by-products. As a requirement, farmers and traders wanting to transport live animals should first secure a written authority or permit from the director of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) or his duly authorized representative. The BAI will also issue a veterinary health certificate to attest that the animals are healthy and come from areas free of any outbreak or disease. Meanwhile, processors and traders are required to secure a certificate of meat inspection from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) when they intend to transport meat and meat products, Secretary Alcala enjoins BAI veterinary quarantine officers and regional and local government veterinarians to submit a monthly report on any positive or negative disease incidence in their respective areas. In case of an FMD resurgence, the DA through the BAI and other concerned agencies and livestock owners should stamp out or isolate all infected animals, and vaccinate other exposed susceptible animals. The DA will also institute a ring certification and impose strict quarantine rules within a three-kilometer radius, depending on the scale of the outbreak. Finally, the DA through the BAI will maintain a yearly stock of at least 2,000 bottles or about 100,000 doses of FMD vaccines which could be readily used in case of resurgence.

AgriMach 2011. Agriculture Sec. Procy Alcala (top left, inset)

DA lowers farmers ...

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day roadshow and exhibit. The DA through its regional field units (RFUs) will screen IAs, farmers cooperatives and local government units wanting to avail of agricultural machinery and equipment. Deserving recipients will be chosen based on a set of criteria. Thereafter, they can choose from a range of agricultural machinery and equipment that include four-wheel tractors, rice combine harvesters, hand tractors, drum seeders, threshers, reapers, rice seed cleaners, flatbed dryers, solar dryers, and moisture meters. Secretary Alcala said the

proudly announces that from hereon qualified farmers cooperatives and irrigators associations equity who will avail of any farm machinery and equipment need only share 15% as their equity, instead of the previous 30%. He made the announcement during an agricultural farm machinery and equipment roadshow, dubbed as AgriMach 2011, at PhilMech, Muoz City, Nueva Ecija, August 23-24, 2011, attended by more than 1,100 farmers, local officials, and farm machinery manufacturers, distributors and dealers. At foreground, DA rice program national coordinator Dir. Dante Delima (right) and PhilMech Dir. Ricardo Cachuela (2nd from right) inspect a drilling equipment at the exhibit ground. Aquino government is serious in its efforts to implement a farm mechanization and postharvest initiative, as it will also contribute to attaining self-sufficiency in rice and major staples. With the lowering of the farmers equity to 15%, Secretary Alcala hopes to encourage farm machinery manufacturers and distributors to follow suit by offering easy availment terms and financing schemes to farmers groups and IAs. He said the DA farm mechanization and postharvest program aims to address the declining and ageing farm labor force, and to encourage more Filipino youths to pursue agriculture. He said the DA will make AgriMach an annual affair to encourage farmers mechanize their operations from land preparation, production, harvesting, processing to marketing to increase their productivity and incomes. Pursuing agricultural mechanization will also address the declining and ageing labor force in the agriculture and fishery sector, added Dir. Dante Delima, national rice program coordinator. Another related strategy the DA is pursuing is encouraging more Filipino youth to pursue agriculture, fishery and other related courses by granting them scholarships. The farm machinery roadshowwith the theme Aangat ang ani at kita sa paggamit ng tamang makinaryawill also be held in Iloilo for the Visayas cluster, on September 22-23, and in General Santos City for the Mindanao leg, on September 2829, 2011. It is jointly spearheaded by the DA-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), DA rice, corn, and high value crops program directorates, and the host DA RFUs in partnership with the Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association Inc. (AMMDA) together with independent farm machinery and equipment manufacturers and dealers.

Farmers Contact Center Ang Inyong Kaagapay sa Usaping Agrikultura

Call: 1800-10-982AGRI (or 1800-10-9822474)-for provincial toll-free calls 02-982-AGRI (or 982-2474)-for Metro Manila 0920-946AGRI (0920-9462474) for mobile calls Text: 391DA (or 391-32) for Smart and Talk N Text subscribers 0920-946AGRI (0920-9462474) for Globe, TM and Sun Cellular subscribers Email: [email protected] For the Nutrient Manager for Rice (NMRiceMobile): Call 2378 for Globe Subscribers For Market Information: www.afmis.da.gov.ph Official Website: www.da.gov.ph, www.e-extension.gov.ph