The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 02 successfully transferred seven (7) developed products to eight (8) Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) in the region through the execution of marketing and licensing agreement and awarding of technology transfer certificates on January 08, 2021, at the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

The developed products awarded include Nana Oryza Food Products, Panderise, Pak Gulay, Mushroom Miki, Mushroom Powder, Red Rice Brew, and Biodewormer which were developed by researchers from the different research centers and experiment stations of DA RFO 02 including the Regional Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) through the fund support of DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) and institutional funding of DA.

“Matagal na po ito na gusto naming lagyan ng mga paa para lumakad at mapunta sa inyo. At sa araw na ito ako ay tuwang-tuwa na nagtipun-tipon kayo para tumulong at mapalaganap natin ang pinagkagastusan ng gobyerno ng ilang taon,” Regional Executive Director Narciso Edillo said in his message.

Edillo likewise lauded the processors who are always open to adopt the technologies of DA RFO 02 for commercialization and enjoined everyone to sustain the partnership in the development of the agriculture sector in the region.

Meanwhile, RTD for Research and Regulatory Rose Mary G. Aquino said that DA RFO 02 is strengthening the partnership with the private sectors and other national government agencies to implement the Technology Transfer Act of 2009.

“Ang output po namin sa research ay hindi naitatago kundi ito ay gagamitin ng mga magsasaka, FCAs at pribadong sektor. Sa ganitong paraan, matutulungan natin ang ating magsasaka na magkaroon ng value addition sa kanilang produkto at magkaroon ng mataas na kita,” RTD Aquino pointed out.

Lucban SWISA adopted the Nana Oryza Food products, a brown-rice based snacks developed by DA-Cagayan Valley Research Center (DA-CVRC) and Panderise, a pandesal jointly developed by DA-CVRC and DA-Northern Cagayan Experiment Station (DA-NCES) using rice flour from Calatrava, a rice variety. Lighthouse Cooperative and Z-BROS Food Products were the adopters of Nana Oryza Brown Rice Puff Balls and Panderise, respectively.

The Integrated Farmer’s Association of Gamu, Isabela adopted the pak gulay, a product line of dehydrated pinakbet-type vegetables developed by DA-CVRC. Cagayan Valley Mushroom Entrepreneurs Association adopted the mushroom miki, a rice-based mushroom miki developed by DA-Southern Cagayan Research Center (DA-SCRC) while the Maddela Integrated Farmers Savings Development Cooperative (MIFSADECO) adopted the mushroom powder developed by DA-Quirino Experiment Station (DA-QES).

New Paradigm Cooperative adopted the red rice brew of DA-NCES and PAYOGA/KAPATAGAN MPC adopted the Biodewormer, a chemical-free dewormer for small ruminants developed by RADDL.

In his virtual message, DA-BAR Director Dr. Vivencio Mamaril is delighted that DA RFO 02 has products commercialized through research or product development.

“Masaya ako na mayroon tayong tinatawag na technology takers na sumasalo sa mga produkto na nadevelop natin. Itutuloy pa rin po natin ang magandang relationship ng DA-BAR at DA RFO 02 lalo na sa pagsasagawa ng pananaliksik at promosyon ng mga ito,” Dr. Mamaril added.

Further, Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness and Marketing Kristine Evangelista lauded DA RFO 02 for being proactive in making a difference in the lives of farmers.

“AMAD has always been looking into product development together with the research team. Ito ay magandang opportunity sa ating mga farmers para mayroon po kayong karagdagang kita through agribusiness. Sa ating mga Farmer Cooperatives and Associations, makakaasa po kayo na patuloy po kayong paglilingkuran ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka,” Evangelista added.

In his response, Mr. Arturo Tabbu, General Manager of Lighthouse Cooperative thanked DA RFO 02 for the initiative to share important technologies which is of big help to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) like them.

In his closing message, RTD for Operations and Extension Dr. Roberto Busania reiterated the importance of food safety among developed products in consonance with RA 10611. He also hoped that the technologies developed would somehow help in poverty alleviation for the coming years. 

Representatives from the Department of Tourism, Department of Health, and Department of Trade and Industry also joined the activity along with the product developers and other DA officials and staff.  # # # (Jonabelle Infante / DA-RFO II, RAFIS)

Sec. Dar eyes ‘OneDARful’ year this 2021

Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar made a two-day fruitful visit to Ilocos Region as part of his itinerary as the Guest of Honor and Speaker of the Mariano Marcos State University’s (MMSU’s) 43rd Founding Anniversary.

Held on January 15-16, 2021 in Batac City, Ilocos Norte and in various towns of Ilocos Sur, Sec. Dar led the distribution of P28.7 million worth of various DA projects. Among others, Sec. Dar awarded the P5million worth cattle feedlot fattening projects for the local government units of Laoag City and Dingras, the P4million worth of massive malunggay seedling production project of the Mariano Marcos State University in Batac City, Ilocos Norte and the P3.7million worth of farm machinery and equipment such as 1 unit 4-WD tractor for Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and 10 units pump and engine sets for 5 farmers’ cooperative and associations in the province.

In support to the marketing program of DA through the Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita of the Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service, Sec. Dar also turned-over a check worth P5million each for the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives and the Bacarra Zanjera Irrigators Multi-Purpose Cooperative for the establishment of consolidation and trading facility for agricultural products.

The Bagnos Multi-purpose Cooperative in Banna, Ilocos Norte has also received from DA Secretary a mock check worth P1 million in support to its Food Supply Chain Project under the DA’s Enhanced Kadiwa ni Ani Program.

In his message during the awarding ceremonies, Sec. Dar underscored the importance of converging the resources of the region, provincial and municipal government to bring higher development in the agri-fishery sectors.

Through the provincial-led extension system, and with Ilocos Norte as the pilot province, Sec. Dar vowed to further institutionalize the Program in each region which aims to develop potential commodity for every province to uplift and boosts rural livelihood developments.

Introducing the 12 Key strategies to further develop the agriculture sector in the region, Sec. Dar named the farm clustering and consolidation, the plant, plant, plant program or farm diversification, marketing and food processing support, Bantay ASF sa Barangay or BABAY ASF program, infrastructure investments as well as strengthening of strategic communications as among the approaches to be implemented by the DA to further enhance food security and sustainability in the country.

With the target of 2.5% growth in the agri-sector for 2021, Sec. Dar enjoined all government officials to work together to make 2021 as “ONEDarful Year” for all.

Meanwhile, as part of his itinerary, Sec. Dar together with DA-RFO I officials led by Director Nestor Domenden and Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Noel Reyes also dropped by at the San Juan Demo Farm to inspect the area for the establishment of DA-Ilocos Sur Research & Experiment Center and the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College-San Juan Campus.

Sec. Dar and party also proceeded to Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur for the blessing and inauguration of Landbank Sta. Maria Agri-hub which shall provide financial and technical services to more than 10,000 farmers and fisherfolks in the municipalities of Sta. Maria, Burgos and San Esteban.

In support to the tobacco farmers, Sec. Dar likewise visited the National Tobacco Administration’s tobacco demonstration farm engaging farmers with block farming at Brgy. Silag, Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur and conducted a consultation dialogue with the farmers here.

From Brgy. Silag, Sta. Maria, Sec. Dar and party also went to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur for the visit to the NTA’s Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita facilities that shall encourage farmers to venture into meat processing in order to supply the needed requirements of processed meat and meat products in Metro Manila. # # # (DA-RFO I, RAFIS)

Agri chief reiterates directive to DA officials to help stabilize food supply and prices

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is implementing short- and medium-term strategies to stabilize the supply and prices of basic farm commodities in Metro Manila and Luzon, and temper inflation.

In a memorandum order issued 14 January 2020, Agriculture Secretary William Dar reiterates his directive to all DA officials to implement needed strategies to stabilize supplies and prices of pork, vegetables, fruits, and fish.

“As we all know, agriculture remains the key factor in keeping the country’s inflation rate within the government’s target range. That’s why it is imperative that we ensure price stability of basic food products in the market in order to hit conducive long-term and sustainable growth of the overall economy amid this pandemic,” the DA chief said.

Food prices surged as the African Swine Fever (ASF) posed challenges to pork supply, while the onslaught of a series of typhoons adversely impacted the supply and prices of vegetables and other farm commodities.

To stabilize supply and price of pork, he said there is an immediate need to increase shipments of hogs from Visayas, Mindanao, and other ASF-free areas or “green zones” in Luzon to Metro Manila and other parts in Luzon.

The DA agribusiness and marketing group or AMAS is also coordinating with hog raisers’ federations to sell pork products through Kadiwa Ani at Kita markets and via online.

He said the DA is encouraging pork imports from ASF-free countries through the minimum access volume (MAV) scheme, with 30 percent (%) tariff. The MAV is 54,000 metric tons (MT) and would start coming in on February 1, 2021. Imports beyond 54,000 MT are imposed with 40% tariff.

The DA is now going through the process of increasing the MAV to 162,000 MT to ensure pork supply and stabilize retail prices.

For the medium-term, the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and regional field offices, veterinary groups, state universities and colleges notably CLSU and UPLB, and hog raisers and traders will vigorously implement “Bantay ASF sa Barangay” or BABay ASF, aimed at effectively managing, preventing and controlling the swine viral disease.

“BABay ASF is currently being implemented that will be coupled with a massive repopulation program in ASF-free areas to secure the future supply of pork products, with an initial budget of P400 million,” said Secretary Dar.

Further, he has ordered the DA’s “Bantay Presyo” task force to strictly implement and monitor the suggested retail price (SRP), noting that an “economic intelligence” group is currently conducting investigations to identify entities manipulating or taking advantage of the current supply situation.

The DA has been receiving reports that traders are buying commodities from provincial “bagsakan centers” and impose a very big mark-up when they sell the goods in Metro Manila markets.

“We will not hesitate to file cases against these unscrupulous individuals,” Secretary Dar said.

Also, as part of the immediate strategies to ease price hikes of fruits and vegetables, the DA will intensify production through urban agriculture, and “Gulayan sa Barangay at Paaralan” in partnership with LGUs and the Department of Education.

Secretary Dar said they expect prices of fruits and vegetables to stabilize in the coming weeks as harvest starts.

For the medium-term, he said the DA will construct vegetable and fruit processing facilities, warehouses, and cold storages.

Finally, the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will expand the production of aquaculture species, particularly tilapia, bangus, and shrimp, while maintaining a regulated importation regime.

The DA-BFAR will also encourage joint fishing schemes between commercial and municipal fishers to increase the catch and supply of major marine species like galunggong (round scad). ### (DA StratComms)