Vol. XXVI No.

10

A monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture

October 2011

DA allots P1B for typhoon-affected Luzon farmers, fishers, LGUs

The Department of Agriculture has allotted an initial P1-billion worth of assistance to help Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley farmers, fisherfolk and local government units (LGUs) recover from crop and fishery losses due to typhoons Pedring and Quiel. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala made the commitment during his threeday (October 19-21) visit to eight provinces in the two regions, particularly Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga and Bulacan. Of the total, P447 million (M) is alloted for subsidized rice and corn seeds, other farm inputs and equipment for the two regions, with Central Luzon getting P331M, and Cagayan Valley, P116M. The DA through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) will pay a total of P334M in indemnity to farmers and fishers who insured their rice and corn crops, and fish stocks.
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Secretary Procy Alcala (inset, 2nd from right) inspects storm-damaged palay from flooded ricefields (background) in Bgy. Calizon, Calumpit, Bulacan. With him are Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino SyAlvarado (left), NIAAdministrator Antonio Nangel (middle), and Calumpit farmers and local officials.

Farmers to produce own inbreds via P192-M seed banks

The Department of Agriculture will implement a P192-million (M) community seed bank (CSB) and seed production program to enable farmers produce their requirement of certified seeds or inbreds every cropping season. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the program, which forms part of the national food staples sufficiency program, will empower organized farmers groups and cooperatives, including Irrigators Associations (IAs), to produce their own certified or inbred rice seeds out of the registered rice seeds that will be distributed to them for free. He said of the total program fund, P42M is allotted this year for the procurement and distribution of registered rice seeds, and the P150M is programmed next year for the establishment of CSBs in strategic rice production areas nationwide. Of the P150M, P100M will be used to repair and refurbish existing storage facilities and ware(Pls turn to p2)

DA-BFAR launches P238-M mangrove, aquasilvi program

The Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DABFAR) has launched a P237.5million program to develop new mangrove areas, establish aquasilvi or mangrove fish farms, and put up multi-species hatcheries in coastal communities. The program was launched on behalf of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala by BFAR Di(Pls turn to p10)

Ms. Lea Salonga at World Food Day. Secretary Procy Alcala

(right) gestures to Lea Salonga as they partake of saba and other major staples, during the World Food Day celebration, October 14, 2011, at Quezon City Circle, where she was the events main guest. Ms. Salonga was named last year as one of the four Ambassadors of Goodwill of the United Nations Food Agriculture Organization (UNFAO). Joining them (from left) are: Dr. Jacqueline Badcock, UN resident coordinator and UN Development Program resident representative; Stephen Anderson, UN World Food Program country director and representative; and Kazuyuki Tsurumi (partly hidden), UN-FAO representative in the Philippines.

Editoryal
Babae: Katuwang sa pagsulong ng agrikultura
Iba na ang babae ngayon. Kung dati-ratiy sa bahay lang sila busy, hawak ang walis, mga gamit panluto at pang-sulsi o nag-aalaga kay bunso, ngayon kaya na nilang makipagsabayan sa mga brusko at matipunong kalalakihan sa kahit na ano pa mang larangan. Sa pagbabago ng panahon, nabago na rin ang pagtingin ng lipunan sa mga babae lalo pa ngat mas malaki at mabigat na ang kanilang ginagampanang tungkulin tungo sa kaunlaran ng sambayanan. Di ba ngat minsan ay pinag-usapan pa kung pwedeng nga bang magdrive ng pampasaherong bus ang mga babae? Malaking porsyento ng mga magsasaka ngayon ay babae--na kaisa ng pamahalaan sa mithiing payabungin ang kabuhayan sa mga kanayunan sa pamamagitan ng pagsasaka, pangingisda, agribusiness at processing at ilan pang gawaingagrikultural. Di na supporting role ang mga Eba. Kung tutuusin bidang-bida na sila dahil sa angking sipag at pambihirang kakayanan. Nitong buwan ng Oktubre, limang katangitanging babae ang kinilala at pinarangalan kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng Rural Womens Day. Nangunguna dito ang Bikolanang si Myrna Conmingo-Acayen na nagtagumpay sa pagsasaka ng palay at pagtatanim ng sari-saring gulay gamit ang sistema ng natural na pagsasaka. Bagamat hindi nakatapos sa pag-aaral, nagsumikap si Acayen upang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng kaniyang pamilya sa pamamagitan ng pagsasaka. Marahil ang kanyang tyaga, sipag, sakripisyo at ang pagnanais na maibahagi ang kanyang kaalaman sa mga kanayon ang naging susi upang hirangin siyang katangitanging babae sa kanilang pamayanan. Bilang isang babaeng lider, itinaguyod niya di lamang ang kanyang sarili kundi maging ang buhay ng iba pa nyang kababaryo na umaasa sa mayayamang lupain ng Bicol. Kasama ni Acayen, pinarangalan din sina Remia Apostol (South Cotabato), Rebecca Tubongbanua (Iloilo), Marina Inapan (SIquijor), at Virginia Dureza (Palawan) dahil sa kanilang natatanging kontribusyon sa lokal na sektor ng pagsasaka at pangingisda. Di na nga matatawaran ang galing ng mga babaesa loob at labas man ng tahanan, pinatunayan nilang may ibubuga sila. Kaya naman, nararapat na bigyang pagkilala ang mga kababaihan ng makabagong panahon at bigyan ng patas na karapatan dahil paulit-ulit nilang pinatunayan na anumang gawain ay kaya nilang tapusin.
(Editors note: Ang Rural Womens Day ay ipinagdiriwang tuwing ika-15 ng Oktubre bilang pagkilala sa mahalagang kontribusyon ng mga kababaihan tungo sa pagkamit ng pandaigdigang kaseguruhan sa pagkain.)

Secretary Procy Alcala seals with a handshake the DAs partnership with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), represented by Board Member and CDA administrator from Mindanao Pendatun Disimban, who visited the DA in October.

Farmers to ...

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istered seeds. With the rice seed propagation scheme, Delima said the DA aims to train and empower farmers groups and IAs to produce quality seeds for their use and sale to other farmers. Further, the strategy is a better and cheaper way than providing rice subsidy every cropping season, Delima said. He said the DA has started distributing at least 20 kilograms (kg) of registered seeds to qualified organized farmers associations, IAs, upland farmers organizations, and interested peoples organizations, and NGOs. They were selected by the respective DA-Regional Field Units in coordination with the host local government units. To qualify under the seed propagation project, farmers groups should commit a seed production area of at least onehalf hectare or 5,000 square meters for lowland irrigated area,
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houses and storage facilities which will also be used as CSBs. Secretary Alcala announced the rice seed propagation project and establishment of CSBs during his recent regional field visits, including the three-day (Oct 19-21) trip to eight provinces in Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon. The rice seed propagation project and establishment of CSB is part of the DA national rice program, headed by Director Dante Delima. He said the DA is currently distributing for free two kilos of registered rice seeds per hectare to qualified and participating farmers groups, cooperatives and IAs in major rice producing regions nationwide. The two kilos of registered seeds are expected to produce six 40-kilo bags of certified seeds, which farmers could use for at least four cropping seasons, Delima said. Thereafter, the DA will provide them another fresh batch of reg

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: da_afis@yahoo.com.

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 undertakes QTA, ratooning to increase 2012 1Q palay harvest

The Department of Agriculture will undertake a quick turnaround (QTA) program and ratooning starting November to produce more palay (paddy rice) during the first quarter of 2012, and offset losses wrought by recent typhoons. Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has instructed the DA regional field units and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to facilitate rice planting in as many areas as possible until next years main cropping season under the QTA program. For his part, National Irrigation Administrator Antonio Nangel said a minimum of 50,000 hectares in Luzon, served by the Pantabangan and Magat dam irrigation systems, are ready to implement the QTA program from November this year to February next year. Further, for Visayas and Mindanao, national rice program coordinator Dante Delima said an initial 100,000 hectares of rain-fed farms are targeted for ratooning, where an average yield of 25 cavans per hectare is expected. Ratooning is a technology where remaining stubble or rice stalks are allowed to re-generate tillers and grains, with the application of fertilizers (one bag of urea or complete fertilizers per hectare). Ratooned rice are ready for harvest after 45 days. This early, DA W estern Visayas has committed 50,000 hectares to be ratooned this season, Delima said, as he assured the agency will provide the necessary farm inputs like certified rice seeds to interested farmers. Nangel, on the other hand said, following Secretary Alcalas orders, our reservoir areas covered by the Pantabangan and Magat irrigation systems are ready to implement a QTA program this November to February next year for the first cropping season, with a 100 percent expected production output. The second cropping season will be from April to July with an expected 50 percent output because of the expected rains, and the third cropping season will be from September to December, also with a 100 percent production output, he added. With its proposed 2012 budget amounting to some P24.7 billion, NIA targets to irrigate a total of 250,000 hectares of farmland. With our targeted cropping intensity of 150 percent, we expect 100 percent palay production for our irrigated areas of 250,000 hectares during the rainy season, and 60 percent or 150,000 hectares for the dry season, for a total harvested area of 400,000 hectares, Nangel said. Computed at a modest 4.5 tons or 90 cavans of rice produced per hectare, the irrigated areas could generate 1.8 million metric tons of rice, which is our contribution to the rice self-sufficiency program of the Aquino government, he added. Despite the reduced expected palay (paddy rice) harvest for the latter part of this year caused by typhoons Pedring and Quiel, Secretary Alcala remained optimistic in achieving governments rice-self sufficiency target by the end of 2013. The temporary setback has all the more strengthened our resolve to do more, and strongly pursue our interventions in the next two years, the DA chief said.

Farmers in Bgy. Calingayan, in Sinait, Ilocos Sur are all smiles as they show off their palay crop due for harvest. They considered the rains brought by the typhoons in September as a blessing. They are members of the Calingayan Farmers Field School put up by the DA and Sinait municipal government.

Cagayan expects record harvests, despite typhoon damage

Despite the damage wrought by recent typhoons in Cagayan Valley (or Region 2), it is still expected to produce bumper harvests of palay (paddy rice) and corn for 2011 versus previous years. In a report to Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, during his two-day (October 19-20) visit, DA Region 2 Director Lucrecio Alviar, Jr. said Cagayan Valley may yet produce record harvests of palay, at 2.15 million metric tons (MMT), and corn, at 1.6 MMT, barring typhoons that may visit the region in November and December. Alviar said despite the crop damage caused by four typhoons (Juaning, Mina, Pedring and Quiel), the regions projected 2011 palay harvest of 2.15 MMT will be 23 percent (%) more than last years total production of 1.746 The typhoons and floods may MMT, and 3.5% more than in 2009 have affected our 2011 target rice and corn production, but (2.077 MMT). they were not enough to offset As for corn, expected 2011 what we have achieved in the annual harvest of 1.6 MMT will first three quarters of the year, be 27% more than last years Secretary Alcala told about level of 1.26 MMT, and slightly 10,000 farmers and local officials better than 2009 total yield of during consultations in 1.59 MMT. Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, The four typhoons damaged Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, roughly 146,870 MT of palay in Tarlac, Pampanga and Bulacan. Cagayan Valley, pulling down He said the DA is allotting an 2011 target production of 2.29 initial package of assistance, MMT by 6.4%. mainly for seed subsidy. Consulting with farmers and Secretary Alcala is also enlocal officials during his recent couraging fertilizer companies three-day (October 19-21) visit of like Planters Products and farm eight typhoon-affected provinces input suppliers to implement in Regions 2 and 3 (Central plant-now, pay-later schemes. Luzon), Secretary Alcala asCagayan Valley ranks third sured them the countrys rice behind Central Luzon and Westsufficiency program remains on ern Visayas (Region 6) as the track. countrys top palay producers.
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Ilocos town sees good rice yield, too

Despite the three successive typhoons (Mina, Pedring and Quiel) that passed through the Ilocos Region in the last two months, some areas were spared of the flooding and benefited from the rains, enabling farmers to expect bumper harvest of palay (paddy rice) this main season. Such is the case of Barangay Calingayan, a rainfed area, in the town of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, where a total of 1,345 hectares are planted to rice. Calingayan farmers considered the rains brought in by the
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October 2011

New NFA warehouse rises in CDO

To further boost rice production in Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture through the National Food Authority (NFA) recently put up a P38-million warehouse at Barangay Baloy, in Cagayan de Oro City. It can store up to 200,000 sacks of rice. During its inauguration, Secretary Proceso J. Alcala assured local officials and farmers of the DAs and NFAs continued support to enable Northern Mindanao farmers contribute their share in making the country self-sufficient in rice by the end of 2013. He urged NFA officials to work closely with farmers by establishing more warehouses that are easily accessible for their storage needs, especially while they are waiting for reasonable prices for their produce. Sec. Alcala said the DA through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) will continue to rehabilitate and construct irrigation systems that will open potential expansion areas for rice production in Mindanao. Likewise, postharvest facilities will also be established in strategic areas in the provinces to help farmers minimize post harvest losses, he said. Meanwhile, he encouraged the public to learn to eat alternative food substitutes such as root crops, banana and adlai, to ease the pressure on rice as the countrys staple food. During the occasion, a special citation was also awarded by Secretary Alcala to the Paglaum Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Plaridel, Misamis Occidental, in recognition of its strong partnership with DA-NFA in ensuring food security and sufficiency, not only in Misamis Occidental, but also in the whole region. The Paglaum MPC, under General Manager Gadwin E. Handumon, is the only cooperative in the region that has religiously paid its monthly dues on time, prompting Secretary Alcala to reward it with a medium-scale rice mill . Secretary Alcala also lauded the local government unit of Plaridel by awarding a special citation to Mayor Agnes I. Villanueva, for the municipalitys untiring support to DA agricultural programs and projects. (DA Region 10 Info Div.)

Secretary Procy J. Alcala (2nd from right) cuts the ceremonial ribbon during the recent inauguration of a P30-million, 200,000sack capacity warehouse of the DAs National Food Authority in Baloy, Cagayan De Oro City. Joining him (from left) are DA Undersecretary Joel S. Rudinas, NFA Region 10 Director Gil Pepito B. Paqueo, and NFA Deputy Director Pedro S. Hernando.

Flatbed driers lessen farmer woes after typhoons

The flatbed driers (FBDs) distributed by the DA through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) have helped hundreds of farmers hit by typhoons Pedring and Quiel recover some of their palay. While the percentage of palay that was recovered by the FBDs may not be that big compared to the total losses incurred by rice farmers from the two typhoons, the FBDs have demonstrated that palay submerged in water can still be dried and recovered, said PhilMech Executive Director Ricardo L. Cachuela. He said 2,048 of the 2,189 FBDs (or 93.6%) distributed from 2007 to 2010 are still functional. Based on field reports, the initial volume of palay dried by FBDs in areas hit by the two typhoons reached 206,917 bags. The number of bags dried would have easily doubled or tripled but we received reports that many FBDs were overwhelmed by the number of farmers and farmers organizations wanting to have their wet palay dried. There were many cases where the FBDs were booked up to 30 days, so many FBDs could not service more farmers who want their wet palay dried, Cachuela said. For example, in Region 1, the 103 functioning FBDs dried a total of 40,358 bags in just a few weeks, he added. With the proven worth of the FBDs, DA-PhilMech has set the distribution 3,253 FBDs nationwide from 2011 to 2016: 166 units in 2011; 958 in 2012; 1,054 in 2013; 348 in 2014; 358 in 2015; and 369 in 2016. FBDs use rice hull to generate heat for drying. They can dry wet palay to 14 percent moisture content in 10 to 12 hours. During the wet season, farmers who use FBDs are able to sell their palay from P10 and above. Below are the total number of functioning FBDs per region: Cordillera Autonomous Region - 33 out of the 35; Reg. 1 - 103 out of 108; Reg. 2 - 139 out of 188; Reg. 3 - 302 out of 313 ; Reg. 4A - 66 out of 66; Reg. 4B - 91 out of 98; Reg. 5 - 223 out of 227; Reg. 6 - 182 out of 188; Reg.7 - 32 out of 35; Reg. 8 - 194 out of 215; Reg. 9 - 211 out of 228; Reg. 10 - 90 out of 96; Reg. 11 - 93 out of 93; Reg. 12 -171 out of 179; Reg. 13 - 74 out of 76; and ARMM - 44 out of 44. The high percentage of functioning FBDs clearly demonstrates that farmers organizations are capable of operating and maintaining the facilities if they are equipped with the skillsand knowledge on FBDs, Cachuela said. (DA-PhilMech)

BPI, NABCOR to produce quality potato, coffee seedlings.

Two DA agencies--the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR)--recently forged an agreement to implement a five-year project that aims to produce quality planting materials of potato and coffee for distribution to farmers in the Cordilleras and other areas in the country. In particular, the project entails the rehabilitation and upgrading of the DA-BPI seed farm facility in Calagan, Buguias, Benguet, and enhance its capability to produce coffee and potato planting stocks, and serve as a venue to train farmers how to increase their production and earn profitably from potato and coffee. The project also entails setting up of potato and coffee nurseries. Further, it aims to establish fair pricing for potato and coffee, and craft viable potato and coffee business models for farmers to follow. Photo shows BPI Director Clarito M. Barron (3rd from left) and NABCOR President Honesto F. Baniqued sealing their partnership with a handshake, as other officials of the BPI and NABCOR look on. (DA-BPI)

AF 2025: Agri must be top govt priority

Urging that agriculture must a top priority of the Aquino administration, the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM) successfully held the Agriculture and Fisheries 2025 (AF 2025) Mid-Year Conference on October 7, 2011 at Diliman, Quezon City . Senator Francis Kiko Pangilinan and Batangas 4 th District Representative Mark Llandro Mendoza, co-chairs of COCAFM, together with Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and former DA and DTI Undersecretary Ernesto Ordonez stressed the need for reforms in the countrys agriculture and fishery sector during the conference attended by over 200 key agriculture players. AF 2025 is a tripartite effort composed of the executive, legislative, and the private sector aimed at jointly determining and recommending policies, strategies, and programs to achieve progress for the sector in 15 years, or by 2025. Senator Pangilinan said that together with Congressman Mendoza and Secretary Alcala, we were able to meet with Sec. Cesar Purisima and Sec. Butch Abad and President Aquino himself and laid out to them our plans for the agriculture and fisheries sector. And they all agreed to make agriculture a priority of the Aquino administration. Let us continue to strive for the changes we aim for. Our unprecedented effort of coming together as one is a big leap in the agricultural sector which contributed 7.2% in our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in spite of the brunt brought about by recent typhoons, Alcala said in his opening remarks. Pangilinan said that among the major accomplishments of AF 2025 is the 60% increase in the DAs 2012 annual budget, which is the largest increase the agency has had in recent years. Since its initial gathering early this year, AF2025 was able to determine strategies and priority activities and formed task forces to address the needs of five subsectors in agriculturerice, poultry, livestock and yellow corn, fisheries, fruits and vegetables, and commercial cropsincluding issues that cut across these sectors. They also convened a credit summit in August where agriculture-related credit concerns were addressed, and rules for the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) were revised. Among the highlights were Secretary Alcalas firm belief and stance that the country will be self-sufficient in rice by the end of 2013. Alcala also reiterated the need for the country to establish triple A slaughterhouses to increase the chances of exports of various meat products.

DA allots P180 M for AAA Slaughterhouses. Sec. Procy Alcala (left, above) assures DA officials, the private sector and guests (foreground) that government is bent on providing consumers with safe meat and meat products during the 19th Meat Safety Consciousness Week celebration and 39th Anniversary of the DAs National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), October 17, 2011. To partly achieve said goal, he said the DA-NMIS has alloted P180 million to establish five triple A slaughterhouses to meet export demand for pork and other meat products. Top photo also shows (from left): DA-Livestock Devt. Council Director Manuel Jarmin, National Scientist Dr. Teodoro Topacio, and DA-NMIS Director Jane Bacayo.
He also said that the government is willing to invest in facilities that will improve the quality of food products. He further assured participants that the DA, together with the Department of Agrarian Reform and Department of Natural Resources are continuously working on convergence initiatives that shall benefit various areas of the country. During the summit, AF2025 tackled the issues of food security and competitiveness of the sector in the global market. Roadmaps for the various sectors were also fleshed out in an assessment workshop with the three leaders and the private sector. Another summit is scheduled on February 2012.

Golden rice research wins award

The research of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) on Golden Rice, a type of rice that could help reduce vitamin A deficiency, recently won the Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Act Best R&D Paper (Gold Award) in the basic research category during the 23 rd National Research Symposium organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Agricultural Research. The research, Marker-Aided Transfer of Beta-Carotene Biosynthetic Genes (Golden Rice I) into two Philippine Rice Varieties, showed that trait of Golden Rice could be transferred to PSB Rc82 and NSIC Rc128 in lesser time and with minimal resources through the use of DNA markers in combination with traditional breeding. Golden Rice accumulates beta carotene, a source of vitamin A, in the grains. Dr. Antonio A. Alfonso, project leader and the papers main author, said DNA markers are small segments of DNA used in tagging or marking certain genes or regions of the chromosomes. In their study, Alfonso said the use of DNA markers helped his team in verifying whether the varieties being improved had successfully acquired the beta carotene as result of traditional breeding. Alfonso, also director of the PhilRice-based DA-Crop Biotechnology Center, said the technique helped them in assuring that the agronomic traits, pest resistance, and grain quality of the original varieties are retained. Selected local varieties are being improved to contain beta carotene to help reduce the about 190 million children and 19 million pregnant women suffering from vitamin A deficiency in the world. In Southeast Asia, W orld Health Organization statistics further show some 90 million
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Sec. Procy Alcala (center) opens the 48th Fish Conservation Week, October 17, 2011, at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), at the Phil. Coconut Authority compound, in Quezon City. In a short message during the event, Sec. Alcala stressed the importance of reversing environmental degradation and the need to promote sustainable programs for aquaculture and fisheries. Assisting him are (from left) DA Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup and BFAR Director Asis G. Perez. October 2011

QC Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte leads the launch of DA-QC Gulayan sa Paaralan program, at Murphy Elem School. Dr. Vivencio Mamaril of BPI lectures on the nutritive qualities of malunggay, one of the techno-demo lectures during the WFD. The five outstanding young artists pose in front of their winning posters.

Usec. Antonio Fleta, Asec. Allan Umali and FAOs Kazuyuki Tsurumi formally open the WFD weeklong festivities at the DA .

Myrna Conmingo-Acayen (5th from left) and other outstanding rural women were recognized for their contributions in developing the agriculture sector.

WFD caps off with a bang

The 2011 World Food Day (WFD) celebration ended literally on a very high note, as world-renowned singer and UN Ambassador of Goodwill Lea Salonga graced the annual event, delivering a speech and rendering a couple of songs, at the Liwasang Aurora, in Quezon City Memorial Circle. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala led the 1,000 or so participants -- composed of DA key officials, personnel and representatives from the United Nations agencies (FAO, UNDP and WFP) -- in reciting the WFD pledge, signifying their renewed commitment to provide assistance to farmers and fisherfolk nationwide. The event, themed Food Prices: From crisis to stability, focused on creating awareness on food price increases as well as finding a solution to mitigate its impact. WFD is observed by UN member-countries every October 16, the founding anniversary of FAO, to promote awareness of food security for all in the fight against world hunger and malnutrition. On this page are the various activities spearheaded by the DA--chaired by DA Asst. Sec. Allan Q. Umali--in observance of the 2011 WFD, with the opening of exhibits at the DA lobby, launching of a Gulayan sa Paaralan project in a QC elementary school, conduct of a national WFD poster-making constest among elementary pupils, awarding of the Outstanding Rural Women, merienda cena of major food staples, and a candlelight ceremony, as the 2011 WFD pledge is being recited.

Alcala lights a candle before leading the WFD pledge which signifies the renewed commitment of the DA family in finding solutions to the address world hunger.

Ms Lea meets Ivy, Sec. Alcalas youngest daughter, as Mr. Tsurumi of FAO looks on.

WFD Chair Asec Umali opens the WFD culmination program at QC Memorial Circle.

Sec Alcala leads DA and UN officials as they recite the 2011 WFD pledge.

Mangrove conservation program gains roots

Two years after planting, close to a hundred thousand mangrove seedlings at about four feet high are now teeming with greens covering the erstwhile nude and muddy 20-hectare shoreline. The community considered it a major make-over after the place was hit by a tidal wave, converted to fishpond and was abandoned. This is the result of the concerted efforts of our alliance, said Romeo Ebanada, president of Alliance Mangrove Peoples organization. The Alliance is a cluster of four peoples organization (PO) formed to manage the 42-hectare mangrove rehabilitation comprising the PO from barangays Lapyahan, Buenaflores, Bantogon and Labak. The other 22 hectares in close canopy only underwent enrichment planting to recover the original density since it has rehabilitated through natural process in the past years. Most of the species planted in the sandy and muddy loam include Bakauan (Rhizophora spp.), Bungalon (Avicennia marina), and Pagatpat (Sonneratia alba). Mangrove forests as life support system is a powerhouse resources critical for natural breeding and nursery area for many economically known important marine animals like fish, crab, shrimp and other crustaceans. It also protects the shoreline from big waves wind and flood. The project was implemented under the Natural Resources Management (NRM) component of the Department of Agriculture - Mindanao Rural Development (DA-MRDP) in partnership with local government unit (LGU) of Kalamansig. As NRM targets upland to coastal conservation, the mangrove rehabilitation is one of the four major interventions implemented in our town as it needs attention, said municipal NRM focal Dexter Posadas. The mangrove rehabilitation site covered a relatively large area, so to instill ownership of the project from the community we decided to form them into one organization, the alliance, he said.
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The 20-hectare mangrove rehabilitation site used to be an abandoned fishpond now teeming with greens. (Photo by Sherwin B. Manual, DA-MRDP)

DA sets up P2-M bio-fertilizer plant in Sultan Kudarat

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is advocating the use of modern agricultural methods that will increase farm productivity and reduce the use of traditional fertilizers in Mindanao. In a visit to Tacurong City in the province of Sultan Kudarat on September 29, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala inaugurated a new P2 million worth mixing facility utilizing the so-called Bio-N bio-fertilizer technology invented by a local scientist from the University of the Philippines in Los Banos. Alcala gave an additional P500,000 fund for the facility to process corn and other high value crops aside from rice, as he cited the Bio-N mixing facility as very beneficial to farmers as it reduces the use of traditional fertilizers. He added that the establish ment of Bio-N mixing plants all over the country is one of the priority programs of the government to boost farm production while reducing cost and increasing farmers income. The establishment of a BioN mixing plant in Sultan Kudarat province is a manifestation of the governments concern to provide all necessary production infrastructure and equipment to support farmer-beneficiaries in the production of rice, corn, and high value commercial crops, Alcala said. DA Region 12 Soils Laboratory chief Nadja Gayanandang revealed that Bio-N helps in the production of nitrogen for plants, which is usually achieved through the application of chemical nitrogen fertilizers like urea. Bio-N was invented by Dr. Mercedes U. Garcia of the UPLB over two decades ago, utilizing the bacterium Azospirillum found in the roots of the local grass (talahib) that thrives throughout the Philippines. The cheap local fertilizer is applied only once as a seed coat or as a root dip for rice and corn before sowing. Its use yielded an increase in rice and corn production by 30 to 50 percent, and was noted to exhibit similar effects in tomatoes, onions, okra, eggplant, and bitter gourd or ampalaya. Studies undertaken by Dr. Garcia and her group revealed that Bio-N is also an excellent microbial fertilizer for high-value vegetables like lettuce, pepper, broccoli, legumes, and celery. Although the use of Bio-N was identified as one of the best practices in biotechnology, it was only in 1998, when Dr. William D. Dar was the acting DA secretary, when the farm agency supported the continued use and promotion of Bio-N. To date, more than 60 Bio-N mixing plants were already established throughout the country. Gayanandang revealed that Bio-N is presently being sold at P75.00 per packet of 200 grams, which reduces the use of commercial fertilizers by two sacks per hectare when applied. During the visit, Secretary Alcala also turned over farm implements, sprayers, vegetable seeds, plastic drums and coffee seedlings to the local governments of Isulan and Lambayong towns in Sultan Kudarat; Magpet in North Cotabato and Banga in South Cotabato. (DA-Reg. 12 Info Div.)

ISAFI to take off in Biliran and Southern Leyte

A simultaneous implementation of an inventory activity is set to start on November 3 in the provinces of Biliran and Southern Leyte. Generally identified as Inventory System of Agriculture and Fishery Investments (ISAFI), it is a component of the Unified and Enterprise Geospatial Information Systems (UEGIS), a project of the Department of Agriculture designed to enhance the planning and implementing capability in Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones (SAFDZs). ISAFI is an important innovation in the identification and mapping of investments, DA-8 Regional Executive Director Antonio G. Gerundio asserted during the opening program of the 4-day ISAFI Implementing Manual of Operations and GPS Training (October 24-27, 2011) held at the Leyte Park Hotel, Tacloban City. RED Gerundio added that coming up with a comprehensive database of agriculture and fishery investments will help investors flock into the region because they can easily locate and further expand potential market. The inventory activity is one of the things the government needs to fast track the development and make a difference in the farmers lives and the rural areas being served. Dr. Wilson A. Cerbito, Regional Technical Director and UEGISNFRS-ISAFI Project Manager disclosed that due to the outstanding performance in the implementation of ISAFI in Leyte, the DA Planning Service-Public Investment Program Division (PS-PIPD) recommended to roll-out ISAFI in other provinces, namely, Biliran and Southern Leyte. ISAFI entails complete enumeration and updated information of investments in the agriculture Consumer Welfare month celebration in Bicol. Photo above and fisheries sector of the coun- shows (from left) Naga City Mayor John Bongat, DA Region 5 try (i.e., irrigation and post-harvest Director Jose Dayao and Crisanto Castro, president of the Naga facilities, farm-to-market roads, City Consumer Action group, lead the observance of Consumer and other machineries and equip- Welfare Month at SM Naga Activity Center, attended by about ment), whether funded by the gov- 1,000 participants. ernment or private organizations. A team composed of the Munici- hired data collectors will be as- deployment for the actual invenpal Agriculturist/City Agriculturist, signed for the conduct of ISAFI tory this November, the 4-day (Pls turn to p11) Agricultural Technologist and in every municipality. Prior to their

Mangrove conservation ...

The project was earmarked over P2 million which is part of the total P7 million NRM project of the town. The LGU put in 10 percent counterpart, another 10 percent from the national government, and 80 percent from the loan portfolio of the World Bank. On our latest count we have at least 97,559 live seedlings from the 133,340 hills we planted which is about 73% survival rate. The PO are due to plant in the coming days when they gather enough propagules, said Posadas. Before, my family plants mangrove behind our house near the seacoast because we know those trees protect us from strong winds, said the Pagadian-born Ebanada. Ebanada said when he arrived in 1972 as an employee of the Sta. Clara Lumber Corp. there was a thick mangrove forest, and fish population was very abundant. Fish was abundant and the mangrove was really thick, but when the lumber company closed down, many of us were unemployed and resorted to farming, fishing and other livelihood activities, he said. He also recalled in 1976, gi

(from p8) gantic waves hit the Moro gulf and devastated many areas including a sizable area in Kalamasig. Some of the residents died during that tragic even but the biggest damage we saw was the coastal area left bare. Mangrove trees were uprooted and washed out, said Ebanada. For a long time, there were no serious rehabilitation activities done. When the area was made into fishponds, some mangrove trees were also cut. Plus many residents also made use of mangrove as firewood, he said adding: this contributed to the steady decline of the mangrove trees. With the MRDP project came, many were skeptic, saying it would just be another government project that would just die down, he said. But this was different, he added. MRDP designed the project to be implemented by POs in close coordination with the LGU. The PO members were paid for the seedling or mangrove propagules they produce and were hired as workhand for the planting and other activities. We earned extra income from the project.

So, we understood that as we are the beneficiaries of the project, the activity also augments our income, Ebanada said, adding: This manner made it easy for us to accept and make the project our own. The alliance underwent at least five technical trainings on mangrove rehabilitation management which Ebanada said made them more capable in handling the project. Another thing I appreciate about the project is that there is close mentoring and monitoring. We were capacitated, technical personnel like Mr. Jhonny Pangud of DENR Region 12 and from other agencies assisted us, Ebanada said. To secure the area, the four presidents of the alliance were identified to be wardens. The wardens monitor the project on a regular basis and put bamboo markers beside each plant to identify the spot has been planted. This made the monitoring of mortality relatively easy and the replacement the propagules quick. We also fenced the area with old nets and bamboo to prevent stray animals especially goats from eating on the leaves of the seedlings, Ebanada said.

They also sought the support of barangay council which in response issued an ordinance penalizing owners of stray animal that disturbs the rehabilitation site. But the most difficult problem we had was barnacles infestation, Ebanada said. The barnacle (marine organism of the class Cirripedia that tend to live in shallow and tidal waters) are deposited in the stems of the mangrove. Once there it will hamper the proper distribution of distribution on the growing seedling which will eventually cause the plant to wither. We scraped the barnacles from the each seedling but we have to be extra careful not to scratch the body of the seedling as it also caused for the seedling to die, he said. Ebanada said he is glad to be part of the project as this could be a legacy he can live to his grandchildren. I know my grandchildren will be proud of me being the leader of this successful project. And I want to instill in them the love and care for our environment, said the 60-year old community leader. (DA-MRDP)

October 2011

DA-BFAR launches ...

(from p1)
fishponds as well as suitable coastal areas nationwide. New mangroves will then serve as potential aquasilvi fish farms for marginal fisherfolk and their families. The DA-BFAR will also involve State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) that offer fishery courses as partners, Perez said. Funds will be downloaded to SUCs through a memorandum of agreement that will be forged between the SUC and the DA-BFAR. A multi-species hatchery, worth P1.2M each, will also be established in each SUC. The facility will produce fingerlings for distribution to aquasilvi farmers. Excess fingerlings will be dispersed in communal waters for stock enhancement. The facility will also serve as a hands-on training venue for breeding fish and other aquatic organisms. To ensure the success of the program, it will be managed jointly by the DA-BFAR regional office, concerned SUC and the host local government. Perez said mangrove reforestation is aimed at rehabilitating what is left of the countrys mangrove forest cover that had significantly shrunk by more than 80 percent from its pristine state of half a billion hectares in the early 1900s. The more mangrove areas we rehabilitate and develop, the more fish and aquatic species we would nurture and produce, as mangroves serve as their spawning and nursery grounds, said Perez. Mangroves also serve as a first line of defense against typhoon surges and tsunamis. They are also good agri-tourism destinations. Further, mangroves prevent soil erosion and sequester or remove carbon dioxide and other forms of carbon from the atmosphere to mitigate global warming. Perez said all our efforts will be futile if we could not curb all forms of destructive fishing that destroy aquatic life and its habitat. Last June 2011, barely a week from assuming his post as BFAR director, Perez led an inter-agency team that apprehended the biggest smuggler of black corals and precious seashells in the country. (DA-BFAR)

rector Atty. Asis G. Perez in simple ceremonies at the National Brackishwater Aquaculture Technology Center, in Pagbilao, Quezon, October 27, 2011. Director Perez said it is a realization of a community-based initiative that Secretary Alcala has envisioned since he assumed office in July 2010. It is also part of President Aquinos pump-priming initiative to increase municipal fish production and at the same time provide fishermen and their families sustainable source of livelihood and income. What is significant about this program is that government money will directly benefit fishermen and their families, create more job opportunities, and importantly result to improving and protecting our aquatic resources, Perez said The program involves three maj or components, namely: planting of 11 million propagules to 3,667 hectares of new mangrove areas, worth P88 million (M); establishment of 1,000 aquasilvi techno-demo farms (P74.4M); and establishment of multi-species hatcheries in 62 municipalities (P68.2M). The remaining P6.9M will be used for project management and monitoring. Perez said under the mangrove development component, fisherfolk will be tapped as volunteers. The DA-BFAR will buy propagules from fishers groups at P2 each, pay fishermen P1.50 for each propagule planted, and another P2.50 when the propagule has survived and developed. Aquasilvi, or raising fish in mangrove areas, is an environmentfriendly and sustainable approach to increasing fish production without the need to cut down mangrove trees, as when constructing fishponds, Perez said. Under the DA-BFAR aquasilvi program, he said participating fishermen will plant mangrove trees, and will be trained on how to properly raise and produce high-value species such as lapulapu (grouper) in tandem with alimango (mudcrabs) and tilapia. Feed requirement will be minimal as tilapia will serve as the groupers food. Perez said the DA-BFAR targets to plant 100 million mangrove propagules in the next three years, particularly abandoned, underutilized and unproductive

DA, QC Govt Partner in Veggie Project. Quezon City Vice-

Mayor Joy Belmonte (3rd from left) harvests hydrophonically-grown mustard and lettuce at the Aguinaldo Elementary School (AES), in Murphy, QC, where the DA through the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and QC government launched a Gulayan sa Paaralan project as part of the orld Food Day 2011 celebration. The program seeks to encourage young schoolchildren to grow veggies to help mitigate hunger, malnutrition and poverty in QC and other urban areas in the country. With her are (from left) BPI Assistant Director Henry Carpiso and AES Principal Mercedes Flores. (from p3) three typhoons as showers of farm cum Palay Check sysblessing, as they expect to har- tem. vest average of 4.5 metric tons Calingayan barangay chairof palay per hectare. man Leonardo Inofinada said At the current P16 per kilo the rains brought by the three farmgate price of dried palay strong typhoons came at the (14% moisture content), they time when needed most. would gross at least P72,000 per For his part, Reyes said their hectare. bumper palay harvest could be Harvesting has commenced in attributed not only to the timely about 160 hectares in Barangay rains but also for the downpour Calingayan, according to the Department of Agri-culture Ilocos of support from both the DARFU I under its Agri-Pinoy rice regional office. In all, about 1,972 hectares in program and the Local GovernSinait are due for harvest on Oc- ment Unit of Sinait. We are very thankful to the tober up to November, of which DA and Sinait municipal governtwo-thirds will come from rainfed areas, and the rest from irrigated ment through agriculturist Eliseo Aurelio for bringing the FFS farms. The average yield in Sinait is Palay Check techno demo around 6.36 metric tons per hect- project in Calingayan, Reyes are for hybrid, 5 tons for inbred said. Now, he said most of them rice in irrigated areas and 4.5 harvest double than their previtons for rainfed areas. For the entire Ilocos Sur, about ous yield of 60 to 80 cavans per 36,000 hectares are due for har- hectare, with the use of new vest, with an expected volume of technologies, high yielding vari156,000 MT, for an average yield eties and quality seeds. He said the five-hectare of 4.3 MT/ha. Sinait Municipal Agriculture techno-demo farm has indeed Officer Eliseo Aurelio said there created awareness and encourare 58 farmers in Brgy. aged other farmers in Sinait to Calingayan, and less than half of see for themselves that the palay them or 23 are members of the check system and other techCalingayan Farmers Field nologies really work in increasSchool (FFS), chaired by Lazaro ing their rice harvest and income. Reyes, Jr. Farmers are given the option The Calingayan FFS, assisted by the DA through its Ilocos re- to use either inbred (certified) or gional field office, maintains a hybrid rice varieties. (Pls turn to p11) five-hectare cluster techno-demo

Ilocos town sees ...

10

SPJA appoints new DA officials

Sec. Procy Alcala recently designated two new DA officials, namely: Director Ophelia Agawin of the DA-OSEC Financial and Management Service as OIC-Assistant Secretary for Finance, replacing A/Sec Eduardo Nolasco who resigned; and Angelina Bondad, as OICdirector of the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS), in lieu of the retirement of Dir. Gilbert Layese. A/Sec Agawin, aside from her duties, will also oversee the financial operationsof the DAs National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAFC). A CPA, graduating from the University of the East, A/Sec Agawin has been serving the DA for 22 years. Dir. Bondad also serves concurrently as chief science research specialist of BAFPS, a position she has been handling for the last five years. She has been in the government service for over 40 years as a research assistant and research associate at the University of the Philippines-Los Baos and Fiber Development Officer at the DAs Fiber Industry Development Authority.

DA-RaSSFiP completes seed distribution

The Department of Agriculture, under its Rapid Seed Supply Financing Project (RaSSFiP), has distributed a total of 803,750 bags of certified rice seeds, benefiting 300,000 farmers natiowide, from September 2009 until its final phase this year. The distribution of certified seeds specifically focused on areas with an average yield of less than 3.8 metric tons per hectare (mt/ha), said DA Undersecretary for Operations Joel S. Rudinas. RaSSFiP was implemented in 13 regions: Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol, W estern, Central, and Eastern Visayas Regions, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCKSARGEN and CARAGA. Under RaSSFiP, farmers were given 50 percent subsidy or half the cost of a 40-kg bag of certified seeds. The project was jointly implemented by the National Food Authority and Local Government Units. RaSSFiP is a component under the Rapid Food Production Enhancement Programme (RaFPEP). RaFPEP is jointly funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the European Union, and the Government of the Philippines. Its has a second sub-project, entitled Irrigated Rice Production Enhancement Project (IRPEP), which will run until 2016. The RaFPEP aims to contribute in improving the quality of life of Filipino rice farming households in rainfed and irrigated areas. By contributing in rice production of marginal areas, RaSSFiP can help achieve national rice self-sufficiency that will significantly reduce, if not stop, the countrys rice importation by 2013, Rudinas said.

Philippines, Myanmar to forge agri cooperation. Agriculture

Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (left) shares a light moment with Myanmar agriculture and irrigation minister U Myint Hlaing during the latters visit on October 26 at the DA national office in Quezon City, where they discussed possible areas of cooperation in the field of agriculture for the mutual benefit of both countries. The Myanmar agri minister headed a seven-man delegation, including their Ambassador to the Philippines, his Excellency U Aung Khin Soe. The group also visited nearby DA bureaus and offices where they were briefed on the Aquino governments programs and thrusts to achieve food staples and rice sufficiency by end of 2013.

ISAFI to ...

(from p9)

Farmers to ... (from p2)

or at least one-fourth hectare or 2,500 square meters for uplands. Farmer-beneficiaries must train on the basics of rice seed production, and other related CSB operational matters. Delima said farmer-beneficiaries are required to pay back in kind, which will serve as their buffer seed stock. The repayment scheme is 1.5 kilos of certified seeds for every 1 kilo of registered seeds borrowedfor those who wish to pay in full; or two kilos of certified seeds for every 1 kilo of registered seeds borrowedfor those availing of a plant-now, paylaterscheme. The collected certified seeds will be stored by their respective groups or IAs at a designated CSB and will be used in the next cropping season with the farmerdepositors as priority beneficiaries.

Golden rice ...

(from p5)

children suffering from the deficiency. In a 2009 study of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a cup or 150 g of raw Golden Rice, when cooked and eaten, could supply half of the Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamin A needed every day by adults. Currently, Alfonsos team is developing and evaluating Golden Rice2, the type of Golden Rice with significantly higher amount of beta carotene than Golden Rice1. PhilRice and IRRI are collaborating on the ongoing work. Golden Rice2 has up to 36 micrograms of beta carotene per gram of grains, Alfonso said. Golden Rice is also being evaluated to ensure that the beta carotene-fortified rice will be safe for health and to the environment. Golden Rice will only be available to the market if studies would prove its effectiveness in improving the vitamin A status of the consumers, he said.
(DA-PhilRice)

training was conducted. Ms Noemi Carpio of the DA Central Office Planning Service (PS), the main speaker of the said training, specifically explained to the participants the proper conduct of data generation and validation. Meanwhile, Mr. Gerry Gonzalez of the DA Information Technology Center for Agriculture and Fisheries (ITCAF) demonstrated the features of Global Positioning System (GPS) using a GPS gadget. The junior data collector, or enumerator-applicant recommended by the local chief executive is paired by a senior data collector, or rehired enumerator who participated in the ISAFI in Leyte. The data collectors will conduct the actual field visit of each prelisted investment. The MAs/CAs will serve as field coordinators and ATs as field supervisors to oversee and assess the field validation. Through ISAFI, planners, implementers and decision-makers alike can map out both public and private investments including their capacities and cost. Inventory maps would be used for development planning and also serve as a rational basis in identifying and prioritizing investment programs and projects both by the DA and Local Government Units (LGUs). (DA Reg. 8 Info Div.)

Ilocos town sees ... (from p3)

Currently, Sinait municipal government, under Mayor Marlon B. Ines, subsidizes half of the cost of certified rice seeds. This season it allotted P200,000 to subsidize 200 bags of certified seeds distributed to farmers. Next cropping season, Aurelio said the municipal government will also provide a P9.6-million fertilizer assistance to farmers in all 44 barangays of Sinait.
(DA Region 1 Info Div.)

Cagayan ...

(from p3)

In 2010, due to El Nino, Cagayan harvested only 1.746 M MT of palay. In 2009, considered a normal year, Cagayan produced 2.077 M MT, while Central Luzon had 2.958 M MT, and W estern Visayas harvested 2.205 M MT. As for corn, Cagayan remains as the countrys top producer, with 1.598 M MT in 2009 and 1.263 M MT last year.

October 2011

11

DA allots P1B ...

(from p1)

The DA through the Agricultural Credit and Policy Council has earmarked a P400-M credit assistance through accredited Cooperative Rural Banks (CRBs), where farmers can avail of lowinterest (15% per annum) crop production loans, inclusive of crop insurance premium. The National Food Authority was also alloted P400 million to buy storm-damaged palay. Secretary Alcala said farmers whose palay (paddy rice) crops were totally-damaged will receive free certified seeds worth P1,200 per hectare, and P600-worth of seeds for partially-damaged areas. Farmers who intend to plant hybrid rice varieties may get an additional P500 seed subsidy per hectare. In a report to Secretary Alcala, DA Region 3 director Andrew Villacorta said typhoonsPedring and Quiel affected 281,754 hectares (has) of palay in Central Luzon, of which 25 percent (%) or 70,844 has were totally-damaged. Estimated palay loss amounted to 530,000 metric tons (MT) valued at P8.6 billion. In Cagayan Valley, DA Region 2 Dir. Lucrecio Alviar, Jr. said the two typhoons affected a total of 137,600 has of palay, of which 5,257 has were totally-damaged. Total palay loss was about 152,400 MT worth P2.4B. As for corn, Alviar said Cagayan Valley lost a total of 148,500 MT. He remains hopeful that Cagayan Valley may still produce bumper harvests of palay and corn for the entire year. In Central Luzon, Villacorta said Nueva Ecija was worst-hit with 145,950 has, of which 14,460 has or 10% was totallydamaged. Tarlac followed with 48,510 has (18,310 has totallydamaged), Bulacan had 34,970 has (20,200 has totally-damaged), and Pampanga had 31,130 has (16,050 hectares totally-damaged). Nueva Ecija will get the biggest

Secretary Procy J. Alcala (seated, 3rd from right) explains to farmer-leaders of the Namabbalan communal pump irrigation project, in Tuguegarao City, their critical role in reviving the operation of their pump (background) to irrigate some 200 hectares by December 2011. The initiative will be jointly undertaken by the farmers themselves with assistance and supervision from the City government of Tuguegarao and the DA through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). With him (from left) are NIA Region 2 manager Vic Galvez, DA national rice program coordinator Dante Delima, and Namabbalan farmer-leaders.
seed assistance, at P112 M, followed by Tarlac (P35M), Bulacan and Pampanga, with P33M and P29M, respectively. Secretary Alcala also granted more than P20-million worth of farm equipment and implements to farmers, and 35 affected towns in Tarlac, Pampanga and Bulacan. These include combine harvesters, mechanical and solar dryers, hand tractors with trailers, solar dryers, and draft carabaos with implements. The DA through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) will also repair damaged irrigation canals and dikes initially in Bulacan (worth P52M), Pampanga (P26.2 M) and Tarlac (P3.5M), amounting to P81.7 M. Secretary Alcala instructed NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel to immediately repair damaged systems to resume irrigation service in time for the 2011-12 dry season crop. The DA through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), led by director Remedios Ongtangco, is also providing an initial P11.8M, consisting of 10 million tilapia fingerlings (P4.5M), 18 million bangus fry (P4M), 500 gill nets (P1M), and 300,000 mangrove propagules (P2.3M). Ongtangco said about 15,480 hectares of fishponds were damaged, incurring a combined loss of 41,000 metric tons of bangus (milkfish), tilapia and tiger prawns (sugpo), valued at P1 billion. Secretary Alcala and PCIC president Jovy Bernabe distributed the crop insurance payments to farmers during the respective forums in Pampanga and Bulacan. Alam po namin na hindi sasapat ang tulong na aming ibinibigay, ngunit itoy isa lamang sa mga paraan ng Pamahalaang Aquino upang ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda ay makabangon muli, said Secretary Alcala during a series of town hall meetings with local officials, farmers, fisherfolk, livestock raisers and mediapersons in Nueva Ecij a, Tarlac, Pampanga and Bulacan. He said he was personally instructed by President Aquino to visit typhoon-affected provinces in Luzon and consult with farmers, fishers and local officials to find out their needs and extend the national governments initial support. During the consultations, local officials said long-term solutions should be undertaken to prevent massive flooding due to silted waterways and eroded watersheds. Such efforts should be undertaken jointly by the DA and other concerned agencies like the departments of environment natural resources (DENR), agrarian reform (DAR), and public works and highways (DPWH) in partnership with respective provincial, city and municipal governments. Sec. Alcala commended Tarlac provincial Governor Victor Yap, who committed to allot P200 million to purchase buck hoes and heavy equipment to dredge waterways and irrigation canals. In Pampanga, Secretary Alcala committed to help Gov. Lilia Pineda craft a provincial medium-term (2012-2016) agriculture roadmap or master development plan. In Bulacan, Secretary Alcala assured Gov. W ilhelmino SyAlvarado that the DA and NIA will also help farmers repair and rebuild rice paddies, particularly in Barangay Calizon, Calumpit, where rice farms remain submerged in floodwaters.

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: info@e-extension.gov.ph 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