Vol. XXVIII No. 2 A monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture February 2013

Phl joins rice globalmarket as exporter

President Benigno S. Aquino IIIled the ceremonial ground-break-ing of the P11.2-billion JalaurRiver Multi-Purpose ProjectStage 2 (JRMP2), with the theme,"Tubig from Jalaur to Bigas forPinas," February 21, 2013, at theProvincial Capitol, in Iloilo City.

President Benigno S. Aquino III (2nd from left) and AgricultureSecretary Proceso J. Alcala (right) lead the ceremonialgroundbreaking of the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multi-PurposeProject in Iloilo that will irrigate 34,340 hectares, and further boostrice production and farmers’ incomes in the province and in West-ern Visayas. To be completed by 2016, it is the biggest irrigationproject outside Luzon. Also shown are (from left) Senator FranklinDrilon, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr., and former IloiloGovernor Niel Tupas, Sr. (Photo by DA Region 6 Info Div.)

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Dante Delima (left) leads the recitation of ‘Panatang Makapalay,’ aconsumers’ pledge to reduce rice wastage, at the ‘National Year of Rice (NYR) Commitment Day,’ Feb.25, 2013, at Quezon Memorial Circle, in Quezon City. The event, including a signing of an NYR com-mitment wall (at right), was attended by 1,500 officials and employees of the Department of Agricul-ture, its bureaus, regional offices and attached agencies, including those from nearby governmentagencies. It is part of the year-long NYR advocacy campaign to increase rice production and farmers’incomes, and lessen rice wastage, towards attaining national sufficiency by end of 2013. (see story on p10)

The country’s top rice produc-ing provinces and towns in 2012— including the best irrigators’associations (IAs) and agricul-tural extension workers (AEWs)— will be honored in the “2nd

Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers’Awards,” and will take home atotal of P110 million in prizes, onMarch 15, 2013.

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala said the contest, led bythe DA’s national rice program,is the Aquino government’s wayof thanking the country’s ricefarmers and their respective pro-vincial and municipal officials,AEWs and IAs for their continu-

The Philippines is set to jointhe global rice market — nolonger as an importer, but anexporter.

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala said as the Philippinesattains self-sufficiency in rice byend of 2013, it is prudent to trainits sight on exports, particularlyof aromatic, long-grain, coloredand organically-grown rice vari-eties.

The Department of Agricul-ture through its National Agri-culture and Fishery Council(NAFC) renewed its partner-ship with the Philippine Na-tional Bank (PNB) to enablefarm technicians avail of mo-torcycles.

Agriculture SecretaryProceso J. Alcala said the ini-tiative under the DA-NAFCSpecial Vehicle Loan Fund

This year, the Department ofAgriculture in partnership withfarmers’ groups aims to export atleast 100 metric tons of fancy,colored and organic rice.

Initially, the country will ship 10MT bound for Macau and HongKong, said DA assistant secre-tary and national rice programcoordinator Dante Delima, duringthe National Year of Rice Com-mitment Day, in Quezon City, onFebruary 25, 2013.

He said the initial shipment willcome from the Cordillera regionand Quezon province, whereseveral farmers’ groups havesince been producing ‘heirloom,’colored and organic rice variet-ies.

In fact, Delima said more andmore farmers in various parts ofthe country are now capable ofproducing quality premium, col-ored, and organic varieties, asthe DA was able to help them in-crease their production duringthe last two years.

Next year and beyond, thePhilippines targets to exportmore, which may reach up to300,000 MT by 2016, Delimasaid.

Other countries interested tobuy Philippine fancy, colored and

Top rice achieversto get P110M

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(Pls turn to p11)

P-Noy, SPJA launchP11-B Iloilo irrigation project

It is the first large-scale irriga-tion system outside Luzon, fea-turing the construction of threedams: Jalaur reservoir, Jalaurafterbay and Alibunan catch dam.

When completed, the JRMP2will provide year-round irrigationto 34,340 hectares (ha), compris-ing of 22,340 ha currently servedby five existing irrigation systems;9,500 ha of new areas; and

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DA-NAFC, PNBoffer motorbike loans

Writers: Adora D. Rodriguez, Bethzaida N. Bustamante, Jo Ann P. Bruno,Catherine N. Nanta, Marlo Asis, Adam Borja

Contributors: DA-RFU Info Officers, Public Info Officers of DA Bureaus,Attached Agencies & Corporations, MRDP & other Foreign-Assisted Projects

Photographers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan & Kathrino ResurreccionLay-out Artist: Bethzaida N. BustamantePrinting & Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staf

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

is published monthly by the Department of AgricultureInformation Service, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Tel. nos. 9288762loc 2148, 2150, 2155, 2156 or 2184; 9204080 or tel/fax 9280588. It isdownloadable at DA website (www.da.gov.ph). For copies, please sendrequest via email: da_afis @yahoo.com.

Editorial

2

organic rice are the UnitedStates, Dubai, and other coun-tries in the Middle East.

The Philippines is exportingfancy and colored rice, as it canably compete with other coun-tries, and in order to prevent anoversupply and drop in localprices, said Delima.

When national sufficiency isattained by end of this year andbeyond, he said the governmentthrough the DA’s National FoodAuthority (NFA) may still decideto import minimal volume of riceto serve as a buffer stock.

Private traders can import riceas long as they pay the requiredtaxes or tariff, as part of thecountry’s commitment under the

Phl joins rice global market as exporter ... (from p 1)

World Trade Organization(WTO) agreement.

This year, the Philippines hascommitted to import 350,000 MTof rice under the minimum ac-cess volume (MAV) scheme witha tariff of 50%. The MAV is theamount of any agricultural prod-uct allowed to be imported at atariff rate committed by a coun-try under the WTO agreement.

Of the total MAV for rice thisyear, interested parties maysource up to 163,000 MT fromThailand, India, Pakistan, Chinaand Australia, according to theNFA. The balance of 187,000 MTmay be imported from othercountries. (Marlo Asis and OdaRodriguez)

ing efforts and contribution to in-creasing national rice produc-tion.

“We initiated the Rice Achiev-ers’ Awards as part of the DA’sinterventions and incentive sys-tem to encourage LGUs, IAs andAEWs to contribute their sharein increasing farmers’ harvestand incomes, and subsequentlyattain national rice sufficiency,”said Secretary Alcala.

“For the second straight year,we will recognize their vital con-tribution as the Philippines gearsup for rice sufficiency this year,”the DA chief said.

He has invited PresidentBenigno S. Aquino III as mainguest and speaker, and person-ally hand over the awards andprizes to the 2012 rice achiev-ers, in ceremonies to be held atthe Phl Int’l. Convention Center(PICC), in Pasay City.

This year’s winners are com-posed of the top 10 provinces,48 municipalities and cities, 10IAs, three small water impound-ing systems associations orSWISAs, and 500 AEWs.

They will receive the followingrespective prizes: provinces, aP4-M project grant; municipali-ties/cities, P1-M project; IAs, P1-M project; SWISAs, P500,000-project; and AEWs, P20,000cash incentive.

DA assistant secretary andnational rice program coordina-

Top rice ... (from p 1)

Noong Pebrero 19, tilathumbs up na naman angtinanggap ng Mindanao RuralDevelopment Program oMRDP mula sa World Bank(WB) base sa pyesang “ Phil-ippines :Geo-tagging for effi-cient, cost-effective projectmanagement” na nailathala sawebsite ng internationalagency.

Ito ay kasunod ng paggamitng MRDP sa Geo-Taggingtechnology para saepisyenteng monitoring ngmga proyektong inilunsad sailalim ng programa nanakatuon sa pagpapaunlad ngkalakhang Mindanao .

Ang geo-tagging, ayon saWikipedia, ay tumutulong sapagkalap ng mgaimpormasyon sapamamagitan ng pagtukoy salokasyon ng isang bagaygamit ang mga uploaded vid-eos at photos na may kalakipna longitudinal at latitudinal co-ordinates. Ibig sabihin,eksakto ang imahen at walang

‘Geo-tagging’ tungo sa mas tapat na serbisyohalong daya—location-specific,ika nga.

At dahil fraud-proof ang geo-tagging, epektibo ang “techie”na sistemang ito sa pagmo-monitor ng potable water sys-tem, farm to market road, atmga kahalintulad naimprastraktura na isinusulongsa ilalim ng MRDP.

Kahit pa man nasamalalayong komunidad,natututukan ang progreso ngmga proyekto sa tulong ng geo-tagging.

Matagal na rin kasing suliraninng Pilipinas ang di-tapat napamamahala at pagpapatupadng mga programa na inilulunsad” sana ” para mapabuti angkabuhayan ng mgamamamayan.

Nakakalungkot isipin nabagamat matuwid ang layuninng mga proyekto na

pinaglalaanan ng malalakingpondo, kadalasang hindi itonapapatupad ng tama dahil sakasakiman ng ibang sektor.

Maganda man ang ”purpose” atsimulain, nasisingitan ito ngmga tusong ideya nanagbubunga ng malakihangpagnanakaw sa ating mgakababayan nanangangailangan ng suporta atayuda.

Kapag geo-tagged at postedna sa internet ang mga location-specific projects, mas madalingnasusubaybayan ang estadonito kahit pa man hindi personalna puntahan ang mismonglokasyon.

Malaking tipid nito sa oras,pondo at iba pang resources ngmga tagapagpatupad bukod pasa naiiwasan ang panganib nakaakibat ng pagbisita sa projectareas na kalimitang maymataas na antas ng securityrisk.

Higit na tinutugunan ng geo-tagging ang korapsyon atpanlilinlang. Dahil nga hindimadadaya ang coordinates ngmga proyekto—siguradonggenuine ang lahat ng nakikita,

ibig sabihin kung sinasabingcompleted na ang estado ngisang FMR project madaling i-tsek kung totoo ito o hindi.

Tapat ang serbisyo, masepisyente at epektibo.

Kaya naman marahilkasunod ng paggawad ngGood Practice Award ng Na-tional Economic DevelopmentA sa MRDP noong nakaraangtaon, tila ginagamit pangmodelo ng WB ang geo-tag-ging tool nito upang tularan ngibang bansa.

Aba, hindi na lang tayotagasunod ngayon, pioneer pangang maituturing ang Depart-ment of Agriculture dahil tayoang kauna-unahang ahensyang Philippine government nagumamit ng geo-tagging.

Kung sakaling magingtrend-setter man angKagawaran at marami angmakiuso tiyak na dadami angmga proyektong matagumpayna matatapos atmaipapatupad para sakapakanan ng mga maralitangPilipino.

tor Dante Delima said the DA willcontinue to conduct the contestto recognize the hard work andsupport extended by farmers,local leaders and farm techni-cians in increasing national riceproduction.

The top provinces, towns andcities, IAs and SWISAs werechosen based on the followingcriteria: incremental rice harvestand average yield per hectareover 2011 levels, increase if anyover 2012 target, amount of bud-get devoted to rice projects andinitiatives, number of farmersbenefited, and degree of riceseed utilization, among other cri-teria. (Catherine Nanta and AdamBorja)

Advisers: Secretary Proceso J. Alcala & Undersecretary Emerson U. Palad

P-Noy, SPJA lead...(from p 1)2,500 ha planted to sugarcane.

It will sustain the region's riceself-sufficiency and contribute tothe annual increase in thecountry's rice production targetby 7.6% under the Food StaplesSufficiency Program (FSSP).

"Oras na matapos angproyekto, apat-na-pu’t tatlongporsyento ng lupang agraryo ditosa Iloilo ang magkakaroon ngirigasyon.

“Ibig-sabihin, inaasahan natinna do-doble ang maaaning bigassa rehiyon, at aangat nangtatlumpung porsyento angproduksyon pati na ng tubo.

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3February 2013

Mindanao is the next frontierfor the country’s agriculture sec-tor, as the government preparesagri-fishery industries ahead ofthe removal of trade barriers un-der the Asean Free Trade Agree-ment (AFTA).

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoAlcala said Mindanao, with itsrich agricultural and natural re-sources, would play a major rolein government’s effort to improvecompetitiveness in the farm sec-tor ahead of liberized trade inASEAN in 2015.

With good climate and im-proved peace and order situa-tion, Secretary Alcala saidMindanao is an ideal place todevelop agri-fishery enterprises,with economies of scale, whichare geared toward achievingfood sufficiency and exports—two things that could give thecountry a competitive edge onceAFTA is in ful implementation.

“If we will look at its batting av-erage, despite massive typhoonsthat recently hit the region,Mindanao is still the best agricul-tural area in the country,” Secre-tary Alcala told reporters on thesidelines of the Philippine eco-nomic briefing.

He said this year the DA hasallotted 40 percent of its P74.9-billion budget for Mindanao toramp up the development of farminfrastructure to further increasethe island’s output.

He said the DA will pursue thegoals of improved food securityand increased rural income, in-creased resilience to climatechange risks, and enhancedpolicy governance.

“We want to establish morefarm-to-market roads, and postharvest and value-adding facili-ties to make the farm sectormore competitive,” he added.

He said the AFTA can beviewed as an opportunity, par-ticularly in the livestock and poul-try sub-sectors, to increase mar-ket access to Southeast Asianneighbors.

The DA also eyes the livestockand poultry sub-sectors, whichhave consistently recorded posi-tive growth annually, to remainproductive and competitiveagainst ASEAN countries.

Secretary Alcala said the live-stock sector is a bright spot foragricultural competitivenessamid tough competition, as mostfarm goods would be tradedfreely without tariffs withinASEAN in 2015.

“We are preparing the live-stock and poultry sector becausethese industries are free fromFMD and bird flu. We have thecapability to export,” said Sec-retary Alcala on the sidelines ofthe Philippine economic briefing.

In 2012, the poultry subsector,which comprised 14.3 percent(%) of total farm output, grew by

Secretary Alcala (left) an-swers a query at the bi-annual Year-end Philip-pine Economic Briefingfor the business commu-nity at the PICC, on Feb.13, 2013. Also shown(from left) are DPWHSecretary RogelioSingson, Aboitiz EquityPresident-CEO ErramonAboitiz, and BSP DeputyGovernor DiwaGunigundo.

Battle plan vs AFTA: Tap Mindanao’s potentials“There are only two countries

in the world that are free fromfoot-and-mouth disease (FMD)and bird flu, and the Philippinesis one. We want to take advan-tage of this status,” he said, not-ing that the region is geographi-cally closer to the rest of South-

east Asia compared to traditionalmeat exporters like the UnitedStates, Canada and Brazil.

Under the Asean integrationplan, tariffs on most goods com-ing from member-countries will bebrought down to zero or near zero.(Manila Times)

... and livestock, poultry sectors4.5% with a gross value ofP167.1 billion (B).

Chicken and egg productionposted gains of 4.6 and 4.4%,respectively. Production of duckmeat and eggs rose by 2% and5.5%, respectively.

Livestock production, whichcomprised 16% of total farm out-put, rose by 1.1%, with a grossvalue of P214.3B. Hog produc-tion grew by 1.7%, valued atP174.5B.

The Philippines is waiting forthe go signal from Korea to be-gin the exportation of chicken.

Korea imports 93 million kilosof chicken per year, mostly fromThailand. With the prevalence ofbird flu there, the Philippinescould corner a portion of the Ko-rean market.

Tapped for export contracts

The Philippines is set to ex-port cavendish bananas to theUnited States, starting firstquarter this year.

Director Clarito Barron of theDA’s Bureau of Plant Industry(BPI) said it will be undertakenby Dole Philippines inMindanao, whose initial ship-ment of 3,000 metric tons wascleared by the US Departmentof Agriculture (USDA).

Meanwhile, he also reportedthe USDA has recently certifiedmango plantations in DavaoOriental and Samal Island asfree from mango pulp weevils.

This means the Philippinescould now export fresh man-goes to the US from said ar-eas, in addition to GuimarasIsland in Iloilo, Dir. Barron said.

The DA-BPI and USDA arecurrently working on the proto-cols for mango exports fromDavao Oriental and Samal, headded.

Phl to send initialbanana export to US

DA eyes 8 M tons of corn in 2013Given enough support, the

country’s farmers will be able toproduce at least eight millionmetric tons (MMT) of corn thisyear.

Thus is the forecast of DA as-sistant secretary and nationalcorn program coordinator Ed deLuna, during the agency’s cornprogram 2012 performance re-view and 2013 planning work-shop in Samar, February 12-15,2013, attended by about 100 par-ticipants, composed of the na-tional corn program secretariat,regional coordinators, focal per-sons from DA family agencies,and corn industry leaders.

He said the DA corn program,with a P1.5-billion budget, has set

are institutional growers such asSan Miguel Foods and BountyFresh.

The DA is also negotiating forthe exportation of duck toSingapore and Japan, wherethere is a huge demand.

Alcala said that to preparepoultry growers for these mar-kets, the government is estab-lishing triple dressing plants forducks.

“We are negotiating a largeexport volume for Japan andSingapore,” he said. “I think wecan supply this if we have theproper technology.”

The Philippines currently ex-ports yakitori nuggets to Japan.(Philippine Star)

a higher target of 8.4 MMT, 13.5percent (%) or one MMT morethan last year’s harvest.

He thus urged the workshopparticipants to sustain their effortsand work even harder to attain the8.4-MMT target, including that forcassava, at 3.6 MMT.

Last year’s output of 7.4 MMTof corn is comprised of yellow, at71% (or 5.24 MMT), and the rest,white corn. It was 6.25% morethan the output in 2011, at 6.97MMT.

Last year, with a P900-M bud-get, the DA corn program distrib-uted to farmers’ groups and localgovernment units, hundreds offarm machinery, equipment andpostharvest facilities.

These included: 91 tractors,408 sets of engines for shallowtubewells; 47 village-type corndryers; 72 corn mills; 33 hammermills; 83 hermetic cocoons; and17 corn shellers; and for cas-sava, 109 granulators, 33 grat-ers and 10 chippers.

... allots P10M forcorn germplasm labs

The DA has alloted P10 mil-lion to put up two corngermplasm laboratories toserve as repository for geneticmaterials of various corn vari-eties collected nationwide, andensure that the seeds are pre-served and maintained for

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4

DA, UP partner to boost coco industry. Secretary Alcala and UP President Alfredo E. Pascualseal their partnership to modernize and further boost the global competitiveness of the country’s coco-nut industry. The DA through the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and UP have agreed to jointlydevelop more high-yielding, disease-resistant coconut varieties, coconut by-products, processing tech-nologies, propagation protocols, value chain systems, and social science research in coconut-produc-ing areas. It also entails an inventory of existing technologies, and Filipino coconut scientists andresearchers, and crafting and implementation of a human resources development program for youngFilipino scientists and researchers. Also shown during the agreement signing , February 5, 2012, at UPDiliman, QC, are DA-PCA Administrator Euclides Forbes and UP Vice-President Gisela P. Concepcion.

Secretary Alcala (3rd from right) joins hands with (from left) Uni-versity of the Philippines-Diliman vice chancellor for communityffairs Melania Flores, UP-Beta Sigma alumnus and national sci-entist Dr. Teodolo Topacio, UP-Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. presi-dent Rolando Reyes, UP Diliman Chancellor Caesar Saloma, andDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources Asst. Secre-tary Atty. Jonas Leones, as they collectively agree to rehabilitateand conserve the 16-hectare arboretum forest at the UP Dilimancampus. The arboretum is the last remaining rainforest in MetroManila where exotic and endangered tree species are found.

The DA through the PhilippineCenter for Postharvest Develop-ment and Mechanization(PhilMech) will distribute thisyear P2.45-billion worth of farmmachinery and equipment tofarmers’ groups, including Irriga-tors’ Associations (IAs), to sus-tain rice production and suffi-ciency efforts.

PhilMech Director Rex L.Bingabing said with the budget,the DA, through its National RiceProgram, will distribute morethan 1,000 units of productionand postharvest farm machinesthat will enable farmers to in-crease their production and re-duce postharvest losses.

He said mechanizing farm andpostharvest operations will in-crease harvests and at the sametime save losses, and subse-quently provide an additionalsupply of 10 percent of palayyearly.

Bingabing added that mecha-nizing operations--from landpreparation, planting and har-vesting--will increase harvest byaround 5%. Further, employingpostharvest technologies andequipment can reduce losses byat least 5%.

The farm machinery andequipment to be distributed in-clude 652 hand tractors, 99 four-wheel tractors, 483 palay thresh-ers, 278 mechanical driers, 9 ricemills (all types), 418 rice drumseeders, 322 rice cutters/har-vesters, 76 rice combine-har-vesters, 22 medium multi-crop

DA-PhilMech todistribute P2.45-B

farm machines

combine-harvesters, 42 minicombine-harvesters, 75 pedal-powered rice threshers, 215power tillers with floating trailers,and 750 fertilizer spreaders.

The farm machines will be pro-vided to farmers’ groups and IAsthrough an 85:15 counterpartingscheme, where the DA shoulders85% of the cost, while the 15%is shouldered by the recipients.

In 2012, PhilMech coordinatedthe distribution of 193 mechani-cal driers; 637 hand tractors; 58four-wheel tractors; 423 palaythreshers; 36 rice mills (alltypes); 23 rice drum seeders; 97rice reapers; 156 rice cutters/

harvesters; and 80 rice combineharvesters.

To date, Bingabing said thecountry’s level of rice farmmechanization is about 1.6horsepower per hectare. This isway below the farm mechaniza-tion level of other countries likeJapan (7hp/ha), South Korea

A major program or a commer-cial product needs a trademarkor a logo.

It should be simple and couldbe easily ‘recalled.’

The DA’s forthcoming Philip-pine Rural Development Program(PRDP) is no different. It needsa logo that would capture its es-sence, its objectives and goals.

The DA is thus inviting every-one to join the PRDP logo de-sign-making contest.

The winner will take homeP20,000 cash, and he or she willpart of the DA’s legacy to the Fili-pino people. Four other finalistswill be honored and will each re-ceive P5,000 cash, and a certifi-cate.

The logo should reflect thePRDP’s goal to create a moderm,climate-smart or resilient, andvalue chain-oriented agricultureand fishery sector.

The PRDP is considered oneof the DA’s biggest foreign-as-sisted projects, worth $670 mil-lion or P27.5 billion, funded bythe World Bank. It will run for six

All set for the PRDP logo contest

and China (4hp/ha).He said the DA-PhilMech is

currently undertaking a surveyon farm mechanization.

The agency will also continueits support to other crops likecorn, vegetables, coconut, cocoaand coffee, among others.

years, and targeted to start thirdquarter this year.

All DA family employees andnon-employees are invited to jointhe contest, as long as they areFilipinos, 18 years old and above.

Contestants should submitoriginal, digitally-created entrieswith resolution of at least 300 dpiand the width and the height ofthe logo must have a resolutionof at least 700 pixels.

Each entry must have colorsettings for both RGB and CMYKmodes and should predominantlyuse the colors green and bluewith white, golden yellow or blackas trimmings, strokes or high-lights.

Contestants are required to in-clude a description of the logo-design and colors, not more than350 words.

Entires should be emailed to:prdplogodesign@gmail.com, onor before April 20, 2013, with theaccomplished information sheetand rationale.

For more information visitwww.da.gov.ph or www.damrdp.net.

February 2013 5

DA to increase fresh milk output through dairy herd build-up, breeding program. The DA through the National Dairy Au-thority (NDA) will help increase the production of fresh milk, whichlast year grew by 12 percent (%), through dairy herd build-up andbreeding program, said Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala ina message read for him by DA Assistant Secretary for livestockDavinio Catbagan (right), during the 16th National Dairy Congressand Exposition, February 7, 2012, in Bacolod City. Shown with himfor a ‘milk toast’ (from left) are Negros Occidental Governor AlfredoMarañon Jr., Batangas Representative and committee on agricul-ture chairman Mark Llandro Mendoza, NDA administrator GraceCenas, and US Department of Agriculture counselor Philip Shull.

Secretary Alcala (middle, seated) signs a covenant, as agreed by the rice industry’s multi-sectoral group,to stop smuggling of agricultural produce especially rice, during a dialogue at the Philippine CoconutAuthority, February 21, 2013. The group, led by Nueva Ecija 2nd District Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago(left, seated), aired their issues and concerns on the influx of imported rice in the country. In supportof the DA’s rice sufficiency program, they agreed to work hand in hand with the DA, National FoodAuthority (NFA), and the Bureau of Customs to protect the country’s farmers and other rice industrystakeholders by effectively monitoring and stopping the entry of smuggled rice and other farm prod-ucts into the country. Looking on are NFA Administrator Orlan Calayag (right, seated), and membersof the rice industry multi-sectoral group.

The Philippines through theDA’s National Dairy Authority(NDA) needs to invest billions ofpesos to enable local milk pro-ducers make a dent on a dairymarket dominated by the UnitedStates, New Zealand, Australiaand France.

NDA Administrator GraceCenas said the government andthe private sector should supportlocal milk producers to reduceimports of milk and other dairyproducts.

According to her, the dairy-in-dustry value chain’s productionsegment, which covers thebreeding of dairy animals andthe production of milk, is a prior-ity investment area since it willspur growth in the milk process-ing and marketing.

“With our need to increasemilk output, the production seg-ment needs investment inflowsthe most,” Cenas said. “The mar-ket is becoming more demand-ing and the price of imported milkis cheaper than those producedlocally.”

Raw milk production rose by12 percent to 18.45 million litersin 2012 from 16.45 million litersthe year before, exceeding theNDA’s target of 10 percent.

Cenas said that though milkproduction has been growing atan average of 7 percent annu-ally in the last five years, shewants that figure to breach 10percent.

Despite these figures, Filipinomilk producers only account forabout 1 percent of the country’stotal dairy-product requirementof 1.8 billion kilograms, with NewZealand, the United States, Aus-tralia and France supplying thebalance.

Dairy body seeks more investments to strengthen PHL milk industryCenas said local milk produc-

tion currently satisfies 40 percentof domestic demand for both pro-cessing and consumption.

The NDA is trying to raise thecountry’s milk sufficiency level to43 percent by 2016 and reachfull sufficiency by 2021.

With increased milk produc-tion, processors could raise itsoutput of processed cheese,which enjoys huge demand.

“This product requires a largeamount of milk. With increasedmilk production, processors willautomatically buy local. There isa big demand. With the growingnumber of pizza restaurants, forinstance, there is a huge demandfor mozzarella cheese,” Cenassaid.

To increase raw milk produc-tion, the NDA is importing moredairy animals for breeding pur-poses this year to improve thelocal stock. More multiplier farmswill also be established to in-crease the breeding stock.

The Philippines has only40,696 dairy animals, only a littleover 4 percent of the 1 milliondairy animals needed.

In 2011 the NDA imported 10bulls and 2,100 cows for breed-ing, with their offspring distrib-uted to capable dairy farms.

Cenas said the number of ani-mals to be imported this yearwould be determined once theanimals procured in 2012 havebeen distributed.

She added that dairy zones inthe provinces of Batangas, La-guna, Quezon, Iloilo, NegrosOccidental and Cebu are beingeyed for the new multiplier farms.(Business Mirror)

No to rice smuggling!This was the agreement

Rice industry players forgecovenant against smuggling

reached between the govern-ment and multi-sectoral groupsof the rice industry during apolicy dialogue held on February22, 2013 at the Philippine Coco-nut Authority – Executive Loungein an effort to curb the rampantrice smuggling in the country.

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala and National Food Au-thority Administrator Orlan A.Calayag witnessed the signing ofthe “Covenant of the Multi-Sectoral Groups of the Rice In-dustry” led by RepresentativeJoseph Gilbert F. Violago of the2nd District of Nueva Ecija who isalso part of the rice industry sec-tor declaring their commitmentsto control rice smuggling.

The rice industry multi-sectoralgroups composed of farmers,rice traders, millers, processorsand retailers from Luzon areahave committed not to buy, pro-cess and sell smuggled rice.

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6

The World Bank (WB) hasrecognized an innovative toolused by the Department ofAgriculture in its MindanaoRural Development Program(MRDP) to validate and monitorinfrastructure projects.

“It is heartwarming to knowthat MRDP’s geo-tagging tool isbeing recognized worldwide,”Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala said.

“The World Bank must haveseen that the tool may be usedin other countries, as well, topromote transparency andaccountability,” Secretary Alcalanoted.

The WB recently featured inits web page (www.worldbank.org) a story entitled, ‘Philip-pines: Geo-tagging for efficient,cost-effective project manage-ment.’ The story, which comeswith a 12-frame photo essay,was posted since February 19,2013, and has been translatedinto five other languages.

The WB said “geo-tagging isa web-based technology thatpromotes efficient managementof community-driven projects inremote and conflict-affectedareas in Mindanao.”

Geo-tagging involves attach-ing location-specific informationsuch as geographical coordi-nates to pictures, videos and

even SMS messages, the WBsaid in its feature. Users wouldneed a GPS-enabled phoneand internet connection toupload multimedia to a web-based application such asGoogle, which provides theplatform to geo-tag at no cost,the article said.

“We are institutionalizing geo-tagging, as we have instructedthe MRDP team to train otherDA personnel, including localgovernment staff and evencontractors, so that we canjointly oversee and monitor theprogress of infrastructure

World Bank cites DA-MRDP’s geo-tagging tool

projects,” the DA chief added.For her part, DA-MRDP

Director Lealyn Ramos said theDA has pioneered in using geo-among all government institu-tions and in the entireMindanao region.

“It allows us to accurately andeasily locate, validate, monitorand manage projects in remoteand conflict-affected areas. As

such, it has improved transpar-ency and efficiency in procure-ment and project management,”said Ramos, who is concur-rently the DA regional directorin Northern Mindanao (Region10).

Geo-tagging enables the userto monitor the progress of theproject without traveling to theoutskirts of the countryside thatare oftentimes, if not always,risky, she added.

MRDP thus saves on humanresources, time and effort, notto mention that the technologyis a safer way of doing things.

“As we implement projects inMindanao we are constantlyfaced with the challenges ofaccessibility, manpower,resources and security con-cerns,” said MRDP deputyprogram director Arnel V. DeMesa.

“With the use of geo-taggingour project team and evenWorld Bank officials canvalidate, monitor and evaluateactual progress on the ground,without having to travel to hard-to-access locations and areaswith high security risk,” DeMesa said.

“The learning curve of geo-

tagging is not that long, and thebeauty of it is anyone can learnthe ropes. Even the young oneswho are exposed to smartphones nowadays can easilydo it,” he added.

“We take pride in this effortas this involve majority of thepeople of Mindanao, local chiefexecutives of our LGU partnersand even community folk whosupport the advocacy ontransparent government andaccountable stakeholders in theproject implementation,” Ramossaid. (Sherwin Manual/AdoraRodriguez)

Often when one mentions ofsinigang, a favorite Filipino dish,the usual souring agent used issampalok (Tamarindus indicus).If tamarind is not available, thenext best alternatives that cometo mind are kalamansi(Citrofortunella microcarpa),bayabas (Psidium guajava), orkamias (Averhhoa balimbi).Rarely does one think of binukawor batuan. In fact, the name willnot even ring a bell as most ofus have not even seen or heardof it.

Binukaw or batuan (Garciniabinucao) among the Tagalogs orbalakut to the Ilocanos is a fruitthat is indigenous to the Philip-pines and is well-craved for in theVisayan regions as the “bestsouring agent” for their sinigang.In fact, they claim that the fruitof binukaw is even better thanthe good ol’ sampalok that mostof Filipinos have been tradition-ally using

Try ‘binukaw’ for ‘pang-asim’

(Pls turn to p10)

as souring agent.Binukaw is one of the 300 spe-

cies of fruits with economic im-portance and potentials that wasidentified and included in thebook,”Imported andUnderutilized Edible Fruits of thePhilippines,” authored by Dr.Roberto E. Coronel, a noted Fili-pino agricultural scientist andprofessor at the University of thePhilippines Los Baños (UPLB).The publication was funded bythe DA’s Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) through its sci-entific publication grant (SPG).

Binukaw originated in the Phil-ippines and Indonesia. In thePhilippines, it is commonly foundfrom Luzon to Mindanao butmostly in Panay and Negros.Thetree thrives well in primary for-ests at low and medium altitudes.

This wonder souring agent isa close relative of mangosteen

(Garcinia mangostana), both are

Top right photo shows a grab ofthe World Bank website that fea-tured a story on the Philippines’geo-tagging tool. At right, a DA-PRDP staff ‘geo-tags’ a road us-ing a computer tablet.

February 2013 7

Long before daybreak asolitary light is lit. MaryjoyGabotero and Isagane Toloyare in a hurry to open the“tindahan.” Soon customerswill be pouring in. Localresidents and those of theneighboring barangays wouldcustomarily pass by theBarangay Food Terminal to buytheir “baon” before headingtowards their respectiveworkplace. This is the typicalmorning scenario at the Kiba-oBFT.

Brgy. Kiba-o is one of theupland barangays of Matana-o,a third class municipalitybelonging to the Province ofDavao del Sur. It is located atthe northernmost part of themunicipality, five kilometersaway from the national highwayand is 15 kilometers away fromDigos City , the closest com-mercial district. Due to the poorroad condition, the only publicmeans of transport is the“skylab,” a motorcycle bike witha wooden plank that extendsequally at both sides, whereadditional four passengerscould sit in addition to the twoback riders. The roundtrip farefrom Digos City to BarangayKiba-o amounts to Php70.

Created on August 9, 1948,Brgy. Kiba-o has a land area of460 hectares divided into seven(7) sitios. At present, the

barangay has an estimatedpopulation of 750 from 168households. Its main source ofincome is farming and themajor crops are sugarcane,mango and coconut.

Life is difficult for the peopleof the barangay but more so,before the establishment of theBFT. While farming is the main

Kiba-o BFT boosts farming in Davao Sur

source of income in the locality,most of the residents prefer towork as laborers at the sugar-cane plantation earning Php60per day.

According to Zita Clime,“Konti lang ang nagtatanim kasikadalasan lugi kami. Talo kamisa gastos at hirap ngpagdadala ng paninda saDigos.”

Linda Lingatong added “Takotkaming magtanim kasi walakaming siguradongpagdadalhan ng ani. Pagdinadala namin sa Digosbinabarat naman kami.”

The high cost of inputs,logistics and transportationcosts and the low buying pricesof agricultural produce discour-aged the folks in Barangay

Kiba-o to pursue farming. Theuncertainties in farming,including that of weathercondition and market prices,are so great that farmers oftenlose in their operation. Thus,despite the vastness of theagricultural lands in BarangayKiba-o, much of it remains idle.

With the establishment of a

food terminal in Barangay Kiba-o, residents were motivated tofarm on their own because of aready market willing to buy anyproduce, in whatever volumeand with a higher buying pricethan the commercial traders.Backyard farming bloomed andbecame a source of additionalincome for many of its house-holds.

The BFT managementconducted livelihood trainingsand provided support forfarming and other livelihoodundertakings of the residentssuch as hog dispersal, seeddistribution, and micro finance.Thus, it generated jobs byemploying workers in itsoperation, it likewise generatedjobs with its many agriculture

related programs.Furthermore, itprovided marketaccess for farmcommoditiesproduced by localfarmers includingthe Tagacaolos, theindigenous peopleliving at the slopesof Mt. Apo.

The BFT alsoindirectly contrib-utes to womenempowerment.According to aresident “Ang mgakababaihan nadating walangtrabaho ay na-enganyongmagtanim dahil maysiguradong buyer at

nakakasiguro sa magandangpresyo at tamang timbang.”

With the establishment of theKiba-o food terminal, fresh andnutritious varieties of veg-etables such as squash,eggplant, okra, tomato, mongo,pechay, and beans, amongothers were made available tolocal residents. The same

commodities are made avail-able in small quantity to fit thebudget of a household. Themanagement even opened acarinderia offering affordablefood products to school chil-dren. Thus, incidents of malnu-trition among children werereduced.

With products coming fromnearby communities, the BFT isable to sell at a much cheaperprice, resulting to an increasednet income of residents. Thesesavings allow them to buy otherbasic necessities such as rice,meat, fish, oil, soap, etc.

Perhaps the most importantoutcome of the BFT is theimproved peace and ordersituation in the barangay. Oneresident remarked, “Sapagkakaroon ng trabaho ngmga tao nawalan ng tambay.Naging mas malawak angkaalaman ng mga tao atnagkaroon ng magandangpananaw at pagtutulungan.Ngayon wala ng nagnanakawkasi nakakasiguradong merongmakakain. Kung may alagakang manok, dalhin mo ito saBFT at meron ka ng kapalit nabigas at ulam.”

Today, the Kiba-o BFT isconsidered a one-stop-shopstore, selling not only freshfruits and vegetables, rice,meat, eggs, and other agriproduce but a variety of groceryitems as well. Servicing a totalof nine barangays, the storeopens as early as 4am whenresidents would head towardstheir respective work places,and closes between 7 to 9pmwhen they would be returningback from work. It also hasbecome a consolidator ofcommodities which they deliverto the Digos Public Market.

Looking forward to the future,plans of putting up a millingstation for corn is well on itsway to address the problems ofthe corn farmers who still haveto bring their produce to DigosCity to be polished. At the sametime, corn will be made avail-able to the local consumers.The management is alsolooking into the establishmentof the mini-slaughter house toensure the cleanliness of theirmeat products.

The success of the foodterminal seems never-ending,thanks to the passion andhardwork of Barangay CaptainBimbo C. Bacamante whorevealed “Sipag at tiyaga,determinasyon, at pagkakaisa,yan ang sikreto ng amingtagumpay. At higit sa lahattiwala sa Diyos ang sikreto ngisang matatag na proyekto.”(Lea Deriquito/Oda Rodriguez)

8

The Department of Agriculture(DA) has provided Region 12farmers a total of P32-million (M)worth of agricultural infrastruc-ture projects and machineries.

The DA rice program compo-nent cornered the bulk of theprojects and machineries atP187.7-M; corn, P61.24-M; farm-to-market roads, 49.37-M, or-ganic farming, P3.2-M; barangayfood terminal, P991,755 andhigh-value crops development atP773,253.

Secretary Alcala turned over tothe beneficiaries the third batchof farm machineries and otherinputs, February 11, 2013, inTupi, Sout Cotabato. These in-cluded 39 hand tractors, 20 float-ing tillers, eight four-wheel drivemini tractors, one four-wheeldrive tractor, 35 shallow tube wellengines, two 90-horsepowerfarm tractors and three 1.5 toncapacity shredder.

Datukan said the agri- projectsand machineries manifest theagency’s commitment to improvethe region’s farming sector andagricultural productivity.

“These interventions would fur-ther enhance our efforts towardachieving total food self-suffi-ciency in the region,” she said.

She cited that DA-12 savedP28.6 million from its budget forthe implementation of farm infra-structure and purchase of ma-chineries in 2012 through propercompliance with the provisions ofRepublic Act 9184 or the “Gov-ernment Procurement ReformAct.

She said the agency’sawarded bid contracts in 2012

Region 12 farmers, LGUs getP321-M agri infra, machineries

Cavite farmers and fisherfolkshould take advantage of theirproximity to Metro Manila, thecountry’s major consumptioncenter, to further increase theirproductivity and incomes.

Secretary Proceso J. Alcalasaid the DA will help Cavite farm-ers, fisherfolk and local govern-ment units revive and developfarmlands and fishing grounds bycontinuously providing technicalsupport, farm machinery, equip-ment and inputs, includingpostharvest facilities and market-ing assistance.

He made the commitment dur-ing an “Alay sa Mamamayan”program — with President

DA grants Cavite P89-M agri projects

(Pls turn to p10)

Secretary Alcala (inset) urges Cavite farmers, fisherfolk and localgovernment officials to take advantage of their proximity to MetroManila to further increase farm and fishery productivity and in-comes, during an “Alay sa Mamamayan” forum — with PresidentBenigno S. Aquino III as main guest and speaker — on February7, 2013, in Imus City, where the DA provided an initial P89-mil-lion worth of agricultural equipment, inputs and infrastructureprojects. He said the Department of Agriculture in particular willhelp revive and expand Cavite’s coffee and vegetable industries, aswell as production of green mussels and oysters along coastal towns.

Agriculture Secretary ProcesoJ. Alcala emphasized the impor-tance of attaining food self-suffi-ciency to the graduates of theseason-long training on veg-etable production led by the De-partment of Agriculture throughits Agri-Pinoy High Value CropsDevelopment Program (HVCDP)during a simple commencementceremony held this month at theNew Bilibid Prison (NBP) inMuntinlupa City.

Under the Yaman saHalamanan: “Gulayan saBilangguan, Gabay saPagbabagong Buhay,” Sec.Alcala enjoined the prison in-mates and Bureau of Correctionsstaff who underwent training in-side the prison compound to ap-ply their learned skills and con-tinue cultivating vegetables evenafter they have been released outof jail.

“The Department of Agriculture(DA) will continue to assist you

Inmates train onveggie prod’n

reached P321.188-M, which wasmuch lower than the approvedbid contracts of P349.813-M.

Sec. Alcala lauded the admin-istrative and operational reformsimplemented by DA-12 in the lasttwo years, citing that suchachievement has led to the sig-nificant increase in the agency’sbudget for the region this year,at P1.29 billion, 62% higher thanthe P795-M in 2012.

He said the DA will continueto reform procurement process,to improve the quality of serviceto the farming sector.

“We’re not only making surethat we accumulate savings butwe’re doing our best efforts toensure we deliver the infrastruc-ture, machineries and inputs thatare really needed by our farm-ers and that they are properlyserved to the proper beneficia-ries,” he added. (DA 12 Info. Div.)

Benigno S. Aquino III as mainguest and speaker — on Febru-ary 7, 2013, in Imus City, wherethe DA provided an initial P89-million worth of agricultural equip-ment, inputs and infrastructureprojects.

He said under its ‘farm-to-table’approach, the DA will revive andexpand Cavite’s coffee and veg-etable industries, as well as pro-duction of green mussels andoysters along coastal towns.

“We will tap idle lands to ex-pand the vegetable and coffee in-dustry in the province. The DAthrough the Bureau of Fisheriesand Aquatic Resources (BFAR)will also assist fisherfolk revivemussel and oyster raising,” Sec-retary Alcala said.

“Sayang ang Cavite. Sayangang lupain nating hindinabubungkal. Sayang ang sipagng mga magsasaka atmangingisda ng lalawigan, kunghindi po natin itomapapakinabangan,” he said.

During the program, the DAdistributed P14-million worth offarm machinery, equipment, in-puts and projects to farmers, fish-ers and local government offi-cials. These included 4-wheeltractors, hand tractors with trail-ers, multi-tillers, threshers,flatbed dryers, pump engines forshallow tube wells, knapsacksprayers, power sprayers, col-lapsible dryers, laminated tarpau-lins as portable dryers, fish nets,multi-purpose drying pavement,spring development projects,palay storage sheds, barangayfood terminals, and green-

houses.The DA also provided farmer-

beneficiaries with quality seedsof hybrid yellow corn and whitecorn or lagkitan, assorted seedsof lowland and upland veg-etables, seedlings of coffee, ca-cao and rambutan, Bio-N organicfertilizers, and flower inducers.

In addition to the P14-M pack-age, Secretary Alcala said the DAwill also construct in Cavite P55-million worth of farm-to-marketroads and P 20-million worth ofmunicipal fish ports. (Marlo Asis)

Soccsksargen farmers get P321-M farm equipment.Secretary Alcala (inset, left) leads the turnover of P321-millionworth of farm machinery and equipment to farmers’ groups andLGUs in Region 12 or Soccsksargen. He is shown with SouthCotabato Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., and a farmer who won acarabao with farm implements, one of the many farm items raffledoff during the ‘Ulat sa Bayan’ and ‘Farmers’ Heart Day,’ Febru-ary 11, 2013, at DA research station, in Tupi, South Cotabato.(Photo by DA12 Info Div)

February 2013 9

The DA’s Philippine Crop In-surance Corporation (DA-PCIC)has partnered with the provincialgovernment of Davao del Norte(DDN) to provide crop insuranceprotection to farmers and otheragricultural workers.

In a report to DA SecretaryProceso J. Alcala, PCIC Presi-dent Jovy C. Bernabe said theagency recently signed a memo-randum of agreement (MOA)with DDN Governor Rodolfo P.del Rosario, which initially ben-efits about 1,000 farmers, tilling2,000 hectares planted to rice.

The MOA signing was done aspart of the 3rd Annual GeneralAssembly and Congress of theDDN District 1 and District 2 Fed-eration of Irrigators’ Associations(IAs), on February 19, 2013, inTagum City.

For his part, Governor delRosario said the provincial gov-ernment has allocated an initialP1.34 million as its premium con-tribution for some 2,000 hectaresof riceland currently planted this2013 dry season.

Under the MOA between theDA-PCIC and DDN, additionalrice and non-rice areas devotedto other PCIC-insurable cropswill be insured under the sameagreement in the future. Theprovince has a total of 15,200hectares planted to rice duringthe wet and dry seasons. Davaodel Norte far-families are also en-gaged in livestock raising andaquaculture production.

As part of the agreement, thePCIC will also train DDN’s agri-cultural officers and technicianson agricultural insurance under-writing and claims adjustments,and assist them to conduct aninformation campaign on thePCIC-DDN crop insurance pro-gram.

It also provides that DDN shallallocate funds for the cost of in-surance premium and providetechnical assistance and trainingto city and municipal agriculturalofficers and technicians. Fortheir part, the city and municipalLGUs shall provide training andtechnical assistance to farmercooperators and farmers.

During the event, the PCIC is-sued crop insurance claimsworth P4.37 million to 771 farm-ers, tilling some 1,800 hectares,and belonging to six IAs andfarmers’ cooperatives in theprovince. The farmers’ groupsand their respective claims were:San Vicente Multi-Purpose Co-operative (P1,856,776.00);DUFFAMCO (P1,068.556.);

DA-PCIC, Davao Norte team up to insure farmersSIFIA (P658,521.00); DITCIA 1IA (P369,818.00); DurianDacudao IA (P229,900.00); andMABADIA (P184,486.00).

The MOA signing ceremonywas witnessed by Rep. Anthony

Bull semen center opens in Nueva EcijaThe DA’s Philippine Carabao

Center’s (PCC) recently openeda state-of-the-art, $3-million na-tional bull farm and semen pro-cessing center, in Munoz, NuevaEcija.

In a report to DA SecretaryProceso J. Alcala, PCC directorLibertado Cruz said the facilitywill result to a more aggressivepropagation of superior animalsin the country and an enlivenedbuffalo-based industry.

Through a grant-aid projectprovided by the Korea Interna-tional Cooperation Agency(KOICA) to PCC, he said the fa-cilities were put in place andready to cater to half a millionfarmers every year.

The grant was made possibleunder the project, “EnhancingLivestock Sector Performance inthe Philippines through an Insti-tutionalized and Sustained Ge-netic Improvement Program,”forged in 2010.

The project is aimed at improv-ing the institutionalized data cap-ture system, genetic data analy-sis and evaluation system, andunified web-based genetic infor-mation system; intensification onthe organized use of reproduc-

(Pls turn to p11)

DA Undersecretary Berna Romulo-Puyat (middle) and PCC Ex-ecutive Director Libertado Cruz (right) join Korean AmbassadorHyuk Lee (left) during the inauguration of the DA-PCC nationalbull farm and semen processing facility, in Barangay Joson,Carranglan, Nueva Ecija on February 8, 2013.

DA to help Laguna farmers make ‘Luisiana choco.’The DA is allotting an initial P1million to establish a cacao nurseryin Luisiana, Laguna, and train farmers on modern cacao technolo-gies, including production and processing of cacao products, par-ticularly “Luisiana chocolate.” Secretary Alcala (middle) urged theofficers and members of San Buenaventura Barangay Agricultureand Fishery Council (BAFC) and Federation of Farmers’ Associa-tions of Luisiana, Laguna (FFALL) to support the cacao projectand transform the town into an agri-tourism destination, duringtheir 17th founding anniversary, on February 23, 2013.

G. del Rosario (District 1), PCICBoard Members Alex deGuzman, Epifanio A. Manieboand Dioscoro A. Granada, andPCIC Region 11 Off icer-in-Charge Bonifacio V. Pales.

Other witnesses were DDN Asst.Prov’l Agriculturist AnastaciaNotarte and National IrrigationAdministration Regional Man-ager Modesto Membreve.

tive biotechniques such as arti-ficial insemination (AI), and em-bryo technologies in concert withDNA-based technologies to-wards enhanced propagation ofsuperior animals; improvementof the current animal genetic re-sources cryobanking to ensuresustained support for long-termGIP program; and capacitation of

technical personnel in animalbreeding genomics,bioinformatics, biotechnology,and other related fields.

The facility, known as the na-tional bull farm and semen pro-cessing center, is located inbarangay Joson, Carranglan,Nueva Ecija.

Present during the inaugura-tion were DA Undersecretary forspecial concerns BernadetteRomulo-Puyat, Korean Ambas-sador to the Philippines LeeHyuk, KOICA representative KimJinoh, PCC officials and staff ledby Director Cruz, and hundredsof farmers in Nueva Ecija.

The facility will enable PCC tosustain the production of qualityfrozen buffalo semen for the na-tional upgrading program.

It features cryobank reposito-ries, which consist of six hugecryotanks and liquid nitrogendepot. These are utilized as stor-age for frozen animal geneticmaterials.

“After barely two years of con-struction and involvement of thelocal communities, I join the PCCin thanking the KOICA for thesewonderful, high-tech facilities forgenetic improvement and con-servation of livestock animals,”USec Romulo-Puyat said.

“The PCC will be able todouble production of bull semenfor its artificial insemination ser-

10

DA family honors Dir. Joe V. Dayao Rice industry ... (from p 5)

DA eyes ... (from p 3)

breeding purposes, De Lunasaid.

They will be established at theUniversity of the Philippines LosBaños (UPLB) and at the Cen-tral Mindanao University inBukidnon, and expected to beoperational by 2015.

He said the construction of thefacilities and training of corn ex-perts are set in 2014.

De Luna said the project aimsto collect corn varieties fromother countries as well, whichcould also be used for breeding.(DA-AFIS, Business World)

They also call on PresidentBenigno S. Aquino III to issue apublic declaration in support ofthe Anti-Smuggling Drive andgrant the Department of Agricul-ture access to the Customs areawhere reported allegedsmuggled rice are discharged orstored.

As a support to the DA TaskForce on Anti-Rice Smuggling,the rice industry major stakehold-ers will also ask the President toissue directives to the Depart-ment of Interior and Local Gov-ernment (DILG), the PhilippineNational Police (PNP) and thePhilippine Coast Guard.

To control the inflow of im-ported rice, the governmentthrough the NFA shall now be thesole importer. It was also agreedthat only ordinary rice shall beimported by NFA to cater to theneeds of the marginalized con-sumers and not to compete withthe private sector

The farmer groups were pre-viously allowed to import rice aspart of the private sector alloca-tion but, with this agreement,they will instead be allowed todistribute imported rice under theInstitutionalized Farmers asNFA’s Distributors (IFAD).

The covenant also entails thatsmuggled rice shall be seized bythe Bureau of Customs at NFAwarehouses, and stored wherea fee shall be charged. Whenthe smuggled rice shall be of-fered for bidding, the NFA shallhave the right of first refusal andmatch the offer of the highestbidder.

Rice millers and processorsagreed to have their brandnames also registered with NFAto differenciate them.

Meanwhile, RepresentativeViolago commended the DA andSecretary Alcala for its efforts toattain rice self-sufficiency. Hesaid that for the last two years,irrigation facilities and other in-frastructure, and high yieldingseeds have improve and contrib-uted to increased production.

NFA Administrator Calayagassured the farmers that theagency has enough funds to pro-cure locally produced palay. Hesaid that NFA is now reviewingits policies on grains standard-ization, accreditation, transportpermit, etc. to help the rice sec-tor facilitate its transactions withthe government. (NFA)

Raising veggies, while serving time. Secretary Alcala (in-set, 2nd from right) hands over packs of vegetable seeds to Bureauof Corrections (BuCor) Director Rafael Marcos to sustain a DA-BuCor project — called ‘Yaman sa halamanan: Gulayan sabilangguan, gabay sa pagbabagong buhay’ — during a simplegraduation ceremony, on February 13, 2013, of 22 inmates and 13BuCor staff who trained on vegetable production under the DA’shigh value crops development program (HVCDP), at the New BilibidPrison, in Muntinlupa City. Also shown at inset are DA-HVCDPnational coordinator Dir. Jennifer Remoquillo (left) and DA-RFU4-A Dir. Vilma Dimaculangan. Since July 2010, the DA haspartnered with BuCor to transform idle prison and penal lands intoproductive rice farms such as in Iwahig, Palawan and Sablayan,Occidental Mindoro.

Inmates train ... (from p 8)in farming even after your prisonterms,” Alcala said adding that hehas high hopes that the trainingthey received will equip them witha means of sustainable liveli-hood.

“We are here with you all theway,” the Agri chief added.

To ensure that released prison-ers will be supported all through-out, Alcala asked for a list of theliberated captives for follow upextensions.

The Department, thru the HighValue Crops Development Pro-gram (HVCDP) and DA-TECHGEN, has partnered withthe Department of Justice (DoJ),thru the BuCor’s New NBP AgroProduction Division in the imple-mentation of the vegetable pro-duction project.

DA provided agricultural inputs(seeds, plastic mulch, fertilizers,seedling trays, and water pump),training and technical assistance,marketing assistance and moni-toring of the project. It also reha-bilitated the existing greenhousefor seedling production.

The Vegetable Importers, Ex-porters & Vendors Association(VIEVA) has also extended mar-keting support.

The vegetable productionproject commenced when Presi-dent Benigno S. Aquino III visitedthe NBP on January 27, 2012during the presentation of the Bu-reau of Corrections Roadmap.

The DA-HVCDP conducted theseason-long training for the in-mates in the Minimum SecurityCamp and for the Bureau of Cor-rections employees which startedlast October 2012. The programis divided into two phases. Theproject’s first phase started inFebruary 2012 when a total areaof 3,900 square meters wasplanted with hot pepper with aharvested volume of 1,200 kilo-grams.

The second phase began inNovember 2012 when differenttypes of lowland and highlandvegetables such as upo,ampalaya, stringbeans, okra, cu-cumber, eggplant, squash, to-mato, bush sitao, kangkong, andsaluyot were planted in a total of3,000 square meters.

The project’s next steps includeexpansion of four hectares forcommercial production of veg-etables; provision of seeds, cul-tivator, farm tools, and water plas-tic drums; establishment of woodvinegar chamber andvermicomposting facility; andcontinuous monitoring and tech-nical assistance.( DA-AFIS )

Try binukaw ... (from p 6)

sub-globose fruits and each hasa multi-sectioned pod of sourseeds.

The tree of binukaw is me-dium-sized with ovate oblongleaves that are about 15 cm longand rounded at both ends. Thetree flowers in clusters in green-ish white. The fruit aresubglobuse and grows up tothree centimeters long and yel-lowish in color. The fruit is juicyand five-seeded.

According to the book of Dr.Coronel, this unutulized speciesis useful as a home garden fruittree and its fruits may be eatenraw.

In the article, “Garciniabinucao,” Visayan Daily Star col-umnist, Eli F.J. Tajanlangit saidbinukaw is the secret agent in theNegrense cook’s souring arsenalthat makes his kansi or sinigangso fruity sour, and it never failsto impress visitors.

He described binukaw’ssourness as something that is“diff icult to pin down, whichmakes it stand out on a diningtable, simply because it is notused in most parts of the coun-try. If properly promoted, binukaw

may well be one of our tickets tointernational gastronomicalfame.”

Tajanlangit said currentlythere are already avalaibletechnologies that enable con-sumers to enjoy this sour fruiteven if it’s not in season. Thebottled binukaw puree and can-died binukaw in sugar syrup aresold commercially in Negros Oc-cidental, where “there is a robusteating tradition for this fruit thatis difficult to propagate.”

Binukaw plants and fruits wereexhibited at the booth of the DA-RFU 6 booth during the 8th Agri-culture and Fisheries TechnologyForum and Product Exhibition,August 9-11, 2012, organized byDA-BAR at the SM Megatrade,Mandaluyong City. BAR DirectorNicomedes P. Eleazar and staff,participants and guests wereable to taste binukaw. (Rita T.dela Cruz, DA-BAR)

11February 2013

P-Noy, SPJA lead...(from p 2)

(SVLF) program will enable ag-ricultural extension workers(AEWs) to conveniently traveland serve the needs of farmersand fisherfolk, particularly in far-flung farming and fishing com-munities.

“This will ensure timely andspeedy delivery of support ser-vices and transfer of agriculturaltechnologies to the countryside,”said the DA chief, who forged amemorandum of agreement withPNB President Omar Byron Mier,February 25, 2013, at the DAcentral office in Quezon City.

Under the partnership, the DA-NAFC has allotted P215 millionas a guarantee fund for the SVLFprogram, while the PNB will ex-

DA-NAFC, PNB ... (from p 1)

DA and NAFC officials, led by Sec. Proceso Alcala, formally seal their partnership with PNB represen-tatives led by PNB President Omar Byron Mier during the MOA signing on February 25.

tend to qualified borrowers amotorcycle loan of up toP55,000, payable in seven yearswith 7.25% interest per annum.

SVLF, which ran successfullyfor 40 years, is a loan facility thatprovides agricultural techniciansand other farm extension work-ers involved in agri-fishery devel-opment to avail of vehicles sothey can easily reach their clien-teles living in far-flung areas.

“These transport systems,usually motorcycles, help themreach their clients living in farbarrios and provide for themtechnical advice and supporthands-on. They will also be ableto perform their duties effectivelyand efficiently. Thus, we are re-newing our partnership withPNB,” Alcala said.

The program is implementedby NAFC through a guaranteefund provided by the 2KR Facil-

DA to construct ... (from p 12)

“Ilan lamang po ito sapositibong ambag ng JalaurRiver Project sa ating sektor ngagrikultura," the President said.

The project also involves theconstruction of a 6.6-megawatthydro-electric facility, augmentingthe power supply in the province.

It will also provide a potablewater system for domestic and in-dustrial use in Iloilo City andnearby municipalities.

In all, the JRMP2 will benefit25 cities and towns, namely: IloiloCity, Passi City, Calinog,Lambunao, Badiangan, Janiuay,Cabatuan, Sta. Barbara, Pavia,Alimodian, Leon, San Miguel,

Oton, Tigbauan, Dueñas, SanEnrique, Anilao, Dingle, BarotacNuevo, Dumangas, Mina, NewLucena, Pototan, Zarraga, andLeganes.

During its construction, theproject will benefit 17,000 work-ers and their families, who wouldearn an estimated P1.3 billion inbasic wages annually.

It will also create ancillary en-terprises and create livelihoodand employment opportunities inseveral project sites.

The project is funded by SouthKorea’s Export-Import Bank.

President Aquino cited thegovernment's partnership withSouth Korea, and thanked SouthKorean President Lee Myung-bak for all the support they ex-

crops. He said the DA will pro-vide needed assistance andtraining to further strengthenthem.

During the farmers’ forum, heinstructed Philippine Rice Re-search Institute director EufemioRasco, Jr. to field-test salt-toler-ant varieties which could beplanted in several coastal townsin the province.

On the issue of cutting old co-conut trees, Philippine CoconutAuthority administrator EuclidesForbes said it could be allowed,provided local government unitsapprove and adopt a municipalresolution to that effect.

During the farmers’ forum inevery site, Secretary Alcalahanded over and raffled off tofarmers P2.7-million worth ofhand tractors, knapsack spray-ers, water pump engine sets, riceharvester-cutters, threshers, draftanimals with implements, andAnglo-Nubian breeder bucks.(Bethzaida Bustamante)

ity of the Japanese Government,the National Economic Develop-ment Authority, and other gov-ernment agencies.

As of December 2012, SVLFPhas provided 20,000 motorcycleunits to thousands of extensionworkers.

“Today, the clamor continueswith close to 2,000 pending ap-plications await approval,” Alcalasaid.

The agri chief added that hesympathizes with the plight of theextension workers who go out oftheir way to serve the farmers,fishers, and other stakeholdersof the agriculture sector.

The signing of the agreementformalizes the collaboration ofthe DA-NAFC and the PNB andis directed towards enhancingthe capabilities of AEWs and em-ployees involved in the country’sagricultural and developmentactivities. It also seals anotherpartnership to strengthen serviceat the grassroots level.

Present during the MOA sign-ing were NAFC Executive Direc-tor Ariel Cayanan, Undersec-retary for field operations JoelRudinas, Undersec-retary andChief of Staff Emerson Palad, DALegal Service Chief Atty. VeroLibrojo, PNB top officials ElfrenAntonio Sarte, Joven Hernandezand Modette Cariño. (Adora D.Rodriguez)

DA urges Batangas farmers to be more competitive.Secretary Alcala (top, 3rd from left) urges Batangas sugarcane farm-ers to be more cost-efficient and competitive through farm mecha-nization and adoption of organic farming technologies, during the60th general assembly of the Batangas Sugar Planters’ Coopera-tive Marketing Associations, Inc. (BSPCMA), in Balayan,Batangas. He said the DA will support the establishment of anorganic fertilizer manufacturing facility in partnership with theBSPMCA and local government units. During the affair, he raffledoff to lucky attendees various farm equipment, inputs and live-stock animals. Joining him at top photo (from left) are BalayanMayor Emmanuel Fronda, Batangas 1st District RepresentativeTomas Apacible, DA Region 4-A Director Vilma Dimaculangan,DA-Sugar Regulatory Administration Director Lito Sandoval, andBSPCMA chairman Danilo Zuñiga.

vices all over the country,” sheadded.

For his part, Ambassador Leesaid the partnership betweenKOICA and PCC will furtherstrengthen and sustain the DA’slivestock genetic improvementprogram in the Philippines.

Dr. Cruz said with the new fa-cilities, PCC will be able to servehalf a million more farmers ev-ery year, and increase their pro-ductivity and incomes.

State-of-the-art ... (from p 9)

The Department of Agriculturethrough the National IrrigationAdministration (DA-NIA) targetsto irrigate 150,000 hectares (ha)more this year, bringing thecountry’s total irrigated area to1.88 million ha.

Of the target, some 40,000 hawill be added by June 2013, andthe bulk of 110,000 ha by the endof the year. The bulk of the150,000 ha is in Mindanao, saidNIA administrator AntonioNangel.

He is confident NIA can attainthe additional irrigated area of150,000 ha, which are enoughto attain rice sufficiency by theend of this year, and also boostproduction of fancy rice for ex-port, he noted.

The DA targets to produce20.4 million metric tons (MMT) ofpalay this year, from last year’s18.03 MMT.

The country’s total irrigatedarea, Nangel said, has steadilyrisen from 1.48 million ha in De-cember 2010, to 1.57 million hain 2011 and 1.73 million ha lastyear.

But there is much to be done,as the country’s total irrgiablearea is 3.126 million ha.

DBM releases P600MMeanwhile, Nangel said ap-

preciates the recent release ofP600M by the Department ofBudget and Management(DBM). The amount was sourcedfrom the previous year’s nationalbudget.

He said it will be used to con-struct and complete severalsmall irrigation projects, in addi-tion to rehabilitating and restor-ing existing ones, and expandthe coverage of communal irri-gation systems, as well as repairand establish groundwater pumpirrigation systems.

Meanwhile, the DBM will acton the request of NIA for an ad-ditional P1.2 billion to repair irri-gation facilities damaged by ty-phoon Pablo, mostly in Davaoregion, upon receipt of recom-mendation from the National Di-saster Risk Reduction and Man-agement Council (NDRRMC).

DBM Secretary FlorencioAbad said the Aquino adminis-tration is determined to boost theproductivity of agricultural land inthe country, especially since agri-industries are now at the fore-front of our growth agenda. Partof this is the work of rehabilitat-ing irrigation structures damagedby recent calamities, as well asensuring that farming communi-ties are adequately prepared for

DA-NIA to serve add’l150,000 hectares in 2013

destructivew e a t h e rpatterns.

Pendingthe DBMapproval,N a n g e lsaid theNIA Boardchaired bySecretaryAlcala hasapprovedto front load P500 million fromits quick response fund to coverthe initial rehabilitation ex-penses. The amount can coverthe repair of damaged irrigationfacilities in 4,000 to 5,000 ha ofservice area.

P13.6-B Nueva Ecija irrgn projThe DA-NIA is also set to con-

struct a P13.6-billion Balintingonreservoir multi-purpose irrigationproject in Nueva Ecija.

The Department of Agriculturewill construct several agriculturalinfrastructure projects in Quezonprovince, initially amounting toP65 million (M), to further propup the productivity and incomesof farmers, ruralfolk and entrepre-neurs.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso

(Pls turn to p11)

Quezon farmers get P65-M FMR, SWIP and RPC

President Aquino and Secretary Alcala hand over certificates oflivelihood assistance to Moro Islamic Liberation Front combatantsat the launch of Sajahathra Program, in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat,Maguindanao, February 11, 2013. They are assisted by Social Wel-fare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman and MILF ChairMurad Ebrahim al-Haj.

Nangel said a Singaporeancompany, Kaltimex Energy Ltd.,has been given the go-signal bythe NIA to undertake the project.

It will irrigate 63,000 ha in thetowns of Cabiao, General Tinio,

The DA is allotting an initial P65 million (M) to construct severalinfrastructure projects to further boost the productivity and incomesof farmers in Quezon. Secretary Alcala said the projects include aP45-M farm-to-market road (FMR), from Barangay (Bgy.) IbabangTalim with Bgy. Ilayang Iyam, in Lucena City, a P15-M rice pro-cessing center, and a P5-M small water impounding project (SWIP)in Bgy. Ibabang Talim. He is shown instructing Bureau of Soilsand Water Management (BSWM) Region 4-A engineer ErnestoBrampio to fast-track the SWIP, during a capsule-laying ceremony,February 27, 2013. Joining them are BSWM director Silvino Tejada(2nd from left), Barangay Ibabang Talim captain Rolando Ebreo(right), and DA Region 4-A director Vilma Dimaculangan (partlyhidden).

Peñaranda, San Isidro and Sta.Rosa and the cities ofCabanatuan and Gapan, all inNueva Ecija; San Ildefonso andSan Rafael in Bulacan; andArayat in Pampanga. (Phl NewsAgency, DBM, Phl Star)

-J. Alcala said the projects includea P45-million farm-to-marketroad (FMR), a P15-M rice pro-cessing complex (RPC), and aP5-million small water impound-ing project (SWIP) in Bgy.Ibabang Talim, Lucena City. TheFMR forms part of a plannedagro-industrial estate in Quezon.

While in his home province, onFebruary 27, 2013, the DA chiefalso led the provincial launch ofthe ‘National Year of Rice’ or NYRadvocacy campaign, starting witha 6-a.m. holy mass at St.Ferdinand Cathedral officiated byBishop Emilio Marquez.

He also dialogued with thou-sands of farmers, ruralfolk, stu-dents and local government offi-cials during a series of farmers’forum in Lucena, Atimonan andLopez, where he urged farmersto adopt modern value-chaintechnologies, from production,processing and marketing.

He cited the success of theSentrong Pamilihan in Sariaya,Quezon, a wholesale farm cen-ter, where farmers are enjoyingincreased productivity, incomesand standard of living, as severalvegetable farm-families have af-forded themselves of amenitieslike new or renovated houses,school tuition fees for their chil-dren, and new transport and 4x4vehicles. He also urged farmersto open up and develop new ar-eas in partnership with the DAand DSWD through the cash-for-work program.

The DA chief also dialoguedwith the officers and members ofthe newly-formed Quezon provin-cial federation of Small WaterImpounding Systems Associa-tions (SWISAs), in Lucena City.He acknowledged their continu-ing efforts and contribution intransforming the province into amajor producer of rice, veg-etables and other high-value