Sen. Grace Poe Encourages “Agripreneurship”

Sen. Grace Poe Encourages “Agripreneurship”

The Philippines has a population that is dependent on the agricultural sector for its livelihood. 60% of the Philippine population lives in the rural areas where the prevalence of poverty is the highest. The only way to bring inclusive growth t many Filipinos is by boosting the agriculture industry.

Sen. Grace Poe noted that the average age of the Filipino farmer is 57 years old. “If no one would go farming anymore in the next generation, where shall we get our food and how about the food security in our country?,” Sen. Poe said during the 17th Mango and Bamboo Festival helt at San Carlos City, Pangasinan last April 25, 2017.

Sen. Poe said that we need to raise a new generation of farmers that will employ modern technology and boost crop yields. This also dovetails with her encouraging farmers to be “agripreneurs” themselves so as to earn more revenues for themselves.

The festival was a good way to promote farming and agricultural ingenuity and Sen. Poe cited San Carlos City as one of the primary  trading centers in bamboo products as well as one of the top producers of the “Kalabaw” mango variety.

In order to provide the necessary help to agriculture, Sen. Poe has filed the Corporative Farming bill (Senate Bill 341) which seeks to boost public-private partnerships to enhance productivity in the agriculture sector,  as well as the proposed Integrated Urban Agriculture Act that aims to promote food production in urban areas, and the Credit Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolks which seeks to amend the Agricultural Land Reform Code by requiring the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to reserve 10 percent of its loan portfolio for agricultural projects.

The livelihood of the people in the rural areas will benefit if such assistance is provided particularly to small farmers and micro, small and medium-scale enterprises. 

Sen. Poe stated that “This, my citymates, is what I want for our country: that all shall benefit from the resources of the country, all are robust and healthy and everybody is capable to achieve his or her dream because the government is concerned and gives what’s due them”.

Only if the rural population have gainful employment and livelihood in the agricultural sector will there be tru inclusivity in the growth of the economy and will drastically reduce the incidence of poverty nationwide aside from giving national food security.

Thursday, May 11, 2017 Agriculture, Events, Philippine Mangoes, Sustainable farming

DA Launches Farm Assistance Program

DA Launches Farm Assistance Program

Farm inputs being distributed during SAAD Launch

In fulfillment of his campaign promise of helping the farmers of Mindanao, President Rodrigo Duterte through the Department of Agriculture (DA) launched the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program.

This was launched by Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and Agriculture Assistant Secretary Lerey Panes jointly launched in Buluan, Maguindanao.

In acknowledging that agricultural productivity goes hand in hand with peace and order especially in conflict torn areas where the ordinary farmers bear the brunt of violence and aggression, SAAD is the answer. This program seeks to address poverty and underdevelopment in rural areas.

Included in the SAAD is the funding for socio-economic interventions worth Php150 million will be made available to farmers in Mindanao. According to Governor Mangudadatu, this was also a way of President Duterte to give thanks for the overwhelming support given by the people of Mindanao during the 2016 elections wherein Duterte swamped his rivals.

The SAAD launch was also attended by DA Region 12 Director Milagros Casis and DA officials from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). 

The event also included the turn-over of farm inputs and farmer beneficiaries from Maguindanao. 

“We are thankful to President Duterte and Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol for this good tiding,” Governor Mangudadatu said.

The SAAD program include technical support, educational interventions and socio-economic packages that will enable farmers to boost their production and crop yields.

Educational interventions include training in crop diversification so that farmers can supplement and increase their income by planting diverse crops aside from their traditional crops with proper environmental management practices.

The SAAD program is also being implemented in Apayao, Western Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, North Cotabato, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Sarangani.

In ethnic Maranaw, “saad” means equitable distribution”.  

Thursday, May 11, 2017 Agriculture, DA News, Events, Sustainable farming

Conference for Small and Family Farmers

Conference for Small and Family Farmers

The 1st National Small & Family Farmers; New & Beginning Farmers Conference will be held on March 20-21, 2017 at SEARCA at UPLB Laguna. This is for all small farmers and farms that are family run.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) the average small scale farms have an average size of 1.29 hectares. Even so, of all the 5.56 million farms 38% are half a hectare or less in size. 

Given this backdrop and also according to the PSA, 60% of the Philippine population resides in the rural areas and thus have agriculture as the main industry for their livelihood, the economic upliftment of the country is now dependent of how the agricultural sector contributes to the national economy.

This serves as the impetus in having a comprehensive developmental plan for the agricultural sector with emphasis on small and family farms of the above mentioned scale. 

Thus, the The 1st National Small & Family Farmers; New & Beginning Farmers Conference, brings together for the first time stakeholders of this very important yet often neglected segment of our agricultural industry. 

Historically, agriculture or farming started out even in pre-historic times wherein the pressure of population gave the necessity of having farms together with the hunter-gatherer segments of a tribe and even a family so as to sustain its food supply.

This changed the usual nomadic existence to a more stable gathering of people for common security and food supply sustainability. Early farms were family owned and run farms. Owing to the size of the family, they can only manage efficiently a relatively small piece of land for their food needs. This form of subsistence farming still continues to this day in the Philippines.

The current small and family farms are run not only for family subsistence but also in integration with a modern economic system and thus also in the context of a modern social and cultural system that integrates domicile, recreation and even education.   

The objective of this conference is promote the creation of systems of farming capable of maintaining their productivity and usefulness to the community. The central theme of this conference is how to mobilize our small and family farmers; new and beginning farmers for food security, sustainable tourism and rural development.

This conference is organized by a network of family farmers advocating promotion of family farming.

The conference aims to bring together a diversity of stakeholders primarily from the grassroots farming community together with professionals and leaders from academia, non-governmental organizations, governmental agencies and policy makers, whose goals and activities support the sustainability of small & family farmers and encouragement of new & beginning farmers. The conference aims to strengthen collaborations and partnerships among stakeholders, and will provide an opportunity to share new ideas in research, extension, and outreach that aim to build resilient farming systems and the quality of life within communities. 

The conference will have plenary sessions, breakout sessions, poster, exhibits and success stories presentation. Pamiliyang Magsasaka Nights

For online registration, please follow this link : http://www.smallandfamilyfarmersconference.com/online-registration

Friday, March 10, 2017 Agriculture, Events, Rice Yields, Technology-Implements, Technology-Land, Technology-Others

New crab hatchery to rise in Alaminos

New crab hatchery to rise in Alaminos

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) is set to establish a P5-million mud crab hatchery here early next year. 

Virna Salac, national coordinator of DOST- PCARRD, told reporters the hatchery would be the first of its kind in Northern Luzon that would be run by a local government unit. 

She said while there were other mud crab hatcheries, these were operated by the private sector. 

According to Salac, the hatchery in Alaminos City will service mud crab grow out producers in the private sector. Construction is expected to start in February next year in a 500 square-meter lot owned by the city government. 

Once operational, it can produce 480,000 crablets per year, said Rolando Cerezo, director for special projects and project leader of mud crab hatchery in the Pangasinan State University (PSU). 

The PSU will train technicians from the local government unit. Once the hatchery is operational, the LGU will take over the project under the supervision of the PSU. 

Cerezo said they would use king crab as breeders. With this project,  Salac expects a year-round supply of crablets. 

She said catching from the wild would be minimized. “We are not dispersing, and we keep on getting from the wild so that would be depleted,” she said. 

Salac said they have developed mud crab feeds that are affordable but with high protein content for higher profit by the producers.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/2016/12/25/1656558/new-crab-hatchery-rise-alaminos

Wednesday, January 04, 2017 Aquaculture, DA News, Events, Science, Sustainable farming, Technology-Others

Sustaining the Philippine seas with the Pangako sa Dagat

Sustaining the Philippine seas with the Pangako sa Dagat

WMSU President Dr. Mirabel Ho and PCAARRD Executive Director Dr. Patricio Faylon led in unveiling the Pangako sa Dagat pledge wall.

Officials and staff of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), the local government of Zamboanga, and the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) pledged to help save the Philippine seas to sustain fish production for the benefit of Filipinos on a pledge wall dubbed as “Pangako sa Dagat” during the 2014 Sardines Festival  held at WMSU, Zamboanga City.

The officials who pledged their commitment during the event included Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabel Climaco-Salazar; NFRDI Interim Deputy Director Noel Barut; WMSU President Dr. Mirabel Ho; PCAARRD Executive Director Dr. Patricio Faylon; BFAR Director Atty. Asis Perez, and  Atty. Rhaegee Tamanya who represented the Office of Senator Cynthia Villar. Students of the WMSU and nearby schools also signed the pledge wall as a sign of their commitment.

The local government expressed the need to maintain and protect the environment to ensure stable fish supply for commercial and community use. Cases of overfishing, illegal fishing, and pollution have been plaguing the Sulu Celebes sea, endangering the sardine supply of Zamboanga.

“The Philippines is the third largest sardine producer in the world. After two to three years, the Philippines hopefully will be the number one in the world,” said PCAARRD Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon during this speech.

To attain this goal, BFAR is continuing its efforts in increasing sardine production through a three-month fishing ban that allows sardines to grow and multiply during spawning season.  Having been enacted in 2011, project implementers reported an increase of sardine by 6.32% in 2012. The ban also reduced the smaller-sized sardines being caught by the sardine industry and the communities.

Moreover, to have a more accurate understanding of the spawning season and juvenile population of sardines, PCAARRD has funded four ongoing studies. These studies include the assessment of the sardine fisheries in Tawi-Tawi waters; molecular technology-based assessment of the sustainability of sardine fisheries; sardine supply chain; and impact assessment of the closed season for sardine fisheries. 

The Sardines Festival is part of the “Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda” (FIESTA), an initiative of PCAARRD-DOST that aims to commercialize regional S&T-based products to their target markets. The two-day event was executed through the collaboration of the WMSU, NFRDI, BFAR, and PCAARRD. The festival is the first FIESTA celebration in Zamboanga City.

Source: http://www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/home/portal/index.php/quick-information-dispatch/2303-sustaining-the-philippine-seas-with-the-pangako-sa-dagat-

Tuesday, December 13, 2016 Aquaculture, Events, Events-Educational, Sustainable farming

WESMAARRDEC pushes Zampen Native Chicken production thru FIESTA

WESMAARRDEC pushes Zampen Native Chicken production thru FIESTA

Farmers, government employees, and other guests listen to the speakers of the technology forum of the Zampen Native Chicken FIESTA (Image credit: Serdan Dimasapit)

In a bid to promote Zampen Native Chicken production as a source of livelihood in the Zamboanga Peninsula, a government research and development consortium based in Zamboanga City led the conduct of a two- day technology transfer activity to inspire native chicken production in the area.

The Western Mindanao Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESMAARRDEC) gathered farmers engaged in native chicken production as well as potential raisers to acquaint them on Zampen Native Chicken production, another meaningful and productive farming activity enriched with science and technology. 

Dubbed as Zampen Native Chicken FIESTA, the event was initiated by the Los Baños, Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD). 

Coined as FIESTA for brevity, the term is the acronym for the phrase  Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda. FIESTA  aims to facilitate the flow of technology not only to the farmers but also to the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises for them to benefit from the government’s R&D undertakings, thereby enabling them to contribute more to economic development.

Held at KCC Mall de Zamboanga on November 22-23, Zampen Native Chicken, FIESTA 2016, served as a major activity to commemorate WESMAARRDEC’s 29th anniversary. It adopted the theme “Manok Zampen: Livelihood Option for Every Juan in the Region.”

The event highlighted the S&T Business Forum which tackled several topics on Zampen Native Chicken production.

Dr. Synan Baguio, Officer-in-Charge of the Livestock Research Division of PCAARRD, discussed the selection, breeding, and production management of Zampen Native Chicken, while Alfred Parungao of the same division, discussed concerns on range management protocols and feeding strategies for sustainable chicken production. 

Dr. Paterna Saavedra, and Dr. Teresita A. Narvaez, researchers from the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), WESMAARRDEC’s base agency, on the other hand, tackled issues on breeder native chicken and hatchery management and pricing and marketing strategies for Zampen Chicken, respectively. 

The gains of Zampen Native Chicken was boosted by the testimonies of stakeholders most notable of which was that of Bureau of Corrections’ administrative staff Wilfredo B. Castillo. Castillo narrated how Zampen Native Chicken production at the San Ramon Penal Farm in Zamboanga City has provided the inmates with a productive activity and a livelihood opportunity once they have served their sentence.

Native chicken production is considered to be the most competitive and sustainable sub sector of the local poultry industry owing to its numerous advantages such as low capital investment, simple management system, and the emergence of new markets, among other advantages.

Providing additional income for farmers and known as a source of high quality meat, native chicken is considered to be an important component of the country’s rural farming system.    

Source: http://www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/home/portal/index.php/quick-information-dispatch/2835-wesmaarrdec-pushes-zampen-native-chicken-production-thru-fiesta

Tuesday, December 06, 2016 Agriculture, Events, Events-Conferences, Events-Educational, Poultry, Sustainable farming, Technology, Technology-Others

DA-BSWM Holds SLM Training to Mitigate Effects of Drought

DA-BSWM Holds SLM Training to Mitigate Effects of Drought

The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) and the Malaybalay Project Team have gone hand in hand in conducting training on Sustainable Land Management (SLM) project and initial establishment of techno demonstration site held at the Loiza’s Pavilion, Malaybalay City Bukidnon last November 7-11, 2016.

According to its National Project Director, Dir. Silvino Q. Tejada, this five-day training is under the project entitled “Implementation of the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Practices to Address Land Degradation and Mitigate Effects of Drought” which was made possible through the partnership of Global Environment Facility (GEF5) and United National Development Program (UNDP).

"When we say SLM we are talking about the use of land and water resources for the production of goods to meet human needs while ensuring the long-term productive potential of resources and maintenance of environmental function. The keyword here is sustainable dahil kung hindi natin ito gagawing sustenable mauubusan ng resources ang mga susunod na henerasyon," Dir. Tejada underscored.

The training is designed for the recipients of the project including the Silae United Agrarian Reform Cooperative (SUARC), Provincial and City Agriculture Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). It aims to provide an in-depth knowledge on SLM related topics especially on how to manage land degradation in sloping areas. 

In line with this, DA Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol  wants to make the upland families as forest caretakers for his Agro-Forestry Program, a project that targets to employ residents in upland areas to monitor a designated area planted to fruit-bearing tree species. 

According to him, this will help in achieving his aim for a paradigm shift in DA’s programs and priorities to address adverse repercussions of climate change in the agri-fisheries sector which affect food supply in the country.

Moreover, with the supervision of ATI Training Center 10, the participants were able to visit the E &N farms at Purok 6, Lalawan, Linabo, Malaybalay City to showcase a successful farm area that adopts SLM practices. They also had a hands-on training and participatory workshop on farm planning at the three-hectare corn-based techno demonstration site located at Barangay Silae, Malaybalay City.

According to Provincial Agricultural Officer, Engr. Alson G. Quimba, everyone must work together and help each other for the preservation of the soil in order to become a successful model to nearby barangays and municipalities in Bukidnon.

As part of the project, similar training shall also be conducted in Brgy. Tadoc, Abuyog, Leyte on December 4-7, 2016. (Amelia M. Fermia, Project Assistant III)

Thursday, November 24, 2016 Agriculture, DA News, Events, Sustainable farming, Technology-Land

Technical congress renames mud crab as mangrove crab

Technical congress renames mud crab as mangrove crab

Participants of the 1st National Mud Crab Congress held at Ann Margaret Ballroom,Diversion 21 Hotel, Iloilo City (Photo by the Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division, PCAARRD)

Mud crabs will now be referred to as mangrove crabs.

This was agreed upon during the first National Mud Crab Congress held by the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center-Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC-AQD) in Tigbauan, Iloilo. The congress had the theme, Philippines: In the forefront of the mud crab industry development. The resolution was signed by 246 participants, wherein 20 are from the academe or state universities and colleges, 71 from different government agencies, 99 from non-government organizations and private sectors, and 67 from SEAFDEC-AQD, University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).

As crabs live in the mangrove, the congress participants agreed to link the species to its environment to give importance to mangrove forests, an extremely productive ecosystem. Mangrove forests provide numerous goods and services both to the marine environment and populace. Not only serving as home to fishes, crabs, shrimps, and mollusks, they also provide the essential source of food for thousands of coastal communities around the world.

Locally known as alimango, mud crab will now be referred to as mangrove crab as its standard common name in English and will apply to all species belonging to the genus Scylla.

The National Mud Crab Congress was held in collaboration with the UPV in Miag-ao, Iloilo and DOST-PCAARRD.

The congress aimed to discuss the present state of mangrove crab industry in the country; latest developments and technologies, problems, issues, and researchable areas; and to increase awareness, support and development in attaining the common goal of making the Philippines as the biggest producer of mangrove crab, surpassing its ranking as second to China. The event was held at Diversion 21 Hotel, Iloilo City.

The congress also featured paper presentations focused on hatchery, nursery and grow-out including fattening and aquasilviculture, soft-shell crab farming, and postharvest. Aside from recent updates on researches undertaken on mangrove crab, new research areas for its industry development were identified.

The decapod crustacean or 10-legged mangrove crab is also referred as Indo-Pacific swamp crab. There are three species of mangrove crab in the Philippines, namely, Scylla olivacea, S. tranquebarica, and S. paramamosain. In the Philippines, mangrove crab is considered a very important aquaculture commodity due to its high demand in the local and world markets. 

Source: http://www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/home/portal/index.php/quick-information-dispatch/2649-technical-congress-renames-mud-crab-as-mangrove-crab

Friday, November 04, 2016 Aquaculture, Events, Science, Sustainable farming, Technology-Others

PCAARD Animal Epidemiology Training

PCAARD Animal Epidemiology Training

PCAARRD conducted Training on Applied Veterinary Epidemiology and Animal Disease Diagnosis for Animal Health Research Personnel at the Guest House Conference Room, Munoz, Nueva Ecija, last 23 - 27 May 2016

RATIONALE 

The training workshop will be conducted to equip animal health researchers and concerned regulatory personnel and strengthen their working knowledge on appropriate epidemiological capacity concepts regarding animal disease diagnosis, monitoring and surveillance, outbreak investigation and disease control. 

This training will provide an in-depth review of how the different concepts on veterinary epidemiology, monitoring, surveillance, and disease control strategies are defined. As explained by Acta Veterinaria Scandinavia, monitoring and surveillance systems (MO&SS) involve measurements of disease occurrence. Meanwhile, the monitoring design will determine which types of disease occurrence measures can be applied appropriately in a given situation. Furthermore, the knowledge on the performance of diagnostic tests (sensitivity and specificity) is crucial in the estimation of the true occurrence of a certain disease. With these, participants will be reviewed on veterinary epidemiological parameters embedded in disease diagnosis, monitoring, and surveillance. 

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavia further states that it is generally accepted that both disease monitoring and surveillance involve the continuous collection of data. Dr. David Sherman, ASAP/DCA, defined disease surveillance as an organized, systematic means of detecting, reporting, recording, and analyzing the occurrence of disease based on evidence from the field. 

Furthermore, Acta Veterinaria Scandinavia explains that data collection is the core of disease monitoring and surveillance systems (MO&SS) and whenever data are used the data quality is of great concern. As with any other data collection, if the data on disease are collected accurately and representatively and the MO&SS is designed to monitor the disease the monitoring or surveillance may be referred to as active (primary data are collected). Passive monitoring or surveillance is then referred to when data collected for other purposes (existing or secondary data) are used.

OBJECTIVES 

The training course should be able to equip animal health researchers and regulatory personnel on:
1) Concepts on veterinary epidemiology;
2) Quantifying disease occurrence;
3) Designing epidemiological studies;
4) Demonstrating association and causation
5) Sampling animal populations;
6) Interpreting diagnostic tests;
7) Providing information on disease control and eradication;
8) Conducting disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, community preparedness and disaster management;
9) Understanding public health, and the identification and control of zoonotic pathogens.

Tuesday, June 07, 2016 Agriculture, Events, Events-Conferences, Native Pigs, Permaculture, Piggery, Sustainable farming, Technology, Technology-Others

Regenerative Living: Thriving Amid Climate Change

Regenerative Living: Thriving Amid Climate Change

Quezon City - The Commission on Audit (COA) celebrated its 117th founding anniversary last May 2016 with week-long activities which highlighted the commission’s role as a preeminent partner in nation-building.

One of the activities that was highlighted during the anniversary week was the seminar on permaculture, a timely and relevant session because of the many concerns and problems the Philippines is currently experiencing due to the effects of climate change.

The seminar entitled “Regenerative Living: Thriving Amid Climate Change” is an introduction to the basics of permaculture also known as sustainable farming. Permaculture is a system of agricultural and social design principles centered on simulating or directly utilizing the patterns and features observed in natural ecosystems.

The word permaculture originally referred to "permanent agriculture", but was later expanded to also mean "permanent culture" when people realized that to create truly sustainable development both technology and culture had to adjust.

COA Commissioner Jose A. Fabia graced the event and gave an inspirational message to the more than 150 attendees composed of COA directors, officials from different regions, and staff from the COA main office.

The Commissioner narrated how he was introduced to permaculture when he took a course in Australia, and that his interest grew when he saw the benefits of permaculture and made it his goal to try to apply what he learned.

According to Commissioner Fabia, we need to take control and responsibility of the food that we eat. Organic farming and designing systems are critical since these will ensure that we are eating natural food without any chemical or artificial contents.

Commissioner Fabia advocates permaculture or what he termed as ‘easy farming’ so that people can do their share in caring for the environment and help in mitigating the effect of climate change. He said that the Kidapawan incident would not have happened if the farmers practiced permaculture. He described permaculture as a "plant and forget" process which will give people varieties of vegetables they can eat for life.

Meanwhile, Ms. Cyrene O. Reyes, co-founder of the Pitak Project, an organization that promotes sustainable and regenerative living through natural building and permaculture, was the seminar’s resource person.

She defined regenerative living as becoming empowered and getting the most out of ourselves and life around us. Regenerative living describes the processes that restore, renew, revitalize your own source of energy and materials.

Ms. Reyes proceeded with the seminar by lecturing on the 18 basic principles and four categories of permaculture. She talked about the three basic ethics of permaculture.

These are:
1) care for the earth,
2) care for the people, and
3) fair share or return of surplus.

She gave examples on how they are able to practice these basic ethics with their Pitak Project program.

The four categories of permaculture are: energy, nature, component placement, and attitudinal. Ms. Reyes discussed every principle included in those four categories.

The principles under the category of energy includes: energy inputs, energy cycling, and efficient energy planning.

The principles under the category of nature includes: diversity, edge exploitation, small scale intensive systems, biological resource, and accelerating succession and evolution.

For the principles under the category of components placement, she discussed the relationship of stability, multi-functionality, support, and relative location to permaculture.

Ms. Reyes also gave examples of the attitudinal principles which include cooperation, positivity, yield, and proximity.

After her lecture on the categories and principles of permaculture, Ms. Reyes shared their practices and experiences with the Pitak Project.

The Pitak Project is actually a model farm in the village of Pideg in Tubao, La Union. The word “pitak” is an Ilocano word term for mud. Its Filipino translation is “putik.” They chose the word “pitak” to symbolize the bond of the rich soil and water that gives life. It also embodies their aspirations to build naturally and produce food the permaculture way.

Saturday, June 04, 2016 Agriculture, Events, Events-Educational, Permaculture, Sustainable farming, Technology, Technology-Others

SCOPSA, GAINING POPULARITY AMONG CORN FARMERS

SCOPSA, GAINING POPULARITY AMONG CORN FARMERS

(From Left to Right) Regional Technical Director Orlando Lorenzana (Region II), Ms. Nancy de Sagun (BSWM), Assistant Director Sonia Salguero (BSWM), Engr. Samuel Contreras (BSWM) and Mr. Dominciano Ramos (BSWM) joined by the participants and representatives from the DA's Regional Field Offices, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and Private Agricultural Sectors during the National Consultative Review and Planning Workshop for Sustainable Corn Production in Sloping Areas (SCoPSA) held at the BSWM Convention Hall.

Based on the initial result of the project implementation of Sustainable Corn Production in Sloping Areas (SCoPSA), farmers and Local Government Units (LGUs) are seen to be highly engaged in establishing more new sites and community based techno-demo farms that can benefit almost 600,000 families in the country relying to corn as their main source of livelihood.

Results are manifested by the numerous requests coming from the LGUs seeking assistance to conduct technical briefings and capacity trainings that is more than twice the target for 2015.

Based on reports of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) as the implementing agency of the program, 1,200 corn farmers have already given assistance and consultations that strengthened partnership among various stakeholders engaged in corn production and the government from April to December 2015 in the provinces of Quirino, Iloilo, Capiz, Nueva Vizcaya, Albay and Bukidnon.

In 2013, the Department of Agriculture instructed the BSWM in close coordination with DA-RFOs to provide Techno-Demo Farms to address the issues concerning improper soil and water conservation management and other human-induced crop production practices in sloping areas, particularly, upland fields that are not supposed to be planted with corn to protect landscapes.

Presently, SCoPSa is one of the Department of Agriculture's soil conservation and climate change adaptation measures through the coverage of corn areas vulnerable to soil erosion in different locations of the country.

The project is implemented by establishing a techno-demo farm showcasing easily adoptable and socially acceptable soil and water conservation technologies which are focused on soil erosion control and gully stabilization to improve soil fertility.

According to BSWM Director Silvino Tejada, corn is considered cash crop for the last five years through introduction of technologies for corn production.

"We are aiming for sustainable agricultural practices that can benefit not just the farmers but the whole agricultural sector in  the long run" Tejada added.

Furthermore, to enhance the productivity level of corn production and extend the promotion of sustainable land use management, a two-day Consultative Review and Planning Workshop for SCoPSA was carried out by the BSWM led by Assistant Director Sonia M. Salguero at the BSWM Convention Hall. The said workshop was attended by the DA's attached agencies, DA-Regional Field Offices and Crop Life Philippines representatives.

During the island-wide consultation, it was proposed that additional community-based sites shall be established for more opportunities that can be provided and extended to upland corn farmers to increase their income while promoting sustainable land use management and good agricultural practices.

"Doing this is not just promoting the corn but making sure that the production in these particular fields is sustainable," Salguero said.

Presently, SCoPSA has already established 15 techno-demo farms in Regions I, II, V and VI and aims to establish 12 more sites for 2016 in Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region and Northern Mindanao that will have a total of 76.8 hectares of techno-demo farms.

"As the Philippines remains self-sufficient in corn supply, to sustain its availability and production sufficiency is up to our supervision and continuous action," Salguero added. (Loraine D. Cerillo DA-BSWM)

Source: DA

Monday, March 28, 2016 Agriculture, DA News, Events, Slow Food, Technology-Land

All Set for SIPAG FIESTA March 2 – 4, 2016

All Set for SIPAG FIESTA March 2 – 4, 2016

SIPAG FIESTA will showcase the best of technologies from the country’s research and development institutions on agri-aqua concerns. The technologies would include; carrageenan plant growth regulator (CPGR); Coconut somatic embryogenesis; Swione genomics, Shrimp biofloc technology, Smarter agrigulture, Improved Lakatan varieties resistant to Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) and Cavendish resistant to Fusarium Wilt, Rice Mechanization and Asexual reproduction of corals for transplantation.

CPGR, which is extracted from seaweeds using gamma radiation, when applied at low concentrations in rice, enhances its yield by 15–30% in multi-location trials conducted in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, and Iloilo.

Coconut somatic embryogenesis or CSet, allows the mass production of more pest and disease-resistant coconuts of superior quality from one to 1,000 plantlets per plumule by using explants from high yielding tall and dwarf coconut varieties.

Swine genomics has increased pigs produced per sow per year by 4.6 piglets, which is equivalent to an additional 460 kilograms of hog liveweight or a 25―30% increase in pork production without increasing the breeder pig population. This was made possible by the development of sixteen gene marker protocols associated to high litter size, fast growth rate, meat qualities, and screening of genetic defects and disease resistance.

Smarter Agriculture technology provides farmers and decision makers with a decision support system in dealing with the effects of climate change in the agricultural sector using advances in S&T. As of 2015, the program has already produced outputs in terms of technologies, systems, data products, and networks or linkages.

Lastly, shrimp biofloc technology reduces shrimp’s reliance on protein from feeds; improves shrimp’s nutrition as the technology enhances feed conversion ratio, resulting in larger shrimps; and enhances shrimp’s immune system. The technology uses a microbial mat composed of aggregates of bacteria, algae, protozoa, detritus, and dead organic particles that help control the natural microbial activity in aquaculture ponds.

“We at DOST value media’s huge help in disseminating these technologies. Surely, you have always been instrumental in relaying the good news. More importantly, we continue to enrol your assistance in changing mind sets and in creating a culture of science in the larger sectors of society,” said DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo in his message read by Assistant Secretary Raymund E. Liboro.

Source: DOST-PCAARRD

Tuesday, March 01, 2016 Agriculture, Aquaculture, Carrageenan, Events, Technology

Organic Vegetable Training Class 01-16 Launched in Sagay City

Organic Vegetable Training Class 01-16 Launched in Sagay City

More than 200 farmers belonging to the Organic Vegetable Production Training Class 01-16 attended the official launching of their three-month training in Sagay City, Last January 26, 2016.

The participants are marginal farmers, agrarian reform beneficiaries, and former rebels from the cities of Sagay, Cadiz and Escalante, and Municipality of Manapla.

The program is being implemented by the Provincial Government through the Provincial Peace, Integration and Development Unit (Pro-PIDU) headed by Negros Occ. Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator and Pro-PIDU Action Officer, Dr. Ma. Lina P. Sanogal, and the 303rd Infantry Brigade and 62nd Infantry Brigade.

Sanogal said that the main purpose of the program is to alleviate poverty, advocate organic farming, and promote lasting peace particularly in far-flung areas of Negros Occidental.

The organic vegetable production Demo Farm, located at Herbal Garden, will serve as training venue to teach farmers on the proper way to grow organic vegetables.

Sagay City Mayor Thirdy Marañon said that the said training will pave the way for the Negrenses to become suppliers of organic products, considering that there is an increasing demand of organic food worldwide.

Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon said that the farmers will also be trained on how to make organic fertilizers to augment their production. He added that this there is big money in organic farming while at the same time it is good for people who are health conscious because organic vegetables are free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. /Capitol News

Source: http://www.negros-occ.gov.ph/current-events/press-release/capitol-news/organic-vegetable-training-class-01-16-launched-in-sagay-city.html

Thursday, January 28, 2016 Agriculture, Events, LGU News, News, Organic, Technology

Margarita Fores discusses the “The Philippines' Ark of Tastes” at Slow Food Summit in Negros

Margarita Fores discusses the “The Philippines' Ark of Tastes” at Slow Food Summit in Negros

BACOLOD, Philippines - The Third Speaker at the Slow Food Summit is famous for her expert hand at modern Itialian Cooking that gave the public Cibo, Lusso and Grace Park.Her talk is entitled,  “THE PHILIPPINES’ ARK OF TASTES”.  The Slow Food Negros Island Summit, one of the projects of the Slow Food movement which draws attention to endangered food products in the country, on November 27, 11:00 AM at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol, Bacolod City.

At the Slow Food Negros Island Summit, chefs, farmers, slow food advocates—even converts—will unite to give interesting insights on the most pressing issues about food, our food systems, and the way we eat.  

At the summit, an introduction to Slow Food will be made by Pacita Juan, Reena Gamboa-Peña, Mia Gonzaga and Dr. Anabel Villanueva at 8 to 9 a.m. of November 27.

Ige Ramos will speak on “Tuklasin ang Katutubong Kulinaryo ng Pilipinas (discover Filipino dishes) at 9 a.m., and Nico Aberasturi -Homesteading Growing Food Instead of Lawns at 10 a.m., Villanueva said.

Margarita Fores will discuss the “The Philippines' Ark of Tastes” at 11 a.m., Hindy Weber Tantoco and Melanie Go – The Holistic Life at 1:30 p.m., Amy Besa – Green is Gold in Negros at 3 p.m. 

A Slow Food tasting by the Slow Food Negros Island Convivium will be held at noon.

Slow Food Negros Island is a group of volunteers dedicated in saving endangered food, celebrating gastronomic traditions, promoting good, clean, and fair food, as well as building a healthy relationship among producers, chefs, and consumers.

Slow Food is a global, grassroots movement founded in 1989 by Carlo Petrini and a group of passionate individuals. It started when an international fast food franchise expressed its interest in opening a branch at the famous Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy. The citizens protested by sharing a big bowl of penne pasta with the crowds and began chanting “we don’t want fast food, we want slow food.” Perhaps it was the first time that it was officially coined, the tedious processes of producing and preparing various ingredients for select dishes like cheese, wine, fish, meat, as well as the traditional cooking methods have always been practiced in different parts of the world. After that incident in the ‘80s, what started as a protest to fast food grew to a global movement active in over 100 countries.

Thursday, November 26, 2015 Events, Events-Conferences, Events-Educational, Organic

Social Entrepreneur To Talk On "Making Agriculture Smart and Sexy" at Slow Food Summit

Social Entrepreneur To Talk On "Making Agriculture Smart and Sexy" at Slow Food Summit

Social Entrepreneur Cherrie Atilano

BACOLOD, Philippines - A 28-year-old Negrense social entrepreneur, agriculturist and farmer, will talk about making agriculture smart and sexy at the eighth installation of Organic Market at The Slow Food Negros Island Summit happening on November 27 at the Social Hall of the Capitol Building in this city.

Cherrie Atilano, who grew up in Silay City in this island was a scholar of the Provincial Capitol under the Pagkaon Scholarship Program, will talk on "Making Agriculture Smart and Sexy" on Friday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Atilano graduated magna cum laude from the Visayas State University with a degree on agriculture. She is a founder of AGREA Agricultural Systems International, and a consultant of the Department of Agrarian Reform.

She has worked at the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation as executive assistant of its founder, Antonio Meloto, and at Ayala Land Inc. as landscape horticulturist supervisor and head of Land Development.

At the Slow Food Negros Island Summit, chefs, farmers, slow food advocates—even converts—will unite to give interesting insights on the most pressing issues about food, our food systems, and the way we eat.  

At the summit, an introduction to Slow Food will be made by Pacita Juan, Reena Gamboa-Peña, Mia Gonzaga and Dr. Anabel Villanueva at 8 to 9 a.m. of November 27.

Ige Ramos will speak on “Tuklasin ang Katutubong Kulinaryo ng Pilipinas (discover Filipino dishes) at 9 a.m., and Nico Aberasturi -Homesteading Growing Food Instead of Lawns at 10 a.m., Villanueva said.

Margarita Fores will discuss the “The Philippines' Ark of Tastes” at 11 a.m., Hindy Weber Tantoco and Melanie Go – The Holistic Life at 1:30 p.m., Amy Besa – Green is Gold in Negros at 3 p.m. 

A Slow Food tasting by the Slow Food Negros Island Convivium will be held at noon.

Slow Food Negros Island is a group of volunteers dedicated in saving endangered food, celebrating gastronomic traditions, promoting good, clean, and fair food, as well as building a healthy relationship among producers, chefs, and consumers.

Slow Food is a global, grassroots movement founded in 1989 by Carlo Petrini and a group of passionate individuals. It started when an international fast food franchise expressed its interest in opening a branch at the famous Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy. The citizens protested by sharing a big bowl of penne pasta with the crowds and began chanting “we don’t want fast food, we want slow food.” Perhaps it was the first time that it was officially coined, the tedious processes of producing and preparing various ingredients for select dishes like cheese, wine, fish, meat, as well as the traditional cooking methods have always been practiced in different parts of the world. After that incident in the ‘80s, what started as a protest to fast food grew to a global movement active in over 100 countries.

Sunday, November 22, 2015 Events, Events-Conferences, Events-Educational, Slow Food