Vol. XXVII No.

12

A monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture

December 2012

DA gets P74.9-B budget for 2013

The Department of Agriculture is given P74.9 billion as budget for 2013, which is part of the P2.006-trillion 2013 General Appropriations Act (Republic Act 10352), signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III on December 19, 2012. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the amount is 21 percent more than the P64.1-B budget in 2012. He said agri-fishery infrastructure projects will be bidded and started early to beat the election ban that takes effect on March 29, 2013. We will frontload investments in irrigation, postharvest facilities, farm-to-market roads (FMRs), and other agri-fishery infrastructure, the DA chief said. The DA has alloted P27.3 B for the National Irrigation Administration to jump-start the modernization, rehabilitation and restoration of irrigation systems across the country, Secretary Alcala said. The DA will also spend part of its budget for production and extension support, regulatory services, credit facilitation, research and development, and market development, among other major initiatives. It will also finance the Aquino administrations Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP) to assure ample and stable food supply, by producing 20 million metric tons (MMT) of palay and at least 8 MMT of corn in 2013. Secretary Alcala is optimistic the FSSP targets could be attained with the cooperation of all farmers, fisherfolk, local government units, the private sector, and other agri-fishery industry stakeholders. On per banner program, rice will get P7.45 B, fisheries (P3.65B), corn (P1.52B), high value crops (P1.35B), and livestock (P1.02B). Other major undertaking will receive the following respective budget: organic agriculture (P927M), trading centers (P884.9M), FMRs (P7B), credit to ARBs (P1B), R&D (P455M), and quick response fund (P500M). He said 40 percent of the total budget is alloted for Mindanao.

PNoy okays P1.3B for farm registry

President Benigno S. Aquino III has approved the release of P1.28 billion for a national farm survey, formally called Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). It is an inter-agency effort among the departments of budget and management (DBM), agriculture (DA), agrarian reform (DAR), and interior and local government (DILG), National Statistics Office (NSO), and National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). The RSBSA aims to come up with a national information database on farmers, farm laborers and fisherfolk from identified provinces, and their respective locations or geographical coordinates. The data will be used as basis for developing programs and policies for the agriculture and fishery sectors. Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said the project will address the urgent need for a comprehensive and
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TF Alayon aids Pablo victims

The Department of Agriculture has formed Task Force Alayon (TF Alayon) to assist farmers, fisherfolk and their respective communities adversely affected by typhoon Pablo, that damaged P29-billion worth of crops and infrastructure, as of December 20, 2012, in Davao region, particularly Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. Secretary Proceso J. Alcala created TF Alayon ( which means bayanihan), headed by Assistant Secretary Dante Delima, during a meeting with Mindanao regional directors and other DA family officials, December 19, 2012, in Davao. Typhoon Pablo badly hit banana and coconut farms. As for rice, A/Sec Delima said it was fortunate that it was already post-harvest season when the typhoon struck. Compostela Valley was badly hit, with damages pegged at P13 B; followed by Davao Oriental (P10B); and Davao del Norte (P6B). Davao del Sur and (Pls turn to p12) Davao

DA projects receive good practice award

Two foreign-assisted projects (FAPs) of the Department of Agriculture were recently cited by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and received their respective Good Practice Award or GPA. Its a wonderful feat for the Department. This is a validation of our efforts in delivering reliable, transparent and efficient service to our clienteles, particularly farmers, fisherfolk and local government units, said DA undersecretary for operations Joel S. Rudinas, who received the GPA on behalf of Secretary Proceso J. Alcala.
(Pls turn to p4)

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (2nd from right) hands over farm inputs and tools that form part of an initial P35-million worth of assistance to farm families affected by typhoon Pablo through Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy (2nd from left) and Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario (right), in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley, December 19, 2012. The package of assistance consisted of 15,900 bags of certified palay seeds (worth P19M), 5,350 bags of OPV corn seeds (P5.4M), thousands of packets of vegetable seeds, and dozens of farm equipment and tools (P10.45M). Also shown are assistant secretaries Edilberto de Luna and Dante Delima, and Davao regional technical director Norlito Agduyeng.
(Photo by DA Davao Region Info Div.)

Editorial
Bago nagtapos ang 2012, hinagupit na naman ng isang malakas na bagyo ang bansa. Si Pablo ay nagdulot ng perwisyo sa buhay at kabuhayan ng marami nating mga kababayan sa Mindanao, partikular na ang mga sagingan at niyugan sa Davao. Tinatayang aabot sa humigit-kumulang P29 bilyon ang pinsalang idinulot nito sa Mindanao, at nagsilbing malaking dagok sa buong banana industry. Dahil dito apektado hindi lamang ang domestic supply kundi maging ang pagkakalakal ng saging sa pandaigdigang merkado. Kaya naman kagyat na nag-abot ng ayuda ang Department of Agriculture sa mga magsasaka at stakeholder, malaki man o maliit, na lubhang naapektuhan ng nagdaang sama ng panahon.

Tulong para sa pagbangon

Bagamat kampante si Kalihim Proceso Alcala na hindi apektado ni Pablo ang pambansang produksyon ng pagkain, agad na ikinasa ng pamahalaan ang samasamang pagkilos para agad na makabangon ang agriculture sektor at kamtin ang target tungo sa kasapatan sa pagkain. Sa katunayan, nagtabi na ang Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation ng P22 milyon para sa insurance claims ng mga magsasaging, samantalang kaagad namang sisimulan ang replanting and fertilization program ng Philippine Coconut Authority. Gayundin, uumpisahan ang pagsasaayos at pagkukumpuni ng mga nasirang patubig ng DAagri-fisheries sector, allowing us to accurately determine the number of farmers and fishermen who will benefit from government subsidies and aid. The RSBSA also serves as an excellent auditing mechanism by ensuring that only the poorest will benefit from our agricultural programs, thus reinforcing President Aquinos campaign for transparency and accountability in the delivery of critical goods and services, Abad said. The NSO has conducted the surveys and began the first phase of the project, initially in 20 pilot provinces, namely: Abra, Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Romblon, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Siquijor, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Davao Oriental, North Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. They were chosen based on poverty incidence, engagement in agricultural work, and vulnerability to calamities.

NIA sa Davao, at iba pang rehiyon sa Mindanao. Ang lahat ng pagsisikap na ito ay patunay lamang na nananatiling naka-alalay ang DA sa mga magsasaka, mangingisda at lahat ng umaasa sa agrikultura. Tumutulong. Umaagapay. Samantala, nitong Disyembre 2012, ilang libo ang nakibahagi sa National Convention of Food Staple Producers na naglalayong palakasin at pag-ibayuhin ang samahan ng pamahalaan sa mga organisasyong pansakahan. Dagdag pa rito, tuloy pa rin ang pakikipagtulungan ng DA sa malalaking ahensya at institusyon tulad ng International Rice Research Institute upang magkasamang makapagpatupad ng mga

programa tungo sa sustenableng pagkain para sa lahat. Sa katunayan, isang kasunduan na ang pinirmahan sa pagitan ni Sec. Alcala at IRRI Dir. General Robert Zeigler para dito. Sa kabila ng pabagubagong panahon, mga pananalanta ng mga kalamidad at iba pang mga di-inaasahang pangyayari, nananatiling matatag ang sektor ng pagsasaka at pangingisda dahil nananatiling matatag ang mga programang ipanatutupad ng pamahalaang Aquino. Sa pagsisimula ng isang bagong taon, naway bitbit pa rin natin ang ningas ng ating mga pagsusumikap tungo sa ikauunlad ng pambansang agrikultura, para kahit ano mang bagyo ang dumating, makakabangon tayo at patuloy na magtagumpay.

PNoy okays ...

(from p 1)

systematic information system to help government identify and locate farmers, farm laborers, and fishermen that are target beneficiaries of agriculture-related programs and services. For the first time in our history, the rural poorincluding small owner-cultivators, land holders, tenants, and regular and seasonal farm workerswill have their names and addresses duly registered in a comprehensive database. This will end years of anomalies, where farm subsidies and agricultural programs like rice procurement and the provision of cheap rice only end up with traders and affluent farmers, Abad said. He said the RSBSA will enable government to craft focused programs and policies relevant to agriculture and fisheries development. This database will be a valuable part of the Aquino Administrations planning and policy-making strategy for our

is published monthly by the Department of Agriculture Information Service, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Tel. nos. 9288762 loc 2148, 2150, 2155, 2156 or 2184; 9204080 or tel/fax 9280588. This issue is available in PDF file. For copies, please send requests via email: da_afis @yahoo.com.
Editor-In-Chief : Noel O. Reyes Associate Editors: Cheryl C. Suarez & Adora D. Rodriguez Writers: Adora D. Rodriguez, Arlhene S. Carro, Bethzaida N. Bustamante, Catherine N. Nanta, Marshall Louie Asis Contributors: DA-RFU Info Officers, Public Info Officers of DA Bureaus, Attached Agencies & Corporations, MRDP & other ForeignAssisted Projects Photographers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan & Kathrino Resurreccion Lay-out Artist: Bethzaida N. Bustamante Printing & Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staff

Under the first phase of the project, the NSO has registered a total of 2,116,313 farmers, farm laborers and fisherfolk in said 20 pilot provinces. Meanwhile, the second phase of the project will cover 55 more provinces to complete the list of households and the registration of farmers, farm laborers, and fisherfolk. Abad said there is urgent need to complete the RSBSA, especially in light of using the proceeds of coco levy funds.

The proceeds from the sale of coco levy funds are supposed to uplift the lives of small farmers, most of whom have lived for years in poverty. Prior to this, however, we had no real data to guide planners on who the farmers are, where they live, and what their standard of living is. With the RSBSA in place, however, the information we now have will facilitate the judicious use of these funds, so that the coconut farmers themselves will benefit directly from the proceeds, Abad said.

Farmers convene to achieve rice, food staple sufficiency

Farmer-leaders gathered on December 12 take stock of accomplishments and forge stronger partnerships to further sustain and enhance their contribution to attaining the countrys goal of food sufficiency and security. The two-day event, dubbed as National Convention of Food Staple Producers, highlighted the important role of the countrys food soldiers to achieve sufficiency in rice and major staples, as part of the Aquino administration mediumterm Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP). Totaling about 1,300, the convenors include officers and members of Irrigators Associations (IAs) who manage and maintain national and communal irrigation systems and small water impounding systems (SW ISAs), farmerscientists, rural women and youth, and indigenous peoples (IPs). Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the event served as a venue to sustain and strengthen its partnerships with IAs, SWISAs, and farmers groups particularly members of the Pambansang Mannalon, Maguuma, Magbabaul, Magsasaka ng Pilipinas (or P4MP), Rural Improvement Clubs (RICs), 4-H Clubs, Magsasaka Siyentista, and IPs to attain the goals of FSSP, and make the country sufficient in rice and maj or staples by end of 2013. Under the FSSP, we also want to develop and strengthen farmer-to-farmer extension systems, in addition to providing them modern technologies, quality seeds and other interventions to further improve their productivity and incomes, and make them globally competitive, said the DA chief. The DA will likewise teach and encourage farmers to adopt cost-efficient, sustainable yet high-yielding production technologies to lower their cost of production. These in under the program. These include promoting integrated pest management techniques to reduce crop losses due to pests and diseases, and providing farmers modern and sustainable technologies, equipment and facilities to reduce postharvest losses. Another goal of the FSSP is to encourage consumers to reduce rice wastage, and ensure that there is abundant and affordance supply of other traditional staples for those who prefer them. The FSSP was launched in July 2012 by President Aquino and Secretary Alcala during an agricultural machinery exhibit, called Makina-Saka. It is the DAs roadmap to realize and comply with President Aquinos directive during his 2011 State of the Nation Address, to wit: Ang gusto nating mangyari: Una, hindi na tayo aangkat ng hindi kailangan. Ikalawa, ayaw na nating umasa sa pagaangkat. Ang isasaing ni Juan de la Cruz dito ipupunla, dito aanihin, dito bibilhin. During the convention with the theme: Pagkaing Sapat, Magsasakang Angat, Tagumpay Nating Lahat the participants formed a national network of food staple producers, aptly calling themselves as Bayanihan para sa Pambansang Kasapatan sa Pagkain. Convenors included officers and members of the National Confederation of IAs (NCIA), which to date has 7,026 IAs (2,277 national irrigation systems or NIS and 4,249 communal irrigation systems or CIS), and 915,175 individual members (554,653 from NIS, 360,522 from CIS). The NCIA is under the supervision and guidance of the DA-NIA. Also present were officers of Small W ater Impounding System Associations (SWISAs), who represent 642 federated members, with a total individual members of 12, 713.

Secretary Alcala enjoins officers and members of various irrigators and farmers groups, including rural women and youth, to build a national network and help attain the goals of the Aquino governments Food Staples Sufficiency Program during a 2-day national convention, on December 12 13, 2012, at Manila Hotel.
The SWISAs are guided by the DA through the Bureau of Soils and W ater Management (BSWM). The DA through the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) oversee and assist rural-based organizations that include the P4MP, RICs, 4-H Clubs, and more recently farmer-scientists and IPs. During the convention, the P4MP delegation represented 573 farmers groups with 25,649 individual members. The group was organized in 2004. The rural womens group or RICs represented 7,652 clubs nationwide, which has a total membership of 334,564. The RIC was organized in 1934. The rural farm youth or 4-H Clubs were represented by their national officers. To date, the country has 2,644 4-H Clubs. The DA-ATI said to date it has enlisted 500 farmer-scientists, and 10 IP groups nationwide.

DA Assistant Secretary and Rice Program National Coordinator Dante Delima (right) awards a cash prize and plaque of appreciation to Hector Joseph Samson, for crafting and designing Pinoy Pride, besting other entries of the DA Rice Package Design Contest. The awarding ceremony was part of the National Convention of Food Staple Producers.

December 2012

DA, IRRI partner to enhance Phl rice sector

The Department of Agriculture recently forged an agreement with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), that would further boost efforts of the Philippines to increase the production of rice and attain sufficiency. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and IRRI Director General Dr. Robert S. Zeigler signed the agreement on December 3, 2012, at simple ceremonies at the DA agribusiness development center, in Quezon City. Secretary Alcala said generally the joint project will also contribute to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of farmers and consumers, and ensure food and environmental sustainability. The DA and IRRI will pursue seven major areas of collaboration, in line with the Aquino governments Food Staples Sufficiency Program, the DA chief said. Among them is the conduct of strategic studies of production in current and new-areas using Geographic Information Systems which will provide a better estimate of the countrys production volume and area for rice. Under the agreement, a longterm breeding program will be established with the cooperation of DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute to develop high-yielding, pest/disease-resistant, and climate change-resilient varieties for both inbred and hybrid. As such, research and development of new and modern farming systems and technologies will be given priority with special consideration to the ill-effects of the changing weather. In addition, best agricultural practices and other support tools will be disseminated, including the conduct of skills-training for extension and field workers. Under the agreement, both the DA and IRRI will strengthen alliance with public and private networks to produce globally-competitive Philippine rice varieties. For his part, Dr. Zeigler said the agreement renews its decades-old partnership with the DA, since IRRI established its headquarters in Los Banos, Laguna. He said the DA-IRRI partnership is crucial, as rice remains the countrys most important crop, and a staple food for half of humanity.(Adora Rodriguez, DAAFIS)

DA, IRRI forge P903-M rice sufficiency, food security partnership. Agriculture Secretary

Proceso J. Alcala (3rd from left) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Director General Dr. Robert Zeigler seal with a handshake a five-year agreement between the DA and IRRI on Sustaining rice self-sufficiency and food security in the Philippines, in Quezon City, December 3, 2012. The DA and IRRI will initially pursue seven joint projects worth P903 million, in line with the Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP) of the Aquino government, including strategic mapping of rice production and expansion areas using GIS and remote sensing to provide a better estimate of the countrys total production, area planted and harvested. The DA through the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and IRRI will also undertake a long-term breeding program to develop the next generation of high-yielding, pest and disease-resistant, and climate change-resilient rice inbred and hybrid varieties, including sustainable farming systems and technologies to further improve the productivity and incomes of Filipino farmers and their families. Also shown (from left) are: Bureau of Agricultural Research Director Nicomedes Eleazar, IRRI Deputy Director General Bruce Tolentino, DA Assistant Secretary and national rice program coordinator Dante De Lima, PhilRice Executive Director Eufemio Rasco, Jr., and IRRI senior manager Julian Lapitan.

DA projects ... (from p1)

The two FAPs are the Mindanao Rural Development Program Phase 2 (MRDP2) and Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector (INFRES). Undersecretary Rudinas along with MRDP2 and INFRES teams accepted their respective awards from NEDA deputy director-general Rolando Tungpalan, during the 44 th Project Implementation Officers (PIO) meeting at the DA-NIA office, in Quezon City, December 18, 2012. The MRDP2 was recognized for resolving recurrent issues in project implementation with its entry on Applied geotagging technology: An efficient transparency tool. The INFRES was cited for achieving desired output through good governance with its Ligao participatory governance for social economic enterprise development (LPG-SEE D) program. The MRDP2, implemented in all Mindanao provinces, is funded by the World Bank, with counterparts from the DA and beneficiary communities. It seeks to improve rural incomes and achieve food security through the implementation of agri-fishery infrastructure, livelihood enterprise, and natural resources management projects. Similarly, the INFRES aims to increase rural incomes and improve the living conditions of small and poor ruralfolk in selected regions with high agricultural and fishery potential by providing a package of infrastructure (farm-to-market roads, communal irrigation systems, and potable water systems) and capacity-building support to targeted LGUs and farm communities. The INFRES features microfinancing, alternative livelihood promotion and training, and capacity-building, and enhanced participatory governance of host communities. It is bankrolled by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction and International Labor Organization, and managed by Asian Development Bank in partnership with the DA. The MRDP2 has pioneered in using the geo-tagging technology which solves a perennial problem on project monitoring, validation and evaluation, particularly in conflict-affected project areas and hard-to-reach sites, said MRDP2 deputy program director Arnel V. De Mesa. Geo-tagging is a process of adding geographical data such as latitude and longitude coordinates, date, elevation, terrain, estimated land area, and distance, among other information, which are captured and stored in electronic and printed form such as photographs and videos. Each of our proj ects, especially infrastructure, has its own unique ID (identification). Thus geo-tagging is an effective anti-corruption tool. It eliminates duplication and overlapping of infra proj ects through collaboration of GPS data thereby eliminating fictitious and bogus projects, and the false fabrication of reports, De Mesa said. (By Sherwin Manual, DAMRDP; and Marlo Asis, DA-AFIS)

Phl rubber industry will soon share in worldwide market

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala is confident that the Philippines will soon capitalize on the growing demand for rubber as the countrys production is expected to grow by 3.7% in the next ten years. As such rubber price will increase and rubber demand will surge with the rise in the global motor vehicle production. We need to take advantage of the present opportunity in rubber and note that the AsiaPacific is expected to continue to have the lions share in the production, Alcala said. The Agriculture chief added that the region is projected to account for 90% of the worlds rubber production in 2013 with Thailand and Indonesia producing almost 60% of natural rubber. A report from the Department of Trade and Industry shows that 70% of all natural rubber produced worldwide is used as raw materials in the manufacture of rubber tires, 18% is used in shoes and non-tire industrial rubber products like hoses and belts, while 12% goes to the manufacture of gloves. The Philippines contributes a little over 1% of the entire worlds production of rubber with yield coming from smallfarm owners with only 3 to 10 hectares of farm land. Although, we share very little for now, I am confident that we can become a major player soon because of our vast areas for production and adequate technical knowledge that our made available to our rubber planters, Alcala said. DA is set to improve the quality of produce using new technology and upgrade dilapidated processing facilities and provide cooperatives access to financing, infrastructure, and other support services. At present, the governments national program on rubber caters to the needs of the smallholders to enable them to meet the challenges in production, post-production and marketing. Current interventions have increased yield and intensified production of quality planting materials as well as empower producers to supply quality raw processed products. The DAs High Value Commercial Development Program, headed by its Program Director Jenny Remoquillo, currently implements the following initiatives for the development of the Philippine rubber industry: Improvement of rubber products to meet quality standards through training and education; Establishment, rehabilitation, and maintenance of produc-

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (2nd from left) receives a copy of Rubber Production and Management in the Philippines, from Dr. Emma K. Sales of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), one of the authors of the book, published by the DABureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and USM, during the first International Conference on Smallholder Rubber-based Agroforestry, held Dec. 5-7, 2012, in Manila. The event was sponsored jointly by the DABAR, UPLB Institute of Agroforestry, Philippine Agroforestry Education and Research Network (PAFERN), and the International Rubber Research and Development Board (IRRDB). Also shown is DA-BAR Director Nicomedes Eleazar (right). tion facilities to produce good quality planting materials, nursery, and bud wood garden; Accreditation of nursery operators for plant material certification and regulatory support; Establishment of sciencebased information on rubber; Conduct of Investment Missions to establish strong linkages with industry players and stakeholders.

DA Chief: Lets eat, promote our own fruits!

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said it is heartening to hear of the surging sales of round fruits as the most sought-after lucky food for ushering in the coming new year. He urges the consuming public, however, to give preference to fruits produced by the nations farmers and orchard operators. Our country is blessed with many fruits that compare favorably in taste, nutritional and health benefits with those from other countries, said the DA chief. Our mango, for example, is one of the most highly-valued fruits abroad. We also have pineapple, guava, lanzones, caimito, chico, durian, rambutan, papaya, guyabano, and marang, among others. W e also have high-quality citrus fruits, like the seedless sweet oranges produced in Nueva Vizcaya and pomelos in Davao, he added. Also, we have several varieties of melons and watermelons that are available year-round. He said most of our tropical fruits are fresher and contain phyto-chemicals and essential nutrients beneficial to ones health. Thus, buying Pinoy fruits gives consumers more value for their money, in addition to providing our farmers, orchard owners and their families more income. Alcala urged the countrys legislators and policy-makers, health and nutrition practitioners, educators and parents to promote the consumption of our fruits, especially by the youth. We should encourage and lead by example, and urge our young people to love Pinoy fruits, said the DA chief. We should also teach them to appreciate indigenous fruits like kalumpit, yaniko and sapinit, the so-called Pinoy wild raspberry. Because of their unique taste, the countrys indigenous fruits have great potential as export products. Sapinit, for instance, is now being processed into quality juice and jam to offset its short shelf life. In all, he said consuming and promoting more Philippine fruits will not only promote good health among our people, but also help the farming sector, and further strengthen our nations economy. Patronizing our farmers produce will spur them to higher productivity and profitability, and boost our fruit exports as well for the benefit of our people and country.

Brilliantly-colored, ripe, newlypicked sapinit fruits are wellliked by consumers in Laguna and Quezon provinces, both as fresh fruit and processed into juice or jam. (Photo by DA-BAR)

DA-SRA maintains Phl sugar outlook

The countrys sugar production for crop year 2012-13 remains at 2.356 million metric tons (MMT), despite the effects of Typhoons Pablo and Quinta that hit sugar-producing provinces in Visayas and Mindanao. As of December 16, 2012, sugar production has already reached 872,979 MT, or 37% of the forecast production, according to Administrator Ma. Regina Bautista-Martin of the Department of Agricultures Sugar Regulatory Administration (DA(Pls turn to p11)

December 2012

Asec. Salacup with comedienne Marissa Sanchez

2012 Paskong Pinoy sa DA

AFIS Admin. Service

AMAS

December 2012

Sec Procy visits DA family agencies, bureaus

Reg IVB

ATI

CODA

NIA

NFA

PCA

BAFPS

BPI Seed Bank

PFDA

BFAR

PhilMech 8

BAI

Sardines closed season in Zamboanga starts, govt happy of continued industry support
Fisheries Director Asis Perez remains confident of another successful sardine closed season in Zamboanga beginning December 1 this year as he joined representatives of fishing and canning companies, local governments and fisherfolk associations in sendingoff the first batch of the Joint PCG-BFAR Sardine Seaborne Patrol teams on-board MCS vessels and patrol boats last November 30 in Zamboanga City. Perez said that he was overwhelmed by the outpour of support from the commercial fishing sector in sharp contrast with the rallies staged last year in the same area. The Joint DA-DILG Administrative Order No. 1 s. 2011 indicated that the conservation area of about 4,078 sq. nautical miles includes the western municipal and national waters of Zamboanga del Norte, the waters bordering south and eastern waters of Zamboanga Ctity and the southern portion of Zamboanga Sibugay. I would like to assure you that with the same cooperation and compliance of the sector, there is no doubt that we will gain successful results by the time the ban is lifted come February 28 next year, he happily added. Close to 150 stakeholders gathered to extend support and well wishes to the combined sea patrol teams at the Naval headquarters in Zamboanga City recently. The sardine industry fully supports this closed season, says Mr. Edgar Lim, plant manager of Permex. He further stressed the need to ensure the sustainability of the resource in order for the canneries to maintain its operations. Meanwhile, the United Fishermen Multi-Purpose Cooperative (UFMPC) of Samal Village, Maluso in Basilan was optimistic that their problem on fishing encroachment in the municipal waters could also be addressed with the implementation of the Joint DA-DILG Administrative Order No. 1 s. 2011. Southern Philippines DeepSea Fishing Association VicePresident Roberto Baylosis indicated the need for a long-term research on the said manage
(Pls turn to p11)

Double A slaughterhouse to rise in Batanes. Secretary Alcala (center) and Batanes Governor

William Mamba (left) seal with a handshake a tripartite agreement between the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Batanes provincial government, and the municipality of Basco which signals the construction of a double A abattoir in the province situated in the northernmost part of the Philippines. The P10million allocation for Basco, Batanes is part of the P139-M fund of the department thru the National Meat Inspection Service intended for construction, rehabilitation, and expansion of abattoirs in 18 municipalities throughout the country. The MOA signing, held on December 5, 2012 in Quezon City was also attended by NMIS Director Minda Manantan (right).

DA allots P6 M upland rice organic farm project in Bicol

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is carrying out a P6 million upland rice organic farming in Bicol which capitalizes on native varieties drought tolerance. It also aims to boost Bicols contribution to national rice production as Bicol once accounted for a hefty 20 percent of Philippine rice output. Upland rice varieties produce an average yield of only one to two metric tons (MT) per hectare, but selected Bicol varieties can exceed such yield average. The DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) said Bicol has more than 60,000 hectares of upland farms. Our development of upland rice is very timely as these varieties have the potential to withstand higher temperature and less water supply which is what we really need amid the threatening climate change, said BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar. The proj ect will be implemented in the towns of Baao and Nabua in Camarines Sur. Profitability target is 20 percent above prevailing income in the covered uplands. Allocated BAR funding is P4.998 million while a separate counterpart funding of P1 million will be provided by partners. The program covers 2.5 years. Some upland rice cultivars in Bicol such as Palawan, Gayanggang white, Kinarabao, and Magdami were found to have higher grain yield than PSB Rc9 (check variety), according to the Bicolandia Greenfields Devt Organization Inc (Bigfis), project partner. The tallest upland rice strain evaluated was Sinalapi with 113 centimeter (cm) height. The rice plant with the longest panicle was recorded with Palawan white with 73.88 cm. Other notable rice cultivars are Bursege, Bolibod Red, and Gios which have the highest number of productive tillers at 15.53, 12.93, and 12.87 respectively. The upland rice strain with the heaviest 100-seed weight was recorded with Kabring with 3.8 grams. This was followed by Kinalansing with 3.6 grams. Palawan Red had the highest number of grains per panicle followed by Gayang-gang, Palawan white, and Magdami with 226, 221, and 188 grains per panicle, said Bigfis. Also part of the project is intercropping of upland rice with vegetables or legumes like peanuts. The intercrops will act as mulch in between the rows of upland rice, which will also prevent weed infestation. A study showed that the return of investment (ROI) of a mixture of one row of upland rice plus two rows of peanut was 34.6%, (Pls turn to p11) bet

Mindoro to get farm mechanization boost

As part of the effort to boost the countrys farm mechanization program, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has partnered with Japans Yazaki Group to conduct a feasibility study on possible farm mechanization programs in Mindoro. Agriculture Assistant Secretary Dante Delima, who is also the National Rice Program coordinator, said that the farm mechanization program focus on the rehabilitation of existing rice granaries and preparation of farmers with the use of modern technology. This will be a big project. So far, we have already identified rice granaries for rehabilitation, but it is still under feasibility study, Delima said. The DA official said that they would come up with the capitalization for project once the feasibility study has been completed, noting the government will provide bigger equity to further boost its implementation. The capital expenditure for the project would also include the cost for the rehabilitation of existing rice granaries, as well as land preparation activities for increased farm mechanization, Delima said. Initially, the Yazaki Group provided some 10 new tractors and 10 rice harvesters, each worth P2 million, to kick start the program. The Philippines is currently aiming to level its mechanized output with that of Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam within five to 10 years. For 2013, the DA has allotted P2.4 billion to boost program productivity and incomes of marginalized farmers nationwide. The budget, which will be
(Pls turn to p11)

December 2012

DA-PCA allots P50M to rehab typhoon-ravaged coco areas

The Department of AGricultures Philippine Coconut Authority (DA-PCA) has initially set aside P50 million to rehabilitate coconut farms in Southern Mindanao ravaged by typhoon Pablo. PCA Administrator Euclides G. Forbes said we will begin with the immediate payments to participant-beneficiaries of Phase 2 of the Participatory Coconut Planting Program. Every farmer-participant will be given 110 open-pollinated seednuts per hectare, and will get a P20 incentive per seedling transplanted on the field, plus intercrop seeds, fertilizers and other forms of assistance. Forbes said the initial P50M will benefit 2,352 farmerparticipants (1,655 in Davao Oriental and 697 in Compostela Valley). Our next priority is the proper disposal of felled or damaged coconut trees, those suitable will be processed into timber for use in the construction of shelters for families made homeless by the typhoon, Forbes said. He said the felled coconut trees should be properly disposed of so they would not serve as breeding places of destructive pests, particularly rhinoceros beetle. He said they will distribute chainsaws to farmers and local government units in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. Forbes cautioned, however, against the improvident cutting of coconut trees. He said surviving trees, even those without leaves may still recover when properly rehabilitated, as demonstrated by experiences in previous typhoons. The PCA will provide free fertilizers to farmers to rehab surviving coconut trees. The agency will also engage farmers to plant short-gestation intercrops to enhance soil fertility, and to provide ready food source to affected farm families. Forbes said he considers the situation as a good opportunity to replant and repopulate typhoon-ravaged areas with new coconut varieties, noting that most of the devastated banana plantations used to be coconut areas which may had been improvidently converted. It is evident now that the best strategy is the inter-planting of bananas with tall coconut varieties, he said. Forbes said the initial P50 million will still be increased as the PCA will embark on massive replanting in all coconut areas in Southern Mindanao. (PCA
Media Service)

Ifugao rice for export . Banaue Rice Terraces Farmers

Mindoro to ... (from p9)

downloaded to the National Rice Program, will be used to purchase various production and postharvest machinery and equipment, which the DA provides to qualified farmers groups and cooperatives, irrigators associations and local governments under a counterparting agreement. By 2013, mid-way through the implementation of the DA Farm Mechanization Program (FMP), the total budget for the six-year will reach P6 billion. In 2011, the DA has allotted P1 billion, and another P2.6 billion this year. Under the FMP, the government aims to enhance the present mechanization level of the Philippines, from 0.57 horsepower per hectare to 0.80 hp/ha, making the country a par with Thailand and Vietnam. The DAs farm mechanization program is implemented through a counterparting scheme, where the DA shoulders 85 percent of the cost of the farm machine, while the qualified recipients pay the remaining 15 percent. To date, the Philippines mechanization level in the field crops sector is still in the developing stage, with an average capacity of only 0.57 hp/ha. Japan and South Korea, which have the highest farm mechanization levels in Asia, averaged 7hp/ha and 4hp/ha, respectively. (The Manila Times)

Federation president Jimmy Lingayo (center) shows off different aromatic rice varieties grown at the world-famous Ifugao Rice Terraces. He is joined by Vicky Garcia (right), executive director of Rice Inc., and Adam Borja, of the Department of Agricultures National Rice Program. Ifugao rice varieties like ominio, chongak and imbuucan, are now exported to the USA through the Slow Food Foundations Ark of Taste. The DA will tap the groups of Lingayo and Garcia to further increase exports of upland, aromatic and colored rice to the rest of the world. (Photo by JJ Landingin)

DA-SRA ...

(from p 5)

Organic rice...

(from p10)

Services; Jesse Fernandez, senior researcher at Philrice Bicol; former BAFPS Director Gilberto Layese; Bula Mayor Benj amin Decena; Miller Bicaldo, PDCI general manager; and farmer-cooperator Gener Bicaldo. (Lovella Guarin-DA
RAFID5)

SRA). She said the increase in production is attributed to early milling, higher rate of crushing, and favorable weather condition in the last quarter of the 2012. On the other hand, based on SRA records, sugar withdrawals for domestic demand has been higher compared to last year's

DA allots ...

(from p 9)

Sardines ...

(from p 9)

ment measure for term development of the sardine industry. At least 37 officers and members of the PCG will join 18 members of the BFAR Quick Response Teams from regions 9 and ARMM to ensure full compliance to the regulation by fishing boats using commercial purse seines, ring nets, bagnets and scoop nets. In the Visayan Sea, a parallel closed season is also being observed since November 15 until March 15 next year. Both fishing closures are part of the conservation measures that the BFAR is currently implementing to address the continued decline in the population of sardines.

ter than sole rice cropping. Other potential rice intercrops are bush sitao, corn, mungbean, soybeans, tomato, eggplant, leafy vegetables, and okra. The use of chicken manure as organic fertilizer for upland rice has been proven to have the highest ROI with 53.38 percent especially when compared to commercial organic fertilizer. Bigfis indicated that a study of upland rice chicken manure fertilization with peanut intercrop generated a net income of P29,589 per hectare. This is much higher than the P12,838 per hectare net income from the same crops with inorganic fertilizer. Biodegradable wastes like rice husks are being turned into compost fertilizer through a production facility. (DA-BAR)

level, at 28.6% for raw sugar and 22.8% for refined sugar. The DA-SRA is expecting a strong sugar demand for 2013 due to stable sugar prices and the mid-term elections in May 2013. Administrator Martin is also confident that Philippine sugar will continue to be a major dollar earner for the country, as it continues to export to the US and other markets. Sugar export under the US Quota program will start in January 2013, while exports to other countries have already reached more than 20,000 MT. Martin said world sugar supply is expected to have a surplus due to favorable crushing and weather conditions in major sugar producing countries like Brazil, India and Thailand. This will situation will dampen sugar prices, but the DA-SRA is hopeful that domestic prices will continue to be stable, as shown in the price movements over the past months. "The need to increase productivity and reduce cost of production is even more imperative now," said Martin. "With import tariffs at 18% starting January 1, 2013, we need to be vigilant in assessing the impact of world market situation on local prices," she added.
(DA-SRA)

December 2012

11

TF Alayon ...

(from p 1)

City suffered minimal losses. A/Sec Delima said as of end of December 2012, the DA has initially alloted more than P100M for farm inputs and other assistance like fuel for tractors and farm equipment (deployed from other DA regions in Mindanao and Visayas) used for clearing typhoon debris and damaged banana and coconut trees, and for land preparation. Initially, the DA has provided 9,800 bags of palay seeds for Compostela Valley, 3,200 bags for Davao Oriental, and 5,000 bags for Davao del Norte. The DA has also provided farm machineries and equipment, and implemented a Food for Work program. The DA through the Philippine Coconut Authority has initially alloted P50M for the provision of thousands of coconut seedlings for replanting. The agency also provided an initial 80 units of power saw for Davao Oriental to make coco lumber out of felled trees. Delima said in Cateel, Davao Oriental, about 1.2 million coconut trees were totally damaged, and 8 million trees partially damaged. Meanwhile, affected coconut farmers are encouraged to plant cacao in between partiallydamaged trees so they would have immediate source of food and income. For affected banana farmers in Compostela and Davao del Norte, the DA will provide P5,750 per hectare for clearing operations, farm tools, and fertilizers, said HVCDP Dir. Jennifer Remoquillo. The DA-HVCDP has alloted an initial P33.35M for said assistance to banana farmers. The damage wrought by typhoon Pablo on agriculture and fisheries has reached P29.1 billion (B), as of Dec. 20, 2012. In a memorandum to President Benigno S. Aquino III, Secretary Alcala said the total damage comprised mainly of crops, worth P27.4B; irrigation systems, infrastructure facilities and equipment, P1.2B; livestock and poultry, P361 million (M); and fisheries, P124M. The banana sector in Davao Region was badly affected as combined losses amounted to P21.25B, where more than 41,400 hectares were totally damaged, broken down as: Compostela Valley (P9.9B), Davao del Norte (P7.1B), and Davao Oriental (P4.1B),

It will also provide P5M for abaca replanting and rehabilitation, and P3.375M for cacao replanting and intercropping in Davao Oriental. The DA through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) has initially set aside P22M for the insurance claims of banana farmers. For its part, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) will repair and restore damaged irrigation systems in four regions, led by Davao (P812M), CARAGA (P302M), Region 12 (P49M), and ARMM (P4.5M). Immediately after the calamity, the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) deployed two of its MCS patrol vessels manned by Philippine Coast Guard personnel for rescue and retrieval operations. The agency also distributed to affected fish farmers millions of bangus fingerlings and, bamboo poles to reconstruct damaged fish pens, and 1,250 packs of relief goods (rice, water, sardines), totaling P9.3M. Finally, the DAs National Food Authority (NFA) provided rice to affected local government units. (DA 11 Info
Div. & DA-AFIS)

Secretary Alcala (right) looks on while Compostela Valley Gov. Arturo Uy test-drives one of the eight farm tractors lent to the province for use in the rehabilitation of rice and corn farms damaged typhoon Pablo. The tractors, along with other farm inputs and assistance like laminated truckloads of sacks (below) came from other DA regions in Mindanao and Visayas. (Photos by
DA-RFU XI and XII)

Pablo damage reaches P29B

Typhoon Pablo also caused respective damage on: high value crops - P1.92B; corn P1.63B; coconut - P1.1B; and rice - P476M. Secretary Alcala assured the general public that there is enough food supply despite the damage caused by typhoon Pablo. He said the recent calamity will not adversely affect the total national rice and food supply. For instance, the volume of rice damaged by typhoon Pablo amounted to 19,658 metric tons

(MT), which is less than one-half percent (0.47%) of the forecast national palay production of 4.2 million MT for the first quarter of 2013. On the other hand, total corn damage of 112,859 MT is equivalent to 5.6% of the projected harvest of 2 million MT for the first quarter of 2013. (DA-AFIS)