DA Chief Sees Bright Agri Prospects

VVooll. XXXXVVI NNoo. 3 A mmoonntthhlly ppuubblliiccaattiioon oof tthhe DDeeppaarrttmmeennt oof AAggrriiccuullttuurre MMaarrcch 22001111 DA Chief sees bright agri prospects

The country is on its way to estimated by the DA’s Bureau of attaining rice self-sufficiency and Agricultural Statistics (BAS). food security. The projected production is 15% Thus, was the optimistic dec- more than last year’s harvest of laration of Agriculture Secretary 6.6 million tons for the same six- Proceso J. Alcala during the month period. agency’s 2012 internal budget The DA-BAS said the increase hearing and planning workshop, could be attributed to the expan- held March 1-4, 2011, at Clark, sion in harvest area by 9.6% Pampanga. (equivalent to 174,300 hectares) “We expect a good summer from the 1.82 million hectares in harvest, and more importantly (Pls turn to p2) Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (left) and Trade and Indus- we are no longer the world’s big- try Secretary Gregory Domingo (3 rd rd from right) appreciate coconut gest importer,” he said during the coir geo-textile nets woven by lady workers at Pontmain Resources workshop, attended by more DA allots P50M Inc. (PRI), in Sta. Cruz, Davao City. The coco coir geo-nets, used than 100 DA family top officials. extensively as erosion control material, have huge export potential, He said the country will be im- for coffee sector estimated at $225 million annually. Photo also shows Phil. Coco- porting less than one million nut Administrator Euclides Forbes (2 nd nd from right) and PRI man- metric (MT) tons (or 860,000 The Department of Agriculture ager Paul Gaite (right). MT) versus more than two mil- will earmark an initial P50 million lion tons in 2010. to support the country’s coffee He added palay production for sector and may double it depend- the first semester may reach ing on favorable investor response. Turn coco fiber, peat into gold more than 7.6 million tons, as (Pls turn to p11) Coconut fiber and peat or dust dollars in exports, and provide could be turned into gold. additional income and livelihood Agriculture Secretary Proceso to hundreds of thousands of Rep. Pacquiao asks rice-eating Filipinos: J. Alcala said processing coco- small coconut farmers and their nut fiber and peat into geo-tex- families in the countryside. ‘Try corn, other staples’ tiles and organic fertilizer or soil The DA’s Philippine Coconut conditioner, respectively, could Authority (PCA) estimates that Proceso Alcala to make rice earn for the country millions of the country produces some 12 production more efficient. billion coconuts annually. A film crew contracted by the Phl to be declared “Collecting merely one-half or DA went to Cooyeesan Hotel six billion coconut husks, and Plaza in Baguio City, where the FMD-free soon processing these into coco geo- boxer has been training for a textiles and organic fertilizers, match with American boxer Agriculture Secretary Proceso the country could generate at Shane Mosley in May, to film J. Alcala is optimistic that the least $225 million annually,” said Pacquiao endorsing the food Philippines will soon be declared Sec. Alcala during the recent 1 stst project. as entirely free from the dreaded Coconut Coir Summit in Davao Pacquiao, who represents foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) by City. Sarangani in the House of Rep- the World Organization for Ani- PCA Administrator Euclides resentatives, said he has been mal Health or Office International G. Forbes revealed geo-textiles eating corn since he was 7 des Epizooties (OIE). or ‘cocomats’ serve as erosion Boxing champion Manny years old. With the declaration—to be for- control material that are laid on Pacquiao is the new face of the Corn is a staple in the malized in May during the 79th mountain slopes, river banks Department of Agriculture. Visayas and Mindanao, along- General Session of the World As- and dam embankments. Specifically, his role is to side rice. sembly of OIE Delegates in Coconut fibers are also trans- convince rice-eating Filipinos to DA Assistant Secretary Den- France—the country will gain a formed into twine or yarn, while try other staples instead. nis Araullo said the government foothold in the global meat mar- fine coco fibers are used in mak- The DA has embarked on a may need to “increase the pro- ket, particularly exports of pork ing beds or mattresses. Coco- campaign to urge Filipinos to duction of other crops to and poultry meat products, Sec. nut peat or dust is used as or- try other food, in light of a re- supplement rice as a staple Alcala said. ganic fertilizer, soil conditioner, form program being undertaken food … in order to meet food One opportunity is export of or animal beddings. by Agriculture Secretary (Pls turn to p3) Philippine pork products to South For every kilo of coconut husk, (Pls turn to p11) (Pls turn to p10) Editorial Maliit at malaki Nakikita natin na nasa maipapalabas ang hinihiling magkabilang dulo ang buhay nila na panibagong pondo, dito sa atin. Halimbawa, ang matutuloy na ang Phase 3 mga mayayaman ay sobrang ng MRDP. yaman. Kung mamili, ‘kala Ang masasabing mo pinupulot lang ang pera. malaking ipinag-iba ng Samantalang ang mahirap ay pamamalakad ni Sec. sobra rin sa hirap. Ganito rin Alcala ay ang mga ang naoobserbahan natin sa pamamaraang kanyang panahon. May mga araw na ginagamit at ang pag- sobrang init, mayroon anticipate sa mga namang sobrang lamig. problema. Nakita natin ito Ang pagiging nasa nang naiwasan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng gulay magkabilang dulo ng mga Sec. Alcala (left) addresses top DA officials during their 2012 inter- bagay-bagay ay kadalasang kahit pa umabot na sa nal budget hearing and planning workshop in Pampanga. With nakikita na magkasalungat. nagyeyelong temperatura him are DA undersecretaries Antonio Fleta (administration and Pero iba ang nakikita natin sa mga taniman ng gulay finance) and Joel Rudinas (field operations). ngayon dito sa agrikultura. sa Benguet. Maagap na Sa halip na magkasalungat, nakapagtanim ang mga DA chief sees .... (from p1) The DA 2012 internal budget ang malaki at maliit ay taga Region 2 at Region 4, 2010, and increase in average hearing and planning workshop nagtutulungan o dahilan para mapunan ng palay harvest per hectare to 3.8 was attended by all complementary at demand sa Metro Manila at tons (roughly 76 cavans of 50 ki- undersecretaries and assistant nagbibigay ng positibong karatig-bayan nito. los each) from last year’s 3.6 secretaries, and respective di- resulta. Bukod dito, tons. rectors and heads of 16 regional Una pa rin sa listahan ang ipinagpapatuloy din ang Sec. Alcala said palay produc- offices, eight bureaus, 26 at- pagkukumpuni ng irrigation mga epektibong stratehiya tion will further increase for the tached agencies and corpora- facilities at pagtatatag ng na ginawa ng dating entire year, barring strong ty- tions, a dozen foreign-assisted phoons, with the completion of programs and projects, DA- post-harvest facilities. Ito ang administrasyon. Halimbawa irrigation system repairs, estab- OSEC services, and commod- nagbibigay ng long-term na nito ang paglalagay at lishment of more post harvest fa- ity banner programs. benepisyo sa magsasaka. tuluy-tuloy na pagsasaayos cilities, and construction of farm- “I urge everyone to strengthen Kasabay nito, mayroon ng mariculture parks. to-market roads particularly in Philippine agriculture via the ding mga initiatives ang DA Malaking tulong din sa Mindanao. Agri-Pinoy strategic framework, na masasabing maliliit na livestock industry ang He said these and other DA and prioritize major programs on hakbang para matupad ang inaasahang pagdeklara ng interventions in partnership with food staples self-sufficiency, itinakdang mga layon. buong bansa bilang foot local government units and farm- mariculture development, live- Kapansin-pasin na dito ang and mouth disease free, ers’ groups will all contribute to stock expansion, genetic im- dami ng bigas na without vaccination. propping up palay production to provement, disease control, a target year-end volume of 17.46 high-value crops development, Malaking tulong ito sa nakatakdang iangkat million tons. and strategic trading posts/mar- ngayong taon, na humigit- hangad na pag-export ng During the workshop he also ket linking,” the DA chief said. kumulang ay 1/3 lang ng produktong karne. took the opportunity to issue ini- “Sama-sama nating baguhin inangkat noong isang taon. Ang mga hakbang na ito tial marching orders to all DA of- ang kabuhayan ng ating mga Pinapalakas din ang at ang inaasahan pang mas ficials, highlighting President kababayan, at nang pakikipagtulungan ng DA sa maayos na pamamalakad, Aquino’s agriculture agenda this manumbalik ang kanilang mga lokal na opisyal. sa tulong na rin ng mga year and in 2012, and the Agri- tiwala sa pamahalaan (Together, Nakikipag-ugnayan tayo sa road maps, ang Pinoy strategic framework that let’s improve the livelihood of ourour kanila para makahingi ng makapagsusulong pa sa will serve as guide when crafting countrymen, so we can win and implementing DA programs back their trust),” Sec. Alcala tulong gaya ng financial agrikultura ng bansa. and services from 2011 to 2016. concluded. assistance sa mga farm Natutukoy na ang inputs, na makakatulong direksyon at pati na ang para magkaroon ng third mga konkretong mga is published monthly by the Department of Agriculture Information cropping. Isa pa ang programa, kaya’t asahan Service, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Tel. nos. 9288762 loc 2148, pakikipagkasundo ng DA sa natin ang patuloy na 2150, 2155, 2156 or 2184; 9204080 or tel/fax 9280588. This issue is availableble Social Welfare department, pagtaas ng produksyon, in PDF file. For copies, please send requests via email: [email protected]. na kung saan bibilhin nito kasabay ng pag-angat ng Editor-In-Chief : Noel O. Reyes ang mga sobrang produkto kita ng magsasaka. Associate Editors: Karenina Salazar, Cheryl C. Suarez & Adam Borja sa mga trading post. Ang maliliit na hakbang Writers: Adora D. Rodriguez, Jo Anne Grace B. Pera, Arlhene S. Carro, Ipinagmamalaki din na na ito ang simula sa Bethzaida Bustamante, Mc. Bien Saint Garcia, Jay Ilagan, mayroon na tayong 60 pagkamit natin sa mga Catherine Nanta percent na accomplishment malalaking layon, para sa Contributors: DA-RFU Info Officers, Public Info Officers and Staff of DA sa Mindanao Rural ikauunlad ng magsasaka at Bureaus, Attached Agencies & Corporations, Foreign-Assisted Projects Development Program. Sa mangingisda. Photographers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan, & Kathrino Resurreccion katunayan, kung Lay-out Artist: Bethzaida Bustamante Printing && Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staff

22 DA-NFA launches I-Rice program The Departments of Agriculture tible to iron-micronutrient defi- (DA) and Health (DOH) launched ciency like nursing mothers, preg- this month the I-Rice program nant women and young children. that seeks to lessen, if not to- Findings of the National Nutri- tally eliminate, malnutrition par- tion Survey of 2008 showed that ticularly iron-deficiency anemia, 19.5 percent of Filipinos, from through the introduction of iron infants six months old to the eld- fortificant to rice, the country’s erly over 60 years old, are suffer- staple food. ing from anemia. TTo be implemented nationwide It also showed that the preva- through the National Food Au- lence of anemia is highest among thority (NFA) and the National infants - six months to less than Nutrition Council (NNC), the I- a year old - at 55.7 percent fol- Rice program is also in compli- lowed by pregnant women at 42.5 ance with Republic Act (RA) percent. There was, however, aa Sec. Alcala (left) and Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan (right), 8978 that calls for the manda- significant drop in the percentage chair of the Senate Com mimittee on Agriculture and Food, shasharere tory fortification of staples such of anemia prevalence among the light moments while harvesting pole sitao (string beans) from the as rice, flour, cooking oil and re- citizenry from a high of 30.6 per- organic farm of Jun-Jun Perez (2nd from right), in Sariaya, Quezon. fined sugar. cent in the nutrition survey made Perez harvests up to 400 kilos a day which he sells at nearby Sentrong The program is particularly fo- in 1998, which the government Pamilihan ng Produktong Agrikultura ng Quezon. Last yeayear, hehe cused on sectors mostly suscep- wants to further reduce to 15.3 grossed P300,000 per hectare. One interesting practice he employs percent by the year 2015. is spraying the vines with cow’s milk to make them more luscious and produce longer and bigger string beans. Also shown is Director Senator okays Abelardo Bragas of DA Region 4-A. more ‘Sentros’ tor Pangilinan thus joined Agricul- ture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala Senator Francis “Kiko” in encouraging local officials and Fish cages to be put up in Marinduque Pangilinan supports the estab- farmers’s groups to develop more lishment of trading posts similar vegetable farms, and subse- Secretary Proceso J. Alcala “We have to take advantage to the Sentrong Pamilihan ng quently, wholesale markets and vowed to put up more fish cages of the geographical setting that mga Produktong Agrikultural ng trading posts. in Marinduque as the Department Marinduque is blessed with,” of of Agriculture eyes to establish Quezon (SPPAQ) in Sariaya. SPPAQ has become a major Alcala said during his recent visit mariculture parks to boost fish- He said wholesale markets vegetable trading center in South- stressing the vast potential of the like SPPAQ will enable farmers ers’ income and provide ample ern Luzon since it was built in heart-shaped island which lies sell their products directly and fish supply in the province. 2006 by Sec. Alcala, when he in between Tayabas Bay and thus earn bigger profit and in- Sibuyan Sea. come. was a still a Representative of the vacuum-packed vegetables that ndnd “We have to make sure that With agri trading posts inin 22 District of Quezon. will form part of the ‘food relief place, farmers have regular ven- The trading post recently put up basket’ distributed to disaster- markets are filled with abundant ues to sell their products to in- a vegetable processing facility affected families by the Depart- fish products, so consumers will stitutional wholesale buyers, and that produces noodles fortified ment of Social Welfare and De- not buy from as far as thus earn steady income. Sena- with squash and malunggay, and velopment. Dalahican,” he stressed To jumpstart the project, Alcala immediately instructed the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to fast-track the submission of the proposal for the mariculture park expansion in Angas. As mariculture is among DA priority programs, additional parks are being planned to ad- dress the long-term impact of declining productivity, generate employment and alleviate poverty in the countryside.

Cordillera chief executives are requesting President Benigno S. Aquino III throug h DA Sec. Proceso Alcala (5th from Try corn ... (from p1) left, standing) to reduce the required LGU counterpart for infrastructure projects so they could undertake more farm- requirements.” Araullo is na- to-market roads (FMRs), communal irrigation, and potable water systems, under the $66-million Second Cordillerara tional coordinator of the DA’s Highland Agricultural Resource Management (CHARM2) project. The project aims to benefit indigenous peoples, rice program. farmers and their families in 170 barangays in 37 towns of the six Cordillera provinces. Shown (seated, from left) are: Based on Araullo’s report, Governors Leonard Mayaen (Mt. Province), Jocel Baac (Kalinga), Eugene Balitang (Ifugao), Nestor Fongwan Alcala plans to increase rice suf- (Benguet), Eustaquio Bersamin (Abra) and Elias Bulut Jr. (Apayao). Behind them (from left) are: CHARM2 project ficiency from 15.77 million met- manager Cameron Odsey; Representatives Eleanor Bulut-Begtang (Apayao), Manuel Agyao (Kalinga), Maximo ric tons (MT) produced in 2010 Dalog (Mt. Province), and Ronald Cosalan (Benguet); and DA-National Irrigation Administrator Antonio Nangel, to 21.12 million MT by DA Undersecretary Antonio Fleta, and DA-Cordillera Regional Executive Director Lucrecio Alviar. 2013.(Philippine Daily Inquirer)

March 20111 33 DA recommends giant gourami for aquaculture

Agriculture Secretary Proceso with the farming of giant A BFAR-technician shows a full-grown albino giant gourami J. Alcala urges fish farmers to ven- gourami, the marginal fisherfolk breeder weighing some 2 kilograms at the BFAR station in Tanay, ture into growing giant gourami would just need to grow Rizal. scientifically known as kangkong and duckweeds in Ospronemus gouramy as alter- their pond dikes or nearby native or complementary to swampy areas. bangus, tilapia and catfish in in- The giant gourami is a large land water bodies such as in fish- freshwater fish native to parts of ponds, rivers, lakes and even in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and dams and reservoirs. China. It comes in two variet- Alcala said that based on re- ies: albino and black. It is research findings of the Bureau of garded as a highly esteemed Fisheries and Aquatic Resources table delicacy in many parts of (BFAR), giant gourami can eas- Asia because of its superior ily be grown and can thrive on a taste and peculiar light-yellow currently propagated at the fa- variety of organic food including colored flesh which is easy to period. It can be polycultured cilities of the BFAR National kangkong, duckweed and small digest. with tilapia and other freshwater Freshwater Technology Center insects. The fish can thrive well in fishes. (NFFTC) at the Muñoz, Nueva “Growing giant gourami will fresh, brackish, and slow mov- Field trials are currently in Ecija, and in National Inland greatly benefit marginal fisherfolk ing bodies of water. It is capable progress for its organic culture Fisheries Technology Center as they need not buy the costly of breathing moist air, so that it using indigenous feeds, Dr. (NIFTC) in Tanay, Rizal. commercial feeds to grow their can survive out of water for long Palma said. Gourami varieties are fish”, Alcala added. periods of time. BFAR Director Malcolm I. According to Dr. Adelaida Rice and corn farmers go hi-tech Sarmiento, Jr. said the agency Palma, chief of the Tanay inland had long been engaged in devel- station of BFAR, the albino gi- with DA grain moisture meters oping non-traditional fish species ant gourami is highly adaptable Slowly but surely, rice and corn ers and millers determine the to broaden its aquaculture base to pond culture because of its farmers are starting to go “high- moisture of grains accurately in order to attain food security and omnivorous feeding habits pre- tech” as the Grain Moisture Meter compared to the “feel and grit” provide more livelihood opportu- ferring plants, insects, worms (GMM) that the Department of method which is prone to errors. nities to fisherfolks. and vegetables such as fibrous Agriculture-Philippine Center for “The GMM is a hand-held de- “We have been continuously plants like hydrilla, kangkong, Postharvest Development and vice which is small enough to exploring means to reduce the cabbage and sweet potato. It Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) transport and use on the field. It production cost in growing fish could also be trained to eat com- has developed gains wider accep- can instantly determine the by looking into species that could mercial feeds. tance. moisture content of grains like be grown organically and is less The giant gourami can attain DA-PhilMech Executive Direc- palay, milled rice and corn ac- dependent on commercial feeds”, 0.7- 1 kilo in an 8-month culture tor Ricardo Cachuela said the curately, and has a digital read- Sarmiento said. He added that GMM can help rice farmers, trad- out. There are Grain Moisture Meters that can be imported but these are very expensive com- PhilRice farmers get crop loans pared to the unit developed by PhilRice and ASKI started its DA-PhilMech,” Cachuela said. About 40 farmers in Bulacan partnership initiator, said loans partnership in 2005 when the “If more GMMs will be and Aurora province received an could still be extended until the micro-financing organization adopted by small farmers, it initial P700,000 in crop loans farmers’ group is officially helped the women in Sta. could help achieve the vision of from a micro-financing registered as an organization. Monica, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija Agriculture Secretary Proceso organization that lends to “Operations of ASKI are limited earn additional income by Alcala to achieve rice self suffi- eligible location specific in Luzon. To reach other farmers, producing and marketing rice- ciency by 2013, since farmers technology development APPEND, its mother based food products. (LSTD) project sites of the organization will set-up Secretary Alcala, during the will know how much time their Philippine Rice Research syndicated funds to assist recent Agriculture and grains need to dry and thus re- Institute (PhilRice). farmers across the country,” she Fisheries 2025 summit in duce postharvest losses,” he In a report to Agriculture said. Antipolo City, underlined the added. Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, Based on the agreement, need for more farmers’ The Grain Moisture Meter PhilRice announced the farmers who participated in a cooperatives and organizations was commercialized by DA- Alliance of Philippine Partners season-long PalayCheck Field that will both serve as program PhilMech starting in 1998, when in Enterprise Development, Inc. School and rice science and conduits and beneficiaries for the agency was still known as (APPEND), through its affiliate, production training will be the country’s agricultural the Bureau of Postharvest Re- Alalay sa Kaunlaran, Inc. prioritized. programs. search and Extension (BPRE). (ASKI), initially released the Corales also said that He also said the DA is It was commercialized by DA- crop loans in preparation for the APPEND and its partners will embarking on a massive PhilMech with Alexan Commer- program through its Agricultural planting season. develop and facilitate market cial, a local firm specializing in Training Institute, in partnership the development and distribution APPEND is the country’s first linkages for products of LSTD with local government units, to non-government organization farmers through value-chain of electronic products to indus- retrain farmers, fishers, tries and consumers. focusing on Christian financing. including rural women and development. ASKI, a micro- Virgina P. Juan, APPEND youth on both conventional and Imported Grain Moisture financing provider in Luzon, president and CEO, hopes that organic system of farming. The Meters cost from $800 to $2,000 provides crop loans to eligible the partnership will create more training also includes devolved shipping costs and tariffs not LSTD farmer-partners for a farming communities with good agricultural and fishery included. The GMM developed minimum of three years. production, increased income, extension workers and by DA-PhilMech costs only Dr. Aurora M. Corales, the and profitable market. technicians. P13,500.00.(PhilMech)

44 Alcala urges tilapia farmers to try skip-feeding The Department of Alcala, said the research funded Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisher- by the Australian Centre for Inter- ies and Aquatic Resources national Agriculture Research (BFAR) encourages tilapia grow- (ACIAR) supporting these prac- ers to try skip-feeding or feeding tices was conducted in Lake every other day in order to cut Buhi, Lake Bato, Laguana de Bay on the production costs in rais- and in Ambuklao Dam by the ing said fish. BFAR’s National Inland Fisheries “During these times of impend- Technology Center (NIFTC) in nd nd ing food crises and rising costs Tanay, Rizal. Sec. Alcala (right photo, 2 from left) assures Philippine Associa- tion of Meat Processors Incorporated Executive Director Fran- of consumer goods, we advise The study found that all excess cisco Buencamino (left) that the DA is now working on een stablishing our fish growers to follow proper food is just put to waste. It is not more AAA slaughterhouses in FMD-free areas all over the countryy fish cage management practices used up by the fish and accumu- so that they would be able to to improve local production of pork during an open forum at the lates only in the lake’s bottom, st st benefit more from their fish farm- Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) 8181 Anniversary on March 8, 2011 later polluting the lake’s waters, held at the BAI Grounds, Quezon City. Alcala also signified hishis ing venture,” Agriculture Secre- Sarmiento explained. tary Proceso J. Alcala said. intention to strengthen public and private partnership in improving Fish cage farmers normally use and promoting local quality meat products to provide Filipinos Alcala said that by skip-feed- up to 60 percent of their producing, fish farmers would be able sufficient and safe food as well as be able to compete in the global tion costs for the procurement of to cut by half the cost of feeds market. Seated beside Alcala are (L-R): Australian Embassy First feeds alone. which would be beneficial not Secretary Carolyn Atkinson, BAI Director Efren Nuestro, and Agri- In addition to skip feeding, fish only to them but also to the con- culture Assistant Secretary Davinio Catbagan. cage operators are also advised sumers and the environment. The alternative feeding scheme to use bigger fingerlings of uniform PCC showcases carabao-based enterprises of skip-feeding is one of impor- sizes. This strategy, he said, tant findings of the extensive would reduce the number of days Carabao-based enterprises in positioned in many places in the studies conducted by the BFAR in growing fish. rural areas were showcased by country. They are known by the BFAR also cautioned fish farm- in collaboration with the South- the Philippine Carabao Center acronym VBAIT and the farmers to refrain from overstocking east Asian Fisheries Develop- (PCC) in Nueva Ecija in connec- ers are happy to pay a fee for their fish cages. Just like other thth ment Center-Aquaculture Depart- tion with its 18 Anniversary cel- helping them improve the breed living organisms, fish requires ment (SEAFDEC-AQD) to deter- ebration last March 21-25. of their carabaos,” he added. oxygen in order to grow, and over- mine best fish cage manage- Dairy farmers, as well as pro- Cruz said at least 2,000 more stocking not only prevents free ment practices in the country’s spective entrepreneurs and other VBAITs will be trained by PCC major lakes. movement, but also reduces the interested parties, have been in- to cover various places in the BFAR Director Malcolm I. amount of available oxygen in the vited to visit select individuals andd country. Sarmiento, Jr., in his report to water, Sarmiento said. cooperatives that have shown The PCC is mandated to con- considerable success in raising serve, propagate, and promote dairy buffaloes and engaging in the Philippine carabao as a Local duck breeders prodded: Go global enterprises that provide them big source of draft animal power, income. Duck breeders must be glo- were issued when industry play- meat, milk and hide. “There are now many farmers For reproduction, the PCC has bally competitive by develop- ers met at the Department of Ag- who have imbibed scientific ways ing lines that produce more riculture (DA) to discuss the in- developed biotechnologies such of improving the breed of their as multiple ovulation and em- eggs and better quality red flux of dressed Peking ducks dairy carabaos and improving the meat, according to Agriculture from China, the United States bryo transfer, in vitro embryo pro- system of maximizing benefits Secretary Proceso J. Alcala. and other countries. duction , and ovum pick-up, and from their carabaos,” Dr. Alcala said it is time the In the US, these ducks are technologies of semen sexing Libertado Cruz, PCC executive Philippines took advantage of known as Long Island ducks, and cryopreservation. director said. the fact that it is certified to be and they comprise the biggest Also, many farmers are taught He added that farmer-owners free of the avian influenza (AI) segment of the popular duck in about increasing milk harvest, are now conversant in crossing virus that had decimated large that country. faster and more sanitary ways and backcrossing their animals duck populations in China, Tai-ai- Despite the economic signifi- in milking carabaos and storing wan and Hongkong, the three cance of the duck industry, the to attain quality breed. They achieve this with the help milk for marketing. big producers and traders of local duck species, known as Specific technologies include Peking ducks which are Philippine mallard or itik, is of PCC experts who show them how to do it. the use of milk replacers, flush- known to have more red meat grown not so much for its red ing, use of a portable machine than other species. meat but for its eggs that are Cruz said farmers either sub- for milking, and use of a com- The duck industry had 10.37 sold as balut or penoy. mit their carabaos to artificial in- million birds in January 2010, Moreover, the Philippine mal- semination (AI) using semen munal freezer. and the total value of the in- lard is typically small and free from quality dairy buffaloes pro- On March 25, PCC also dustry two years earlier was ranged unlike the Peking ducks. duced by the PCC’s national bull launched the book “Businessing placed by the Bureau of Agri- They can be kept in coops or farm, or use superior bulls loaned the Carabao” written by Dr. cultural Statistics (BAS) at allowed to roam and devour bro- by PCC. Anselmo Roque, a multi- P5.95 billion. ken rice, corn grits and commer- Private village-based AI techni- awarded agricultural journalist. Duck is actually next only to cial feeds. cians trained by PCC are also on Outstanding dairy farmers and chicken as a source of egg Alcala is batting for a stron- hand to help farmers. dairy cooperatives, as well as and meat. ger presence of breeders in Pe- “We now have about a thou- VBAITs and employees of PCC Alcala’s marching orders (Pls turn to p8) sand village-based AI technicians were also honored.

March 20111 55 Discovevering teaa Why billions eat unhealthy rice—and shouldn’t FILIPINOS HAVE been prison camp in Cabanatuan, By Robin Broad, John Cavanagh in Zamboanga described as among the most Nueva Ecija, (where John’s polite and hospitable people grandfather was interned),, Here is the bold, on earth. And, in our numer- By Adora Dolores Rodriguez American prisoners suffered unadulterated fact:fact: ous sojourns to this country from beriberi until they con- the mainstay of over three decades, we can vinced the Japanese prison most Filipinos’ Call it serendipity. Call it luck. count on one hand the number guards to let them cook the diets is It was less than two decades In 2003, organic agriculture of disagreements we have bran shavings that came off the polished ago when Leodegario Garcia advocate Dante Delima was had. Then, on our last visit in polished rice; then the beriberi white rice, where stumbled across Ceylon Tea giving a lecture at La Paz on 2010, we learned from organic went away. Why? Rice bran milling and p olishing while attending a seminar at the organic fertilizer production farmers why the country would contains vitamin B and thia- have eliminated most City of Pines. Impressed by its and compost-making when he be better off with a large-scale mine, which are key to prevent- of the nutrients. delicate flavour and aromatic himself stumbled across shift from polished white rice ing beriberi. When we taste, he collected half a kilo of Ceylon Tea. During that time, to less processed brown rice. The second relates to diabe- raised these the marble-like tea seeds from the tea trees were not utilized When we mentioned what we tes, which is threatening to issues the Bureau of Plant Industry at for its beverage purposes but had learned from these reach epidemic proportions in withwith the Baguio Experiment Station, as firewood and fuel source. organic farmers to a number of the Philippines over the next and took it home to La Paz, “Sadly, the tea was not other Filipinos, the disagree- couple of decades. The layers Zamboanga City. used for its value,” Delima ments flew. removed during the polishing of “I thought since Baguio and commented. First, let us explain the rice contain nutrients that guard La Paz have similarly cool Seven years later, Delima, case for “less processed” against diabetes. Polished rice weathers, the tea seeds would now director of the Department brown rice. Typically, after further contributes to diabetes thrive and grow abundantly of Agriculture’s High Value farmers harvest their rice, it risk because it causes blood- goes to a mill. There, it is back home,” Garcia said. Crops Development Program sugar levels to rise more rapidly non-farmer friends across the rice mills to the Philippines a cleaned and the husks are He was right. Eighty-five (HVCDP), is set to strengthen than brown rice does. According Philippines, most were inter- century ago, Filipinos found taken off the grains. At this to the New York Times, a 2010 ested but not convinced enough the taste of the new white rice percent of the seeds sprouted programs and maximize the point, it is referred to as and blossomed after they were use of Ceylon Tea trees. Harvard study showed that to shift to brown rice. “Our strange, and it took a while to Sec.Alcala (middle) listens intently to DA’DA’s High Value Crops De- “brown rice,” and it is full of get used to it. Traders who planted in potted plastic bags. “We are setting aside people who consume white rice children find white rice easier to velopment Program (HVCDP) director Dante de Lima (left) on the nutrients, vitamins, minerals exported rice demanded that it Soon, seedlings for research P725,000.00 in funds under at least five times a week “are digest,” several told us. Or, benefits of CeCeof ylon teaduring a nurnura sery vvsery isit inLa Paz , Zamboangaanga and protein. Rice at this stage be shipped as polished white purposes were abundant. the HVCDP to cover the almost 20 percent more likely to “white rice tastes better.” Or, “it City . DA is setting aside P725,000.00 in funds to cover the estab- is quite healthy to eat. develop Type 2 diabetes than rice, which further spread its With the help of a team of establishment of Organic Tea is hard to find unpolished brown lishment of Organic Tea Production and Commercialization However, most people now those who eat it less than once consumption. experts, Garcia conducted a Production and Commercial- rice.” Some did point out Project. Alcala is positive that the project will prosper with com- prefer to eat “white rice,” a month.” Indeed, across the And, then, over the decades, study on the adaptability and ization Project,” Delima said. bined efforts from the national and local governments and non- accurately that it takes longer which is what comes out of Philippines, we found people to cook brown rice, which the dominant culture defined other cultural practices related The program will include the government orgaorgat nizations. With ttWith hem are (from right) DA-Regionon the process of milling and shifting to brown rice at their requires more fuel. And, a few brown rice as “dirty” and fit to the massive production of construction of model farms in IX Director Oscar Parawan and Leodegario Garcia. polishing the rice.rice. doctors’ suggestion because of mentioned the reality that only for the poor, while white Ceylon Tea. two barangays with corre- Health problems come concerns about diabetes. rice was seen as sophisti- Based on their research, sponding trainings on the brown rice sitting in a sack in because of the polishing. Finally, polishing rice alsoalso your kitchen invites more cated and modern. Ceylon Tea could be propa- rehabilitation, protection andand Alcala said urging farmers to And so today, what started Polishing rice into the spar- reduces its protein content, insects, which are attracted to The consumption of white gated thru marcotting and can management of existing tea extend full cooperation to the as a bag of half-kilo seeds is kling white form that most which can mean the difference the same nutrients that make polished rice spread, even as be produced on a massive trees as source of planting program. (This is the beginning now over 3,000 seedlings that people prefer has three major between being well-nourished or brown rice so healthy. it denied people and their scale.scale. materials. of change, the government has will place the town of La Paz negative impacts on health. malnourished. We dug back into the history children vital nutrients. Garcia added that applying a Two New Multiplier Farms The first is, polishing placed its bet, and so must the in the Philippine map as the The bottom line on all three of books and found that 150 years A shift to unpolished rice mixture of organic and inorganic will also be established. farmers.) removes most of the vitamins would enhance health across tea capital of the country. these health fronts is the same: ago, people across Asia ate fertilizer with high nitrogen DA is partnering with the Call it fate. and minerals that are vital to the more polished the rice, the unpolished rice in great quanti- the board. And because each content would induce leaf Alternative Center for Organi- healthhealth. In the W orld War II less healthy it is. ties. When Westerners brought grain contains up to 10 formation enabling the plant to zational Reforms and Develop- percent more calories than produce more. ment, Inc. (ACORD) in the polished grains, people need Ariel Dolores, 38 of Faigal, Back to week-long wangled a blueprint of the “It’s also good to regularly implementation of the pro- less of it to fill their stomachs. Guimba, Nueva Ecija never zero, Dolores Ariel Dolores at his farm seminar in design from PhilMech and trim it to allow the branches gram.gram. Indeed, by our calculations,, saw himself as a farmer right decided to seed produc- set up a flat bed dryer of hishisof and leaves to multiply,” he “We believe that ACORD is and drying facility (inset). with a switch to brown rice, after graduation with an farm three tion to get his own for his seed production added. capable to establish the the Philippines can eliminate agriculture degree fromfrom hectares of accreditation business. The study also shows that organic tea production and rice imports, which now CLSU in 1992. rice ininrice number. Before Before firing the rice hull when planted at a distance of commercialization,” Delima account for roughly one tenth He got himself employed Guimba, hand, he fed furnace, Dolores allows one meter along the contours of said.said. of consumption. as an executive in a Japa- Nueva Ecija. meticulously two hours of cold air to flow upland farmlands, the plants Agriculture Secretary So, how about a big cam- nese firm based in Mindanao Unlike ordi- planned for the through his seed batch. This can prevent soil erosion. Proceso J. Alcala is positive paign to shift consumption specializing in the production nary rice enterprise, ensures that the seeds are As such, Garcia recom- that the project will prosper back to “brown rice”? People of dried fruits and vegetables. farmers starting with not ruined. When the seed mended that a project on the with combined efforts from the with diabetes are making the For eight years, Dolores was however, he drying facilities batch is ready, he slowly massive production of Ceylon national and local governments switch. Rep. Manny Pacquiao, an assistant manager of the decided to which he applies heat and maintains a Tea be undertaken by the and non-government organiza- how about taping some foreign firm until manage- engage in rice deemed as an temperature of 40 degrees for government with private entre- tions.tions. advertisements promoting thethe ment squabbles forced him seed produc- Rice seed production is his important 16 hours if rice seeds have health benefits of brown rice? preneurs as partners. Once production picks up, to quit the job. tion as this is investment in moisture content of more (Phil. Daily Inquirer) “Sadly, our proposal was DA is ready to assist and forte He turned to business, more promis- By Pete Samonte rice seed than 30 percent. disapproved due to lack ofoflack provide a viable marketing buying tons of bananas from ing in terms of production. He knows the number of funds,” he said. scheme that will benefit all (Robin Broad is a professor the South and bringing it to investment Even before bags of rice hull required to Aside from this, there was stakeholders. at the American University and Luzon. His business however returns. manage an additional 13 abuts his own rice farm to flat bed dryers are to dry a batch of rice seeds. also difficulty in the availability ““Simula na po ng John Cavanagh co-chairs the turned sour after a year when Moreover, a Christian hectares of ricelands with 20 his advantage. be adopted and While drying, he regularly of planting materials, a good pagbabago, may taya ang New Economy Working Group his partner swindled him of church he attends percent of the income He got serious in rice seed popularized for com-com- checks how many bags of marketing scheme as well as pamahalaan kaya dapat ay at the Institute for Policy his revolving capital. offered him to run and allotted to him. The rice land production. He attended a mercial use, he (Pls turn to p12) processing machines. may taya din ang farmers,” Studies.)

66 March 20112011 77

BFAR earmarks P3.5M for fish hatchery in Iloilo The provincial government of freshwater fish species. Iloilo will receive P3.5 million (M) Before the multi-species from the Bureau of Fisheries and hatchery project was conceived, Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for BFAR-Western Visayas and the the establishment of a multi-spe- Iloilo provincial government col- cies fish hatchery. laborated on growing iridescent Provincial Agriculturist shark (Pangasius Ildefonso T. Toledo said in a statement that the local govern- hypophthalmus) — a type of ment will provide P1.2-M as its catfish — inside the same jail counterpart fund for the project. complex. (Business World) A memorandum of agreement was signed early this month to CALABARZON storm this effect. victims get foreign aid The hatchery will be set up in- Agriculture Sec. Alcala (4th from left) hands over to Marinduque side the Iloilo Provincial Inte- Gov. Carmencita Reyes a certificate of entitlement for a P2-mil- grated Jail compound in Brgy. Thousands of farmers from lion agricultural tramline to benefit vegetable farmers in the town Nanga, Pototan town. CALABARZON whose farms of Buenavista. While in Marinduque, Sec. Alcala also inaugu- Toledo said a 1.5-hectare lot were affected by floods during rated a barangay trading post at Landy, Sta. Cruz, dialogued with within the jail complex has been typhoon Ondoy in 2009, re- participants during a provincial agriculture strategic planning identified as project site. ceived aid from international workshop, and visited a prospective site of a mariculture park at Iloilo Governor Arthur D. Defen- funding agencies; Food and Ag- Barangay Angas, Sta. Cruz. Also shown (from left) are retired PNP sor, Sr., who signed the agree- riculture Organization (FAO) and chief General Recaredo Sarmiento II, president of Marinduque ment, said the project could serve Spanish Agency for International First Saturday Movers, Inc., DA Region 4B Director Antonio as a model for other provinces in Development Cooperation Gerundio, DA-PhilMech Engineer Don David Julian, Buenavista Western Visayas. (AECID) through the Depart- Mayor Russel Madrigal, and Marinduque Vice Gov. Antonio Uy. “We have lost a lot [from natu- ment of Agriculture (DA). ral calamities and illegal fishing] With its aim of offsetting dam- but there is still hope. All we need ages brought about by flooding ceived planting materials for high towns and cities in the is commitment to restore what- during typhoon Ondoy, the DA value crops, 2,022 for tilapia and CALABARZON Region. ever we can,” Defensor said. distributed agriculture and fish- milkfish fingerlings and seaweed Apart from these,DA will also BFAR Regional Director Drusila eries inputs to a total of 10,610 cuttings, and 1,640 for small ru- provide technical assistance to BFAR earmarks P3.5M for fish hatchery in Iloilo The provincial government of freshwater fish species. Iloilo will receive P3.5 million (M) Before the multi-species from the Bureau of Fisheries and hatchery project was conceived, Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for BFAR-Western Visayas and the the establishment of a multi-spe- Iloilo provincial government col- cies fish hatchery. laborated on growing iridescent Provincial Agriculturist shark (Pangasius Ildefonso T. Toledo said in a statement that the local govern- hypophthalmus) — a type of ment will provide P1.2-M as its catfish — inside the same jail counterpart fund for the project. complex. (Business World) A memorandum of agreement was signed early this month to CALABARZON storm this effect. victims get foreign aid The hatchery will be set up in- Agriculture Sec. Alcala (4th from left) hands over to Marinduque side the Iloilo Provincial Inte- Gov. Carmencita Reyes a certificate of entitlement for a P2-mil- grated Jail compound in Brgy. Thousands of farmers from lion agricultural tramline to benefit vegetable farmers in the town Nanga, Pototan town. CALABARZON whose farms of Buenavista. While in Marinduque, Sec. Alcala also inaugu- Toledo said a 1.5-hectare lot were affected by floods during rated a barangay trading post at Landy, Sta. Cruz, dialogued with within the jail complex has been typhoon Ondoy in 2009, re- participants during a provincial agriculture strategic planning identified as project site. ceived aid from international workshop, and visited a prospective site of a mariculture park at Iloilo Governor Arthur D. Defen- funding agencies; Food and Ag- Barangay Angas, Sta. Cruz. Also shown (from left) are retired PNP sor, Sr., who signed the agree- riculture Organization (FAO) and chief General Recaredo Sarmiento II, president of Marinduque ment, said the project could serve Spanish Agency for International First Saturday Movers, Inc., DA Region 4B Director Antonio as a model for other provinces in Development Cooperation Gerundio, DA-PhilMech Engineer Don David Julian, Buenavista Western Visayas. (AECID) through the Depart- Mayor Russel Madrigal, and Marinduque Vice Gov. Antonio Uy. “We have lost a lot [from natu- ment of Agriculture (DA). ral calamities and illegal fishing] With its aim of offsetting dam- but there is still hope. All we need ages brought about by flooding ceived planting materials for high towns and cities in the is commitment to restore what- during typhoon Ondoy, the DA value crops, 2,022 for tilapia and CALABARZON Region. ever we can,” Defensor said. distributed agriculture and fish- milkfish fingerlings and seaweed Apart from these,DA will also BFAR Regional Director Drusila eries inputs to a total of 10,610 cuttings, and 1,640 for small ru- provide technical assistance to Esther E. Bayate said the project affected farmers and fishers from minants and hogs. farmers through seminars and aims to make Iloilo a regional Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, The distribution started last orientation about the said in- center for the culture and propa- Rizal, and Quezon. year and will continue in various puts. gation of catfish, tilapia and other Some 6,948 beneficiaries re DA-BSWM gives cassava granulator-shredder Two cassava granulators cumm tons per hour of fresh cassava shredder and vermi huts were and shred various kinds of agri- turned over recently to cultural biomass for vermi Kasanyangan Foundation, Inc. composting. (KFI) in Vitali, Zamboanga City Present during the turnover and Dinas Community Integrated were Teodulo Bersabe of Cooperative (DCICO) through the BSWM- Manila, Edgardo B. Department of Agriculture (DA) Tabal, chief of the Agricultural and the Bureau of Soils and Wa- Extension Program Division, ter Management (BSWM). Felizardo M. Salomes, Regional The machinery is a “two-in-one” Corn Coordinator and Ahmad A. facility that can granulate cas- Nahul, Regional Focal Person sava fresh tubers and shred agri- for Cassava, from DA 9.9. cultural wastes for the production of substrates for vermi Local duck ...... (from p5) composting. A vermi hut with concrete beds king duck market but regula- was also provided to facilitate the tions have come in the way fol- production of compost to serve lowing the AI contamination worldwide and compelled the Beneficiaries from Rizal province receive tilapia fingerlings dur- as organic fertilizer. The granulator costs P800,000 each while the implementation of restrictions ing a ceremonial distribution on March 25, 2011 at the Ynares on the transport of Peking ducks Gym, Antipolo City. The project led by the Department of Agricul- vermi hut costs P20,000 each. The units were officially turned- raised locally. ture (DA) with aid from Food and Agriculture Authority (F(FAO) Moreover, local breeders com-- and Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation over by Dr. Candido B. Damo, National Cassava Coordinator to plained to the DA that the pos- (AECID) aims to provide farmers and fishers from CALABARZON sibility of contamination by the Region whose livelihood was affected by floods during the 2009 Roger Ross in behalf of Atty. Ibarra Malonzo, the KFI Manager, dreaded virus is highly improb- Ondoy typhoon. In the photo handling the fingerlings are: (L-R) able since the birds they have Rizal Governor Casimiro Ynares III, AECID Coordinator Vicente and Nelson M. Nantes, the Man- ager of DCICO. been keeping did not originate Selles, FAO Representative Kazuyuki Tsurumi, and DA from China, Hongkong or Tai- Undersecretary Joel Rudinas. According to Dr. Damo, the machine can granulate eight wan. (Manila Bulletin) 88 Sec. Alcala’s travelogue for March 2011 Care for McNester dried mangoes, catsup? PAMPANGA – March 1--Budget preparation in Clark, Pampanga Starting in 2003 with a mea- BACOLOD – March 4 sly capital of P700 that ini- QUEZON PROVINCE – March 5--With Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ tially churned Pangilinan; presented mechanics of the Sentrong Pamilihan ng out calamansi Agrikultura ng Quezon; visited Earth Keepers Garden, Jun-Jun Perez j juiuice coconcncenen-- Farm and Ugu Bigyan’s Potters Garden; visited the Earth Keepers’ Learning Farm where Sen. Pangilinan tried his first rice planting trate, now eight session. years later McNester Food BATANGAS – March 12--Keynoted the 41stst Annual General Assem- Products inin bly of the LIMCOMA Multi-purpose Cooperative at De la Salle Guimaras, Iloilo Sentrum, Lipa City, Batangas. He was welcomed by RFU-4A Exec. has grown more Re Re bebe ccca TTububoongngbaba nunua prprououdldly shshowows ofof f f Dir. Abelardo Bragas , AGAP Party List Rep. Nicanor Briones, than 500-fold, di- calamansi juice concentrate and mango catsup, LIMCOMA Chairman Camilo Sapo, and LIMCOMA Pres. Joselito versifying into Lingao. Also turned over 100 heads of pigs to LIMCOMA members. the ingredients of her sweet success in business. more than a MARINDUQUE – March 14--Had breakfast meeting at Biglang-Awa dozen novel processed food prod- Asked why she choose a for- Shrine, Balanacan Pier with the provincial officials headed by Gov. ucts bannered by dried mangoes, eign-sounding trade name, she Carmencita O. Reyes; proceeded to the blessing and inaugura- and more recently, mango cat- replied:”I simply named it after tion of Barangay Food Terminal in Barangay Landy, Santa Cruz;; sup. our sons Mac-Mac and Nester.” turned over technical assistance and gave P140,000 for the termi- With the assistance of various Conquering the more lucrative nal with P80,000 counterpart from the LGU; pledged an additional P150,000 for the expansion of the facility and P75,000 for seed government agencies including Metro Manila supermarkets and money; had an open forum with mayors and residents; turned over the Department of Agriculture, the later on the global arena may not three sets of shallow tube wells, a tramline, UV film rainshelter, foreign-sounding company has be a tall order after all, as assorted vegetable seeds, and garden tools. transformed literally into an en- McNester can very well qualify He keynoted the Strategic Planning Workshop on Agriculture terprise of sweet success, now and compete — quality and at the Provincial Training Center in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque and considered as one of the island’s taste-wise, and interestingly had a surprise visit to the Mariculture Park in Angas, Sta. Cruz leading fruit processing ventures. name-wise. and instructed BFAR to expand mariculture livelihood program. Proprietor-owner cum chemist DA info group meets to DIPOLOG - March 4--Keynoted Commencement Exercises in Rebecca Tubongbanua recounts: Dipolog “I started with calamansi concen- herald SPJA’s thrusts trate as my first product, but I had To synchronize all information TARLAC – March 22--Delivered inspirational message at the LBP- to expand the business to make campaigns and advocacies of CLSU Technology Promotion Center and Farmers’ Field Day in room for the processing of vari- the agriculture department, par- Victoria, Tarlac ous mango products.” ticularly the policies and program Perhaps, it was the demand, thrusts of Secretary Proceso J. DAVAO – March 24--visited the 1,075-hectare Panabo City Mari- or maybe it was her desire to help Alcala, the agency’s regional in- culture Park, in Davao del Norte and launched the DA-BFAR Fish formation officers and the DA- Cage Livelihood Project. Present were LGU officials headed by mango producers sell their harvests. But what started from OSEC information service team Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario;proceeded to Carmen Municipal Hall convened for their 2011 1 stst quar- where he turned over (1) One Unit Hauling Truck worth P900,000. bottled citrus beverages has He also pledged 2 hand tractors and certified seeds and promised grown into a company with over ter consultative meeting, in Iloilo, to return to further help the farmers with their farmland; visited the March 28-30, 2011. 20 product lines, led by dried and The consultation served as a Multi-Species Hatchery and Soft Shelled Crab Production project processed mangoes. in Bincungan, Tagum City; surprise visit to Mindanao Rural Devel- venue for the DA info team to dis- thth “When I started this project, I cuss and share the latest up- opment Project Office in Davao City; he keynoted the 1111 National just woworkerked in an ababandoned Convention cum Seminar-Workshop of the League of Municipal dates on the various programs Agricultural Officers, Municipal/city Agriculturists of the Philip- house,” she narrates. pursued under the Agri-Pinoy pines, Inc. (LEMMCAP) at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao Luckily, her hard work paid off. strategic framework, covering City with local government officials headed by Sorsogon 1 stst Dist. “With everyone lending a hand, major sectors that include rice, Rep. Salvador Escudero III; visited multi-species hatchery and soft I was able to buy better equip- corn, high value crops, fisheries, shelled crab production project at Bincungan, Tagum City ment and upgrade my small fac- livestock, information technol- tory,” she adds. ogy, and foreign trade agree- CAMARINES SUR - March 26-- Keynoted Central Bicol State Uni- Exposed to a variety of jobs ments and policies, among other versity of Agriculture (CBSU) Commencement Exercises in Pili, topics. Camarines Sur. and the world’s inevitable difficul- DA Region 6, under the lead- ties, Tubongbanua may be con- ership of Director Larry DAVAO CITY – March 30--Delivered opening remarks for over 800 sidered a survivor and a good hit- Nacionales, graciously hosted participants of the 11stst Coco Coir Summit inin Marco Polo Hotel, Davao ter, as she has batted away the three-day event, which was City. Also in attendance were DTI Sec. Gregory Domingo, PCA Ad- whatever curve ball life has spiced by a tour of various agri- ministrator Euclides Forbes, and PHILCOIR Pres. Atty. Ariel Aguirre;re; thrown at her. culture and fishery institutions, visited and toured the 10 hectare lot Xylose Plant of the CJ Toyota Her fruit processing business and agribusiness enterprises Tsusho Philippines, Inc. in Darong, Sta. Cruz with CJ Toyota Tsusho is set to conquer local and inter- starting off with the DA-BPI Na- Phils. Managing Dir. Son Dae Ho, Governor Douglas Pa. Cagas, national markets with its unique tional Mango Research and De- and other government officials; visited the Pontmain Resources, concoctions and mixes. velopment Center in Guimaras Inc. in Inawayan, Sta. Cruz, a manufacturer of coco coir fiber and Today, McNester’s product line (hosted by Center Chief Yondre other coco products. Before Davao, he attended the conclusion of Yonder), tour of mangrove re- the Coco Coir Summit and received Summit resolutions from includes dried mangoes, mango planting projects along the coast PHILCOIR Pres. Ariel Aguirre. puree, mango catsup, and of Buenavista, and a visit to the mango jam. Mango-achara, facilities of McNester Food Prod- March 31--MANILA-- Hosted the welcome dinner for the UN mis- mango calamansi concentrate, ucts .. sion to the Philippines with members of the Executive Boards of mango chutney and polvoron with The group also visited the fa- UNDP, UNFPA, UNOPS, UNICEF, UN W OMEN & W FP at the Marble mango bits also occupy shelves cilities of the Southeast Asian Hall, National Museum in Manila and presented a video presenta- at the company’s showroom. Fisheries Development Center tion of the DA corporate profile and the DA-DAR-DENR conver- She still maintains her pioneer- Aquaculture Department in gence initiative. ing calamansi juice concentrate. Tigbauan, hosted by Dr. Joebert Toledo. March 2011 99 Turn coco fiber ... (from p1) ‘Shooting’ Rep. Pacquiao 30% or 300 grams of fiber or coir inally, he was there...Sporting manager Michael Kontz. can be extracted, and the rest FF a striped yellow and white shirt The scheduled 8 o’clock meet- is coco peat or dust, Administra- and blue denim pants, he stood ing was reset to 2:00 p.m., and tor Forbes added. by the door of his room talking then again at 5:00 p.m., at 8:00 p.m., Secretary Alcala said the De- hurriedly to members of his staff and finally at 10:00 p.m. when and training crew. It was almost 1 Manny was supposedly ready to partment of Agriculture is spear- o’clock in the morning, and Manny retire for that day. heading the initiative through the “Pacman” Pacquiao, the legend- It was past 10 o’clock when we PCA and Fiber Industry Develop- ary Filipino boxing hero was still frantically pulled some more ment Authority (FIDA) per in- up and about in his three-door strings in a final attempt to corner structions of President Benigno suite at the fourth floor of Manny Pacquiao. That time, aa S. Aquino III to strongly support, Cooyeesan Mall and Hotel in small group of men were lingering promote, and develop the coco Baguio City. at the mall lobby, and the unmis- coir and peat industries to Despite its modest offerings, takable sturdy profile of Buboy achieve its optimum production Shape Up Gym and the mall’s ho- Fernandez was easily recogniz- tel facilities had been home to able in the crowd. and export potentials. Pacquiao’s high altitude training Buboy was dubbed to be The DA will develop the fledg- in the Philippines that proved es- Manny’s best-kept secret weapon ling coco fiber and peat industry sential to his two latest victories because his friendship with Manny in partnership with the Depart- against Joshua Clottey and Anto- went back to their childhood days, ments of Trade and Industry (DTI), nio Margarito. their common struggles against Manny Pacquiao training Public Works and Highways Around 24 hours ago, and poverty their fraternal bond even inin in Baguio City (DPWH), and Science and Tech- some 250 kilometers away, a tele- victory. nology (DOST), in cooperation vision crew and representatives We patiently explained the situ- of the Department of Agriculture ation to Buboy, who finally agreed tion by actually eating white corn with small coconut farmers’ co- grits with rice and whole corn ker- operatives and federations, and central office left Manila after mid- to vouch for us. night on March 20, 2011. Anticipating that Manny would be nels on a cob. the private sector, like the Philip- Their mission was to take foot- tired and sleepy, we were intent in “Uy, kakain tayo ng mais…” hehe pine Coco Coir Exporters Asso- ages of the boxing champ to com- shooting the video clip in less than excitedly said. He was given corn ciation, Inc. (PhilCoir), and the plete an advertisement where he ten minutes. Eventually, an exas- on a cob and recited his line:ne: “Para Coconut Industry Investment would endorse the Department’s perated Michael Kontz gave us five sa malakas at malusog na Pinoy, Fund (CIIF). food security goals, specifically to minutes with our boxing champ. mag-mais tayo.” There were a “On exports, China remains boost white corn consumption Contrary to our earlier notion, few takes for the shoot, and all the while he was nibbling at his one big untapped export market,” among Filipinos. Manny was wide awake and quite The groundwork for the photo bubbly when he came out of his corn on a cob. He was also given Sec. Alcala said. Other potential a plate of rice with white corn grits, buyers of geo-textiles and coco and video shoot was coordinated room to greet us along with condi- earlier through the auspices of the tioning coach Alex Ariza. After intro- which he gamely chewed for the peat organic fertilizers and soil DA and the office of Sarangani ductions were made, he was kept camera. After the shooting, he conditioners are Hong Kong, Ko- Congressman Pacquiao. aside by Direk Robbie Castro IV also posed for pictorials and rea, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, But it turned out that coordinat- and producer Leng Mercado and signed autographs with each of Canada, and the USA. ing with Manny the Congressman told him about the script and his the coverage crew. He noted that China alone im- was a breeze compared to set- role in it: He would endorse white While doing this, he narrated ting up a pictorial with Manny the corn as an alternative or additive to that he had been eating plailain cornrn ports 200,000 tons of coco fiber until he was eight years old. He Boxer, thanks to Pacman’s PR rice and promote corn consump annually, driven by its increasing barely knew of rice at that time, demand for mattresses. This de- and he thought it should be eaten mand has prompted the setting without viands. up of over 50 coir production work- Manny Pacquiao believes in the shops in the country, which are Department of Agriculture’s thrust not enough, Alcala added. of promoting corn consumption to achieve food security in the “In China, to date we only seize country. Aside from its obvious merely 0.05% of its coco fiber role in reducing poverty, he said imports. The room for further corn provides a balanced diet growth is therefore immense,” the especially for athletes like him. DA chief said. How he wished, he said, that The PCA said last year the corn would be re-established as country exported less than 5,000 staple food not only in Visayas and Mindanao, but all over the metric tons (MT) of coconut coir country. worth roughly $6.5 million. Sri The taping and autograph ses- Lanka is the leading exporter, at sion took about an hour. It bol- more than 150,000 MT. Sec. Alcala (left) and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines stered our earlier belief that if we For his part, DTI Secretary Gre- Rod Smith (right) discuss market opportunities available for both were only allowed to spend a gory Domingo said government countries during the latter’s courtesy call at the DA office recently.. minute with the People’s Champ aims to increase exports of coco Aside from Guimaras and Davao del Sur, Smith said that Australia himself, he would not let us go is keen on procuring mangoes from other provinces in the Philip- until we’ve had him to our heart’s geo textiles to at least $6.5 mil- content. lion by 2016. pines on the condition that it meets the biosecurity policies Austra- And this proved true the follow- At the conclusion of the sum- lia have set. ing morning when we showed up mit, leading stakeholders signed for his road run through the hills a statement of commitment to velopment Fund, and PhilCoir. try,” PhilCoir said in a position along Marcos Highway in the develop the country’s fledgling “We are highly appreciative of paper presented during the sum- boundaries of Baguio and coconut fiber and peat industry. the recognition by the govern- mit. Benguet. He gamely joked with us, posed for us, and treated us The signatories include Secretar- ment of the importance and po- The position paper also put for- like we were long-time friends. ies Alcala and Domingo, and rep- tential significance of the coco ward pressing and strategic con- He was a real champ, and we’d resentatives of other government coir industry, and we are com- cerns for the coconut industry, gladly take another opportunity to agencies like the DPWH, DOST, mitted to working with the gov- alongside recommended solu- shoot Manny Pacquiao all over PCA, FIDA, Coconut Industry De- ernment in developing our indus- tions and courses of action. again.

1010 DA alallots ...... (from p1) Phl to be ...... This was the commitment of (from p1) Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala at the 1stst Philippine Cof- Korea, where there fee Investors’ Forum, held March is a currently an 9, in Makati City. FMD outbreak. He said the P50M that will be Korea’s pork pro- drawn from the DA’s High Value duction is ex- Crops Development Program pected to decline (HVCDP) is “what the govern- by 760,000 metric ment can offer in the meantime.” tons or one-third of “Once we see investors will- the previous total ing to partner with farmers to help estimates of 2011. them help themselves, we can Sec. Alcala hopes always double our funds for the to capture a seg- coffee industry,” he added. ment of the South Sec. Alcala (inset) announces the entire Philippines will soon be declared FMD-- He lamented that the country Korean pork mar- free by the OIE during the 41 st st general assembly and election of officers of the imports about P2-billion worth of ket until it recovers Lipa City Multi-Purpose Coop. Marketing Ass’n. (LIMCOMA), in Batangas. coffee every year. from the FMD out- With investor support, said break. amount could be better spent on He expressed such optimism He commended LIMCOMA He said the DA will strongly farmers who could be encour- during the 41stst general assembly members, mostly farmers and support farmers, livestock and aged to produce local coffee va- and election of officers of the Lipa hog raisers, for their strong spirit poultry raisers, fishers, fruit and rieties and boost the domestic City Multi-Purpose Cooperative of cooperativism, which is worth vegetable dealers who will fol- economy. Marketing Association emulating by other farmers, live- low the footsteps of LIMCOMA. The investors’ forum was at- (LIMCOMA), Batangas, March stock raisers and ruralfolk all over One of the biggest, success- tended by about 100 partici- 12, 2011. the country. ful cooperatives in the country, pants, with about one-fourth rep- LIMCOMA is now engaged in resenting 25 investor groups. several food supply chain enter- Also present were officials of density polyethylene pipes, 328 bilitation of existing areas. They prises, from corn production, plastic water drums, and five al- Nestle Philippines, the country’s are also ready to finance irriga- feed milling, swine raising, ternative irrigation systems that tion systems if needed. Borrow- biggest coffee buyer and manu- slaughterhouse operation, pork facturer; Banco De Oro Unibank integrate hydro and solar tech- ers are also allotted a grace pe- processing, and meat shop and Inc. and the Land Bank of the nology. riod to repay the loan until market operation. Philippines. On infrastructure and cashflow is generated. postharvest development ser- It prides itself with the first fully Other DA officials, coffee farm- vices, Delima said the DA will pro- “On our part, BDO’s support ers and entrepreneurs also par- to agriculture and fisheries is now automated or computerized vide 29 coffee processing equip- feedmill in Southeast Asia im- ticipated in the one-day forum. ment, 7 postharvest and storage slowly picking up. Our bank is equipment, 7 household and 5 vil- open to individual borrowers pro- ported from the Netherlands. Government interventions lage level processing facilities, vided they can comply with all the It has also invested in a 97- HVCDP national coordinator and funds for postharvest related requirements of the bank which foot twin silo facility that can and assistant director of the Bu- research activities. are needed to secure their abil- store up to 3,000 tons of corn, reau of Plant Industry Dante ity to repay the loan,” explained and a pelleting machine that can Expansion areas Rhoda Orsolino, Senior Vice produce up to 20 tons of pellet Delima said the P50-M initial For his part, Marriz B. Agbon, fund is earmarked for 10 priority president of DA’s Philippine Agri- President. feeds per hour. regions, where the DA targets to cultural Development and Com- Successful coffee entrepre- In 2010, the cooperative provide farmers over 1 million cof- mercial Corporation (PADCC) neurs also shared their experi- earned a total of P23.7 million fee planting materials in priority said the DA eyes expansion ar- ences. One of them is Noel S. from its various enterprises. provinces. eas in the provinces of Isabela, Gonzales, chairman and CEO of For their efforts, the DA fur- Delima said 70 percent of Phil- Bohol, Leyte, Bicol, Cebu, Corporate Holdings Management, ther boosted the cooperative’s ippine coffee is Robusta variety. Negros, Bukidnon, Misamis Ori- Inc. (CHMI), which diversified into swine breeding and raising op- Other varieties are arabica, ental, Bulacan, and Davao Del coffee production. Sur. erations by sharing several head liberica, and excelsa. “Our plan is to cover 4,000 of breeder boars and 100 pig- He added areas identified by the hectares in a five-year period He said the DA will also pro- DENR as potential coffee planta- lets. vide small farm equipment and through the help of the govern- Sec. Alcala enjoined the co- tions include Bulacan, with about ment and banking sector and in machinery like 232 sprayers, 20 67,000 hectares; Bataan with operative to further improve its screen houses, 18 nurseries, 19,000 hectares; and Davao with partnership with Nestle as buyer. slaughterhouse and meat shop and a planting materials labora- 28,000 hectares. At present, we were able to plant operations to produce more tory; rehabilitate five screen “Together, the potential of de- 333 coffee trees covering 200 quality and affordable pork prod- houses, and five nurseries; es- veloping at least 15 to 20 percent hectares in Alcoy, Cebu within ucts for consumers in Batangas, tablish seven organic or biologi- of target areas will be able to cover only five months and now we are nearby provinces and Metro Ma- cal fertilizer plants, rehabilitate the 2010 coffee import figures, preparing 300 hectares more for nila. seven others; put up two bio-con-n- which is in the vicinity of 26,600 planting. We are also eyeing Finally, he thanked the metric tons,” Agbon said. trol agent plants, and organic fer- Antipolo and San Mateo as new LIMCOMA officers and mem- Peter Noszek, chief finance sites for coffee production,” said tilizer composting plants; distrib- officer of Nestle Philippines, said bers for providing him the oppor- ute soil analysis instruments, Gonzales. tunity to touch-base with them, they buy about 80 percent of the For his part, CHMI president consisting of 409 PH meters and opportunities,” he said. reassuring them that through 4 multi-meters; and fund three Simeon L. Kintanar said they good and transparent gover- coffee production-related re- Public-private partnership to envision making Cebu as the cof- nance, the DA will regain the search activities. intensify local coffee industry fee corridor in Central Visayas. public’s trust and confidence, in On irrigation, the DA will es- Land Bank and BDO officials (with reports from Adam Borja, An- n- compliance with President tablish 10 small farm reservoirs, siad they are prepared to fund new gelica Barlis and Miko Jazmine J. Aquino’s directives to the de- and provide 46,460 meters of high coffee plantations and the reha- Mojica) partment. March 2011 1111 Phl sends free bananas to Japanese tsunami victims The Philippines intends to send bananas consumed in Japan “Let us not raise prices, let’s devoted to agriculture, and the food to Japan, starting with a come from the Philippines, he keep it at the proper level,” he Philippines should try to help by shipment of bananas and noted. said. producing the kind of crops that plantains, to help feed the He said the DA would send He also noted that the have been badly affected. hundreds of thousands of victims the “lakatan” variety along with damaged areas in Japan were (Philippine Daily Inquirer) of the massive March 11 “saba,” a species of plantain that earthquake and tsunami that may be cooked as a staple. Later, Sec. Alcala (left) devastated the northeastern part the DA may also send an an d DaDa vava o dede l l of the country. pineapples, he added in an Nortrte GoGovevernrnoror “We are trying to send some interview. Ro dodo lflf o dede l l containers of bananas to help Alcala said the plan to send Rosario apprecreci-i- with their food needs,” Agriculture fruits had the blessings of the at at e a lolo bsbs tete rr Secretary Proceso Alcala said. President. ra ra isis ed at thth ee The magnitude 9 earthquake “We have coordinated and have 1,075-hectare Panabo City Mari-- spawned a destructive tsunami sought the permission of the that all but wiped out towns along culturture Park, inin President, and he said that it is the northeastern coast of Japan’s Davao del Norte, only right that we show our Honshu island. a joint project of of The temblor and tidal waves solidarity with them, since they th th e DADA-B-B FAR,, also damaged the Fukushima are among the best importers of Panabo City and Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, our bananas,” he said. f f ii ss hh ff aa rr mm ee rr ss ’’ raising fears of a nuclear He said Japan imports more groups. The park meltdown as authorities furiously food from the Philippines than it has initially devel- try to contain the disaster. exports to the country. oped 80 hectaress Alacala said the Department of Alcala also said the for culturing lob-- Agriculture plans to start by Philippines could be expected to st st eersrs , baba ngng usus ,, sending bananas since this is export more food to Japan now, si si gaga nini ds grgr ouou -- one of the top commodities that but called on exporters not to pe pe rsrs , rere d snsn apap -- the Philippines exports to Japan. take advantage of the quake-hit pe pe rsrs , sese ahah oror sese ss A total of 95 percent of the country. and seaweeds.

damaged on March 11 will be re- fectures of Fukushima, Ibaraki, ... Bans Japanese meat, dairy productctss called. Tochigi and Gunma. “We would like to give the pub- Meanwhile, the Bureau of The Philippines will temporarily for chocolate-milk product and lic the assurance that any choco- Fisheries and Aquatic Re- ban the entry of chocolate-milk meat products coming from af- late- milk products from the pre- sources said it will conduct ran- products and meat products from fected prefectures in Japan,” saidid fectures that were shipped after dom sampling of mackerel from areas in Japan where radioactiv- BAI Director Efren Nuestro. March 11 will not be allowed to Japan to determine whether ity contamination was detected, Nuestro also disclosed that enter the Philippines,” he said. these contain abnormal radioac- the Bureau of Animal Industry chocolate-milk products shipped Earlier, the United States Food tivity. (BAI) said. to the Philippines from prefec- and Drug Administration stopped Bureau Director Malcolm I. “We will no longer be issuing tures in Japan that are within the the importation of milk, veg- Sarmiento disclosed the Philip- veterinary quarantine clearances vicinity of the nuclear reactors etables and fruits from the pre- pines imported 4,000 tons of mackerel for processing from Ja- Rice seed production is ... (from p6) and involving 750 farmer pan. beneficiaries. They have The government noted that Ja- rice hull was fed to the exhausted. under their care the mainte- pan is not a primary source of furnace. He consumes 36 Two years ago, barangay nance of some 9 kilometers meat products and other major bags of rice hull per seed Faigal became the direct of irrigation canal laterals food products. It said Japan ex- batch scoring a 98 percent beneficiary of irrigation water and sublaterals that lead to ports mostly manufactured germination for his seeds. coming from the Casecnan their area. The irrigators’ goods to the Philippines such As an accredited seed Irrigation project of the National association, covering 11 as noodles and tea. producer, he regularly plants Irrigation Administration. The barangays in three munici- Earlier, the Philippine Nuclear some eight to ten varieties of project opened some 13,000 palities, was adjudged as Research Institute and the Food foundation seeds as required hectares of rice land in the second best association in and Drugs Administration de- the entire country with a 100 by PhilRice. towns of Munoz, Talugtog and clared they would test soy prod- At times, Dolores wants to Guinba, all in Nueva Ecija. percent collection in irrigation fees. ucts, milk and noodles that en- plant just a single variety of Dolores admits that before tered the Philippines after seeds that he thinks will sell the irrigation service was For two successive seasons, the irrigators’ nuclear reactors in the like hotcakes, but he sticks opened in his area, he usually association earned P1.6 Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant to the rules of accreditation consumes some 36 drums of million during the dry season were damaged by the earth- nonetheless. diesel fuel for his Shallow Tube and another P800,000 for quake and the tsunami. His sales averages 1,400 Wells to irrigate his 16-ha. rice the wet season. The asso- “Some food products sampled bags of registered seeds per farm. ciation uses the amount for season, which he sells at At one point, he bought at sites both within the the regular cleaning of Fukushima prefecture and in ad- Php 1,200 per 40-kg.bag or diesel for Php 50 per liter, canals that service their about Php 1.6 million per translating to a production area. ja jacent areareas have been con- cropping season! expense of Php 360,000 in a As a farmer and a rice taminated by radioactive mate- He has four outlets in the single cropping season! seed producer, Dolores has rials,” a joint statement of the nearby town of Munoz. He He was also elected treasurer no regrets whatsoever about Food and Agriculture Associa- never resorts to outsourcing of the Irrigators association that fate that brought him back to tion and the World Health Orga- of seeds when his stocks are covers some 1,231 hectares the farm. nization said. (Business Mirror)