Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
With a new irrigation system, the Aeta community in Barangay Villar in Botolan, Zambales now has more reason to return to their ancestral land after being displaced for years when Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991. The irrigation system featuring a novel ram pump, series of pipes and hose, and water reservoir is part of several agricultural projects, equipment and inputs totaling P60 million (M) that the DA through Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has awarded to the Aetas or indigenous peoples (IPs), farmers, ruralfolk and local government units in Zambales, during his visit on March 23 and 24, 2012. The ram pump will irrigate some 200 hectares, benefiting more than 890 Aeta families, who plant mostly root crops such as taro (Luko variety) and sweet potato, and vegetables like squash, tomatoes and eggplants, and banana. Secretary Alcala will also provide the Aeta community with two carabaos complete with farm implements. The DA chief said the bulk of the P60-M allotment will be used to construct and repair eight communal or pump irrigation projects (CIPs/PIPs), which include the: Naglabusan PIP in San Marcelino; East Danita CIP in San Antonio; Lipay-Cabatuan and Marangla PIPs in Iba; Libertador PIP in Candelaria; Grullo and Paete-Balincaguing CIPs, in San Narciso; and Salaza-San Lorenzo CIP, serving Masinloc and Palauig. Secretary Alcala also attended three separate forums with farmers, fisherfolk and local government officials, in Botolan and San Felipe. He said the DA will also establish a community seed bank where farmers can source their seed requirements if their crops would be damaged by typhoons. In addition, the DA through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will put up a crab hatchery. He instructed BFAR Region 3 Director Remedios Ongtangco to finish the hatchery before the end of April. (Catherine Nanta, DA-AFIS)
March 2012
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (2nd from right) appreciates vegetables for sale at a regional agricultural trade fair, April 13, 2012, in Roxas City, part of a week-long CAPIZtahan festival.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and other top DA officials will meet with hog and poultry industry leaders in May to discuss and address major issues, primarily the influx of illegally im(Pls turn to p2) ported meat and meat products. He made the commitment at the 21 s t Annual convention of the National Federation of Hog Raisers, Inc. (NFHFI) and Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (ProPork), held April 19, 2012 in Mandaue
Secretary Alcala (insert, top right) urges top DA officials (foreground) to focus and deliver results, at the 2012 2 nd quarterly DA Management Committee (ManCom) meeting, in Roxas City, Capiz. Top photo also shows (from left) DA undersecretaries Segfredo Serrano, Emerson Palad, Antonio Fleta and Joel Rudines. The meeting was also attended by Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, assistant secretaries, and respective directors or head of DA regional field units, bureaus, DA-OSEC services, and attached agencies and corporations.
Editorial
Panibagong sigla, buwelo at pagkilos
Nitong buwan, nagpulong ang matataas na pinuno ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka sa Roxas City, Capiz, sa pangunguna ni Sec. Procy Alcala, upang pag-usapan ang mga programa at proyekto na dapat gawin sa taong kasalukuyan. Ibinalita rin niya ang mga programa at proyekto nailatag at naisakatuparan na. (Ilan dito ay mababasa sa unang pahina.) Minarapat naming banggitin ang ilan sa kanyang mga tagubilin upang bigyan diin ang direksyon na dapat nating tahakin sa mga susunod na buwan. Isa na rito ang mithiing makamit ang kasapatan sa bigas at pangunahing pagkain sa katapusan ng 2013. Ani Sec Procy: Kailangan natin ng puspusang pagkilos, dahil binigyan ang Kagawaran ng higit na malaking budget para sa 2012, at nagtakda rin tayo ng mas malalaking target. Sa pagdalaw niya sa mga lalawigan (26 nitong 1st quarter ng 2012), nakita niya na mas mataas na ang antas ng kahandaan ng mga magsasaka, mangingisda at pinunong lokal na makipagtulungan sa DA. Kaya naman, utos niya: Sa panig natin, kailangang paghusayin pa nang lubos ang ating program implementation. Sa paghahanda naman sa 2013 budget deliberations sa Kongreso: Ayusin natin ang balangkas ng ating mga programa, para may batayan tayong malinaw at matibay para sa pagtugon natin sa mga kahilingang ihaharap sa atin. Lagi nating linawin sa kanila (mga Kongresista at Senador), ang ating kayang tugunan ayon sa ating naitakdang programa. Tiyakin natin ang numero o bilang ng mga resulta ng ating gawain. Maging masinop tayo sa pagtatala ng outputs batay sa budget na ating tinanggap. Diyan tayo masisingil. Dapat na handa tayong sumagot at mag-ulat ng kompletong datos. Lagi nating isaalang-alang ang kahalagahan at benepisyo ng ating mga programa at proyekto sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda, at iba pang stakeholders. Tiyakin natin na ang pagpapahalaga sa ating mga nagawa ay batay sa kanilang pananaw at hindi lamang sa ating sariling pagtingin. Bago nagtapos ang Mancom, muli siyang nagtagubilin: Tuloy pa rin ang ating unang panawagan na Bridge the gap. Touch the heart. Bigyan natin ng karagdagang diin ang ikalawang panawagan: Focus our minds to deliver results. Nakita natin ang ibat ibang hamon na dapat harapin na kailangan ng decisive action. May catch-up plan na dapat gawin para sa natitirang budget ng 2011, at front-loading din para sa 2012 budget. Kaya talagang hindi pwedeng sunod-sunod, kundi dapat ay sabay-sabay ang ating pagpaplano at implementasyon ng mga programa. Dahil dito, kailangan natin ang focus. Tukuyin natin kung ano ang ating priority, at ano ang bibigyan ng diin. Lalong kailangan natin ang focus na habulin ang kailangan nating habulin, para mai-deliver natin ang ating mga targets sa 2012. Umaasa ako na ang ating mga diskusyon at desisyon sa ating ikalawang Mancom meeting ay magbigay ng bagong sigla at buwelo sa ating puspusang pagkilos. At sa ikatlong Mancom meeting natin sa Hulyo, sana ay mangyari ang ating ipinangakong mangyari na madeliver ang mga target ng ating catch-up plan sa 2011 budget, at mga target ng ating frontloading plan sa 2012 budget.
(Lambayong RIS) and Agusan del Sur (Simulao RIS). Once operational, the 11 RIS would enable farmers in said 10 provinces to plant and harvest twice a year, Nangel said. Even with a conservative average yield of four tons of palay per hectare, farmers would be able to produce an annual harvest of 285,360 tons, Nangel said. The NISRIP has three components: rehabilitation of irrigation facilities; institutional strengthening of IAs and irrigation management transfer; and provision of (Adora Rodriguez, DA-AFIS & Pilipina agricultural support. Bermudez, DA-NIA)
The NISRIP was among the four big-ticket irrigation projects approved by the National Economic Development (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Benigno S. Aquino, during its March 22, 2012 meeting. The three other major irrigation projects are: Jalaur River Multipurpose Irrigation Project phase 2, in Iloilo, worth P11.2 B; Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project phase 2, in Nueva Ecija and Tarlac, worth P7B; and the Umayam River Irrigation Proj ect, in Agusan del Sur, worth P1.5B.
(from p1)
zen pork to the Middle East, Malaysia, and Japan, and frozen chicken to South Korea. The DA through the Bureau of Animal Industry and NMIS will spearhead a system-wide and product-specific export accreditation process to ensure that Philippine meat products for exports are of high quality. The system will also protect domestic meat products from undue competition due to smuggling, undervaluation and misdeclaration of illegally-imported commodities.
Secretary Alcala (right) receives from Malaysian Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Tan Sri Bernard Dompok a token gift that contains palm oil products, during the latters courtesy call April 17, at the DA central office in Quezon City. They discussed ways to further enhance and expand agricultural trade and cooperation between the two countries. Minister Dompok led a Malaysian delegation that attended a Malaysia-Philippines Palm Oil Trade Fair and Seminar 2012, in Makati, April 16, 2012.
imported meat, which has caused the government to lose some P3.7 billion in revenues annually, according to Abono partly-list chairman Rosendo So. They also agreed that an automatic trigger price be implemented when the need arises or when there is a wide margin between the price of imported meat versus locallyproduced ones. The MOA also authorizes the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) quarantine officers to inspect the meat imports before the BOC examiners. (Lilybeth
Ison, PNA)
DA-BFAR ...
(from p5)
Aquino government through the DA-BFAR and matched by beneficiary LGUs, the ARMM could further increase its fishery and aquaculture production. In 2011, the region produced 909,320 metric tons (MT) of fishery and aquaculture products, valued at P14.58 billion (B) at current prices, according to the DAs Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). The volume represents 18.3 percent (%) of the countrys total production, at 4.98 million MT. The ARMM remains as the countrys top seaweed producer. Last year, it harvested 686,450 MT valued at P4.3B, which represents 37% of the countrys total seaweed output, at 1.84 million MT worth P11.39B, according to the BAS. Early this year, Perez said the DA-BFAR conducted a regional consultation in Zamboanga City on a proposed Fish for Peace program in Mindanao, attended by dozens of LGU officials who all agreed on the programs concept. (DA-BFAR)
DA allots ...
(from p4)
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 Editor: Cheryl C. Suarez Writers: Adora D. Rodriguez, Jo Anne Grace B. Pera, Arlhene S. Carro , Bethzaida N. Bustamante, Catherine N. Nanta Contributors: DA-RFU Info Officers, Public Info Officers and staff of DA Bureaus, Attached Agencies & Corporations, Foreign-Assisted Projects Photographers: Jose Lucas, Alan Jay Jacalan , Kathrino Resurreccion Lay-out Artist: Bethzaida Bustamante & Almi Adeli Quinto Printing & Circulation: Teresita Abejar & PCES Staff
crop products. The Batanes SRRDC will be patterned after the Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops), at the Visayas State University, in Visca, Baybay, Leyte, said DA-HVCDP national coordinator Director Jennifer Remoquillo. PhilRootcrops is the countrys premier research, development and training institution for root and tuber crops. A team of DA-RFO2 officials and Dir. Remoquillo visited PhilRootcrops on March 9, 2012, to observe its operations and facilities. The RFO 2 officials included regional technical director Orlano Lorenzana, RIARC manager Robert Olinares, and ROS manager Celso Batallones. Dir. Remoquilo said Dr. Julieta Roa of PhilRootcrops will help DARFO2 with the SRRDCs design, laboratory set up, and other facilities. (DA-HVCDP)
in Liguasan, where 92 species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and other flora and fauna are endemic. Another P8.8M was allotted to establish five multi-species hatcheries (P6M), mangrove rehabilitation (P1.4M), and setting up of 20 aquasilviculture techno-demo farms (P1.36M). Perez said the DA-BFAR and ARMM LGUs have jointly planted 225,000 mangrove propagules, worth P1.4M. The agency also partnered with five state universities and colleges (SUCs) to establish multi-species hatcheries. They include Basilan State College, and at four Mindanao State University (MSU) campuses in Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Marawi City. Finally, about P2.8M was allotted for two units of ice-makers, 12 sets of seaweed farm inputs, 200 kilos of seaweed seedlings, and other fishing paraphernalia (P2.175M), and 2.4M pieces of fingerlings. Perez said with these public investments provided by the
April 2012
11
ing a 80-20 counterparting ratio, wherein the DA and the LGUs will each share 10% of the total project cost, and the remaining 80% from the program funds. Secretary Alcala said the CPRDP will also focus on the expansion and establishment of alternative and expansion areas for staple foods in Southern Luzon, Bicol and Visayas regions. These will augment crop and fishery production areas in Luzon and Mindanao, in anticipation of uncertainties due to climate change. W hile in Siquijor, Secretary Alcala and a team of DA officials from national and regional offices dialogued with farmers and fisherfolk, livestock raisers and local officials, who aired pressing concerns, which the DA chief swiftly addressed. In particular, Siquijor Governor Orlando A. Fua, Jr. said they need a regular sea transport service to ferry their livestock products to Cebu and other destinations, and a slaughterhouse so they can sell meat products locally and to other markets. Secretary Alcala said these are actually the projects including farm-to-market roads, ports and irrigation facilities and other infrastructure facilities that could be funded under the CPRDP. Once the program is finalized, he said I urge you to register and let the WB know that you are interested to be part of the CPRDP. The visit is part of DAs efforts of bringing speedy assistance to small farmers and fisherfolk as directed by President Benigno S. Aquinos to all cabinet secretaries. Ako po ay narito dahil ipinagutos ng ating Pangulo na iparamdam sa inyong lahat na may gobyernong handang tumulong sa inyo, Alcala said.
Secretary Alcala (left) explains to livestock raisers in San Juan, Siquijor that the DA will provide needed services so they can produce healthy and productive cattle, and thus increase their incomes.
In Siquijor, he handed over several projects to beneficiaries that include a barangay food terminal in the town of San Juan, and livelihood projects under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), amounting to P4.78 million. On the other hand, Negros Oriental received a total of P3.5Mworth of irrigation projects, hand tractor, and draft animals with implements. In all, the two provinces received close to P35M-worth of agricultural and fishery projects, farm and fishery equipment and inputs that were awarded to several farmers groups, irrigators associations and LGUs. The farm machinery and equipment include hand tractors, village-type corn dryers, multi-purpose dryers, palay shed, and cassava graters. Secretary Alcala also raffled off farm and fishery implement during the forum that include motorized bancas, knapsack sprayers, rice and corn seeds, fish nets, and laminated sacks, among others. (Adora Rodriguez,
DA Info. Service)
A DA-BFAR-PCG task force team member (seated) lists endagered marine fish species caught by the apprehended vessel.
(from p12) ters, knapsack sprayers, and vegetable production projects. It also allotted P3M to implement several organic agriculture projects, which include the establishment of demo farms for organic rice and vegetable production, and production and processing of muscovado sugar. During the event, Alcala also turned over two units of tramline system worth P4.36 M for benefit of upland farmers in Daan Sur and Daan Norte, in Tapaz town, Capiz. The tramlines will be funded by the DAs Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech). The DA through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSW M) will also construct a small farm reservoir and provide pumps for shallow tube wells, worth P2.8M. Dozens of livelihood projects worth P620,000 were also handed over to recipients, among them are a 4-H Club through the Agricultural Training Institute and 42 farmer-beneficiaries of the Agrikultura: Kaagapay ng Bayang Pinoy (Akbay) Program Secretary Alcala (right) discusses with China Deputy Minister of of the DAs National Agricultural Agriculture Niu Dun (2nd from left) areas of cooperation, during and Fishery Council (NAFC). the latters courtesy call at the DA. They discussed the second The DA through the Philippine phase of the Phil-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology or Coconut Authority (PCA) also PhilSCAT, in Munoz, Nueva Ecija. Also shown are Chinese Amraffled off to lucky forum particibassador to the Philippines Her Excellency Ma Keqing (left) and pants hundreds of coconut seedinterpreter Tian Yishan. lings worth P56,000.
Agricultural Statistics. Its production represents 15.5 percent of the Western Visayas regions total harvest of 2.245 million MT in 2011. Capiz ranked third behind Iloilo (959,239 MT) and Negros Occidental (471,599 MT). Further, the DA under its corn program provided a village-type corn dryer (worth P3.3M) to the Municipality of Maayon, and will conduct a training on corn husk craft-making project (P93,900). Under its high value crops program, the DA also allotted P4.36M for the establishment of a tissue culture laboratory, processing center for fruits and vegetables, a greenhouse and organic fertilizer facility, rain shel-
During the day-long forum, the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry, DA-Region 6 and Provincial Government of Capiz forged a memorandum of agreement to establish a livestock and poultry development center and a nucleus farm for native or indigenous livestock animals at the DAs Dumarao 120-hectare stock farm. Finally, Secretary Alcala, Governor Tanco and DAs Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) president Jovy Bernabe launched a crop insurance program, called Viable Insurance for Capiz (VIC), that will initially benefit 5,000 farmers. The Provincial Government of Capiz has transferred P3.22M to the DAPCIC as crop insurance premium payments of the 5,000 farmers, at P644 per hectare. W hile in Capiz, Secretary Alcala led the opening of the regional agricultural trade fair, April 13, 2012, which is part of the week-long annual CAPIZtahan festival. He also presided over the 2nd quarter national DA management committee meeting in Roxas City, participated in by about 80 top officials that include undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, respective directors of regional offices, bureaus, and DA-OSEC services, and heads of attached agencies and corporations.
DA allots P35-M agri projects, eyes CPRDP to help Visayan farmers, fishers
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala -- in a recent two-day visit to Cebu, Dumaguete City and Valencia in Negros Oriental, and Siquijor -- provided farmers, fishers and local government units (LGUs) P35-million worth of agricultural and fishery projects to increase their productivity and income. He also presented a proposed medium-term development program that the Department of Agriculture is finalizing and will submit to the World Bank for consideration and possible funding. It is called the Central Philippines Rural Development Program (CPRDP), a poverty-alleviation initiative that will be implemented in six regions (4A, 4B, 5, 6, 7, and 8), in partnership with provincial and municipal government units. The CPRDP is patterned after the Mindanao Rural Development Plan (MRDP), which is now on its second phase. Just like MRDP, the program seeks to improve incomes of farmers and fisherfolk in rural communities, and achieve food security through infrastructure, financing, capacity-building, and other support services, Alcala said druing his April 19-20, 2012 visit in Central Visayas. Right now, we are asking the World Bank for a US$300-million loan, and we are hoping that it will be granted. I am positive that this partnership will push through because of the success of the MRDP, Alcala said. But unlike the MRDP, which adopts a 50-40-10 counterparting scheme from WB, DA and the LGUs, respectively, to bankroll infrastructure, livelihood and community projects, the CPRDP is propos(Pls turn to p10)
(DA-BFAR photo)
DA to assist ...
(from p3)
10
April 2012
Secretary Alcala (middle)awarded Antipolo farmers P1.5-million worthof farm implements, rice and vegetable seeds and other inputs during a Farmers Congress, March 30, 2012. Joining them (from left) are DA coordinator Maria Cribe, DA-4A OIC-Regional Executive Director Vilma Dimaculangan and Antipolo agriculturist Violeta Suarez.
With the growing awareness for health foods and the increasing demand for coco sap sugar, we expect an increase to 100,000 kg in exports this year, the PCA chief said. He said the Philippines exports coco sap sugar to 11 countries, led by the USA, followed by Japan, Middle East, Korea, Hongkong, Norway, Canada, Switzerland, France, Australia and New Zealand.
Secretary Alcala and Mayor Lydia E. Grabato of Mina, Iloilo discuss updates on the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose (JRMP) phase 2 which aims to irrigate more than 30,000 hectares in Iloilo. Once completed, JRMP2 will boost agricultural productivity of Mina town, which is into rice farming, hog fattening and poultry raising.
While organic aquaculture may have started in Europe, SEAFDEC-AQD, based in Tigbauan, Iloilo, is taking cue on the production of organic fish products in Asia to develop more organic aquaculture systems. According to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (Ifoam) European Union Group, there has been increasing interest in organic aquaculture as demand has increased specifically in Europe. Assuming that 70 percent of organic aquaculture production is sold under an organic label, the total market value might have reached $230 million at the distributor level in 2009. The global market value will increase annually by 40 to 60 percent in the next three years, according to Ifoam-EU. However, the significant share of the market is still confined among a limited number of countries like France, Germany, Switzerland, and UK. Although the aquaculture sec tor is obviously still in its early stage, there is a potential growth even in Asia. The market for organic seafood is still in its infancy with all the associated problems of high costs, low sales volumes, little or no competition, and the need to invest in marketing and create consumers product awareness, said Ifoam. The market in Asia is evolving, though changes are harder to keep track of. China seems to be experiencing a strong organic fish production, but fish products labeled organic are not readily visible in stores, and market data are not available, Ifoam said. It added that organic aquaculture must have been initiated with the release in the market perhaps toward the start of the century (2000) of organic salmon in Germany, UK, and France. In ASEAN, the first organic shrimp aquaculture was set up in Vietnam, where small scale producers have started using lowintensity or close to organic systems. (Manila Bulletin)
April 2012
Abra Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin (right) led a ceremony in adopting Sec. Procy Alcala as a Son of Abra by virtue of a Provincial Board resolution for the DAs contribution and assistance in enhancing the development of the provinces agriculture and inland fishing industry. With them is Abra Rep. Maria Jocelyn Bernos.
The program, with co-financing support from the DA under the leadership of Secretary Alcala, has enabled Mindanao LGUs to engage in several infrastructure projects, Dir. Ramos said. At present, we are facing huge demand from our LGU partners, prompting Secretary Alcala to request not only for an extension but also for additional financing, she added. While we remain optimistic that positive developments are taking place, we also urge our stakeholders to sustain the momentum we have gained. We bank on our LGU partners and oversight agencies to help us fast track implementation so that we can eventually meet our targets and negotiate for the third phase of MRDP, she said.
(Noel T. Provido, DA-MRDP)
Secretary Alcala hands over a certificate to Ricardo Saclaon, chairman of the Bagatoy communal irrigation system (CIS) Irrigators Association, in La Paz, Abra, to repair their CIS worth P2.5 million by the DA-National Irrigation Administration. It is one of the several projects totalling P11M awarded by Secretary Alcala during his recent visit in Abra. With them (from left) are DA-Cordillera Director Marilyn Sta. Catalina, Abra Representative Maria Jocelyn V. Bernos, and Mayor Esther Bernos of Danglas, Abra.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Goodwill Ambassador Carl Lewis (standing, 5th from left ), a US Olympic gold medalist in track and field, recently visited FAO projects in Los Baos, Laguna. He is shown with fishermen-beneficiaries and barangay officials of Bayog, one of the areas adversely affected strong typhoons Ondoy, Pepeng and Santi) in 2009 in Southern Luzon. He was accompanied by FAO officials, led by Hiroyuki Konuma (left, 2nd row), assistant regional director for Asia and the Pacific; Kazuyuki Tsurumi (3rd from left), Representative to the Philippines, and Norberto Gomez de Leao (standing, right), deputy coordinator of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is once again partnering with the DA through the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to implement a second five-year project to further improve rice production in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). To be implemented until 2017, the technical cooperation project, called Rice-based farming technology project for ARMM, started Former DA Secretary William Dar (center), and current director this month, in collaboration with general of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi- the Department of Agriculture and Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), unveils a book. Feeding the Forgotten Fisheries- ARMM. Poor: Perspective of an Agriculturist, which he co-authored with The first JICA-PhilRice techniProfessor Arun Tiwari (2nd from left), at the DA-Bureau of Agricul- cal cooperation project in ARMM tural Research, in Quezon City. Also shown (from left) are Mrs. was implemented from 2005 until Anjana Tiwari, Mrs. Beatriz Dar, and BAR Dir. Nicomedes Eleazar. 2010. The recurring conflict issues in Former Agriculture Secretary years, up to the present. The W illiam Dar launched a 144- book is also filled with dream and ARMM has negatively affected its page book, entitled, Feeding vision of a world that is free from the Forgotten Poor: Perspective hunger and poverty. of an Agriculturist, at the DAThe book consists of four chap- litical, economic and environBureau of Agricultural Research ters, namely: Soil and Roots; mental issues to which contem(BAR), Quezon City, April 10, Stems, Leaves and Fruits; Skin porary agriculture is closely tied 2012, coinciding with his birth- of the Earth; and Innovate, Grow, tariffs and farm subsidies, water pollution, biofuels, the prosday. Prosper. It was co-authored by ProfesBAR Director Nicomedes pects and problems of genetically sor Arun Tiwari, CEO of the Indo- Eleazar said the book is timely modified organisms, the growing US Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., and and relevant as it discusses two backlash against mechanized professor at the University of of the most compelling chal- agriculture and increasing supHyderabad, in India. lenges of our time: food security port for sustainable practice. The book was first in New Dr. Dar is currently the Direc- and poverty. tor-General of the International The book also takes up large Delhi, India, in February 2012, at Crops Research Institute for the issues and draws attention to or- the 2nd Global Agri-Business InSemi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), in phan crops and hidden hunger. cubation Conference, where India. Orphan crops are those that former India President A.P.J The book presents essays on adapt to harsh, dry conditions like Abdul Kalam, who also wrote the how the world would provide pigeon pea, chick pea, and pea- books foreword, graced the food for the poor in the coming nuts, to name a few; while hid- event. decades. den hunger refers to the forgotDr. Dar is the first Asian and In his book, Dar also re- ten poor. Filipino director general of counted events during his early The book also discusses the po- ICRISAT. (DA-BAR)
units. (DA-PhilRice)
April 2012
Rohaida Salip (left) and her constituents enjoy the new potable water system provided by the DA-Mindanao Rural Development Program in partnership with the local government of Balindong, which has addressed their long clamor for safe, accessible potable water.
of water not to mention the risk of tipping over during strong and rough tides, she said. She said their community has recorded a number of waterborne diseases. They have no options. Their plight was addressed when the local government unit of Balindong and the Department of Agricultures Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP) partnered to put up a potable water system. MRDP is a long-term poverty alleviation initiative, catering 225 municipalities mostly the poorest of the poor towns in the six regions of Mindanao. A fourth-class town, Balindong is one of 38 municipalities comprising the Province of Lanao del Sur. It lies on the western part of the province.
ensuring it is the correct cream dory species will guarantee quality in the light of proliferation of imported fish fillets in the market. Hence, the NFRDI recommended a national program for the correct labeling of fishery products. A valuable effort should be placed to create a strong and standardized monitoring program and evoke consumer awareness on several aspects of accurate labeling information. (DA-BFAR, Philippine Star)
Secretary Alcala and New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Reuben Levermore share a light moment during the latters courtesy call at the DA, where they discussed ways to further expand trade between the two countries. The Philippines exports bananas and other tropical fruits to New Zealand, and imports mainly NZ milk, cream and dairy products. Secretary Alcala thanked Ambassador Levermore for his countrys continuing official development assistance to the Philippines in the field of agriculture.
April 2012