News Monitor March 31, 2013

Submitted by Arlhene S. Carro, DA-AFIS

Newspaper

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Article

The Philippine Star

B2

 

Photo Release:  DA Sec. Alcala and Italian Ambassador Massimo Roscigno share a light moment during the latter’s recent visit at the DA office in QC.

The Philippine Star

B4

 

Photo Release:  DA Sec. Alcala encourages participants of the 15th National mango Congress to include other livelihood activities in their mango production initiatives during the event’s opening last March 20 at the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University in Iba, Zambales. 

The Philippine Star

B4

Czeriza Valencia

NDA putting up more processing facilities

The NDA is putting up this year a milk processing plant and milk display center in its Ubay stock farm in Bohol as part of its efforts to strengthen the local dairy industry. 

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News Monitor March 30, 2013

Submitted by Arlhene S. Carro DA-AFIS

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Article

Manila Bulletin

B2

Melody Aguiba

NDA forges 5 dairy partnerships

Five partnerships have been forged by the NDA including that with Arkansas-based Heifer Project International (HPI) as part of its program to boost the country’s fresh milk production and generate innovation through the coconut-milk program.

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News Monitor March 29, 2013

Submitted by Arlhene S. Carro DA-AFIS

Newspaper

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Writer

Article

Manila Bulletin

B2

Bernie Magkilat

EO creating  coco coir industry dev’t council awaits palace nod

An Executive Order crating he Philippine Coco Coir Industry Development Council (PCCIDC) has been finalized by the technical working group for approval by Malacañang.  The summit, led by the DTI and the PCA aimed to gather the industry’s stakeholders and key players nationwide to assess their performance status, update results of government interventions, share best practices for replication and resolve their concern. 

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News Monitor March 28, 2013

Submitted by Catherine Nanta, DA-AFIS 

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Business Mirror

B2-3

Jonathan Mayuga

Small fishers to defy ‘galunggong’ fish ban

Members of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas have vowed to defy the proposed ban on catching galunggong in Palawan and are urging other fishermen to do the same.

Philippine Star

B5

Czeriza Valencia

NFA to start receiving bids for rice imports

The NFA will receive beginning April 10, 2013 applications for the importation of 163, 000 metric tons of rice. In a notice, the NFA announced that the application is open to all licensed grains businesses, farmers organizations and cooperatives.

Business Mirror

B3

PNA

NFA ships 50, 000 sacks of rice to Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan

The 50, 000 sacks, each weighing 50 kilos, are part of the 310, 000 sacks that the NFA provincial office in Zamboanga City is set to receive this month. NFA Provincial Manager Gaudencio Nuega said 250, 000 of the 310, 000 sacks will come from Metro Manila and the remaining 60, 000 from Batangas City.

Business Mirror

B2-3

Antonio Rimando

North Cotabato is top mango producer in C. Mindanao

DA Region 12, Regional Director Amelia Jayag-Datukan said North Cotabato boasts of at least 451, 250 fruit-bearing mango trees or 253, 965 more than second-placer Sarangani’s 197, 285.

Pilipino Mirror

15

Monchet Larano

Presyo ng isda tumaas

Nanawagan ang DA-BFAR sa mga nagtitinda ng isda na huwag samantalahin ang panahon ng Semana Santa para magtaas ng presyo nito. Sinabi ni BFAR Director na madaming huli ang mga mangingisda sa kasalukuyan dahil sa magandang panahon kaya walang dahilan upang magtaas ng presyo.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

B1

Riza Olchondra

Agro-industry loans surged by 150% in 2012

Loans released under the AMCFP grew by 151% to P1.12 billion in 2012 from that of the previous year as the number of farmer clients also grew by 15 percent to 29, 496, the DA said in a report.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

A9

Tonette Orejas

Zambales mango remains to be sweetest, says DA official

According to the Guinness Book of Record confirmed that the mangoes grown in the province is the world’s sweetest, with 23% soluble sugar. In spite of this, the production of the fruit in the province slid down. Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr, however, expressed hope that the recent mango congress that the provincial government hosted would revitalize the industry.

End

News Monitor April 1, 2013

 

Submitted by Adora D. Rodriguez/Arlhene S. Carro  (DA-AFIS)

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Business Mirror

B3

 

Photo Release:  DA Sec. Alcala forges a deal with the Philippine Mango Industry Foundation Inc. (PMIFI) thru president Virginia de la Fuente that will provide P10M assistance to the local mango industry during the commencement of the 15thNational mango Congress in March 20, at theRamonMagsaysayTechnologicalUniversity in Iba, Zambales. 

Manila Bulletin

6

Ellalyn de Vera

Government supports Nat’l Mango Industry

The DA has allocated an initial amount of P10M this year to support the initiatives of a national mango farmers’ organization.  DA Sec. Alcala said the P10M will fund the major projects of the PMIFI that include planting of recommended mango seedlings, provision of post-harvest facilities, marketing assistance, and capacity-building of its members, particularly provincial mango growers’ associations and cooperatives. 

The Philippine Star

B2

CzerizaValencia

DA allots P10M for mango farmers’ group

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Business World

6/S1

Raymond Portilllo

Gov’t allocates more funds to mango sector

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Business Mirror

B3

Marvyn Benaning

PHL eyes 24% hike in 2013 mango output

ThePhilippinesis targeting to increase mango production by 24.5% year-on-year, from 767,851MT produced last year, via the rill out of various programs aimed at increasing output. 

Malaya

A2

 

DA suspends poultry imports from Italy

The DA has suspended the importation of poultry and other poultry products fromItalyand theNetherlandsfollowing the outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI). 

Business Mirror

B3

 

Govt loans to farmers up 151% in 2012

Loans released under a government program that aims to expand the access of farmers and fishermen to credit went up by 151% year-on-year to P1.12B in 2012, from P446M the previous year, according to the ACPC.

Manila Standard-Today

A1

 

Farm loans double

- do -

Business World

6/S1

R. Portillo

Gov’t agri loans up 153% due to lower rates

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The Philippine Star

B2

CzerizaValencia

Loan releases under the AMCFP up 151%

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TheManilaTimes

B2

James Galvez

DA-released farm loans hit P1.12B in 2012

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The Philippine Star

B14

Louella Desiderio

Phl aims to be among top 3 coco coir exporters

The DTI and the OPCA are aiming to make the country among the top three exporters of coco coir in the years.  PCA noted that thePhilippinesproduces only 6,037MT of coco coir products for export out of the 15.245B nuts harvested from 3.562M hectares of land in a year. 

Malaya

A2

Madelaine Cabrera

6 agri-industrial estates planned for coconut sector

The DA is determined to establish 6 agri-industrial estates of coconuts, part of efforts backed by the PCA and some foreign investors to promote the downstream industry for coconut products.  DA Sec. Alcala said the department is currently holding talks with foreign investors for the construction of five small agri-industrial facilities and two large agri-industrial estates.   

Business Mirror

B3

 

7% increase in 2013 fisheries output seen

The BFAR expressed confidence that the country’s fisheries output in 2013 will go up by 7% year-on-year on the back of a projected increase in the output of the commercial fisheries subsector. 

Balita

5

Jun Fabon

Saganang supply ng isda, tiniyak

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Manila Standard-Today

B1

Anna Leah Estrada

Fisheries sector likely to rebound

- do -

The Philippine Star

B14

CzerizaValencia

Shrimp industry sets sights on export mart

The DA is grooming the shrimp industry to once again become export-oriented after disease due to overcrowding caused the decline of the industry several years ago.  DA Sec. Alcala said that despite renewed demand for tiger prawn from countries likeJapan, Hongkong andSingapore, the department will push for sustainable methods of shrimp farming to protect the local industry. 

The Philippine Star

B14

CzerizaValencia

Govt’ mulls hike in rice import quota

The government is still studying the demands of rice exporting countries to increase the country-specific quota on rice imports as well as the lowering of tariffs as it continues negotiations for the extension for QR on rice imports until 2007. 

Philippine Daily Inquirer

A14

Anselmo Roque

Muñoz to host 1st  hybrid rice congress

The PhilRice in Muñoz will host public and private players in the hybrid rice industry in the country for the First National Hybrid Rice Congress from April 3-5.

Tonite

8

Noel Abuel

NFA dapat magsarili sa pag-angkat ng bigas

Dapat magsarili ang NFA sa gagawing pag-import ng bigas ng bansa sa halip na iasa na lamang ito sa mga bogus na private traders at sa operasyon ng sindikato ng smuggling. 

The Daily Tribune

11

 

NWRB participates in Bangkok climate change workshop

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) participated in the recently held “capacity Building Program on the Economics of Climate Change Adaptation: 1st Regional Training Workshop” inBangkok,Thailand which was funded by the UNDP-USAID.  As one of the participating countries, thePhilippines formed a multi-disciplinary tam composed of representatives from Neda, Climate Change Commission, DA and the NWRB. 

Malaya

A1

Angela Celis

To deter smuggling, make rice imports exclusive to gov’t

According to BOC, if we limit the importation to the government, particularly the NFA, it will make anti-smuggling enforcement easier.

Malaya

A3

 

Big potential for Surigao oysters

According to BAR, the culture of a Surigao oyster species—Tikod Amo—is seen to boostPhilippines’ yearly production which now stands at 15,000 to 20,000 MT and which has prospective export markets inChinaandSouth Korea.

Business World

6/S1

Michael Baños

Region 10 eyes higher yield from hybrid coconuts

PCA is establishing hybrid coconut seed farms in selected barangays in the region to produce hybrid coconut seeds to be used in the massive replanting of the region’s coconut farms. 

Manila Standard Today

B1

Othel Campos

Food exports seen growing 10%

Philfoodex said that while food exports reached $3.55 billion in 2012, more government support was needed to enhance the industry’s competitiveness.

Malaya

10

Ed Velasco

Food enterprise want more cost-cutting, funding options

-do-

Business Mirror

A1

Jennifer Ng

Local food exports still lag behind in region

-do-

Philippine Star

C4

Louella Desiderio

Food manufacturers seek more gov’t support to grow

-do-

Pilipino Star Ngayon

3

Butch Quejada

BOC umiskor sa milyun-milyong kontrabando

Sa isinagawang inspection, napatunayan na pawang smuggled ang 94,000 sako ng Vietnamese long-grain rice na nagkakahalaga ng P135 M na dumating sa Port of Legazpi. Paglabag ito sa Section 2530 ng Tariffs and Customs Code of thePhilippinesat DA Rules para sa rice importation.

Abante Tonite

8

Armida Rico

81 sako ng electronic gadgets, novelty items nasabat

-do-

People’s Tonight

6

 

BOC seizes Php15M smuggled electronic gadgets

-do-

People’s Journal

3

 

BOC scores anew in drive vs smuggling

-do-

Manila Bulletin

15

Mike Crismundo

Butuan farmers get more assistance

The city government of Butuan will partner with the DA-BAR to set up a vermicomposting project to increase farm production and achieve the target of its food security program.

Manila Bulletin  

14

 

Kabankalan scores

The city ofKabankalanwas cited for surpassing its rice production self-sufficiency target from 90 to 118%, for adopting high quality seeds such as registered and certified seeds on rice and high-breed seeds on corn.

Malaya

A2

Manuel Bondad

Is PH really rice self-sufficient?

It is significant that yearly imports averaged 1.0 million MT from 1998 to 2007. This year’s 187,000MT import level in 1984 but higher than the 119,200MT importation in 1998 when the Philippine population reached only 52 million compared to close to 100 million this year. 

Business World

9/S1

AFP with Reuters

New bird flu strain kills two in China; one critical

China is considered one of the nations most at risk from bird flu because it has the world’s biggest poultry population and many chickens in rural areas are kept close to humans. 

News Monitor March 27, 2013

Submitted by Arlhene S. Carro/Catherine Nanta, DA-AFIS

Newspaper

Page

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Manila Bulletin

B1

 

Photo Release:  DA Sec. Alcala and Italian ambassador Massimo Roscigno share a light moment during the latter’s visit at the DA office in QC on March 18, 2013.  Alcala and Roscigno discussed possible initiatives between the Italian government and the DA to uplift the lives and livelihoods of rural folks in Mindanao. 

Manila Standard-Today

B1

 

Photo Release:  DA Sec. Alcala and Philippine Mango Industry Foundation Inc. treasurer Hernani Lopez, PMIFI president Virginia de la Fuente and HVCDP coordinator director Jennifer Remonquillo sign an agreement providing a P10M assistance from the DA during the 15th National Mango Congress at the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University in Iba, Zambales. 

Business Mirror

B3

Marvyn Benaning

Policy on rice self-sufficiency stays, says agri chief

DA Sec. Alcala said rice self-sufficiency is a non-negotiable issue, despite two Filipino economists pleading the Aquino administration to dump it.  The agriculture chief admitted that while the government may be inclined to provide subsidies to farmers, budgetary constraints do not provide much leeway. 

Manila Bulletin

B1

 

Farm output

DA Sec. Alcala expressed confidence yesterday that the country’s agricultural output will grow at quicker pace this year after expanding 2.92% last year.

The Philippine Star

B5

Czeriza Valencia

DA eyes 5 agro-ind’l coconut estates

The government is laying the groundwork for the establishment this year of five agro-industrial estates focusing on the production of high value products from coconut and processing of coconut commodities.  DA Sec. Alcala said the industrial estates should be ideally be located near coconut plantations cultivated by small farmers. 

The Manila Times

B2

James Galvez

Agriculture department eyeing major coconut processing zones

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Business World

S1/3

Raymond Portillo

DA to set up coconut processing center

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Malaya

A2

 

Gov’t to develop coco coir industry

An executive order will soon be released to set up a government agency to handle the development of the coconut coir industry.  The EO creating the Philippine Coco Coir Industry Development Council ((PCCIDC) has been finalized by a TWG for approval of the Office of the President.  With the EO, the industry can look forward to the creation of a big domestic market for coco coir products, specially coco nets to be used by the DPWH for slope protection and erosion control for its road construction projects as well as the DENR for rehabilitation mining sites; and coco peat to be used by the DA and the PCA for the fertilization of coconuts and other agricultural crops. 

Business Mirror

B3

Jennifer Ng

Coco coir players await EO on devt council

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Business World

S1/6

Emilia David

EO creating coco coir industry council to be signed soon

- do-

Manila Standard Today

 

Anna Leah Estrada

Avian flu triggers import ban

The DA has suspended the importation of poultry products from Italy and The Netherlands following an outbreak of avian influenza that has affected pets and wild birds, chickens and turkey in the two countries.

Business Mirror

B3

Marvyn Benaning

DA bans poultry products from Italy, the Netherlands

-do-

Business World

S1/3

RJRP

Poultry from Italy, the Netherlands banned

-do-

Business Mirror

B3

Jonathan Mayuga

Fishermen outraged by proposed ‘galungong’ ban in Palawan

According to Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas National Chairman Fernando Hicap and Vice Chairman Salvador France, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala should seriously consider the potentially adverse impact of the ban on small scale fishermen.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

A16

 

Smuggled rice checked

Officials of the BOC, led by deputy commissioner for intelligence Danilo Lim, yesterday inspected 94, 000 bags of smuggled rice worth at least P135 million at the port of Legazpi and started preparing criminal charges against their consignees.

People’s Tonight

7

P. Gutierrez/V. Reyes

94k bags of rice held

-do-

Abante

3

Aries Cano

P135-M ‘hot rice’ nasabat

-do-

Manila Bulletin

11

Atty. Romeo Pefianco

Self-sufficiency?

Let’s stop selling this tall tale that we have attained self-sufficiency in rice production but subject to an old caution: That we also need to import this month exactly 187, 000 metric tons of clean rice from our yearly suki.

Business Mirror

B3

Max de Leon

Thai food firm investing $120M for expansion projects in PHL

Chareon Pokphand Foods Public Co. Ltd. Finance officer Kasem Manoi said the fresh investment will go to its livestock and aquaculture projects focusing on shrimp and fish.

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News Monitor March 26, 2013

 

Submitted by Adora D. Rodriguez/Arlhene Carro  (DA-AFIS)

Newspaper

Page

Writer

Article

Philippine Daily Inquirer

B3

Riza Olchondra

Farm output seen growing by 3-5%

The DA said the agricultural sector was seen hitting its production growth target, as improvement in fisheries output would complement the expansion in grains output. DA Sec. Alcala said production was seen growing 3-5% faster than 2.9% in 2012.    The DA is targeting a new record rice harvest this year at about 20 million tons from the current record 18.3 million tons in 2012. 

The Philippine Star

B4

CzerizaValencia

DA keeps agri growth target at 3-5%

- do -

The Manila Times

B1

James Galvez

Government sees higher farm growth this year

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Malaya

A2

 

Farm production to increase 3-5%

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Business World

S1/1

RJRP

Galungggong soon to be off Pinoys’ tables?

The government is considering a limited and temporary ban next year on galunggong fishing, BFAR Dir. Asis Perez pointing to the need to ensure “long-term sustainability” of a market staple deemed a benchmark of the ordinary Filipino’s well-being.  Perez said the overall galunggong catch was dwindling and that the waters west ofPalawanaccounted for about 60% of nationwide catch.  Latest data from BAS show that nationwide galunggong output declined by 3.49% to 166,000MT last year from 172,000MT in 2011. 

Business Mirror

B3

Marvyn Benaning

DA plans to ban on catching ‘galunggong’ in Palawan

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Pilipino Mirror

2

Monchet Laraño

Panghuhuli ng galunggong ipagbabawal

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Business World

S1/3

Raymond Portillo

Recovery of fishery sector seen

The DA noted an improved fishery sector this quarter as a result of an extended access to High Seas Pocket 1 (HSP1) where tuna is caught. Based on the revised data from the BAS, the fisheries sector declined by 0.04% last year.  In the first quarter of 2012, it declined by 2.66%.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

F4

 

NFA surpasses palay procurement target; gives incentive to farmers

NFA-Palo,Leyteregional manager Vilma Zarraga reported today that the agency is still on its aggressive palay procurement mode to augment domestic inventory of our basic staple. 

Business Mirror

B3

Marvyn Benaning

Rice farmers’ calvary continues, says NFA employees association

The union slammed the Aquino administration for acting willy-nilly, pushing policies on privatization, rice trade liberalization and deregulation that are unfavorable to the local rice industry, farmers and consumers.

Business Mirror

B2-6

Henry Empeño

Mango growers need to compete globally

The Department of Agriculture has listed mango as one of the prime commodities in its HVCDP because it is one of the country’s export winners.

Business Mirror

B2-6

Joey Pavia

Pampanga fishers’ wives to benefit from P2.4M livelihood loan

Earlier, BFAR turned over P330,000 worth of fishing equipment and motors to fishermen in Pampanga.   

Business World

S1/4

Rolando Dy

The challenge of shaping rice industry policies

To the DA, rice production is a major program that must be supported by irrigation, FMRs, research and other programs. The rice budget comprises 50% of the DA annual capital budget, a large chunk goes to irrigation. This does not include NFA support in palay price and rice price stabilization.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Monitor March 24, 2013

Submitted by Arlhene S. Carro, DA-AFIS

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Writer

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Manila Bulletin

4

 

Photo Release:  The DA, in partnership with the National Onion Growers’ Cooperative Marketing Ass’n. (NOGROCOMA), recently sent a trial shipment of 20 tons of yellow granex onions from Bongabon, N., Ecija to Osaka, Japan.  (With DA Asec. Salacup, AMAS Dir. Gazmin)

Philippine Daily Inquirer

A15

C. Villa, T. Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon

Hometown Snapshot: Mango takes center stage in Zambales fest

In a message during the opening of the 15th National Mango Congress on March 20, DA Sec. Alcala promised the DA’s full commitment and support for the industry.  Alcala said the Philippines, in 2012, exported 21,000MT of mango-based products, worth $16M and around 9,400MT of fresh mangoes, valued at $79.5M. 

The Philippine Star

B2

Czeriza Valencia

Sugar milling season to close a month early

The current sugar milling season is expected to close a month earlier as production has already reached 83% of the target for the current crop year, according to the SRA.   

Manila Bulletin

B3

Melody Aguiba

NDA importing 700 NZ dairy cows

The NDA is bringing in 700 more dairy cattle from New Zealand as it aims to eventually achieve a 50% share of the liquid milk market that assures fresh products and nutrition for more Filipino customers. 

Manila Bulletin

20

PNA

Increase in abaca demand expected

The demand for abaca from the nearby province of S. Cotabato is expected to increase in the coming months as the area is seen to take the lead this year in the production of the high-value fiber in the entire Mindanao. 

Manila Bulletin

B1

Melody Aguiba

Private sector eyes P400-million LBP facility for hybrid rice

The private sector is pushing for the availment of a P400M loan facility of the LandBank for hybrid rice propagation which will continuously raise the country’s rice sufficiency amid receding land area. 

Philippine Daily Inquirer

A15

Yolanda Sotelo

Dolphins found dead with bullet wounds

Two dolphins and a sea turtle with hack wounds were found dead in separate sections of the Lingayen beach on Friday.  Officials had to decide whether the BFAR would preserve the other dolphin.

Pilipino Star Ngayon

4

 

Editoryal: Kailan titigil sa pag-import ng bigas?

Hindi maganda ang ipinahayag ng NFA na aangkat ng bigas ngayong taon.  Ayon sa report, 187 metriko tonelada ng bigas ang aangkatin umano sa Thailand at Vietnam.  Kung hindi raw aangkat, kakapusin sa pagkain ang bansa. Hindi raw sapat ang ani ng bansa para mapunan ang populasyon.   

Manila Bulletin

B1

MMA

US seed company enters Philippines

A US seed company (US Agriseeds) is aiming to expand market in the Philippines and Southeast Asia with its climate change-ready hybrid vegetables like eggplant and squash that can withstand extreme temperature and heavy disease infestation ion the wet season. 

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News Monitor March 23, 2013

Submitted by Arlhene S. Carro, DA-AFIS

Newspaper

Page

Writer

Article

Philippine Daily Inquirer

B3

 

Photo Release:  DA Sec. Alcala instructs BSWM 4-A engineer Ernest Brampio to fast track SWIP in Bgy. Ibabang Talim inLucena City. 

The Philippine Star

B5

Czeriza Valencia

Gov’t to increase use of hybrid rice seeds

The government intends to increase the use of hybrid rice seeds under the FSSP, to increase rice yield per hectare and boost farmers’ income.  The DA, thru the PhilRice and private rice companies will hold the first hybrid rice congress at the PhilRice research center in Muñoz, N.Ecija. 

The Philippine Star

24

Czeriza Valencia

DNA marker technology to improve dairy breeding program

The DA-PCC is adopting the DNA marker technology which promises to improve its breeding program and lower breeding cost.  It will improve selection scheme for dairy buffaloes by integrating DNA markers. 

The Philippine Star

24

 

PCA continues campaign to eradicate scale insect infestation

PCA admin Euclides Forbes assured that the agency is continuing with its campaign to eradicate the scale insect infestation plaguing nine towns in Batangas.  In a recent field operation, the PCA Scale Insect Control Action Team (SICAT), composed of representatives from DA and LGUs, joint forces in implementing litigating measures which include p[running, spraying and fertilization in the affected municipalities. 

The Manila Times

B1

James Galvez

PH sugar production at 83% of target

The SRA said it expects an early close to the country’s sugar milling season. Noting that it had already hit over 83% of the total production forecast for this crop year. 

Balita

5

Jun Fabon

NFA officials, pinakakasuhan sa Ombudsman

Nanawagan ang grupo ng mga magssaka na busisiin ng mga kinauukulan, partikular ng Office of the Ombudsman, ang sinasabing pagpapalabas ng ilang opisyal ng NFA nasa isang milyong kaban ng bigas.  Ibinunyag ni Engr. Ramirez, pangulo ng Provincial Farmers Action Council (PFAC) sa N. Ecija, ang pagpapalabas ng NGA ng saku-sakong bigas, alinsunod sa Special Rice Sales (SRS) Program sa 2010 NCR Rice Stock.

People’s Tonight

7

Paul Gutierrez, Vic Reyes

Php3-M smuggled onions seized

Customs Comm. Ruffy Biazon  and Deputy Comm. for Intelligence Group Danilo Lim yesterday spearheaded the inspection of cold storage facility along North Bay Boulevard, Navotas City, where they discovered 5,000 bags of alleged smuggled onions worth some P3M.   Onion importation is regulated by the DA and is allowed only duri9ng lean production months to ensure the absorption of locally produced onions by the local market and to avoid price distortion. 

The Daily Tribune

4

Conrado Ching

BoC seizes P3-M onions imported illegally

- do -

Philippine Daily Inquirer

A22

Tina Santos

Navotas storage yields P3-M smuggled onions

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Philippine Daily Inquirer

A8

Inquirer Mindanao

Ex-DA chief backs farmer group in polls

Former DA Sec. Domingo Panganiban has endorsed the Ang Agrikultura Natin ay Isulong (AANI) party-list group, stressing the need for farmers to be represented in Congress. 

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News Monitor March 25, 2013

 

Submitted by Adora D. Rodriguez/Arlhene Carro  (DA-AFIS)

Newspaper

Page

Writer

Article

Philippine Daily Inquirer

B1

Riza Olchondra

Gov’t sees food sufficiency  this year

ThePhilippinesis expected to reach food sufficiency this year and will focus on further farm reforms to boost agribusiness and agritourism, DA Sec. Alcala told.  The DA is anticipating a new record rice harvest this year of about 20 million tons form the record of 18.3 million tons in 2012. 

Balita

4

Jun Fabon

‘Pinas, obligadong umangkat ng bigas

Mag-aangkat pa rin ng bigas ang Pilipinas kahit abot-kamay na ng bansa ang rice self-sufficiency ngayong taon.  Ito ang sinabi ni DA Sec. Alcala, sinabing may international commitment ang bansa sa WTO na minimum access volume ng bigas na maaring ipasok sa alinmang bansa hanggang nababayaran ang kaukulang buwis para rito. 

Balita

5

Light Nolasco

Sibuyas ng Bongabon, biyaheng Japan

Ibiniyahe kamakailan ang unang shipment ng sibuyas mula sa Pilipinas patungo saJapan, kung saan in-demand ang naturang produkto.  Sinabi ni DA SAec. Alcala na kung makapapasa ang unang shipment ng sibuyas ng Pilipinas sa market standard ngJapan, mangangahulugan ito ng siguradong kabuhayan para sa mga Pilipinong magsisibuyas. 

Business Mirror

B3

Marvyn Benaning

Hybrid rice congress to be held in Nueva Ecija in April

The DA, in collaboration with the PhilRice, will host the National Hybrid Rice Congress at the rice agency’s headquarters in the Science City of Muñoz, N Ecijafrom April 3-5.  The congress, which has “Bigas na Sapat, Binhing Hybrid ang Kabalikat” at its theme, will highlight the importance ogf the hybrid rice in attaining the objectives of the Aquino administration’s Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP). 

The Philippine Star

B4

CzerizaValencia

Gov’t to put up 300-head cattle farm

The NDA has forged an agreement with the BAI for a 83-hectare cattle breeding farm in Malaybalay, Bukidnon this year.  The breeding farm would comprise a dairy milk production for the next four years as milk production outpaces original targets. 

The Philippine Star

B13

Louella Desiderio

Local food exporters urged to register in China

UnderChina’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) Decree 145, the Certification and Accreditation Administration will only accept registration or accreditation of food exporters to the co8untry if they have clearance from competent authorities in their respective home countries such as the FDA, BPI and BFAR. 

Business World

S1/3

Raymond Portillo

Agency aims top boost liquid milk production

The NDA gas inked five agreements with various NGOs and government agencies to increase liquid milk production by 3% this year, NDA admin. Grace Cenas said. 

Business Mirror

B3

Marvyn Benaning

Sugar milling season to end in May or June – sugar agency

The SRA expects the sugar milling season to close early, noting that the industry has processed more than 83% of its production target for the crop year. 

Business Mirror

B3

Max de Leon

Shellfish form Mindanao bays still positive for red tide – BFAR

Shellfish collected from two bays inMindanaoremain positive of red ride, the BFAR said. Shellfish caught inDumanquillasBayin Zamboanga de Sur andMurcielagosBayin Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental showed that red tide in them is still beyond the regulatory limit. 

Manila Bulletin

16

Ellalyn de Vera

PCA to eradicate insect infestation

The PCA continues to implement measures that will eradicate scale insect infestation in Batangas.

Manila Bulletin

31

BCM

Coco coir

The lowly coconut coir is getting a fair share of government attention for its economic contribution to the domestic economy. Recently, coir industry interagency convergence led by DTI and PCA held the 2nd National Coco Coir Summit dubbed “May Pera sa Bunot” inLucenaCity.

Manila Standard Today

 

 Joyce Pangco Panares

P1.92B released for flood control

P693 million has been released to DA in preparation for the rainy season for repair and construction of FMRs in various parts of the country.

 

Business World

S1/3

Bettina Faye Roc

Infrastructure budget released

(DPWH, DA projects get P1.92 billion outlay)

-do-

 

Philippine Star

B4

Zinnia dela Peña

DBM turns over P1.92B to DA, DPWH

-do-

 

Philippine Star

B13

CzeizaValencia

Bayer to expand section capacity

The government is now pushing for the use of hybrid rice seeds under FSSP, to increase rice yield per hectare and boost farmers’ incomes.

 

Malaya

A1

Madelaine Cabrera

Bayer putting up seeds processing facility in Laguna

-do-

 

The Manila Times

A7

 

Reforms in rural, farm policies sought

SEARCA noted that government policies play a crucial role in diminishing the effects of inhibiting factors toSoutheast Asia’s food security initiatives.

 

Business World

6/S1

Raymond Jun Portillo

Imports of US food products to increase

The Philippine economy is expected to grow by 6-7% this year.

 

Remate

9

Dr. Hilda Ong

NIA @ 50: on the spot painting contest

NIA is sponsoring an On-the-Spot Painting Contest themed: NIA at 50: serving the farmers with excellence and commitment to continue its legacy in the years to come.

 

Philippine Daily Inquirer  

B4-2

Rolando Dy  

Coconut industry: Decades of poverty, decades of waiting

To reduce the farmers’ poverty, we must think of productivity and efficient land use. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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