P-Noy, DA Chief Honor 2011 Gawad Saka Awardees

38President Benigno S. Aquino III (5th from left) and Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (4th from left) lead the nation in honoring the 2011 national winners of the Gawad Saka, or annual search for outstanding achievers in agriculture and fisheries, December 13, 2011, in Malacañang. This year’s awardees—composed 14 individuals and nine groups—are led by Anna C. Cagulada, a 47-year old lady integrated rice farmer from Dujali, Davao del Norte, and Alfredo Q. Roble, a 63-year old hybrid rice farmer from Ormoc City, Leyte. They all received a Presidential citation and trophy, corresponding cash prizes and project grants, totaling P4.25 million. Now on its 41st year, Gawad Saka recognizes the major contributions and breakthroughs of the country’s outstanding farmers, fishers, agri-entrepreneurs, scientist, and farmers’ and fishers’ groups. This year’s contest is chaired by DA assistant secretary Edilberto de Luna (2nd from left). (Photo by Alan Jay Jacalan, DA Information Service)


 

Livestock Philippines 2011 Expo

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Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (3rd from right) leads the ceremonial opening of the 1st Livestock Philippines 2011 Expo at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, December 08, 2011, which attracted 200 exhibitors from 23 countries, and participated in by 5,000 Filipino and foreign livestock raisers and farmers, feed millers, meat processors, veterinarians and input suppliers. Joining him are (from left): Atty. Jane Bacayo, executive director of the DA-National Meat Inspection Service; Mr. M. Gandhi, managing director of UBM Asia; DA assistant secretary for livestock Dr. Davinio Catbagan; DA-Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) assistant director Victor Atienza; Mr. Jime Essink, chief executive officer of UBM Asia; and DA-BAI director Efren Nuestro. (Photo by Joe Lucas, DA Information Service)


 

 

DA Chief Opens New Quarantine Office at Manila North Harbor

30Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (left) and Bureau of Customs Port of Manila District Collector Ricardo Belmonte (2ndfrom left) lead the inauguration of the new Department of Agriculture two-storey quarantine office at the Manila International Container Terminal, Manila North Harbor, December 5, 2011. Secretary Alcala said the facility will house all the three DA quarantine offices for plants, animals and fisheries, and forms part of the continuing efforts of government to protect and keep the Philippines free from foreign animal, plant and fishery pests and diseases, and facilitate the processing and entry of pest- and disease-free, legally-imported agricultural, animal, meat and fishery products. Assisting them is director Clarito Barron of the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry. (Photo by Joe Lucas, DA Information Service)


 

 

DA Aims for More Banana Chip Exports, Crafts 'Saba' Roadmap

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The Philippines is emerging as a major producer of world-class banana chips, as exports have increased geometrically reaching $48 million in 2009. Philippine banana chips are exported to the USA, Japan, UK, Germany, Australia, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Russia, and former eastern bloc countries. To sustain the production of saba or cardaba banana and further increase exports of banana chips, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (above, middle) urged farmer-leaders and banana chips processors and exporters to band together and help the Department of Agriculture craft a medium-term cardaba banana industry roadmap in partnership with the DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), and Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS). Joining him during a recent banana industry stakeholders’ meeting at the DA central office in Quezon City are AMAS director Leandro Gazmin and BAFPS director Angelina A. Bondad. (Photo by Kathrino Resurreccion, DA Information Service)


 


Mt. Province Adopts DA Chief as Son, Named 'Am-Fhunun.'

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Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (middle) was recently adopted as a son of the Mountain Province, with the name ‘Am-Fhunun,’ which means earth-keeper, and namesake of a previous chieftain who led his people in building the rice terraces. Secretary Alcala recently visited the Cordilleras (Nov. 25-27), where he inspected and launched several agricultural projects, dialogued with farmers and local officials, and provided more than P500-million worth of assistance to restore the Ifugao rice terraces, repair damaged communal irrigation systems, construct several agricultural facilities, and provided farmers’ groups and irrigators’ associations with dozens of farm machinery, equipment, registered rice seeds, and farm animals, among others. As part of the ‘adoption’ ceremony, he wore gadgets of a Mt. Province warrior, namely: a ‘Pinagpagan’ blanket, symbolizing royalty and authority; a ‘Sangi’ bagpack, which contains basic provisions like native rice, bugnay wine and oranges; a ‘Suklong’ head dress; and a spear and shield. Standing proudly as his ‘godfathers’ are Mt. Province Governor Leonardo Mayaen (left) and Representative Maximo Dalog Sr. (Photo by Kathrino Resurreccion, DA Information Service)


 

DA Allots P30M to Restore Banaue Rice Terraces, Promotes Organic Rice-Fish Culture

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The Department of Agriculture is allotting an initial P30 to repair eroded and typhoon-damaged portions of the Banaue Rice Terraces and restore its grandeur as a UNESCO ‘World Heritage’ site. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (3rd from left) made the commitment over the weekend, during his three-day of Ifugao, Mt. Province and Benguet. He also committed an initial P25 million to implement several agricultural projects in partnership with the 11 municipalities and the provincial government of Ifugao, led by Governor Eugene Balitang (middle). While in Banaue, he led a ceremonial stocking of tilapia and Japanese loach, locally known as ‘yu-yu’, in one of rice-fish paddies. The DA is promoting rice-fish culture to revive the organic way of producing native or heirloom rice varieties. With ensured supply of rice and fish, Secretary Alcala said farm-families will have sustained source of income and affordable and nutritious meal. Also shown is DA Cordillera regional director Marilyn Sta. Catalina. (Photo by Kathrino Resurreccion, DA Information Service)


 

DA Trains Rural Women to Produce More World-class Piña Fiber

135Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (2nd from right) appreciates a member of the Banga Women’s Association in Aklan as she weaves piña fiber into fabric. Aklan is emerging as a major producer of world-class, export quality piña fiber for clothing apparels, particularly for ‘barong Tagalog’ and ‘Filipiniana’ dresses, and other novelty items like table linens, mats and bags. The DA through its Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) continuously trains women’s groups like Rural Improvement Clubs (RICs) to produce quality piña fabrics and other products, not only in Aklan, but also in other provinces like Negros Oriental, Antique, Guimaras, Capiz, Camarines Sur, Palawan and La Union. (Photo by DA Region 6 Info Div.)


DA allots P500M in 2012 for small irrigation projects

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The Department of Agriculture will allot P500 million next year to establish nationwide hundreds of small irrigation projects that are more cost-efficient, faster to construct, and easier to maintain and manage. This was announced by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (inset, left) during the 1st National Summit for Small Scale Irrigation Project, November 24, 2011, at the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), attended by farmer-leaders of small water irrigation system associations (SWISAs) and local officials. He said SWISAs and DA-NIA Irrigators’ Associations will play a key role in helping the Aquino government achieve sufficiency in rice and major staples by 2013. Also shown (from left) are DA rice program national coordinator Director Dante Delima, Cagayan Governor Alvaro Antonio, and Director Silvino Tejada of the DA-BSWM which oversees the construction of small irrigation projects. (Photo by Joe Lucas, DA Information Service)


 

Philippines, South Korea Forge Agri Cooperation

137Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (left) hands over a token gift to Suh Kyu-Yong, South Korean minister of food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, after discussing mutual initiatives that include the implementation of an agri-fishery multi-industry cluster (MIC) project in selected pilot provinces, enhanced and faster trade of agricultural and fishery products, and expansion of overseas development assistance, among other technical cooperation. Minister Suh is a member of the official delegation of South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, who is in the country for a three-day (November 21-23, 2011) state visit. Secretary Alcala said the DA also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea EXIM Bank to co-finance the construction of a P13-billion Jalaur River multi-purpose irrigation and hydro-electric project phase 2, that will irrigate 31,840 hectares in Iloilo, and contribute to attaining rice self-sufficiency by 2013. (Photo by Kathrino Resurreccion, DA Information Service)


Harmonizing, Speeding up DA-LGU Counterparting Agri, Infra Projects

138Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (top, at rostrum) urges Department Agriculture regional directors and national commodity program coordinators and staff (foreground) during a November 16 forum in Davao City, to strongly coordinate with local government officials to harmonize and hasten the implementation of agricultural and fishery infrastructure and livelihood projects, via counterparting scheme, including the construction and repair of irrigation systems and farm-to-market roads, and provision of production, technical, postharvest and marketing services and assistance to small farmers, fishers, ruralfolk and other stakeholders. He told them to consider as a model the ongoing DA-Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) funded by the World Bank, where about P5.9-billion worth of infrastructure, livelihood and natural resources projects are being implemented, benefiting 26 provinces and 225 ‘enrolled’ municipalities in Mindanao. Top photo also shows DA region 10 and concurrent MRDP director Lealyn Ramos, DA Davao region director Oscar Parawan, assistant secretary and concurrent Bureau of Agricultural Statistics director Romeo Recide, and undersecretary for finance and administration Antonio Fleta. (Photo by Alan Jacalan, DA Information Service)


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