DA-10 Research Division/NOMIARC Farmers Field Days 2015

The DA-10 Research Division/ Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) Farmers’ Field Days and Technology Forum is a major annual event which aims to exhibit research results and technology options for agricultural development.

Humble beginnings

A walk-through around DA-10 Research Division during batches of field tours.

In the early 1990s, the DA-10 Research Division/NMACLRC (then NOMIARC) began its advocacy for widened dissemination of agricultural technologies thru the conduct of its first farmers' field days - the then First Seed Caravan in 1994, initiated by the Agriculture Support Service Project of the Department of Agriculture, the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) and the University of the Philippines - Los Baños (UPLB) Institute of Plant Breeding. The event focused on rice and corn production technologies and convened some farmers and participants from Barangay Dalwangan and from adjacent barangays in Malaybalay City and nearby towns.

The Edible Landscape, a model home garden showcasing
the maximized use of  area thru aesthetic planting of vegetables,
medicinal plants, spices and herbs.

From then on, the farmers event has become an annual gathering that convene around three thousand farmers and participants from Region 10, Mindanao and the country every year. 

Highlights for this year

The event is now on its 22nd year – a significant milestone that started with only a handful participants some twenty years ago, but which has now grown to become one the most widely-participated agricultural showcases and farmers forum in the country today. This year’s theme: “Two Decades of Technology Development and Transfer: Bridging A Progressive Northern Mindanao towards ASEAN Competitiveness” - setting agricultural development within reach, with the support of local and international R&D partners, local government units, state universities and colleges, and communities that has made the DA-10 Research Division’s agricultural development initiatives worthwhile. 

A showcase of the best livestock breeds, thru the DA-10 NMACLRC
for livestock - the Malaybalay Stock Farm

Technologies for demonstration are all laid on ground in the Research Division Agri Garden as the live technology showroom in a green environment set against the lush landscape of Mt. Kitanglad. Such a conducive learning environment where participants witness a garden planted according to benefits on food, health and wellness.

Furthermore, among the highlights of this year’s event is the launching of the following recently constructed infrastructure projects:

1.The Multipurpose Organic Research and Development (R&D) Center which serves as the venue for Research, Development and Extension (RDE) activities that promote Organic Agriculture technologies, products and diversified farming systems.

2.The Agricultural Crops Processing Center as the processing facility of value-added products on agricultural crop commodities. Product development technologies and innovations are promoted to provide alternative livelihood and income for farmers, rural households and communities.

3.The Upgraded Entrance Gate with sanitation facility (wheel and footbath w/ disinfectant), guard house, road network and street lighting system which serves as a support infrastructure that strengthens the Research Division’s aesthetic appeal and capacity on integrated crops and livestock research and production projects, ensuring quality of services delivered.

Meanwhile, high-value and indigenous vegetables, medicinal plants, spices and herbs are featured at the Edible Landscape and Indigenous Vegetable Farm, all showcased as models for establishing self-nurturing household gardens. Also, the Livestock Display of the NMACLRC for Livestock - the Malaybalay Stock Farm showcase different breeds of cattle, sheep and goat and demonstrate livestock castration, semen collection, dehorning, artificial insemination (AI) for genetic improvement and milking of dairy cattle. 

All these provide the participants a glimpse on "a little of everything" about agriculture - grains, vegetables, rootcrops, legumes, poultry, livestock, fish. Company and product exhibits are also unveiled to showcase the latest farming trends and technologies. Meanwhile, technology consultations and agri clinic sessions, livelihood opportunities and marketing partnerships with investors and private sector are also molded during the event.

And DA-10 Research Division couldn't set the curtains down but to share needs-responsive technologies and services to table. 

The driving force is for farming communities to reach their full potential. The challenge is enormous, but the DA-10 Research Division is not laid back on its laurels. Moving forward to another decade of Farmers’ Field Days, more opportunities for technology and knowledge sharing will be offered to farming communities in Region 10 and the country.#

DA-10 Research Division: Chronicles of 2014

For the Department of Agriculture 10 - Research Division, finding ways to develop and promote responsive agricultural technologies is a continuous process that requires fervent stewardship through the years. In 2014, the Research group has welcomed new development initiatives as it continues to advocate for widened dissemination of agricultural technologies not only in Region 10, but for the country as well. 

Here’s to chronicle some development events and humble initiatives the Research group has brought forth in 2014…

Research and Development (R&D) for Development

A significant contribution of the Research Division in the attainment of DA’s goal in food security is the generation and development of cost-effective and sustainable farming systems technologies. In 2014, sixteen (16) studies in areas of crops and livestock improvement, horticulture, agronomy, plant protection, postharvest, product and by-product development and utilization, and farming systems have been completed while some studies have generated relevant technology recommendations. These studies and a host of research and extension projects led to farmers’ adoption of technologies and elicited the trust for the Department from the farmers for its proven capacity in extending technical advancements to communities.

As Community-based Participatory Action Research (CPAR) partnership projects continue to be implemented in many project sites of Region 10, commodity-based farming systems (rice, corn, vegetables, livestock, coconut, among others) are further promoted by the project staff/researchers and farmer-cooperators and the communities themselves, thereby building an effective resource-based farm system management among community-beneficiaries. Not only are the farmers kept abreast with the latest farming technologies, they also feel valued and important as partners in total community development. CPAR farmer-cooperators have become effective channels by which technology options become widely disseminated.

Value-added products for more income of farmers and rural households 

Supportive of increasing income of farmers, rural households and communities, the DA-10 Research team has developed technologies and options that transform agri commodities into food and non-food products that provide alternative livelihood opportunities in the countryside. 

The team, thru food technology experts and production staff of the Research Division in Malaybalay City and of the Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, have developed more than 20 product lines in the form of crunches, chips, wines, confectioneries, cereal meal, energy drinks, soap and other product lines made of adlay, corn, sweet potato, white potato, soybean, among others. Production of these value-added products, which ensure more than two-folds return of investment, have received positive response among farmers, homemakers and rural households. With this inspiration, the research groups’ partner CPAR communities across Region 10 have also produced their respective value-added products and have thus provided alternative income to their CPAR members and local folks.

The DA-10 Technology Commercialization Center (TCC), rising along the
Cagayan de Oro - Malaybalay highway houses the Research Division's value-added
product portfolios and information materials.

Also, these research-generated products have taken center stage in the newly-operationalized Department of Agriculture 10 - Technology Commercialization Center (TCC) which now stands along the national highway in Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City. 

Flyers on product development are also given to clients 

interested to venture into future agribusiness opportunities.

The TCC, formerly the Farmers’ Information and Technology Service (FITS) Center houses the showroom for products and portfolios, the audio-visual room and facilities for product storage and quality maintenance. The new edifice has also enabled the Department’s R&D engagements and operations more efficient and the transfer of technologies, with the TCC’s strategic location along the national highlway, more efficient and accessible to clients.

Highlighting the successes of CPAR farmers and partners in Region 10

One of the major highlights of the year 2014 is the conduct of the 1st Community-based Participatory Action Research (CPAR) Regional Technology Forum in May, 2014 – an event that revived the then CPAR Congress previously conducted around ten years ago. The 2014 forum convened more than a hundred CPAR farmer-partners from 16 project sites in Region 10. Farmers shared their success stories on how they implemented their financial management policies as a major factor that made their CPAR organization successful thru the years. 

Along this line, the 33-member CPAR organization in Libona, Bukidnon, with its effective finance management system which resulted to 100% repayment among its members, has shared a testimony to national audience during 1st National Corn Congress in Manila. Their financial management system, which highlighted the members’ values on integrity and community concern, partnered with a strong fiscal and repayment system is seen as worth emultating by other CPAR and related farmer organizations as well.

Meanwhile, farmers also promoted their respective product commodities and the value-added food products they have been producing as source of added income. The 1st Regional CPAR Congress ended with the conferment of awards for outstanding CPAR communities. Awards in the form of agricultural inputs worth P60,000; P50,000; P40,000; P30,000 and P20,000, were given to the winning CPAR communities, respectively.

“Sa Adlay, hahaba ang buhay!” 

Adlay, a potential Filipino staple food.

Promoting Adlay – one top crop as an additional Filipino staple food, the Research Division, in the early and third quarter of 2014, conducted 2 major regional and national technology sharing events highlighting Adlay’s health and economic benefits. In March of this year, the research team initiated the 1st Adlay Harvest Festival and Farmers’ Field Day in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. The event convened more than a hundred farmers, rural health workers, youth groups, agriculture officials and officers of the Adlay National Technical Working Group (NTWG). Said regional event was materialized following the success of an adlay research and development program entitled: Enhancing Adlay Production, Promotion and Food Utilization in Northern Mindanao. The Program engaged the farmers in participating as Adlay seedgrowers and producers. Meanwhile, the general public were also provided deeper understanding on the economic, health and social benefits of Adlay. Product processing on Adlay value-added products were also demonstrated that shall provide homemakers and rural households an option for an additional enterprise.

In a national scope, the DA-10 Research Division also co-organized the 1st National Adlay Farmers Field Days in September at Dinas, Zamboanga del Norte. More than a thousand agricultural stakeholders, farmers, teachers, homemakers, social workers, youth groups and communities from Region 9 and all over the country convened for the said national event. Aside from highlighting Adlay’s potential as additional staple food, the event also showcased the value-added products developed by the research and food technology staff of the Department of Agriculture regional field offices and the private sector. The use of Adlay postharvest facilities (milling machine, thresher) were also demonstrated. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and other dignitaries shared inspirational messages on the theme of the national event: “Harnessing the Potentials of Adlay as an additional staple food for Filipinos”. The event battlecry: Sa Adlay, hahaba ang buhay!

ASEAN Integration preparedness initiatives 

Highlighting the significant role of research in making the country’s agricultural products competitive in the ASEAN and global markets, the Research Division, in partnership with private seed and fertilizer companies showcased a technology demonstration event for farmers, investors, students and the general public during this year’s National Corn Congress Farmers Field Days. The October event staged the latest trends and technologies in corn farming which aims to signficantly contribute in positioning corn as one of the country's champion commodities. The creation of more clusters of corn farmers are hoped to further strengthen the sector as the country prepares for the ASEAN integration in 2015. While the Philippines is still challenged in terms of capacities on farm mechanization, the Filipino farmers' ingenuity and hardwork with the support of all institutional stakeholders will make achieving targets possible.

DA-10 Research Division/NMACLRC 2014 Farmers’ Field Days and Technology Forum

Another major effort of the Research Team in bringing the results of R&D to the grassroot level is the conduct of annual field days and technology forum. The team, in partnership with the private sector, academes and institutions continue to show the way for better farming practices for 21 consecutive years already since 1994. 

As this year’s offering for farmers, stakeholders and the general public, the DA-10 Research group once again opened its gates for a glimpse of the latest available agricultural tools and technologies through its annual "Farmers' Field Days and Technology Forum" held last November. Secretary Proceso Alcala led the national and regional DA officials who took part in the opening day of the event, which coincided with the Department’s Management Committee (ManCom) meeting in nearby Cagayan de Oro City. Local government units from Northern Mindanao’s provinces set up booths to showcase their best agri-fishery commodities for sale, and suppliers their latest products and services. This year, technologies on rice, corn, vegetables, rootcrops, white potato, coffee, organically grown crops, livestock - all aim at increasing farm productivity and rural incomes. 

Aside from the annual field days at the Research Division in Dalwangan, field days are also conducted in project sites to encourage adoption of specific technology packages in communities. Technology updates are communicated and offered to farmers during field events and convergence activities in far-flung and rural communities and in walk-in consultation with clients in the office, thus enabling the knowledge and skills upgrading of the more than a hundred farmer-cooperators and communities served by the projects and the by-thousands of visitors assisted during the many batches of project tours in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City. 

Rationalizing staff responsibilities, strengthening performance evaluation system

The year 2014 marked the implementation of the Rationalization Plan of the Department of Agriculture which opened the Research Division’s transition to further become a workforce of science research specialists  and experts’ pool with three Research and Development (R&D) centers: 

1. Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC)- merger of the former Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (NOMIARC) and Malaybalay Stock Farm (MSF)

2. Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD)- the former Bukidnon Agricultural Productivity Complex (BAPC) in Dangcagan, Bukidnon

3. Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD)- the former Claveria Experiment Station (CES) at Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental

Meanwhile, promoting transparency and accountability in the career service system of the research group, the Strategic Performance Management System (SPMS) was recently adopted as a new system in evaluating employee performance. The SPMS - institutionalized by the Civil Service Commission establishes a career service system that promotes the morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness, and courtesy in the civil service. The SPMS further requires the employees‘ overall/common responsbility for the achievement of agency goals.

Humble achievements for over the years and 2014

The invaluable partnership with farmers, communities and other development individuals and agencies are among the noble treasures of the research group. These partnerships have resulted to the formation and use of worthwhile research results and technologies for agricultural development – paving the way for the Research Division (then NOMIARC) and one of its stations – the Malaybalay Stock Farm to be recognized as among the outstanding agencies that has contributed to the economic development and growth of the Province of Bukidnon, the region and the country.

On September 2014, the respective DA-10’s agriculture and livestock research centers have both received awards during the Bukidnon-wide Search for Outstanding Individuals and Groups and the Kaamulan Livestock Show, respectively. The DA-10 Research Division/Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (NOMIARC) is commended for its agricultural development programs in Bukidnon - among which include the promotion to the white potato farmers of Bukidnon through a technology intervention that ensure sustained supply of clean and quality white potato seeds not only in the Province, but also in Region 10. Meanwhile, the Malaybalay Stock Farm (MSF)’s Brahman cattle and Dorper sheep were awarded as the best large animal and small ruminant livestock breeds showcased during the Kaamulan Livestock Show. Both the NOMIARC and MSF were commended for supporting the economic development of the Province of Bukidnon in areas of agriculture and livestock development. 

Also, tapping on information, education and communication (IEC) initiatives as integral part of the research system, the DA-10 Research Division/NOMIARC booth/exhibit was staged during the 2014 National Technology Forum held last August 2014 in Mandaluyong City. Said region 10 booth garnered the award as Best Booth – prized with a P1Million-worth project  grant, conferred by Director Nicomedes Eleazar of the Bureau of Agricultural Research.

 

Truly, the DA-10 Research Division is ever committed to contribute to address the ever-increasing demand for agricultural research information and technologies. The challenge is indeed enormous, but the DA-10 research groups will still continue in sharing agri research products, technologies and services for region 10 and the country! 

To 2015 and years ahead!