NARRA, PALAWAN – Isang (1) unit ng 90HP Ford four-wheel drive tractor with implements (Disc plow, disc harrow, rotary tiller & FT trailer) na nagkakahalagang Php 2.150 milyon ang ipinagkaloob ng Corn Program ng Department of Agriculture MiMaRoPa sa Aramaywan Corn Cluster Association sa Bayan ng Narra, lalawigan ng Palawan noong nakaraang linggo.

Mas magiging madali na ang pagpapalawak ng taniman ng maisan at ang pagbiyahe ng mga kagamitan pang sakahan at pagdadala ng mga naaning produkto sa pamilihan.

Bukod sa malaking tulong sa sakahan ang nasabing makinarya, umaabot rin sa tatlong (3) tonelada ang kapasidad ng trailer nito na magagamit naman ng mga magsasaka sa pagbiyahe ng kanilang mga ani at produkto mula sa sakahan patungo sa pamilihan.

“Una po sa lahat ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa biyaya na aming natanggap. Dati po pailan-ilan lamang ang aming natutulongan pero po ngayon dahil sa makinarya na aming natatanggap ay mas marami na po ang aming ma-accommodate at mas mapapadali ang paghanda ng sakahan at pagdala ng aming mga produkto,” mensahe ni Hamsaranie Jakaria, President ng Aramaywan Corn Cluster Association.

Personal na dinaluhan nila acting municipal Mayor Crispin Lumba, Jr., acting Vice Mayor Clarito Demaala IV, at  Board Member Ryan Maminta ang nasabing turnover.

Kasama rin sa aktibidad sina Brgy Captain Alonzo Eleazar, APCO Vicente Binasahan, Jr., Mun. Agriculturist Antonio Gammad, at Nenita Tabangay ang provincial corn focal person. 

Nagtapos ang aktibidad sa pag-award ng traktora sa asosasyon kasama ang mga panauhin. # # # (DA-RFO IVB, RAFIS)

Opening of Kadiwa Outlet at DA-PCC in Nueva Ecija (Sept. 3, 2021)

Farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Nueva Ecija now have another market for their produce through the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita outlet, which opened at the Milka Krem Ground of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC).

Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Assistant Secretary-Designate for Regulations Liza Battad, Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Noel Reyes, and PCC OIC-Director Ronnie Domingo led the opening of the new Kadiwa market in the Science City of Muñoz on September 3, 2021.

The Kadiwa at PCC will be open every Friday with ten FCA kiosks offering fresh and affordable vegetables, dairy and poultry products, fish, and meat.

PCC Carabao-based Enterprise Development Section OIC Joel Cabading said the Kadiwa is a market for fresh produce at daytime and converts into a food park at night. He added that they target to turn the 6,000-square meter area into an agri-tourism site that will also attract more consumers.

“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat kasi nakarating dito si Secretary Dar at nakita niya ang kalagayan naming mga magsasaka rito sa Nueva Ecija na may mga ganitong produkto,” Bongabon Dairy Cooperative President Mario dela Cruz said.

Also, a member of the Pesa Onion and Vegetable Farmers Association, he added that the partnership of organized groups like their FCAs with the government shows that there are still many opportunities and possibilities amid the Covid-19 pandemic. # # # (Photo by Alan Jay Jacalan, DA-AFID)

Mula named new Director of ATI

DILIMAN, Quezon City—The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is poised to take on new and more focused initiatives to improve its training and advisory services in line with the OneDA Reform Agenda as it welcomes the leadership of newly designated Director Rosana Mula.

Through Special Order No. 629, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar designated Mula as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Director of the ATI, following the retirement of Director Alfredo Aton. Aton served as the head of the agency for about two years starting 2019.

Under her term, Mula is committed to strengthen the Institute’s partnership programs for a more holistic approach in capacitating extension workers and farmer-leaders. She is also expected to lead the ATI’s efforts in line with the full devolution of extension services in the local government units (LGUs) under the Mandanas-Garcia ruling.

Mula first served as Assistant Director of the ATI in August 2019. She also became the chairperson of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Extension Services Program Technical Working Group that led different training programs, enterprise development activities, and scholarships on rice production technologies for over 20,000 beneficiaries nationwide.

Despite the limitations caused by the pandemic, Mula led the distribution of agricultural starter kits and the provision of support for the establishment of urban agriculture gardens in barangays, communities, schools, and offices starting 2020. She also pursued several partnerships with LGUs, civil society groups, and national government agencies such as the Department of Education to sustain food production in different communities and institutions.

The new ATI chief has also helped realize the development of the Philippine Action Plan for Family Farming for 2019-2028. As the chair of the Kabataan sa Pagpapaunlad ng Agrikultura at Pangingisda Program, she spearheaded activities that underscore the role of the Filipino family and the youth in countryside development.

Prior to joining the DA, Mula served as professor in different universities, sharing her expertise in agriculture and social development. She also worked as Special Project Scientist and Learning Systems Unit Coordinator at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics in Andhra Pradesh, India for 10 years.

Meanwhile, ATI’s Information Services Division chief Antonieta Arceo also takes her post as the new OIC-Assistant Director starting September 1, by virtue of DA Special Order 630, s. 2021. # # # (Erika Z. Vizcarra / DA-ATI)