We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
MAV suspension plan up for review
The Department of Agriculture plan to suspend the minimum access volume on pork and corn would undergo the scrutiny of the government’s economic cluster, a DA official said yesterday......»»
BCCP raises concerns over plans to curb meat imports
The British Chamber of Commerce Philippines expressed concerns on the agriculture department’s plan to temporarily suspend the minimum access volume on corn and pork......»»
DA wants to suspend pork, corn MAV
The Department of Agriculture is looking at curbing the country’s agricultural imports by temporarily suspending the minimum access volume for pork and corn this year......»»
Davao Oriental under state of calamity
The entire province of Davao Oriental has been declared under a state of calamity following the impact of the shear line, allowing the provincial local government unit to access its Quick Response Fund for rehabilitation efforts. The unanimous resolution was approved during a regular session in Sangguniang Panlalawigan, based on comprehensive assessment and recommendation from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Governor Niño Uy. This declaration is crucial for providing emergency aid to the affected constituents and enforcing price control on essential items. Rapid Disaster Assessment and Needs Assessment reports indicate that around 63,337 families are affected, with 645 families and 1,830 individuals currently displaced and in evacuation centers. The damages in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock are estimated to be significant. Several municipalities have already declared a state of calamity, and the entire province is yet to announce its final assessment on the value loss in agriculture. This declaration aims to expedite rehabilitation and recovery plans to restore normalcy in the affected areas......»»
BoI grants towers green lane access
Deals involving 6,400 shared passive telecommunications towers nationwide by 2030, which will require an investment that will provide thousands of jobs to Filipinos in the telecom industry, will be fast-tracked following the approval of its green lane application by the Board of Investment. On Wednesday, the BoI provided the green lane endorsement to the Common Passive Telecommunications Tower Infrastructure Project of EdgePoint Tower Inc. BoI Governor Marjorie Ramos-Samaniego awarded the certificate of endorsement to EdgePoint Tower representatives headed by its chief financial officer Vicente Francisco Araña at the BoI Main Office in Makati City last 18 September 2023. EdgePoint Tower Inc. is eyeing to build and lease towers for telecommunications and digital services providers in the Philippines, a P50-billion telco infrastructure project that is expected to generate around 9,700 jobs. Aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2023’s goal of expanding and upgrading infrastructure, the project shall support the government’s initiative to enhance telecommunications services nationwide and increase connectivity, mobile network access, and Internet penetration in unserved and underserved regions of the country. The BoI added the project will provide access to the essential telecommunications infrastructure to enhance mobile telecommunications services and create a level playing field among new and existing Mobile Network Operators. Telecom infra levels up “Through continuous innovation and the use of the latest technology, the project aims to elevate the methods by which telecommunication infrastructure is developed, operated, and maintained in the Philippines. It will optimize tower design to use fewer materials and will begin using indigenous materials to replace steel elements. To lower its carbon impact, the project will promote the use of renewable energy to power telecommunications infrastructure installations,” the BoI statement said. The BoI One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments will monitor the actions taken by concerned government agencies on Edgepoint’s applications for permits and licenses and will submit a report to the Office of the President accordingly. Telco infrastructure is one of the priority sectors of the BoI alongside EVs, smart/high-tech lighting manufacturing, outsourced semiconductor assembly and test, green metals, high-tech agriculture, renewable energy, and data centers. Aside from generating more jobs for Filipinos, the project will strengthen the country’s telecommunications landscape and provide high-speed Internet connectivity to various areas. The post BoI grants towers green lane access appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DSWD: Gov’t may still grant P15K subsidy to El Niño-hit farmers
The Marcos administration has not ruled out granting P15,000 in cash subsidy to farmers who will be severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon, the Department of Social Welfare and Development announced on Thursday. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency is in talks with the Department of Agriculture for other interventions after the Sustainable Livelihood Program payout of cash aid to micro rice retailers and sari-sari store owners selling rice. The DSWD chief earlier said the SLP payout for sari-sari store owners has already started, following Malacanang’s imposition of a price cap on regular and well-milled rice through Executive Order No. 39. "We are coordinating with the Department of Agriculture to make sure the intervention will arrive in the coming days. Right now, we are finishing with the small rice retailers. I am a hundred percent sure the president will want to see the shortlist with the department," Gatchalian said. He added that the DSWD can adopt the SLP-cash aid payout mechanism similar to the subsidy for small and micro rice retailers where the list of SLP beneficiaries was provided by the Department of Trade and Industry. The DSWD chief said the DA will be the one to identify the SLP farmer-beneficiaries most affected by the El Niño phenomenon. Aside from SLP, the DSWD launched Project LAWA, or the Local Adaptation to Water Access, in Davao de Oro, Ifugao, and Antique last 31 August to help improve the resiliency of communities affected by the El Niño phenomenon. Project LAWA is an early action plan of the government to mitigate the impacts of drought and dry spells by establishing small farm reservoirs. To assist the poor, vulnerable and marginalized families of Indigenous Peoples, farmers, and fisherfolk, the DSWD, through its cash-for-training and –work program, will provide financial support as an alternative income in exchange for the work rendered by the beneficiaries while constructing the alternative water resources. The post DSWD: Gov’t may still grant P15K subsidy to El Niño-hit farmers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM to focus on farm-to-market road dev’t, agri sector modernization
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said his administration would focus on enhancing crucial farm-to-market roads and modernizing the agricultural sector to prioritize the nation's farmers and food security. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Marcos underscored the significance of ensuring food security for all Filipinos instead of lowering tariffs on agricultural imports. "Our farmers are the backbone of our nation, and their well-being is our utmost concern,” Marcos said. President Marcos Jr. emphasized that improving the country’s infrastructure would help reduce post-harvest losses, boost agricultural productivity, and, most importantly, improve the livelihoods of Filipino farmers. Furthermore, the administration is committed to strengthening the National Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization and Industrialization Plan (NAFMIP). President Marcos Jr. elaborated on the plan's objectives, saying, "We must embrace innovation and modernize our agricultural and fisheries sectors.” “This means investing in research and development, technology adoption, and sustainable practices that can propel us into a more secure food future,” he added. The NAFMIP aims to harness technology and sustainable farming practices to increase agricultural productivity, enhance the quality of farm products, and promote value addition in the fisheries sector. “While we understand the need for affordable food, we believe that our primary responsibility is to empower our farmers. By investing in their capacity and improving their access to markets, we can strike a balance that benefits both our farmers and consumers,” Marcos said. Meanwhile, Marcos on Tuesday thumbed down the decision not to lower tariffs on agricultural imports. Marcos, who is also the Department of Agriculture secretary, rejected the proposal after a meeting in Malacañang where the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) gave an update on the proposal at the meeting. “It was not the right time to lower the tariff rates because world rice prices project that it will go down. So, this is not the right time to lower tariffs,” the Chief Executive said. “Tariffs are generally lowered when the price goes up,” he added. NEDA and the Department of Budget and Management had previously proposed to temporarily stop charging taxes on imported rice to lower the cost of rice in the country. The post PBBM to focus on farm-to-market road dev’t, agri sector modernization appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Child rights to clean Earth
The first authoritative and comprehensive interpretation of member-states’ obligations in fulfilling children’s rights to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment was issued under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. “General Comment 26 on children’s rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change,” explicitly addresses the climate emergency, the collapse of biodiversity and pervasive pollution. A child-friendly version of the General Comment has also been released today. The CRC is the most widely ratified treaty in the world, created in 1989 and ratified by 196 states. It outlines universal children’s rights such as the right to life, survival and development, and the right to health. The Philippines was one of the first countries to ratify the CRC in August 1990. The Philippines ranks first in terms of disaster risk according to the World Risk Index for 2022, as well as the first in the East Asia and Pacific region on the Child Climate Risk Index. Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency, and slower onset climate impacts, such as rising sea levels and increasing temperatures are affecting the health, nutrition and education of children in the country. Poor children, children with disabilities, children who belong to indigenous groups, children in situations of armed conflict, and girls, are especially vulnerable. General Comment 26, a result of global and intergenerational engagement, requires States to be responsible not only for protecting children’s rights from immediate harm, but also for foreseeable violations of their rights in the future. States can be held accountable for environmental harm occurring within their borders, as well as the harmful impacts of environmental damage and climate change beyond their borders. Children’s views must be considered in environmental decision-making, and equipping them with education and tools to act, advocate and protect themselves from environmental harm are also critical. Member-states, such as the Philippines, are also urged to take immediate action including organizing the phase out of coal, oil and natural gas and shifting to renewable energy sources, improving air quality, and ensuring access to clean water, transforming industrial agriculture and fisheries to produce healthy and sustainable food, and protecting biodiversity. The post Child rights to clean Earth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DA updates MAV policy
The Department of Agriculture is updating its rules on the implementation of the country’s minimum access volume commitments......»»
Philippines to resume Hass avocado export to S. Korea
MANILA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines will resume exporting fresh Hass avocados to South Korea later this month, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday. Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said the commercial shipment will start by the end of September after Seoul approved the market access for Philippine-grown Hass avocados. Hass avocadoes have become popular globally as.....»»
Floods wiped out quarter of Greek farm produce: experts
A quarter of Greece's annual agricultural production was wiped out in last week's deadly flash floods triggered by Storm Daniel, which drenched the central region of Thessaly, according to experts. The floods, which killed 15 people, have also left thousands of people in temporary shelters in hotels, schools or with relatives while 30 villages were inaccessible amid the threat of waterborne diseases. Officials were trying to determine if a body found on a beach in Pelion, central Greece, was that of an Austrian missing with his wife since last week. As government officials began the daunting task of mapping the damage dealt to the plain that feeds much of Greece, one pressing need was to dispose of tens of thousands of decomposing farm animals. Out of over 110,000 dead sheep, goats, pigs, cows and chickens reported lost by farmers, fewer than half have been buried or incinerated, officials said. Inspection crews were still unable to reach half the areas with reported dead livestock, the agriculture ministry said Wednesday. "The damage is difficult to fully assess at the moment, but according to the most optimistic scenario, 70 percent of the cotton crop and almost all of the clover has been damaged," said farmer Athanasios Karaiskos, president of the farm cooperative of the town of Farsala. Health hazard The region's apple and kiwi productions have also been hit, while warehouses storing large quantities of wheat were flooded. Some parts of Thessaly received "an astonishing 910 millimeters (three feet) of rain" more than a year's rainfall in normal conditions, said Katerina Kasimati, an agriculture engineer at the Agricultural University of Athens. "These floods caused nearly 25 percent of the year's crop production to be lost, amounting to losses in the hundreds of millions of euros," she told AFP. Commonly called 'the Plain' in Greece, Thessaly accounts for nearly a third of the country's arable land and over 18 percent of its crops. "Farmers and particularly livestock breeders are in a state of panic," said Christos Yannadakis, vice-president of the union of Greek farm cooperatives. In addition to knocking out power and flooding roads and infrastructure, the floodwater carries pesticides and waste from both farms and urban areas. The health ministry has reported dozens of cases of gastroenteritis, warning residents in several areas that tap water was still not suitable for drinking or showering. The fire department has rescued over 4,500 people from flooded areas. Seven villages are still stranded, the government said this week. Transport links hit The heavy rains and flooding followed devastating fires in Greece this summer that killed at least 26 people, most of them migrants trapped in a forest near the northeastern border with Turkey. In Strasbourg this week to discuss the issue with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece faced a "catastrophe of immense proportions". It was, he said, "beyond" the government's "scale of prediction and comprehension". The EU said Greece could access 2.25 billion euros in pending and additional funds for reconstruction. A part of the Athens-Thessaloniki national highway in central Greece is under water. Serious damage to the rail network will take months to repair, Panayiotis Terezakis, managing director of the Hellenic Railways Organisation, told Star TV. "The initial tally for all the damage dealt to the Thessaly rail network is 150-160 million euros," he said. Rail services from Athens to Thessaloniki in the north will likely be restored in a month, Terezakis said. For the national highway, Deputy Infrastructure Minister Nikos Tachiaos on Wednesday admitted: "There is nothing we can do. We cannot drain the waters and dump them on the plain because the water is coming from the plain... we have to wait for the natural flow," he told state TV ERT. Government under fire Mitsotakis' government, which comfortably won reelection in June, has come under fire for failing to adequately prepare after major flooding caused by a hurricane-like storm dubbed Ianos in 2020. "Millions of euros were spent on flood prevention after Ianos and three years later, Thessaly is again plunged in water and mud," the main opposition Syriza party said. The liberal Kathimerini daily over the weekend said the prime minister had put "lightweights" in key cabinet posts and urged him to "get serious". Mitsotakis is rumored to be planning a cabinet reshuffle, having already replaced two ministers since his re-election. A judicial investigation has been opened into possible failings by public officials in dealing with the storm. The post Floods wiped out quarter of Greek farm produce: experts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM greenlights agrarian debt moratorium extension
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday gave the green light to a two-year moratorium of payments for land amortization and interest owed by agrarian reform beneficiaries. Marcos has officially endorsed an executive order (EO) that extends the agrarian debt moratorium, which he initially sanctioned in September 2022, for an extra two-year duration. This executive order stretches the debt moratorium until September 2025. Marcos, who currently holds the position of agriculture chief alongside his role as President, mentioned that the previous executive order did not include particular agrarian reform beneficiaries. He also noted the importance of helping some 610,054 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to help the government attain its bid for food security. "So, I urge the DAR with all government agencies to strive for a smooth and immediate execution of this IRR so that our beneficiaries may be freed from the burden of debts and reap the benefits from the land that they tirelessly cultivate, continue to facilitate the delivery of support services to all ARBs and make them your foremost priority in all our development efforts," he said. Marcos assured the local farmers of the government's continued support to empower them and help the nation in securing a "more progressive, sustainable and resilient future." "This will enable us and ARBs and the rest of our farmers to realize the utmost potential and reach for our aspirations for our families, for our communities and for our country," he said. "To achieve this, we have collaborated with experts, we have strengthened our supply chains and pushed for the enactment of the new Agrarian Emancipation Act. I therefore acknowledge the efforts of the DAR and other implementing agencies for supporting our endeavor to help our producers lead more dignified lives and attain food security for our people," Marcos added. Enacted on 9 July 2023, RA 11953 forgives all outstanding loans, encompassing accrued interests, penalties, and surcharges, incurred by Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) on the land they were granted. This debt forgiveness extends to approximately 1.173 million hectares of land, benefiting approximately 610,054 ARBs who collectively had incurred an estimated P57.55 billion in unpaid amortizations. Additionally, RA 11953 puts an end to the obligation of 10,201 ARBs, cultivating 11,531 hectares of land obtained through either the voluntary land transfer or direct payment scheme (VLT/DPS), to pay P206.247 million in overdue just compensation to the landowners. Further advantages for ARBs include exemption from estate tax payments and automatic inclusion in the Registry System of Basic Sectors in Agriculture, facilitating their access to support services provided by the Department of Agriculture. The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) outline procedures for expediting the debt forgiveness process and the government's payment of outstanding just compensation to landowners for lands acquired under the VLT/DPS. The post PBBM greenlights agrarian debt moratorium extension appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kadiwa stores now inside Bilibid
The Department of Agriculture on Monday reported that it launched its first Kadiwa pop-up store at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City in collaboration with the Bureau of Corrections providing persons deprived of liberty, as well as residents and BuCor employees, direct access to fresh and affordable food and basic commodities. Ruel Gesmundo, Assistant Director for Regulatory Services of the Bureau of Plant Industry said during the inauguration ceremony held Friday that BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang warmly welcomes them at the opening of the Kadiwa store, recognizing its benefits for the entire community. The goods being sold at the Kadiwa pop-up store in Bilibid include assorted highland and lowland vegetables, fruits, eggs, assorted smoked and dried fish, mushroom products, coffee, noodles, cooking oil and herbal oils. Through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, the DA has been actively expanding Kadiwa outlets across Metro Manila in a bid to empower the farming community through the establishment of a direct and efficient food supply chain. The post Kadiwa stores now inside Bilibid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kadiwa stores now inside Bilibid
The Department of Agriculture on Monday reported that it launched its first Kadiwa pop-up store at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City in collaboration with the Bureau of Corrections providing persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), as well as residents and BuCor employees, direct access to fresh and affordable food and basic commodities. “Ang DA ay laging handang tumugon sa mga komunidad na nagnanais na magkaroon ng Kadiwa project. Ang DA ay patuloy din sa pagpapatupad at pagpapalaganap ng adhikain upang matugunan ang food security ng bansa,” said Ruel Gesmundo, assistant director for regulatory services of the Bureau of Plant Industry during the inauguration ceremony held on 8 September. Gesmundo said BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang warmly welcomed them at the opening of the Kadiwa store, recognizing its benefits for the entire community. “Ang Kadiwa ay para sa mga empleyado, PDL at residente ng Bilibid para mailapit sa kanila ang mura at de-kalidad na pagkain na alam naman natin ngayon ay nagtataasan ang presyo. Ito’y alinsunod din sa utos ng ating Pangulo Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla na tumulong sa food security ng bansa,” Catapang said as quoted by Gesmundo. The goods being sold at the Kadiwa pop-up store in Bilibid include assorted highland and lowland vegetables, fruits, eggs, assorted smoked and dried fish, mushroom products, coffee, noodles, cooking oil, and herbal oils. Through its agribusiness and marketing assistance service, the DA has been actively expanding Kadiwa outlets across Metro Manila in a bid to empower the farming community through the establishment of a direct and efficient food supply chain. See more photos here: The post Kadiwa stores now inside Bilibid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ADB, Deutsche Bank offering SME loans
The Asian Development Bank has partnered with Deutsche Bank to fund operations of small and medium enterprises or SMEs, especially those in the pharmaceutical and agriculture industries. The two banks signed an agreement to utilize ADB’s Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program and Deutsche Bank’s funds from revenues of its global network of large corporate clients to boost working capital for SMEs. “Partnering with Deutsche Bank will allow companies, particularly SMEs, to access the global supply chain which can spur economic growth and contribute to job creation,” ADB’s Director General for Private Sector Operations Suzanne Gaboury said in a statement last Tuesday. “Together, we will help smaller companies achieve growth through better access to supply chain financing. We believe this is important, as we are seeing increasing demand for this in the trade sector,” Deutsche Bank Head of Trade Finance and Lending for Asia Pacific Matthew Moodey said. The ADB said businesses demand around $2.5 trillion to sustain operations, but SMEs remain the least supported. With its partnership with Deutsche Bank, ADB said SMEs can boost trade in Asia and the Pacific, generating additional revenues amounting to over $200 million. The bank added pharmaceutical and agriculture products and services will be high in demand as the world population expands and countries prevent another pandemic and fight climate change. The post ADB, Deutsche Bank offering SME loans appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Digitizing a must — Concepcion
Honing and making micro, small and medium enterprises fully engrossed with digitization is now a must for every country in the ASEAN Region to fully realize the expanding opportunities presented by digital transformation, according to ASEAN-Business Advisory Council Philippines chairperson Joey Concepcion. “The power of digitalization is there; we just have to use it. It’s time that we really focus on the objective of greater prosperity, especially for those at the bottom of the pyramid, using whatever tools we have,” Concepcion said during a panel discussion on ASEAN’s Digital Powerhouse at the Nexus of Connectivity and Transformation in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sunday. “We must enable MSMEs to use digitalization to their advantage. Digital growth is seen to boost cross-border e-commerce by providing MSMEs with access to new markets and is hoped to promote financial inclusion to underserved populations,” he added. Further, Concepcion noted that although the rapid growth of digital adoption in the ASEAN bodes well for the region’s economies, its growth must be inclusive, with MSMEs being crucial to sustainable growth, to fully realize the expanding opportunities presented by digital transformation. “All of these tools are important to uplift the lives of our people. That’s why we are here: how do we solve big problems, especially for those who are at the bottom of the pyramid,” he said, pointing out that four of the 10 countries in the ASEAN have nearly a fifth of their populations still living in poverty. Region’s biggest tech players The session gathered some of the region’s biggest technology players, as well as key stakeholders from leading multinational companies, global financial institutions, and government organizations. The session delved into the development of strategic policies — including financial technology, e-trade, and cross-border trade facilitation. “The power of digital has to be used. The crisis pushed people to use these tools and this is one of the reasons we in the ASEAN BAC Philippines proposed to sign an MoU with each ASEAN country to focus on sectors that will bring development, specifically agriculture and MSMEs,” he said. He also pointed out that digitalization will stand to benefit even the one-man businesses — also known as nanopreneurs — who now have a better chance at succeeding because they have access to marketing tools and digital payment solutions. “We are the big brothers. Unless we embrace the MSMEs in our value chain this is going to take a long time. That is our mission as ASEAN BAC heads, to see to it that greater prosperity is achieved,” he said. Private sector feedback The ASEAN BAC was organized to provide private sector feedback and guidance to boost ASEAN’s efforts towards economic integration. It was said in the discussion that ASEAN has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing Internet market, with a 40 percent annual growth in the value of e-commerce between 2016 and 2021. Further, it is set to become the world’s fastest-growing digital market driven by a growing consumer market and the rapid adoption of social commerce platforms by its population. “This growth must be inclusive to unlock the benefits. It must be used to enable MSMEs,” he said. Phl case cited Concepcion cited the Philippines case as an example of how digital technology has helped MSMEs compete with big corporations and gave birth to a thriving digital economy that was further hastened by the pandemic lockdowns. Aside from Concepcion, other speakers in the session were Sam Myers, deputy trade commissioner for Asia Pacific (Southeast Asia) at the UK Department for Business and Trade; Haslina Taib, CEO of Dynamic Technologies; Yuem Kuan Moon, CEO of Singtel; and Kok Ping Soon, CEO of Singapore Business Federation. Bank of Indonesia Governor Dr. Perry Warijjyo, Temasek Holdings CEO Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara; and Japan External Trade Organization Chairman Ishiguro Norihiko delivered keynote remarks, while ASEAN-BAC Indonesia Policy Manager for Digital Transformation Yohanes Lukiman gave a policy presentation. The post Digitizing a must — Concepcion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cultivating innovation, technology transfer and IP
On a recent visit to Pola, Oriental Mindoro, I had the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Modesto A. Landicho, the chair of the Matulatula Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative, or MARCCO. They have recently acquired the technology to effectively eliminate the bitterness of the traditional calamansi juice, leaving only the extract from the pulp. In turn, this technology has greatly improved the sales and ease of labor for the 520 members of the cooperative. To Mr. Landicho, this was a big win for the small cooperative. While there are still ongoing fixes needed to maximize this technology, he can now focus on other priority areas in farming, as the squeezing process has been cut to merely minutes. While this was a short visit to the cooperative, I was reminded of how effective intellectual property sharing, paired with the appropriate technology, greatly improves the work of agri-laborers, especially for the MARCCO population more than half of whom are women. This success story was a result of the Philippines’ long and fruitful partnership with the Korea Intellectual Property Association, or KIPA. Endorsed by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, or IPOPHL, and assisted by the Department of Trade and Industry Region IV-B, MARCCO was able to receive an IP-sharing incentive from the Korea association. After a series of knowledge-sharing sessions, MARCCO and KIPA settled on a trademark and patent-sharing agreement for a fruit squeezing apparatus fit for the calamansi citrus fruit, one of Oriental Mindoro’s high-value commercial crops. However, KIPA’s project did not stop with IP-sharing. The most crucial part of this cooperation lies in the constant knowledge-sharing seminars where both KIPA and MARCCO identify sustainability matters, thus making sure the technology remains tailor-fit to the demands of calamansi production. While technology transfer is simply a component in the long value chain of agricultural products, it is important to understand how it can affect crop processing that turns raw harvests into marketable products. Technology transfer is the process by which innovations are disseminated from research institutions and private companies to farmers and the broader agricultural community. This industry practice bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and practical on-the-ground implementation. The success of this collaborative IP-sharing project truly depended on its sustainability checks that strengthened the project’s approach to appropriate technology. Appropriate technology refers to innovations that are well-suited to the local conditions and needs of the users. In agriculture, this means developing solutions that are not only effective but also practical for small-scale farmers in diverse environments. For MARCCO, it was when the cooperation ensured that the existing technology from Korea was fabricated and made usable for the small size of the calamansi. By globally sharing their research and technology, innovators can strike a balance between protecting their intellectual property and ensuring widespread access to appropriate technology. Ultimately, this example of public and private coordination facilitating technology transfer is a potential framework for our countless agricultural cooperatives nationwide. Now, MARCCO is soon to be the patent holder for this innovation — an opportunity to manufacture the technology on a larger scale and provide more food manufacturing jobs to the calamansi communities of Pola. Indeed, the future of agriculture depends on our ability to cultivate innovation while ensuring that no one is left behind in the fields of progress. The post Cultivating innovation, technology transfer and IP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Let there be light: Davao de Oro rice mill gets energized
A rural farming cooperative in the town of Laak in Davao de Oro has ramped up its livelihood operations following the energization assistance provided by the One Meralco Foundation, resulting in better income opportunities for members of the local community. [caption id="attachment_179231" align="aligncenter" width="1170"] Members of the Laak Multipurpose Cooperative in Laak, Davao de Oro prepare to mill rice grains or palay following the electrification assistance of the One Meralco Foundation.[/caption] The project involves the installation of a 5.1-kilowatt peak solar photovoltaic system for the rice milling facility of the Laak Multipurpose Cooperative, whose operations have long been hampered by the lack of reliable power supply. With the new solar facility, the cooperative has increased its production by over threefold to over 100 sacks of milled rice daily from around 30 sacks per day previously. The boost in rice mill production also provides additional capital for farmers to sustain their crops throughout the planting season. LAMPCO general manager Edesa Morante said the energization assistance provided by OMF also allowed the cooperative to cater to more community members. “While power is a basic need, the impact it generates to our organization and the community magnifies how power in its basic form can change lives and make it better. We are now moving forward as a multipurpose cooperative and along with us are the many households that depend on our services. The benefits we gained from the energization will ripple to our members and the rest of the communities we serve,” Morante said. The energization of agriculture and livelihood projects is among the initiatives of OMF under its community electrification program, which also covers off-grid public schools, low-income households in the Meralco franchise area, rural health centers and water access. “Lack of electricity continues to be a challenge for many communities especially in rural Philippines. The agriculture and livelihood electrification is an expansion of our community electrification program that fosters inclusivity and equitable access to basic services powered by sustainable and renewable energy solution,” OMF president Jeffrey O. Tarayao said. As the corporate social development arm of the Manila Electric Company, OMF is committed to providing access to energy to as many underserved communities as possible as part of its mission to spreading the light. The post Let there be light: Davao de Oro rice mill gets energized appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DSWD Project LAWA to improve community resilience amid El Niño
The Department of Social Welfare and Development over the weekend said that Project LAWA or the Local Adaptation to Water Access will improve the resiliency of communities affected by the El Niño phenomenon. Project LAWA, which was simultaneously launched in Davao de Oro, Ifugao, and Antique on Thursday (31 August), is an early action plan of the government to mitigate the impacts of drought and dry spells by establishing small farm reservoirs (SFRs). “By building water-harvesting facilities, our farmers and fisherfolk will be ready for the effects of El Niño and climate change," DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said. "They can use SRFs to improve the production of crops or they can use it as fishponds for an additional income,” Lopez, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, pointed out. The LAWA project targets to construct 90 SFRs in the nine local government units (LGUs) in Davao de Oro, Ifugao, and Antique. The three provinces were chosen based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) geophysical map which showed that Davao de Oro, Ifugao, and Antique would be severely affected by El Niño. To assist the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized families of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), farmers, and fisherfolk, the DSWD, through its cash-for-training and –work program, will provide financial support as an alternative income in exchange for the work rendered by the beneficiaries while constructing the alternative water resources. “Through this cost-efficient and small-scale infrastructure for community-based rainwater retention, production of crops will not be affected, hence the continuous income of our farmers,” the DSWD spokesperson explained. According to the Department of Agriculture-Water Resources Management Division, SFR is a smaller version of Small Water Impounding Projects (SWIP) that “collects rainfall and runoff for use by a single farm, with height of less than 4 meters and reservoir area of 300–1,500 square meters serving about half to a hectare of farmlands.” In partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), the DSWD is exploring the possibility of applying vermicomposting to Project LAWA in 2024 to further provide the beneficiary- communities with alternatives to increase crop yield. The post DSWD Project LAWA to improve community resilience amid El Niño appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NHA, DA launch 1st Kadiwa store in Tanay housing project
The National Housing Authority and the Department of Agriculture launched the first Kadiwa pop-up store in Eastshine Residences, Brgy. Plaza Aldea, Tanay, Rizal on Sunday. NHA General Manager Joeben Tai joined the DA in carrying out its mission to provide low-income Filipino families with access to affordable and quality goods. The NHA beneficiaries, he said, can now take advantage of fresh vegetables, fruits, and meat products at cheaper prices. NHA Assistant General Manager Alvin S. Feliciano on the other hand said, “The partnership of the National Housing Authority with the Department of Agriculture through the KADIWA program aims to ensure that food commodities are made available and accessible in high consumer demand areas across NHA resettlement projects. This will connect food producers to consumers, making products less costly." Feliciano guaranteed that the NHA will ensure the installation of a Kadiwa store in every NHA resettlement site. Meanwhile, Ma. Antonia Dynalene Tiongco, officer-in-charge of the NHA Socio-Economic Development Division, announced the upcoming launching of Kadiwa stores in various regions. "The next Kadiwa pop-up stores will be launched on September 10, 2023, at St. Therese Housing Project, Brgy. Dalig, Teresa, Rizal, and on September 16, 2023, at Katuparan Village, Norzagaray, Bulacan," Tiongco pronounced. The Kadiwa pop-up stores will operate every Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to noon. The post NHA, DA launch 1st Kadiwa store in Tanay housing project appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»