MOMU Signing for Safe Vegetable and Livestock Production Project

Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for Field Operations and National Coordinator for Rice Program Dante Delima and Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan signed the Memorandum of Mutual Understanding (MOMu) for the Safe Plant and Livestock Production Technology Dissemination Project (SPLPT) on November 25 and 26, respectively. The project is an initiative of the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC) under the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) Technical Cooperation for Grassroots Projects, in collaboration with the DA, PCAF and the local government of Minamimaki-Mura Town, Nagano, Japan. The project will provide technical assistance through a one-day seminar for local government unit (LGU) personnel and farmers in the targeted area to create awareness and understanding on the usefulness and practical methods of SPLPT and for policy planners in the national government and LGUs to support the dissemination of the technology in the grassroots level. The project will also include a three-year on-farm technical internship training for an initial batch of five farmers on vegetable and livestock production in Minamimaki-Mura in Japan. In top photo (from left) are JAEC Training Coordinator Yoichiro Kawasaki, USec. Delima and Local Support and Coordination Division Assistant Chief Solidad Bernardo. Lower photo shows PCAF Exec. Dir. Cayanan signing the MOMu in the presence of JAEC Traning Coordinator Kawasaki.

DA PIOs 2nd Sem Meeting and Planning Workshop

Public Information Officers (PIOs) from various attached agencies and bureaus of the Department of Agriculture (DA) convened for the 2nd Semester Consultative Meeting and Planning Workshop last November 19 to 22 at Java Hotel, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. The event was spearheaded by the DA Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (DA-AFID) to develop a more efficient network of PIOs as they play a significant role in delivering relevant and updated information on the DA’s latest initiatives and programs. Representing the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, the consolidated agency of the National Agricultural and Fishery Council and Livestock Development Council, were Shirley Pascua and Rachelle Ayllon. The event served as a venue to provide the information officers updates on the DA’s banner programs. Mr. Noel Reyes of DA-AFID and Caelestis Productions, Inc. President & CEO Sally Jo Bellosillo also gave lectures on Tri-Media for Internal and External Publics and Social Media, respectively.

World Food Day Mosaic-Making Contest Winners Educational Tour, Courtesy Call with Sec. Alcala and Awarding

(Top photo) The national winners of the 2013 World Food Day (WFD) Mosaic-Making Contest, together with their mentors, pose with officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA), United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization and National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) after receiving their plaques and cash prizes during the WFD Celeration program at the Quezon City Memorial Circle last October 16. Also part of the winners’ prize package is the three-day educational tour sponsored by NAFC, which was held last October 12-14. Among the places visited were the Blanco Family Museum, Tiamson Gallery, The House of Botong Francisco and Balaw Balaw Art Gallery in Angono, Rizal; the Shoe Museum in Marikina City; the Manila Ocean Park and the National Museum in Manila; Residence Inn in Tagaytay; and the Aguinaldo Shrine in Cavite.

(Bottom photo) The winning students, their mentors and the coordinators of the WFD Mosaic-Making Contest from DA and NAFC during their courtesy call with DA Secretary Proceso Alcala (in white) and NAFC Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan (standing, fourth from left) last October 16.

Orientation on Gender and Development (GAD) and Magna Carta of Women for NSC Officers and Members

To raise the awareness of the agency’s partners in the National Sectoral Committees (NSCs) about Gender and Development (GAD), the NAFC GAD Focal Point System (FPS) gathered NSC officers and members for an Orientation on Basic GAD Concepts and the Magna Carta of Women last October 4, 2013 at the Apacible Conference Room. The speakers for each topic were Ms. Mildred Mercene-Buazon, OIC of the Administrative Division of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Vice Chairperson of the BFAR GAD-FPS, and Ms. Daryl Leyesa, secretary general of the Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan, respectively. Through the said undertaking, the NAFC GAD-FPS hopes to increase the consciousness of NSC partners on gender issues affecting agriculture and fisheries and underscore equal participation of men and women in policy formulation and decision-making. The orientation conducted was part of the NAFC GAD-FPS’ activities in its efforts of mainstreaming GAD.

LDC-NAFC Gen. Assembly

In light of the issuance of Department Order No. 06, Series of 2013 of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on the Consolidation of the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) and Livestock Development Council (LDC) into the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), NAFC and LDC employees convened for a general assembly last October 9, 2013 at the Apacible Conference Room. Incumbent directors, NAFC Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan and LDC Exec. Dir. Manuel Jarmin, spoke to the employees of both agencies and shared their thoughts on the approaching transition. Both directors called for the active participation and cooperation of all the staff from both agencies for the transition and consolidation efforts that are underway. Dir. Jarmin also proudly looked back on the three years he served as the head of LDC and expressed high confidence on the LDC staff that they will be able to overcome the ‘challenge’ at hand. He emphasized that both agencies, as PCAF, should be able to ‘hit the ground running’ by next year and for the staff to try their best to serve the Department of Agriculture, its partners and the public. Meanwhile, Dir. Cayanan, who will serve as the director of PCAF, appealed to the NAFC and LDC staff to be patient and begin trusting one another as “we find the equilibrium”. He also stressed that his door is always open to all the members of both agencies’ workforce. The general assembly also served as a venue for the employees to air their concerns and inquiries on matters related to the rationalization process.

Top photo: LDC Exec. Dir. Manuel Jarmin delivers a bittersweet message to LDC and NAFC staff during the general assembly last October 9.

Middle photo: NAFC Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan looks forward to the harmonious partnership among NAFC and LDC staff in preparation for the implementation of the rationalization plan.

Bottom photo: Members of the NAFC and LDC workforce gather for a general assembly to discuss matters related to the consolidation of the two agencies.

PCAF Planning Workshop (October 9-11, 2013)

The National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) and the Livestock Development Council (LDC) are gearing up for the impending actualization of the approved agency rationalization plan in 2014. In preparation for the consolidation of the two agencies into a new institution under the name Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), a planning workshop was held last October 9-11, 2013 in Maharajah Hotel, Angeles City, Pampanga. Key officers of NAFC and LDC participated in the workshop to develop a shared understanding and deeper appreciation for the functional accountabilities, responsibilities and operational challenges of PCAF. With the expert guidance of accredited local and international consultant-facilitator, Ms. Carmen Auste, the attendees also determined the scope for the development of transition and integration framework plan, crafted strategic directions for PCAF for 2014, and formulated harmonized Major Final Outputs, Programs, Activities and Projects and performance indicators.

Top photo: NAFC and LDC staff pose for posterity to wrap up the PCAF Planning Workshop held in Pampanga. 

Middle photo: Accredited local and international consultant-trainer Carmen Auste lends her expertise to resolve strategic issues relative to the NAFC and LDC consolidation. 

Bottom photo: NAFC and LDC staff work together in strategizing consolidation and transition efforts for the implementation of the approved rationalization plan.

Phil hosts 1st ASEAN Conference on Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

o strengthen partnerships and cooperation among agricultural engineers in the ASEAN region in preparation for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, the first ASEAN Conference on Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ACABE) was held last September 24-26, 2013 at the Manila Hotel, with the theme “Integrating Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in the ASEAN for Food Security, Climate Change Mitigation and Global Practice.”

The conference was held through the partnership of the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and its regulatory board, the Board of Agricultural Engineering (BOAE), and the Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE), in coordination with various government departments, the Asian Association of Agricultural Engineers (AAAE), Food and Agriculture Organization and Philippine Technological Council.

The conference served as a venue to lay the initial groundwork for the development of harmonized qualifications and standards needed for the mobility of agricultural engineering services in the ASEAN region that will also support in achieving long-term competitiveness of ASEAN’s food, agriculture and forestry products and commodities.

“Agricultural and biosystems engineering is a very critical component in achieving food security which is one of the primary concerns of the AEC,” BOAE Chairperson Engr. Ariodear Rico, who served as the chairperson of the coordinating committee, stressed.

Around 600 participants, who were mostly agricultural engineers, government officials, researchers, policy makers, academicians, service providers, practitioners on agricultural and biosystems engineering technologies, and suppliers and distributors of machineries from the 10 member-countries of the ASEAN, attended the conference.

NAFC Executive Director Ariel Cayanan gave the opening remarks, stating that the conference will be a great opportunity to share experiences and forge partnerships among ASEAN countries to achieve sound agricultural development in the region.

Championing the agriculture sector

Senator Cynthia Villar stresses the crucial role of agricultural engineers in modernizing and making Philippine agriculture at par with the best of the world. (Photo by DA Information Service)

In her keynote speech, Senator Cynthia Villar expressed her gladness about the conference, saying that such initiative will help promote and advocate the needs of the agriculture sector which has been overlooked and under-prioritized for a long time.

Sen. Villar, who is also Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, stressed that agricultural and biosystems engineering is an integral discipline and profession that contributes greatly to the global competitiveness of the country’s agricultural products, especially in preparation for the implementation of the AEC 2015.

Citing the ASEAN’s efforts to ensure long-term food security and improve the livelihood of the farmers in the region through the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security (SPA-FS) in ASEAN, Sen. Villar voiced out the need to uplift the situation of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk.

Senator Cynthia Villar stresses the crucial role of agricultural engineers in modernizing and making Philippine agriculture at par with the best of the world. (Photo by DA Information Service)

“Filipino farmers and fisherfolk have always been considered as among the poorest in our country. It is about time we reverse that,” she said.

Sen. Villar assured stakeholders and industry players that she and the other legislators will do their share in helping them cope with the changes and challenges that will be encountered with the AEC integration.

She also congratulated the 237 passers of this year’s Agricultural Engineer Licensure Examination who took their oath last September 24, as spearheaded by the BOAE.

Presentations during the conference focused on a variety of topics including the implementation of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Agreement on Engineering Services, Guidelines and Accreditation of Agricultural Engineers for ASEAN Chartered Engineer Registry, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Components of the AIFS Framework, SPA-FS and Climate Change Mitigation Program.

Representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines also reported on the state of agriculture and gave an overview of agricultural and biosystems engineering in their respective countries.

Framework for cooperation

The Philippines’ proposed ASEAN Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) Framework for Cooperation and Complementary Action in Support to ASEAN Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation was also adopted and approved during the conference, as supported by the representatives of the other ASEAN countries as well as the ASEAN Secretariat.

The said framework aims to develop more efficient and safe technologies and facilities that will ensure food security and reduce the adverse impact of climate change.

Strategies to support the realization of goals under the framework include the Creation of ABE Working Group Research & Development, Establishment of Regional Standards, Capacity Development, Technology Promotion, Early Warning Systems and development of sustained financing mechanism.

The Philippines, through the PRC, will submit the said paper to the ASEAN body, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and other appropriate bodies.

Environment-sensitive, climate-resilient agriculture

Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary for Field Operations and National Coordinator for the DA Corn Program Edilberto de Luna delivered the keynote message from DA Secretary Proceso Alcala who was unable to attend due to another important engagement.

In his message, Sec. Alcala congratulated the organizers of the conference, saying that it is time not only to emphasize increasing food production but, more importantly, protect the environment to ensure continuous and sustainable productivity in the agriculture and fisheries sector. 

“We, at the DA, are pleased that the experts on ABE in the region have taken the initial steps in making the agricultural sector more sensitive to the environment , more resilient to the latest threat, specifically climate change, and more ready for easing up of trade restrictions by the year 2015,” he said.

DA Assistant Secretary Edilberto de Luna conveys Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala’s message
of underscoring the need to make the agriculture sector more resilient to climate change. (Photo by NAFC)

Sec. Alcala also explained how the DA is pushing for the better adoption of organic agriculture as a method of farming to source food, a profitable agriculture enterprise and a more enviroment-sensitive farming system.

He also cited other measures that can be done in the medium term to ensure productivity and protect the environment as suggested by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, namely rain-fed agriculture, better water management and village knowledge and technology centers.

Lastly, Sec. Alcala assured the agricultural engineers at the conference of the DA’s support to proposals to further promote sustainable agriculture in the country and greater cooperation with our Asian neighbors.

Other officials who graced the three-day event were ASEAN Secretariat Director Subash Bose Pillai, former AAAE President Dr. Makoto Hoki, PRC Chairperson Teresita Manzala, DFA-Office of the ASEAN Affairs Exec. Director Teresita Daza, PSAE President Engr. Henry Tristeza, and Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization Exec. Director Engr. Rex Bingabing.

An exhibit was also held simultaneously with the conference featuring the latest agricultural and biosystems engineering and mechanization products, services and technologies, as spearheaded by the Philippines' Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association, in partnership with the DA and Department of Trade and Industry.