PCAF-CPLFC meets with PCIC on livestock insurance

Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) Actuarial Research and Product Valuation Department Officer-in-Charge Carmen Hutaba (main photo, in red) discusses the PCIC insurance programs for livestock and non-crop agricultural asset during the special meeting of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) Committee on Poultry, Livestock and Feed Crops (CPLFC) on April 23, 2014. This is in line with the interest that the committee had expressed during the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAF Council) meeting last March 27 on the possibility of collaborating with the PCIC to improve its livestock insurance program. Hutaba’s presentation focused on the PCIC’s types of insurance covers for livestock and poultry, policies on eligibility, amount of cover and premium rates, insurable age, covered risks, application and claims procedures, and sample computations under the livestock and non-crop agricultural asset insurance lines. Following the said meeting, CPLFC members, led by Committee Chairperson Rufina Salas (insert photo, center), will submit a proposal outlining other components that should be added to enhance the said PCIC insurance lines.

20 young Filipino farmers to undergo training in Japan

The young Filipino farmers who have qualified for the ASEAN Young Farm Leaders Training Program pose for a group photo with Office of the PCAF Deputy Executive Director OIC Alexander Daroya, former Philippine Agricultural Attaché to Japan Jojo Sison, PCAF Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan and Nihongo instructors Corazon Shobiri and Melinda Sigue during the PDOC commencement ceremony on April 4.

The young Filipino farmers who have qualified for the ASEAN Young Farm Leaders Training Program pose for a group photo with Office of the PCAF Deputy Executive Director OIC Alexander Daroya, former Philippine Agricultural Attaché to Japan Jojo Sison, PCAF Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan and Nihongo instructors Corazon Shobiri and Melinda Sigue during the PDOC commencement ceremony on April 4.

Twenty young farmers and farm leaders from different areas across the country have qualified for the ASEAN Young Farm Leaders Training Program in Japan this year.

Set to undergo 11-month on-farm training with Japanese host farmers starting this April are: Neil Anthony Aban (Masbate), Romel Agrabio (Campostela Valley), Blesslee Anggadol (Kalinga), Billy James Apanti (Catanduanes), Gil Araña (South Cotabato), Jonathan Corea (Camarines Norte), Joselito Cortes (Nueva Vizcaya), Reyzard Dumilag (Negros Occidental), Ronald Echon (Zambales), Romy James (Sultan Kudarat), Joejin Jarcon (Davao del Sur), Anderson Latam (Camarines Sur), Bryan Lucañas (Davao del Norte), Raymart Manong (North Cotabato), Robert Luis Marciano (Ilocos Sur), Ernesto Perlas, Jr. (Nueva Ecija), Rodrigo Segundo (La Union), Andro Shalom (Negros Oriental), Ariel Taniegra (Camarines Norte), and Raffy Tinagan (Negros Oriental).

The said young farmers flew to Japan on April 10 after passing the 75-day Pre-Departure Orientation Course (PDOC) under the Young Filipino Farmers Training Program in Japan (YFFTPJ), which is implemented by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) in collaboration with the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council and Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The PDOC entails basic courses on rice, vegetable, swine, and cattle production, farm business planning, farm mechanization, computer literacy, formal Nihongo, Japanese culture and tradition, values formation and leadership training, among others.

On April 4, the young farmers received certificates of completion at the PDOC commencement ceremony held at the PCAF Apacible Conference Room, Department of Agriculture (DA) Compound, Diliman, Quezon City.

Twenty-five-year-old Echon, who topped the class, gratefully received his certificate and a token of recognition for his performance.

“I’d intended to give it my best from the very beginning and, with my fellow young farmers as inspiration, I was able to achieve my goal. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that should not be wasted, and I thank the DA, PCAF and the Japanese Government for giving us this chance,” he said.

PCAF officials led by Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan, former Philippine Agricultural Attaché to Japan Joseph Sison, PDOC instructors and mentors, Farm Youth Development Program Coordinators, other partners, and the trainees’ friends and families were also present at the event.

Looking forward

In his speech as president of this year’s batch of trainees, 23-year-old Aban acknowledged that the training in Japan will not be easy especially because of the foreign culture and the geographical distance between them and their families. Nonetheless, Aban knows that, with the knowledge he gained from the PDOC, he’ll be able to overcome difficulties.

“Alam po namin na magiging mahirap ang training namin doon hindi lamang dahil sa malayo kami sa aming mga pamilya kundi po sa bagong kultura. Alam po namin na malaking pagsubok sa amin ang tamang komunikasyon sa magiging host farmer namin doon sa Japan kaya po nagpapasalamat po kami sa aming mga sensei sa kanilang matiyagang pagtuturo at paghahanda sa amin at maipakita po namin na angat ang Pinoy pagdating sa Nihongo,” he said.

[“We know that the training in Japan will not be easy not only because we are away from our families but also because of the new culture. We know that communicating with our Japanese host farmers will be a challenge that’s why we are thankful to our language instructors for their patience in teaching us Japanese and preparing us for our training so that we can show that we, Filipinos, can also excel in Nihongo.”]

Aban, the third in a brood of 10, also thanked all their instructors and mentors for giving them new knowledge and enriching their skills that will help them perform well in their training in Japan.

“We promise to do our best and share whatever we learn from our training with our fellow farmers once we get back home,” he said.

Aban’s older sister, Maria Chrisden Concha, who made sure to attend the PDOC graduation ceremony, could not contain her tears as she expressed her joy on his brother’s achievements.

“It fills me with great pride to see what my brother has achieved in spite of the hardships we’ve had. I am really thankful that he was given this chance. As the eldest male in the family, I am confident that he’ll have a better future now, even though he was not able to finish college, and that he’ll be able to help our parents raise our younger siblings and provide for his future family,” she said.

Life-changing experience

Having a farmer as father, 23-year-old Corea saw a better future in agriculture than in working with computers that, despite having completed a two-year vocational course in computer hardware servicing, he decided to work in their five-hectare farm and join the 4-H Club in their area.

In an interview, Corea revealed that joining the YFFTPJ has altered his outlook in life and that he knows that his training in Japan will bring further good changes.

“Nabigyan po ako ng pag-asa sa mas magandang buhay ng programang ito at naipakita nito na pwede ring maging magandang pagkakakitaan ang pagsasaka. Ang YFFTPJ ay malaking tulong upang mailayo ang mga kabataang tulad ko sa paggawa ng masama at pagtambay,” he said.

[“The program has given me hope for a better life and has shown me that farming can be a good source of livelihood. I think the YFFTPJ is a big help in veering young people like me away from engaging in wrongdoings and idling time away.”]

Flor Olivar, Corea’s mentor during the 75-day home-stay module that precedes the PDOC, echoed the latter’s insight about the program.

Olivar, 43, was a part of batch 1998 of YFFTPJ trainees. Since his return from the Toyama Prefecture, Olivar has been able to grow his own organic farms in different areas in San Vicente, Camarines Norte, as well as develop his piggery and poultry businesses.

The trainee-turned-mentor also joined their Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council in 2007 where he was elected as chairperson in 2012 and treasurer of the Camarines Norte Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council from 2005 to 2010. Now, he serves as a councilor in Barangay Calabagas.

“The training I had in Japan helped me a lot because it shaped my attitude and developed my skills in farming. It truly was a great experience,” he said.

All-out support

Like any other parents, Ernesto and Josephine Perlas wish nothing but a good life for their son, Ernesto, Jr. More than that, however, they believe that it is important that their son will be a good role model to his fellow young farmers and be always helpful to those in need.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa Panginoon sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon na ibinigay sa aming anak. Naniniwala ako na ito ay pagkakataon para siya ay makapagbahagi ng mga biyaya sa ibang taong mas mahirap pa sa kanya. Basta may sipag at tiyaga, alam namin na mapagtatagumpayan niya ang kanyang pagsasanay,” the senior Ernesto said. He, his wife, and Ernesto, Jr.’s adopted brothers and fellow 4-H youth were in full force during the PDOC commencement ceremony.

[“We thank the Lord for the unexpected opportunity given to our son. I believe that this is a chance for him to share blessings to those less fortunate than him. With diligence and perseverance, we know that he will do a great job in his training.”]

A Nursing undergrad, Ernesto, Jr. had been helping his father manage their farm in Palayan City before he was selected for the YFFTPJ. He also served as the president of their local 4-H Club and has encouraged many young farmers to join them and cultivate their knowledge and skills on farming.

Ernesto, Jr. shared that because of the strong support given to them by the local DA office and local government unit, their organization has remained active over the years and is able to pursue various projects, one of which is the peanut butter production they’ve started around two years ago.

Because of the success of the project, the group was granted a loan from the Agricultural Training Institute amounting to P55,000 which they plan to use in purchasing some materials they need for the project such as a grinding machine.

“It is a truly a privilege to be chosen as trainee of the YFFTPJ. I thank all of those who have been supporting us from the start and I promise that we will impart our learning to our respective communities,” Ernesto, Jr., who also serves as the batch’s vice president, said.

PCAF Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan congratulates this year’s YFFTPJ participants and hopes that more young farmers like them seize the opportunity to help foster the growth of the country’s agriculture sector.

Ronald Echon of Candelaria, Zambales humbly shakes hands with Office of the PCAF Deputy Executive Director OIC Alexander Daroya after receiving his hard-earned certificate of completion.

Batch president Neil Anthony Aban thanks all the people and organizations that continue to help young farmers like them develop their families’ farms and allow them not only to hone their farming skills but also to propagate their learning in their communities.

Batch vice president Ernesto Perlas, Jr. leads the YFFTPJ Pledge of Commitment during the PDOC commencement ceremony.

Twenty-three-year-old Jonathan Corea (second from right) proudly recites the YFFTPJ Pledge of Commitment along with his fellow trainees

Sec. Alcala welcomes PCAF TF Yolanda’s proposed initiatives for Yolanda-hit farmers, fisherfolk

Recognizing the need to go beyond the provision of aid to Yolanda-affected farmers and fishermen and take a more proactive and integrated approach towards the development and resiliency of the agri-fishery sector, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala convened a meeting with the National Coordination Office for DA Rehabilitation Assistance for Yolanda (DA-RAY) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) Task Force Yolanda (TF Yolanda) last March 31, 2014.

The said meeting was requested by the task force, through a resolution passed during its meeting last February 20, 2014, in line with the members’ request to review the framework of the DA rehabilitation and reconstruction initiatives to come up with a comprehensive and integrated disaster management framework that can be adopted for future disaster response for the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

Officials from DA Regional Field Offices in Regions VI, VII and VIII and various DA bureaus and attached agencies such as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), were also in attendance to report on the status of their respective ongoing recovery and rehabilitation initiatives, as well as their work plan and budget for upcoming programs.

BFAR Director Asis Perez reported that, under the Ahon Project, more than 16,500 fishing boats have already been distributed to fishing families affected by super typhoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan) in the Western, Central and Eastern Visayas regions.

PCA’s report outlined the agency’s efforts in terms of debris management, fertilization, replanting and intercropping, with a budget of around PhP2.8 billion. PCA Deputy Administrator Roel Rosales disclosed that they have purchased around 1,200 chainsaws, which are mostly being used in clearing felled coconut trees, and other equipment such as saw mills and shredders to speed up the clearing operations.

“So far, around 700 hectares of land have been cleared of felled coconut trees, which is equivalent to 70, 087 trees and 6.7 million board feet of coco lumber which were used in building houses for the affected families,” he said.

He added that there are a total of 87,630 bags of Coco Gro Fertilizer that are already available and 561,447 coconut seedlings have already been replanted in 5,600 hectares of land. PCA has also distributed 350,000 camote cuttings and 219,000 packets of “pinakbet” seeds in different areas in Visayas.

The DA RFOs, on the other hand, reported their accomplishments on initiatives such as clearing operations, fuel subsidy, distribution of seeds (rice, corn and vegetables), and provision of farm tools and fertilizers.

Recommendations from the members of the task force include the conduct of a stakeholder consultation at the ground level with regard to the 40-meter no-build zone and fisherfolk settlement, conduct of agricultural fairs to restart economic activities in the affected areas, consider the use of coco fiber-cement board for low-cost housing, jumpstart PalayBangon program in Region VIII, and utilization of the integrated multihazard and climate change-integrated maps for the Philippine National Aquasilviculture Program, coconut replanting efforts and other medium- and long-term rehabilitation programs.

Members of the PCAF TF Yolanda offer insights on areas that need to be given attention as the rehabilitation efforts in Visayas are being carried out.

Members of the PCAF TF Yolanda offer insights on areas that need to be given attention as the rehabilitation efforts in Visayas are being carried out.

Sec. Alcala also instructed the Bureau of Plant Industry to assess the damage to plant genetic resources in Samar and identify strategies to ensure the conservation of indigenous crop species and varieties.

Sec. Alcala also welcomed Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association Foundation, Inc. president Joel Panagsacan’s offer to help concerned agencies and offices in the procurement of the machinery and equipment needed.

Livestock and poultry stakeholders also lauded Sec. Alcala for immediately acting on the needs Yolanda-hit poultry groups in Bantayan Island through credit access in the Land Bank of the Philippines, especially as the Secretary expanded the coverage to include not only those affected by Yolanda but also by typhoon Santi (international codename: Nari).

In line with this, members of the PCAF Committee on Poultry, Livestock and Feed Crops (CPLFC) hoped that typhoon-affected livestock raisers/farmers are given insurance coverage and/or premium subsidy through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.

Sec. Alcala assured the CPLFC members that the Department will act on this immediately. He also asked them to suggest other areas of investments that livestock and poultry raisers in Bantayan Island can venture into.

see also: http://nafc.da.gov.ph/NAFCNEWs/2014/yolanda.html

NAF Council endorses DA’s proposed 2015 budget

DA officials led by Sec. Proceso Alcala discuss the Department’s budget proposal for 2015 with NAF Council members and other partners.

DA officials led by Sec. Proceso Alcala discuss the Department’s budget proposal for 2015 with NAF Council members and other partners.

 The National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAF Council) en banc has unanimously approved the proposed PhP134.5 Billion budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA) for fiscal year 2015.

In a meeting convened on March 27, 2014 at the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Convention Hall in Diliman, Quezon City, representatives of the different government agencies, private entities, civil society organizations (CSOs), non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations, farmer associations and women groups that compose the NAF Council supported the 2015 plan and budget proposal for the agriculture and fishery sectors.

The proposed budget is 68% higher than last year’s budget under the General Appropriations Act. With these funds, the DA hopes to achieve its subsector outcomes based on the Philippine Development Plan and DA Performance-Informed Budget Indicators which are increased productivity, forward linkage to the industry and services sector, and sector’s resilience to climate change, especially in light of the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda last year.

The budget was also crafted towards achieving inclusive growth and in line with the country’s preparation for the ASEAN economic integration.

For 2015, the DA has proposed PhP360 Million for agriculture and fishery policy services and PhP20.8 Billion for technical and support services which include production support services, market development services and extension support, education and training services, and research and development.

Funds for irrigation network services under the budget proposal are worth PhP54.3 Billion; farm-to-market road network services, PhP20 Billion; agricultural equipment and facilities, PhP9.2 Billion; agriculture and fishery regulation services, PhP3.2 Billion; and, credit support services, PhP2 Billion.

In line with its goal to attain and sustain rice self-sufficiency by 2015, DA has proposed PhP10.3 Billion for the rice program. The proposed budget for the livestock program is PhP2.9 Billion, corn program PhP3 Billion, high value crops PhP2.7 Billion, and organic program PhP1.4 Billion.

Aside from the crafted interventions, the DA will also consider the recommendations of the NAF Council members during the said meeting which include private sector participation in monitoring agri-fishery projects, the completion of the delineation of municipal waters, insurance for the livestock sector, and speeding up the formulation of vulnerability maps in Yolanda-affected areas to aid the rehabilitation efforts.

NAF Council members also sought for the creation of a task force or a technical working group (TWG) that will formulate guidelines in the implementation of fishery projects to ensure that these projects address the need of the sector and support the goal on inclusive growth.

Coconut industry stakeholders also called on the DA to order the creation of a TWG of experts that will tackle the worsening problem on scale insect infestation.

DA Usec. Antonio Fleta, Sec. Proceso Alcala, Usec. Segfredo Serrano and PCAF Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan address the concerns raised by the NAF Council members.

DA Usec. Antonio Fleta, Sec. Proceso Alcala, Usec. Segfredo Serrano and PCAF Exec. Dir. Ariel Cayanan address the concerns raised by the NAF Council members.

The NAF Council’s approval greenlights the Department’s submission of the 2015 plan and budget proposal to the Department of Budget and Management.

The said NAF Council meeting was attended by officials from 13 line agencies, 10 CSOs, eight National Sectoral Committees and five Regional Agricultural and Fishery Councils.

DA Secretary Proceso Alcala thanked the members of the private sector, CSOs, NGOs and other groups for helping the Department ensure that the funds are spent appropriately.

“We hope that we can continue this partnership to enhance transparency which our President constantly promotes. We are always open to your inputs on other programs that will help increase the income of our farmers and fishermen,” he said.

see also: http://nafc.da.gov.ph/NAFCNEWs/2014/cso.html

News Briefs on Budget Committee Meeting and Pre-NAF Council Meeting

In a meeting convened on March 27, 2014 at the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Convention Hall in Diliman, Quezon City, representatives of the different government agencies, private entities, civil society organizations (CSOs), non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations, farmer associations and women groups that compose the NAF Council supported the 2015 plan and budget proposal for the agriculture and fishery sectors.

In light of the presentation of the DA proposed FY2015  plan and budget to the NAF Council, the NAF Council Budget Committee was convened last March 14. The committee identified priority and critical budget-related problems, issues and concerns to be acted on and recommendations to consider. One of the recommendations is for the DA to give attention on the productivity of rice farmers by increasing the budget for research that will focus on the competitiveness of the rice sector, support to small scale irrigation systems which are more sustainable, and provision of subsidies to improve profitability and decrease production costs. The coconut sector also called for the increase in budget for research studies on how to eradicate scale insects, which currently threaten many coconut farms in Luzon. In line with this, the Philippine Coconut Authority disclosed that they have proposed PhP15 million for research and development on scale insect infestation for 2015 and is also pushing for increased productivity of coconut farms through intercropping, livestock-raising and processing. National Sectoral Committee chairpersons also offered to help in monitoring agricultural projects, programs and budget utilization. Other concerns are on the competitiveness of rice farmers once trade liberalization takes effect, resiliency of the fishery sector, poverty alleviation among fishermen, and high irrigation service fees. The stakeholders also stressed that the budget should be informed by the results of commodity roadmap initiatives.

DA officials led by Sec. Proceso Alcala discuss the Department’s budget proposal for 2015 with NAF Council members and other partners. In line with its thrust to ensure that its consultative bodies are actively engaged in shaping national and local agriculture and fishery development, the PCAF presented its 2015 budget proposal to its partners in the NSCs and AFCs on March 26, 2014. PCAF Executive Director Ariel Cayanan presented the within-the-ceiling and above-the-ceiling budget proposal of the agency which amounts to a total of PhP203 million. The crafted budget proposal is based on the reformulated and restructured Major Final Output (MFO) and Programs, Activities and Projects (PAPs) in line with the consolidation of its precursor agencies, the National Agricultural and Fishery Council and the Livestock Development Council. The PCAF has one MFO which is Agriculture and Fishery Policy Services and under this are three proposed PAPs, namely, Development and Coordination of Agriculture and Fishery Policies; Planning, Monitoring and Knowledge Management; and, Partnership Development. He also highlighted the agency’s initiatives related to Gender and Development and Climate Change. The NSC and AFC officers in attendance suggested interventions that will help in improving the state of the sector and its stakeholders. The NSC and AFC officers hoped that there would be an efficient feedback mechanism on the policy recommendations and resolutions being passed and the results of the monitoring activities not only on project implementation but also on budget utilization. They also sought for a regular assessment of the impact of agri-fishery programs, projects and policies to the farmers and fisherfolk to whom these are intended for. see also: http://nafc.da.gov.ph/NAFCNEWs/2014/briefs.html

DA officials led by Sec. Proceso Alcala discuss the Department’s budget proposal for 2015 with NAF Council members and other partners.

In line with its thrust to ensure that its consultative bodies are actively engaged in shaping national and local agriculture and fishery development, the PCAF presented its 2015 budget proposal to its partners in the NSCs and AFCs on March 26, 2014. PCAF Executive Director Ariel Cayanan presented the within-the-ceiling and above-the-ceiling budget proposal of the agency which amounts to a total of PhP203 million. The crafted budget proposal is based on the reformulated and restructured Major Final Output (MFO) and Programs, Activities and Projects (PAPs) in line with the consolidation of its precursor agencies, the National Agricultural and Fishery Council and the Livestock Development Council. The PCAF has one MFO which is Agriculture and Fishery Policy Services and under this are three proposed PAPs, namely, Development and Coordination of Agriculture and Fishery Policies; Planning, Monitoring and Knowledge Management; and, Partnership Development. He also highlighted the agency’s initiatives related to Gender and Development and Climate Change. The NSC and AFC officers in attendance suggested interventions that will help in improving the state of the sector and its stakeholders. The NSC and AFC officers hoped that there would be an efficient feedback mechanism on the policy recommendations and resolutions being passed and the results of the monitoring activities not only on project implementation but also on budget utilization. They also sought for a regular assessment of the impact of agri-fishery programs, projects and policies to the farmers and fisherfolk to whom these are intended for.

see also: http://nafc.da.gov.ph/NAFCNEWs/2014/briefs.html