CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- As part of its amplified efforts to support corn farmers in the region, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO)-10, under the leadership of Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, convened with the DA-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) to discuss the status of corn mechanization in Northern Mindanao on February 26 at the agency compound.
During the meeting, the attached agency announced its plans to conduct a series of visits to the municipalities and cities of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte from February 26 to March 4, to conduct an inventory of existing corn mechanization interventions in the area.
Specifically, the team seeks to gather data on the areas of coverage, usage history, and present condition, among others, of available corn machinery, facilities, and equipment at identified sites to determine their operational status.
DA-PHilMech Science Research Specialist Judy Ann G. Lacbaoan, who also leads the team for the Northern Mindanao leg of said undertaking, said the data collected will be highly insightful for the agency’s strategic provision of interventions for corn farmers in the country, especially in this region.
“The first stop in our series of visits in Mindanao is in Region 10, in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte, during which we hope to get an update on the status of corn mechanization in the area and collect data we can use for further interventions,” she said.
Identified as a top-producing region for yellow and white corn by the DA-PHilMech, the attached agency reiterates its commitment to support Northern Mindanao through the project, with visits to other provinces in Region 10 eyed during the second quarter of the year.
DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga expressed her thanks to the DA-PHilMech for the said project, citing its significant implications for boosting local productivity and fostering modernized agriculture in Region 10.
Present during the said meeting were DA-10 Regional Corn focal person Richan D. Lacanaria, Regional Agricultural Engineering Division Program and Project Management Section chief Engr. Romil G. Española, and staff. (DA-10/PIA-10)
