How To Bring Food Prizes Down? Start At The Farm, Not The Market!

Yes, when it comes to food, you can have everything today, despite the lockdown. That promise we get from government action, as reported by ANN – “DA-ACPC Expands Agri-Negosyo (ANYO) Loan Program To Help Strengthen Food Supply Chain[1]” (Author Not Named, 10 April 2021, ACPC.gov.ph).

Above, Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) Executive Director Jocelyn Alma R Badiola talks to marketers, part of a series of consultations to enable the ACPC to develop a food-supply-chain-financing program to directly link farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) as suppliers, to market vendors’ associations (MVAs) in Metro Manila as sellers. FCAs will produce what MVAs will sell in a smooth, continuous supply chain.

Secretary of Agriculture William Dar, ex-officio head of the Department of Agriculture (DA), to which the ACPC is attached, says:

We are initiating this financing program to institutionalize mutual partnership between the farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and market vendors, and create a “win-win” situation benefiting producers, retailers and consumers.

To complement the price cap declared 08 February 2021 via Executive Order 124 of President Rodrigo Duterte, the ACPC will implement a zero-interest non-collateral loan program offering working capital, not exceeding P5 million, to farmers’ and fishers’ cooperatives & associations (FCAs). Also on that date, Ms Jocelyn, along with ACPC Program Development & Management Division Director Cristina Lopez, and other ACPC officers and staff, joined DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness & Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) Kristine Evangelista, in a dialogue with market vendors at the Commonwealth Market in Quezon City. On 10 February, Miss Jocelyn and ACPC officers joined DA Undersecretary for Fisheries & Agri-Industrialization Cheryl Marie Caballero in a meeting with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. All the consultations were meant to finalize the terms and implementing guidelines for the program, which will be launched this month.

Under the financing program, the ACPC will engage their partner lending conduits such as the Agri Negosyo Loan Program and KAYA Loan Program to extend working capital loans – that is, revolving funds – to FCAs for them to purchase agriculture and/or fishery produce from member farmers/fishers. With the loans, the DA Regional Field Offices (RFOs) and AMAS will assist the FCAs into entering into a marketing agreement with individual market vendors who will pre-order the goods through an Ordering System. To pre-qualify, the vendors have to be individually endorsed by their MVAs. It is hoped that the Ordering System will reduce wastage of goods as the vendors will be dealing directly with suppliers.

Also, the RFO and AMAS will assist in transporting produce to the designated Bagsakan (sheltered & capacious drop point with restroom). After that, the vendors will receive the produce and sell to consumers at prices lower than or equal to the suggested retail prices. Thus, both the farmer and consumer groups are protected from vendors who otherwise would change the prices to the latter’s own delight.

Not only the production but also marketing system should be in order, for the sake of both food producers and consumers, who have always been on the losing ends.@517

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[1]https://acpc.gov.ph/da-acpc-expands-agri-negosyo-anyo-loan-program-to-help-strengthen-food-supply-chain/

“ACPC Financial Services?” – Good! “Farmers’ “Financial Management?” – Bad!

 

If you know what you need to do, you will keep doing it.

On page 119 of the coffee-table book The Filipino Farmer Is Bankable, the volume I produced for the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) to celebrate its Silver Anniversary on 25 April 2012, can be found these entries:

Vision
The ACPC is the institution on agri credit policy and program development that promotes sustainable and effective delivery of financial services in the countryside.

Mission
To develop and advocate agri credit policies and orchestrate programs that would promote farmers’ and fishers’ access to sustained financial services.

9 years later, on the ACPC website, ACPC.gov.ph, word-for-word the exact same Vision and Mission Statements[1] appear. What does that signify?

To me, it shows that the ACPC, after clearly defining its role in the nationwide development of PH Agriculture as an agency of the Department of Agriculture(DA), has remained steadfast in its institutional commitments. I find that unusual for any DA agency – and I must congratulate the ACPC for institutional clarity, commitment, and concretization!

Note that ACPC’s Vision is two-pronged: (a) development of sustainable policies & programs on agri credit, and (b) effective delivery of financial services to the countryside.

Other agencies may mention the word “sustainable” in their public statements and in the news reports emanating from them, but “sustainability” is seldom mentioned and even more seldom measured in their activities. 

I am referring to the sustainability of the enterprise of the small farmer. The Filipino farmers are historically non-viable or non-economically sound, and it will take a long time for the DA, even with the outstanding Team Captainship of Secretary of Agriculture William Dar, to help their business become economically viable, not to mention their farming environmentally sound.

“Your credit is good, but we need cash” is a sign in many a Pinoy variety store. The great majority of Pinoy farmers are always in need of cash because they do not manage their financial resources, relying on the Fast Cash of the moneylender, notwithstanding the charge of 20% for any loan. Always on Fast Cash, the farmer pays over-the-counter for his seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides – and these are his major expenses.

What to do? All farmer trainings, actual or virtual, have to be overhauled and designed with financial management inputted from beginning to end.

Here are instances for farmers to practice financial management:

Loans – Be a member of a cooperative; you will enjoy affordable loans.
Seeds – (1) Buy the variety appropriate to the season and field, with recorded high yield. (2) Sow only 20 kg of expensive hybrid seeds to grow seedlings for transplanting, not 40-50 kg.
Fertilizers – Do not over-fertilize.
Pesticides – Do not over-spray. Better, practice multiple cropping or trap cropping, zero pesticides.
Marketing – Your cooperative will sell your produce when the price is right!

The ACPC is for Financial Services and can only do so much. The farmer himself must be taught Financial Management, and this is the duty of those public & private trainers of farmers.

Now then, business-minded farmers, may their tribe increase!@517

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[1]http://210.5.72.214/acpc/about/vision-mission/

Start Economic Recovery, Start Public & Private Partnership – End The Lockdown Now!

Is the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) ready to fulfill its own nationwide agricultural responsibilities once all kinds of quarantines are down? Yes, under the leadership and planning-ahead head of Secretary William Dar.

Never. In my 20 years of blogging, after thousands upon thousands of short & long essays published online, I never wrote in favor of an advertisement – until now. I am looking at the Facebook ad of CitizenWatch Philippineswith the headline, “Public And Private Partnership Is The Key Towards Sustainable Development” (upper image above). And the lock to open it today is to end the lockdown!

CitizenWatch is saying:

We call on the government to work with the private sector in creating sustainable initiatives that will fortify a future-proofed Philippines beyond this pandemic.

"Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country[1]" – Charles E Weller. Today, we must love our country, all of it! Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country under lockdown!

Here is CitizenWatch Philippines telling us:

More than a year into the pandemic, the Philippines has yet to revive its ailing economy. In spite of this, the government maintains its stringent mobility restrictions, which hamper business operations throughout the country, especially in the National Capital Region.  Despite branding the current restrictions as a “bubble,” no differences can separate it from being a lockdown wherein businesses are only allowed to operate in limited capacities. This in turn will result into further economic slump…

Michael Beltransays, “The global crisis is first and foremost a public health issue[2]” (12 May 2020, “The Duterte Administration’s Covid-19 Response Marries Incompetence With Militarism,” The Diplomat). No. But continued lockdown has made it an economic crisis where everyone is losing! It is bad for everyone, but more so the unemployed and the poor. 

Without the lockdown, private sector to the rescue!

It is clear that after a year, no significant progress has been achieved… The most recent data from Pulse Asia survey (reveal)… Among the Most Urgent National Concerns are controlling inflation (43%), increasing the pay of workers (34%), providing assistance or subsidy to those who lost their livelihood and jobs because of Covid-19 pandemic (28%), reducing poverty (26%) and creating more jobs (26%).

And for private-public partnership, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is ready with its 12 Key Strategies for inclusive development, specifically #8 being “Mobilization & Empowerment Of Partners To Attain Scale” (undated, “The One DA Holistic Approach: Twelve (12) Key Strategies[3].” DA.gov.ph).

CitizenWatch also reports:

Pulse Asia also showed the Most Urgent Personal Concerns for Filipinos. First on the list is “to stay healthy and avoid illnesses” (74%); second is “at least to be able to have enough to eat every day” (47%); and third is “(to) have a secure/ well-paying job or source of income” (47%).

Please do not simply pray and pray for us Filipinos – end the lockdown so that we all can do something concrete for everyone!@517

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[1]https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2020/12/now_is_the_time_for_all_good_men_to_come_to_the_aid_of_their_country.html

[2]https://thediplomat.com/2020/05/the-philippines-pandemic-response-a-tragedy-of-errors/

[3]https://www.da.gov.ph/the-one-da-holistic-approach-twelve-12-key-strategies/

Historical PH 1st Holy Mass: Mazaua Or Limasawa? Fr Amalla Vs Maria Serena Diokno Vs Ambeth Ocampo – And The Priest Is Right!

We Filipinos celebrate 500 years of Christianity today Wednesday, 31 March 2021, Christianity brought to pagans by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan sailing the seas for Spain. The historical question is: Where was the first Holy Mass celebrated: “Limasawa” (in Leyte) or “Mazaua” (in Butuan)?

Catholic priest Fr Joesilo C Amalla has just published the book (above), An Island They Called Mazaua, that argues the island of “Mazaua” in Butuan is the “true site of first Holy Mass in the Philippines[1]” and not “Limasawa” in Leyte (ANN, 07 January 2021, Manila Times). The declaration and discussion are made by Butuan-based Fr Amalla in his 644-page book. Among other things, he writes:

The truth is that the prevailing state- and church-affirmation and multiple reaffirmations of the island of Limasawa as the site of that first Holy Mass have no factual, historical and geographic (bases) whatsoever nor any shred of evidentiary support from cartographic studies, navigational information, and maritime history.

Limasawa is bogus! We Filipinos are celebrating 31 March 2021 as the quincentennial day of the very first Easter Sunday mass, in 1521, in the Philippines – we have a problem there: Fr Amalla is debunking the claim of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) that it occurred in Limasawa.

In reply, the NHCP said:

We reject the recently published book An Island They Called Mazaua (The Truth About The Site Of The First Holy Mass In The Philippines), 2021, as substantially misleading and methodologically erroneous. As historians and scholars, we therefore consider its findings and conclusions unacceptable.

Ah, but as a Roman Catholic myself and a creative writer who must deal with logic and ill-logic, I agree with Fr Amalla’s historical analysis – it is the NHCP’s history that is misleading and erroneous!

7 years ago, Vicente Calibo de Jesus published a petition addressed to Maria Serena I Diokno, then NHCP head, titled “Stop Peddling The Limasawa ‘First Mass’ Hoax,” saying among other things:

The first recorded Christian mass was held on Easter Sunday, 31 March 1521 at a little island-port named Mazaua. Two identical accounts report this event, by eyewitness Antonio Pigafetta (1523) and Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas (1601). "Masawa" is a word found only in Butuanon and its scion, Tausog, out of 181 Philippine languages. It means “brilliant light and crystal clear.”

Earlier, Fr Amalla says that in 2008, he could not convince National Historical Institute (now NHCP) head Ambeth Ocampoof the validity of Mazaua over Limasawa. He further says:

This is urgent. Hundreds of millions of pesos are being earmarked and already being spent by government, eg, Department of Tourism, the local government of Southern Leyte, etc, in preparation for the 500th anniversary of the "first mass" in 2021. We're not even putting in what the Catholic Church will spend. This is money from our poor people. Let it not be squandered honoring a ghost event at Limasawa.

In the Philippines, the first Holy Mass was held in Mazaua, period.@517

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[1]https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/01/07/campus-press/new-book-asserts-mazaua-island-in-butuan-true-site-of-first-holy-mass-in-the-philippines/823943/

Science Is On The Top Of A UPLB Professor’s Mind. So, It Asks: “Is The Continued Quarantine Justified?”

Belated “Happy Birthday,” Mr President! (28 March 2021). Sorry to spoil your birthday, but the World Bank has spoken: “PHL Reliance On Prolonged Lockdowns Caused Economic Deterioration – WB[1]” (Louise Maureen Simeon, 27 March 2021, The Philippine Star). Carolina Figueroa-Geron, who shared that on Facebook; I read somewhere someone's wishes, “May our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten our darkness! God bless us!”

Miss Louise quotes the World Bank as saying:

The Philippines relied more on prolonged restrictions on mobility rather than an effective test-based strategy. Countries with greater quarterly growth contraction in 2020 had higher infection rates, imposed more stringent mobility restrictions, had more highly indebted governments and were more dependent on earnings from tourism.

Because of mass testing, mobility restrictions were not as severe, resulting in gross domestic product growth for Vietnam (2.9 percent), China (2.3 percent) and Laos (0.4 percent) in 2020. Cambodia’s GDP also contracted, but only by 3.1 percent, and Malaysia by 5.6 percent. The Philippine economy, on the other hand, shrank 9.5 percent, its worst in several decades and the sharpest drop in the region.

Yet, as a science writer, I am more interested in logic than statistics, so I leave the World Bank news to you, and I concentrate on what retired UPLB chemistry professor Carlito “Charlie” Barril (inset image above) says on Facebook on the lockdown. A UPLB alumnus, I agree with him.

Mr Barril says, “DoH data show there is actually no Covid pandemic in RP,” giving 5 proofs (facts), which I edit a little:

Fact #1. DoH data show that more than 98% of reported cases were non-Covid, being mild and asymptomatic. The remaining 2%? Mostly pneumonia, influenza, asthma, etc.

Fact #2. Every Sunday, a big number of recoveries is reported from the ranks of mild and asymptomatic. Today, 28 March 2021, DoH reported total recoveries of 22,000. The highest total recoveries of 40,392 was reported 16 August 2020.

Fact #3. After one year, the number of deaths reported is just 13,170. Even if all these deaths were attributed to Covid, THIS IS VERY LOW compared to the annual deaths of more than 60,000 (2016 data) for flu and pneumonia. Yet we do not lockdown the people due to these diseases.

Fact #4. Total number for RP of 5,705 cases/M is way below the level considered epidemic or pandemic. RP is just 6.3% of that of the USA with 90,853 cases/M. If the mild and asymptomatic cases were removed, the value for RP becomes even lower at 0.13% of that of the USA. This comparison becomes even more significant considering that RP’s population density is much higher than that of the USA.

Fact #5. Another indicator that the Covid situation in RP is just hysteria is the percentage of recovery, which is as high as 93% for RP compared to 64% for the USA and 70% for the world.

Based on the above facts, it is clear that there is actually no Covid pandemic in RP and the continued quarantine is therefore not justified!@517

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[1]https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/03/27/2087356/philippines-reliance-prolonged-lockdowns-caused-economic-deterioration-wb

The Woman’s Role In The Developing History Of PH Agriculture?

How should we measure the Filipino woman’s role in PH Agriculture? In one word, significant. But if you isolate it, not!

From Cagayan De Oro City, JC Anito from the Department of Agriculture (DA) RFO X reports: “DA NorMin Takes Part In 2021 Nat'l. Women's Month Celebration” (Facebook sharing): “(DA-10) took part in the Serbisyo Para Kay Juana National Convergencein celebration of the Women’s Month in Cagayan de Oro City.” (“Juana” is any PH female, from male counterpart “Juan.”) On Thursday, 25 March, DA X distributed 1,020 packets of 5-in-1 assorted vegetable seeds totaling P132,600 in three variants of culinary purposes: pinakbet, chopsuey, and sinigang, to the participants. JC did not include the names of vegetables included in each packet, but it’s the giving that matters, not the gift.

Receivers of the freeseeds included women’s organizations, farmers, solo parents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, micro, small & medium enterprises, indigenous people, city scholarship parents, and community drug rehabilitation program recipients. Quite a mix of women there!

National, yes. JC says that, in her speech, DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness & Marketing, Kristine Y Evangelista “emphasized the significance of women in nation-building, particularly their potential contribution in boosting the agri-fishery sector.”

Note how Ms Kristine puts it – “contribution in boosting” – women are participating in a common endeavorwith men. So, to me, instead of a display of gender equality; rather, it is a display of the sense of community:

The growth of farming families is notabout gender equality – it is whether roles are being played appropriately for the good of all, especially the family.

JC quotes Brigida Ossa Cadiz, President of the Solo Parents Association of Barangay Iponan saying more or less (original in Visayan):

We are very thankful to DA for including us solo parents to receive assistance and for also recognizing us women as part of the society, that despite our vulnerabilities we can use this (intervention) as a tool in providing for our respective families to the best of our ability. (JC’s translation)

JC says, “The activity served as an avenue to tackle issues affecting women which (call) for tangible actions towards gender equality.” Sorry, but to me, gender equality is not the design of God – as long as the females and males live in the same society, the call is for gender responsibility. And no, the gender responsibilities are not equal – they are parallel and complementary.

JC explains the why of the occasion: “The convergence initiative is in support (of the) whole-of-government approach thru the Office of Senator Lawrence Go, together with partner cluster agencies” such as the Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DoH), Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), Department of Labor & Employment (DoLE), and Technical Education & Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Exactly! I say. DSWD, DoH, DTI, DoLE, TESDA –

Yes! Even as we have the “whole-of-government” we must have what I call the “whole-of-family” approach, husbands and wives and solo parents included.

I say, “Let us celebrate “The Whole-of-Family Approach to PH Agriculture!”@517

How To Turn “Earth Hour“ Into “Earth Power“ – The Ultimate Power Trip!

What you did yesterday, in Manila Saturday, 27 March 2021, was switch off the lights for 1 hour, 8:30 to 9:30 PM. I have another non-conformist, earth-shaking idea: Not “Turn off your lights” but “Turn on your power!”
(spinning world image[1] from Dreamstime.com)

Switching off the light for 1 hour 1 day 1 year – that’s saving gigawatts of electrical energy worldwide. We Earthlings can do much better than that – save on power every time, everywhere!

That’s what I call “Earth Power.” To be celebrated by everyone even in broad daylight during the whole year.

Since I am an Agriculturist, let me show you how power works in Agriculture – there is Power from Knowledge!

(1)   Power from Coops –
We have the farmer as a member of a cooperative that can assist him in many ways. The loans are available at affordable interests – the loan sharks will then lose their power! Additionally, the coop will show extra power to the farmer in avoiding expenses.

(2)   Power from Certified Seeds –
Teaching and/or training him, we ingrain in each farmer the habit of buying certified rice seeds, whether inbred or hybrid. He gets to know technologies & systems to ensure he gets a high yield for every planting. Lower costs, higher returns.

(3)   Power from Transplanting & Direct Seeding –
For Transplanting: Each farmer learns how to take care of seedlings on the seedbed, the day to transplant them, and how. For Direct Seeding: We teach each farmer direct seeding, saving on nursery bed care and transplanting.

(4)   Power from Square Planting –
In transplanting or direct seeding, single seedlings are planted, at least 25 cm by 25 cm in-between, not the usual careless planting. This will cut cost by less, and increase yields by more. Single seedlings will grow more tillers – and it is the tillers that produce the panicles that produce the grains for harvest.

(5)   Power from Mixed Farming –
We show how interplanting with other crops, mixed planting, intercropping or trap cropping will save him from spending on pesticides. The entomologists call it “Integrated Pest Management;” I call it “Good Food.”

(6)   Power from Harvesting and Postharvest Handling –
The coop will save for each farmer by renting out the combine harvester for harvesting his rice, and a solar-powered or mechanical dryer to dry his grains to the desired 14% moisture. The coop’s warehouse will provide grain storage when and as long as necessary.

(7)   Power from Marketing –
The cooperative will help the farmer bring the produce from farm to warehouse, displayed by images or digitally. If the farmer needs cash at this point, he can always turn to the coop for another affordable loan. Meanwhile, the produce stays at the coop warehouse, waiting for an opportune time to be sold, when “the price is right.” 

And the leader of this new movement, “Turn On Earth Power!” who will it be? I’m thinking of PH Secretary of Agriculture William Dar. A science servant leader of local and international experiences, and a proven achiever; he’ll know what to do!@517

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[1]https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-wireless-energy-surrounding-earth-image20258245

Village Heroes – The Need For PH Journalism To Actively Support Agriculture

 

Bayanihan – The above image shows the earliest national heroes of the Philippines. Today, I’m calling on village heroes in communication for development, journalists out to move people to change the lives in the villages one good deed at a time! People working together to help their community, not just themselves. 
(Bayanihan image[1] from Nationalnews.com)

Why don’t we have in the Philippines digital and print media field journalists & columnists all-out supporting the small-scale and large-scale efforts of government to solve the problems of Agriculture and move it forward to bring favorable & sustainable changes to the lives of farmers and fishers, without exacting irreparable damage to the environment?

I am not going to identify the journalists who write nothing but to try to prove that some government officials are lying, or worse. With your journalism dedicated 100% to anti-bad government, you have nothing left for pro-good government. Not only that – you equate all government actions as against the interests of the people!

Since I am an agriculturist, teacher and blogger, I will concentrate on the journalism that is good for the farmers and fishers as seen in the plans, programs and projects of the Department of Agriculture (DA):

Lacking!

Why is there no thinking journalism on the “New Thinking for Agriculture” that Secretary of Agriculture William Dar proclaimed on Day One, 05 August 2020, when PRRD appointed him? Why no follow-up journalism on any one or combination of the “8 Paradigms” that accompanied the New Thinking?

(1) Modernization;
(2) Industrialization;
(3) Promotion of Exports;
(4) Consolidation of Small- And Medium-Sized Farms;
(5) Infrastructure Development;
(6) Higher Budget & Investment;
(7) Legislative Support; and
(8) Roadmap Development.

Subsequently, why is there no journalism on the “OneDA 12 Key Strategies Transforming Philippine Agriculture”? (See my essay in my blog: “PH Secretary Of Agriculture Minding Facebook, Maximizing His Media Of Exposure[2]” 03 March 2021, Asa Ka Pa!.)

Philippine journalism needs a revolution today!

Ramon R Tuazon says (ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca):

The post-war era to pre-martial law period (1945-1972) is called the Golden Age of Philippine journalism. The Philippine press began to be known as “the freest in Asia.”

Press freedom does not yet promote positive communication for development!

PH journalism has not graduated from that which the Americans brought to Philippine shores. ANN says (Author Not Named, 23 May 2015, Philippine Press History): “Founded in 1964, the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) was organized “to foster the development and improvement of journalism in the country.” Towards this objective, the PPI published in 1965 “Law Of The Press: A PPI Manual,” and in 1967 “Clear Effective Writing: A PPI Manual.”

Development of journalism, not country. Nothing said about whether journalism was for helping the government pursue programs and projects for the good of the people.

So, what the editors thought were good for the paper was good enough. Let the people be damned!?

What we desperately need is journalism campaigning for Bayanihan moving a while village, town, or province in terms of improving lives, improving sustainability of villages and villagers!@517

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[1]https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/filipino-artists-from-ugnayang-sining-tomasino-art-collective-have-work-displayed-in-uae-1.102874

[2]https://asakaparin.blogspot.com/2021/03/ph-secretary-of-agriculture-minding.html

“Star Community Awards” For Inclusive Growth In PH Agriculture – c/o Philippine Agricultural Journalists

Writing & blogging the “’Nescafé Plan’ Wins PH 2021 Grand Anvil Award – Nescafé Thanks DA, LandBank, GIZ[1]"(25 March 2021, Asa Ka Pa!) based on real events, inspired in me an idea, what I now call “Star Community Awards” covering PH Agriculture under the leadership of Secretary of Agriculture William Dar.

Question: Is Mr Dar going to lead PH out of The Twilight Zone? Yes! I have the greatest faith in him with his much varied experiences leading local and international agencies in science. Consider: For 15 long years, he was Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) based in India. Mr Dar team-captained ICRISAT from dead last to #1 among the 15 international agricultural research centers under CGIAR.

Mr Dar’s ICRISAT slogan was “Science with a human face.” Today, I propose a national project for the Philippine Agricultural Journalists (PAJ), adopting a similar slogan – “Science with a community face” – for The Star Community Awards Project. (Still looking for sponsors.)
(original rainbow star image[2] from Vecteezy.com)

The Star Community Awards is for the inclusive development of PH Agriculture, where “inclusive” means progress reaching the poor farmers and fishers so that they are able to emancipate themselves from poverty – and sustain their families.

There will be a Star Community Award for each PH Region – and a Superstar. The criteria for judging will be what I call the “5 Cs of Community”:

1. Clustering of farms

2. Collaboration of LGUs, business, private sector, farmers & fishers

3. Cooperation among participants in a community project

4. Community actions

5. Communication for development.

1, Clustering
The clusters include farmers & fishers working together for the common good. These can be groups, associations, or cooperatives.

2, Collaboration
Each Star Community project to be considered for any award shall be a collaborative endeavor among these sectors: farmers & fishers, local government units, private sector, businessmen, and philanthropists. To ensure active & real collaboration, a working group (WG) will be formed with representatives from the different sectors, to serve as the governing body of the cluster.

3, Cooperation
Cooperation is expected within each and among clusters. Rules & regulations shall be promulgated by the WG of each cluster. The WG shall have such rules & regulations discussed in public and the results officially adopted.

4, Community
“Community” here is taken to refer to a conglomeration of farms, villages, towns and/or provinces working for a common project/program. Encouraged are the provisions of trainings, assistances in the forms of loans and machineries for fishing and farming:  multiple cropping, crop & livestock combinations, and products processing, up to and including postharvest handling, as the case may be, and marketing.

5, Communication for Development (ComDev)

Stories will be written by PAJ members during/after visiting the villages. Articles will be edited much as they may relate to community welfare, and published in the “Star Community Awards” PAJ-created website. Local correspondents will be encouraged for stories. All journalists shall be paid for their labors.@517

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[1]https://asakaparin.blogspot.com/2021/03/nescafe-plan-wins-ph-2021-grand-anvil.html

[2]https://www.vecteezy.com/vector-art/220963-abstract-star-funky-vector-background

“Nescafé Plan” Wins PH 2021 Grand Anvil Award – Nescafé Thanks DA, LandBank, GIZ

Nescafé’s concern for coffee farmers is what I am concerned about today, with Nescafé Philippines winning the 2021 “Grand Anvil Award” at the “56^th Anvil Awards” virtual ceremonies on 19 February 2021, according to ANN[1] (Author Not Named, 04 March 2021, Business.inquirer.net).

The Anvil Awards is a yearly project of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP). The panel of jurors for this year’s awards was chaired by former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio Jr. The PRSP was founded by Jose A Carpio[2], who defined public relations as “doing good and telling it well” (Luis J Morales, 10 September 2018, “PR Then And Now: Doing Good And Telling It Well,” BusinessMirror.com.ph). That is as articulate as you can get!

This year’s Anvil winner, “Nescafé Plan Project Coffee+,” is actively assisting in meeting the production, postharvest processing & marketing needs of 1,500 coffee farmers of Bukidnon and Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao.

The Nescafé Plan – they don’t make them like they used to!

ANN above says:

The Grand Anvil was bestowed on the Nescafé Plan, a long-term program of Nestlé Philippines to help the country’s Robusta coffee farmers raise their yields, incomes and quality of life, while promoting increased local coffee production and the growth of the country’s coffee industry, within the framework of sustainability. Under (the Nescafé Plan), production by the participants has doubled, while incomes have tripled. Nestlé Philippines increased its local buying of Robusta coffee beans in the past crop year by 27%.

It’s Mutual Advancement Society!

What Nescafé and the coffee farmers of Mindanao are doing is not simply public relations but public service – the company provides material assistances, plural, and the farmers produce excellent coffee beans that Nescafé Philippines needs for its products. (I am an inveterate coffee drinker, and my favorite is Nescafé Brown.)

Institutional partners of Nestlé Philippines in carrying out the Nescafé Plan are the Department of Agriculture (DA); the DA agencies Agricultural Credit Policy Council and Agricultural Training Institute; Department of Trade and Industry, LandBank, and GIZ, the German Corporation for International Cooperation.

Now then, the Nescafé Plan we are talking about as public relations is also international relations. I’ll drink to that!

In fact, this year Nestlé Philippines won many Anvil awards, and Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki said of them:

As the Kasambuhay[4] of Filipino coffee farmers and of the environment, we are deeply honored to be conferred these Anvil Awards, which equally belong to our partners in the government and the private sectors because they have helped make our accomplishments a reality. Their collaboration is important. In the face of the pandemic, as a force for good, we are inspired to work even harder as we help build better lives for our coffee farmers and a sustainable coffee industry, and pursue the journey towards a waste-free future.

The Nescafé Plan is also Collaboration. 
Collaboration for Good is the name of the game!@517

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[1]https://business.inquirer.net/318816/nestle-philippines-nescafe-plan-bags-grand-anvil-at-prsp-56th-anvil-awards?fbclid=IwAR2Rs4jLIuxQTe70us0K4py1zptFT7uTb1qzSXqxNyEG4_SBVG7vdx-87Nk

[2]They must be blood relations but I could not find a corroborating link.

[3]https://img.aws.livestrongcdn.com/ls-1200x630/cme/cme_public_images/www_livestrong_com/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/176/127/166542229_XS.jpg

[4]Literally, “life partner”

Aquaculture In A New Light – Solar Power In Mimaropa By PH DoST

Metaphorically, “Let there be Light!” DoST said, and there was Fish. Materialistically, this time, the Department of Science & Technology (DoST) is revolutionizing Aquaculture in the Philippines by setting up and launching a solar-powered, intensive aquaculture setup for tilapia, milkfish and white shrimp in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro. 

We learn that from Charissa Luci-Atienza’s report, “First-Of-Its-Kind Aquaculture Facility Launched In Oriental Mindoro – DoST[1],” 21 March 2021, Manila Bulletin).
(lower image[2] from Solartility.com)

The solar-powered aquaculture facility, launched in March[3] in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, was funded under DoST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program “to encourage the industry to adopt smart aquaculture farming systems” to produce more, cost less, and compete better in the market. Owner of the facility is Agritektura Enterprises.

The whole facility can grow 1,500 tilapia breeders, each of which can produce 500 fingerlings per month, while the grow-out ponds can accommodate 13,000 fingerlings. On the other hand, the circular pond can accommodate 100,000 white shrimp fry every rearing season. Solar power reduces the monthly electrical bill by P25,000.

Compared to livestock farming, Mr De La Peña said, “Aquaculture is seen as a (more) promising industry, as commodities show potential in addressing food and nutritional security because of its (more) efficient feed conversion (ratio) compared to livestock production.” Meaning, per unit of feed, fish converts more into flesh than chicken into meat or than cattle into beef.

More fish be with you!

About white shrimp, American kitchen blogger Emma Christensensays, “White shrimp(s) are prized for their large size, their tender texture, and their mild flavor[4]” (Kitchn). In nature, there is a season for the white shrimp – our own PH Ms Charissa does not say or does not quote DoST as saying that the solar-powered aquaculture facility in Oriental Mindoro allows the culturing of white shrimps the whole year through.

Mr De La Peña said:

The solar-powered hatchery can be used for grow-out and production of high-quality fingerlings of tilapia and milkfish. The facility works with a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS). The RAS is a unique fish farming technique that allows rearing of fish at high densities or in tanks with a “controlled” environment rather than in an… open pond setting.

 In the RAS, where the water is cleaned out automatically even as it is recirculated, you grow more fish with less space; in the open pond, you can grow only less fish even with more space because the fish & food wastes take more time to settle into the bottom of the pond. With the RAS, technology is your economic ally, your business partner.

About the solar power, it must be the idea itself of Agritektura, which is a Filipino corporation based in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, with a great number of innovative projects. The corporate description speaks for itself (https://agritektura.ph):

AGRITEKTURA… stands for Agrikultura, Arkitektura, Teknolohiya, Edukasyon, Kalikasan, Kalusugan, Kasaysayan, Komersyo, Komunidad, Komunikasyon, Turismo at Kultura.

Agritektura describes itself as a Movement to harness the potential of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon & Palawan (Mimaropa). So, move!@517

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[1]https://mb.com.ph/2021/03/21/first-of-its-kind-aquaculture-facility-launched-in-oriental-mindoro-dost/

[2]https://solartility.com/residential-grid-tied/

[3]No exact date given

[4]https://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-white-bro-1-149543

The Farmers’ Muddle & The Updated PH Development Plan 2017-2022

On Facebook, via National Economic & Development Authority (NEDA), the gentlemen and ladies who prepared the 332-page  Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 (downloadable as pdf), are asking for feedback, and so as a self-assumed (if self-assured) Crusader for Farmers’ Progress, after my perusal, these are what I have to say:

(1)  The Vision is Excellent. “Metatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay (strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life for all.”

(2)  The Strategies are Well-Conceived: “Malasakit” (referring to government Concern for the people), “Pagbabago” (Social Transformation) and “Patuloy na Pag-unlad” (Continuing Progress) (the English translations are mine).

(3)  The Goal is Brilliant as well as Complete. “The Goal is to lay down the foundation for inclusive growth, a high trust and resilient society, and a globally competitive knowledge economy.”

Three time’s a charm!

Now I want to concentrate on the Goal, the first part, “inclusive growth,” which means to me economic progress that includes the poor. That is to say, those who are on the poverty line and below are able to rise from their economic insufficiency to economic sustainability – mainly as fruits of their genius and, literally, ground works.

I do declare: To solve the problem of poverty, first you must look for the causes – now, where is the foundation to accomplish that? After programmatically scanning those 332 pages, I found that the brains of The Updated Plan 2017-2022 did not search for or did not include causes of poverty! How can you solve a problem when you do not know the root cause(s)?!

Now then, with me being the son of an Ilocano poor farmer of Asingan, Pangasinan, plus from the perspective of my educational background of BS Agriculture major in Ag Edu (UP '65), plus my 45 years off-and-on varied experiences as Editor In Chief of technical publications based at the campus of UP Los Baños in Laguna, I want to tell those who prepared the approximately-137,000-word Updated Plan what they ignored, what are the causes of poverty of our farmers, which have kept the poor that poor since the Spanish colonizers taught the islands agriculture (you may want to check that out, see my essay, “Christianity Not Only Brought To The Philippines Culture – Also Agriculture![1]” 18 March 2021, Asa Ka Pa!). I will package them and call the result The Farmers’ Muddle, comprising of the following:

(1)   Relatively high costs of inputs – seeds, fertilizers, pesticides

(2)   Improper use of technologies – cultivating soil and planting seedlings

(3)   Reliance on fast-cash loans – at usurious interests

(4)   Inefficiencies in harvesting and drying – if non-mechanized

(5)   Ill-timed selling of new harvest – price dictated  by merchants.

On the high costs of inputs, the updaters of the plan could have directed the Department of Agriculture, which is now under Secretary of Agriculture & Servant Leader William Dar, to formulate a Farm Production Package considering the actual situations of poor farmers, and all of the above. That should have gone into one complete chapter of The Updated Plan. You cannot simply forget those millions and sleep soundly at night!@517

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[1]https://asakaparin.blogspot.com/2021/03/christianity-not-only-brought-to.html