The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) has scheduled the one-week long celebration of the 2019 SandugoAgri-Fair, July 23-27, 2019 at the City Hall and Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center (BAPC) Grounds, Dao, Tagbilaran City.
The 42 hours contract of Cloud Seeding Operations (CSOs) in the province of Bohol will be started tomorrow to ensure that the 86,931 hectares (has.) of rice lands would be planted with this wet cropping season.
The Cloud Seeding Operations (CSOs) might be conducted this week if the cloud seeding clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippine (CAAP) has been secured and the vacuum dried salt, personnel from Philippine Air Force (PAF) and Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) as cloud seeding officers have been made available.
In an efforts to transform the seaweed industry into a sustainable enterprise that will help enhance the economic standing of our seaweed farmers in Central Visayas Region, the two-day Seaweed Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) will be conducted here in Bohol at the Reyna’s the Haven and Gardens, Tagbilaran City on Wednesday and Thursday.
Reynaldo V. Ebora, Acting Executive Director, Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) said that they anchored on the principle to effect the flow of Research and Development (R&D) outputs to the producers of commodities and the country’s agri-aqua – based enterprises for greater economic benefits, particularly in the countryside.
Ebora said to realize this goal, the PCAARRD envisions a system that will link farmers, fisher folks, processors, distributors, and consumers in a thriving agribusiness environment, thus conceptualized the FIESTA.
He said that PCAARRD takes great pride in partnering with the Central Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVAARRDEC) in their efforts to showcase, promote, and commercialize the technologies and innovations on seaweeds.
The Acting Executive Director, DOST-PCAARRD added that the FIESTA seeks to inspire our farmers and fisher folks to elevate their economic livelihood from farm keepers to producers of products and services, thereby promoting entrepreneurial activities for the local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMES).
Ebora emphasized that FIESTA changes the traditional agricultural farming priorities from merely achieving agricultural productivity to a flourishing agribusiness-driven environment.
Seaweed industry in the Philippines, especially in Central Visayas has a brighter outlook because it produces the varieties of seaweed from which gelatinous substance is being used as ingredients in food products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, ice cream, beer, milk, gelatin, among other usages.
In the opening program on Wednesday, Alfredo Pedrosa III, chairman – Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines will deliver his keynote speech; while Governor Edgar M. Chatto, Alfeo G. Piloton, OIC-Regional Director, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 7; Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Undersecretary for Research and Development, will give their messages.
In the afternoon of the same day, there will be three topics to be discussed by the respective speakers such as: Seaweed Health Management to be dealt by Dr. Danilo B. Largo, Director, Office of Research University of San Carlos, Cebu; Organic Liquid Fertilizer from Seaweed Extract by Expedito P. Dublin, DA7 Outstanding Agricultural Scientist and Irradiated Carageenan Fertilizer to be explained by Dr. Fernando B. Aurigue from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI).
On the following day Dr. Silvano B. Maranga, President-ASKEDWELL Center will be the first speaker who will talk about “Asexual Propagation of Breadfruit” A CEST Project of DOST 7.” And then would be followed by Vina V. Antopina-PSTD, DOST R7 who will share the topic “Let’s Talk About Chocolate and Learn How to Make it,” while Guillerma Abay-Abay, Training Specialist III, Philippine Carabao Center at Ubay Stock Farm will talk about “ Chocomilk with Carageenan”.
Every day after the topics will be discussed, there will be a market/business matching to be conducted. (Atoy Cosap)
The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) is now on the status of preparation for this year’s SUHID sa Malampusong Mag-uumang Bol-anon search.
In line with this, Rosanna G. Lamdagan, chief-Agribusiness Division-OPA bared that on May 7, 2019, at 8 a.m. there will be a preparatory meeting to be conducted at the Panda Tea Garden, Dao District, Tagbilaran City to discuss matters with the Municipal Agriculture Officers/Municipal Agriculturists(MAOs/MAs) for the success of the search.
Lamdagan said that if possible all the categories of the Gawad Saka Search sponsored by the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office(RFO)7 would be included in the categories of the SUHID so that the winners of the said categories of the SUHID would automatically be the nominees of the province to the Gawad Saka Search.
She urged the MAOs/MAs in the different towns of Bohol to submit their nominees in the SUHID to recognize and awards the efforts of the Boholano farmers who help the province to sustain its title as the “Rice Basket” in Central Visayas.
Last year winners of the different categories of SUHID were Ramuel Sayson (Tuboran, Bien Unido, Bohol) – Outstanding Fisherman – Fish capture with a prize of P5,000, Irma Villanueva (Bugang Sur, Bilar) – Outstanding Farmer – Fish Culture (P5,000), Bayongan Fishermen’s Association (Bayongan, San Miguel, Bohol) – Outstanding Fishermen’s Association (P15,000).
Maria Luz Alcala (MLGU, Cortes, Bohol) – Outstanding Fishery Technician (P5,000); Melchor P. Yaras, Del Pilar, Pilar, Bohol – Outstanding Rice Farmer (Adopting Integrated Farming) (P10,000) ; Angeles C. Opiala, San Agustin, Talibon – Outstanding Rice Technician (P5,000); Antonio B. Bunayog, San Isidro, Dauis, Bohol – Corn Farmer (Adopting Integrated Farming (P10,000); Anna Luz V. Duhaylungsod, MLGU Dauis, Bohol – Outstanding Corn Technician (P5,000); Karl Nonnan P. Endres, Poblacion Norte, Batuan, Bohol – Small Animal Raiser (Adopting Integrated Farming System (P5,000); Danilo Garcia, Buenasuerte, Pilar, Bohol – Large Animal Raiser (Adopting Integrated Farming System (P5,000);Celso C. Basilad, MLGU Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Bohol – Agricultural Technicial (Livestock) (P5,000); Jonathan Quito, Agape, Loboc, Bohol – Outstanding Young Farmer (P15,000); Manga National High School c/o Mark Vincent Arabejo (4-H Club president) – Outstanding Young Farmer Association/Club (P20,000); Victor Ramos, San Isidro, Sagbayan, Bohol – Farm Family (P10,000);
Balilihan Association of Women’s for Development, Del Carmen Sur, Balilihan, Bohol – Outstanding Agri-Enterprise for Crops (P15,000); PrudencioPolinar, Rosariohan, Batuan, Bohol – High Value Commercial Crop Farmer (P5,000); Oscar Ong, LGU Maribojoc, Bohol – HVCDP Technician (P5,000); AngelitoOroyan, LGU Talibon – Outstanding Municipal Agriculturist/Agricultural Officer (P5,000); MAFC Ubay c/o Rey Boaquin (chairman), LGU Ubay, Ubay, Bohol – Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council (MAFC) (P15,000); Banlasan Rural Improvement Club, Trinidad – Rural Improvement Club (RIC) (P15, 000); Bunga, Ilaya Farmers Association, Jagna, Bohol – Farmers Association (P15, 000).
The SUHID is an annual activity of the province of Bohol to recognize and award the Boholano farmers who have excelled in the field of agriculture. (Atoy Cosap)
The Rice Tarrification Law, African Swine- Fever and the Department of Agriculture (DA) Credit Programs are the three major topics to be discussed during the Agripreneurs Forum slated on Wednesday at the Dauis Gymnasium, Poblacion, Dauis, Bohol.
The “Tabo sa Plaza” sellings of the organically and naturally grown agricultural products and Boholano delicacies every Wednesday will no longer at the Plaza Rizal in front of the old Capitol but in its new location at the bagsakan area in front of Camp Bernido and beside the Provincial Health Office (PHO), Purok 4, Dao, Tagbilaran City starting April 2, 2019.
All levels of national, regional, provincial and municipal program implementers of the first Project Implementation (PIR) of Right Start Initiative will convene atAlona Kew White Beach Resort, Panglao, Boholstarting on Tuesday.
The Cloud Seeding Operations (CSOs) in Bohol will resume today after the bad weather conditions that affected the province of Bohol.
This was agreed during the Technical Working Group (TWG) on El Niño and La Niña Task Force CSOs assessment meeting last Monday presided over by TWG action officer Dr. Larry M. Pamugas in his office at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).
The El Niño and La Niña Task Force is composed by the representatives from the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the OPA and Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV), Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and Bohol-Agricultural Promotion Center (B-APC).
Engr. Irish Eumag, Engr. II, Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) said that of the 45-hour contract CSOs sponsored by the Provincial Government of Bohol ( PGBH ), PAG-ASA, Philippine Air Force (PAF), BSWM, and the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO)7 using the vacuum dried salt (25-200 microns) and 30 microns powder salt, only 2.32 hours had been consumed in the two seeding flights conducted delast November 8-9, 2018 at one seeding flight each day.
Engr. Eumag explained that last two weeks the scheduled CSOs were cancelled due to high pressure or the presence of the localized thunderstorms last Nov.10-11, 2018, Low Pressure Area Weather System ( Nov. 12-15, 2018), pilot emergency ( Nov. 16-18, 2018 ), and last week caused by the Tropical Depression “ Samuel “.
She said that on the first CSO conducted last Nov. 8, 2018 over Malinao Dam, Carmen, Batuan, Dagohoy, Bayongan Dam, Pilar and San Miguel, the moderate rains were experienced in Pilar, Bilar, Sikatuna and Tagbilaran City while light rain was experienced in Carmen.
On Nov. 9, 2018 CSO to the seeding locations over San Miguel; San Pacual, Ubay; Dagohoy; Pilar; Sierra-Bullones and Alicia, the moderate rains were experienced in Batuan and San Miguel while light rains were observed in Balilihan and Carmen.
She explained that the conduct of the CSOs mainly depends on the good weather condition, presence or formation of seedable clouds and wind direction.
Engr. Donesa Autida from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) reported on their weekly monitoring of the four major dams in Bohol and they have noticed an increase in water level elevations.
She said that on Nov. 5 monitoring, the water elevation of Bayongan Dam in San Miguel was registered at 45.02 meters (ms.), Malinao Dam in Pilar (151.88 ms.), Capayas Dam in Ubay (35.71ms.), Talibon Dam in Talibon (27.2 ms.). While on Nov. 12, the Bayongan registered at 46.65 ms., Malinao (151.72ms.), Capayas (35.71 ms.) and Talibon (27.36 ms.).
And on Nov. 18, 2018 monitoring, the actual water elevation of Bayongan was 46.40 ms., Malinao (151.37), Capayas (35.89 ms.), and Talibon (27.51 ms.).
The registered decrease of water level of the Malinao Dam happened because the irrigation water was diverted to Bayongan Dam and consequently released to the service areas for land preparation.
The TWG on El Niño and La Niña Task Force said that even though the province lately experienced rainfall brought about by Low Pressure Area and Tropical Depression, Bohol still needs the CSOs so that the water elevations of the four major dams would reach to spill elevations.
Based on the Nov. 21 monitoring after the Tropical Depression Samuel, the actual water elevation of Bayongan was 42.42ms at par with the spill elevation of 52 ms., Malinao at 151.78ms. against 152 ms., Talibon at 27.51 ms. against the 30 ms. spill elevation, except for Capayas Dam where water level is full at 36.50 ms.
Dr. Pamugas instructed the PAF personnel who accompanied the two pilots in the operations to dispense salt over the seedable clouds in any areas in Bohol and not to be selective only over the watershed areas as long as it would produce artificial rain that pours in the land areas in Bohol to ensure that the Boholano farmers could plant rice, corn and other agricultural products.
The 45-hour CSOs will be conducted in two rounds. The first round ran from Nov. 8, 2018 and supposed to end on Nov. 18; while the second round should have been conducted from Nov. 19 to Nov. 27, 2018. Another set of 42-hour CSOs sponsored mainly by the PGBh is set to start soon.
The aircraft from Royhle Airways based in Dumaguete City has been used in the operations, piloted by Captain Madhu Pulinyankalath and Captain Rachul Nair. (Atoy Cosap)
CLOUD SEEDING ASSESSMENT MEETING. The Technical Working Group (TWG) on El Niño and La Niña Task Force in the Province of Bohol chaired by Dr. Larry M. Pamugas is conducting cloud seeding operations assessment meeting last Monday at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) to assess the impact of the operations to the water elevations of the four major dams in Bohol to ensure water supply for the next dry copping season.
A new tourist attraction in the province is expected to allure local and foreign tourists especially nature lovers.
The Elizabeth Mountainview Flower Resort (EMFR) situated in the three hectares (has) mountainous areas in Mahayag Norte, Catigbian, Bohol was blessed and inaugurated last Sunday.
Gov. Edgar M. Chatto led the ribbon cutting assisted by Catigbian Mayor Virgilio L. Lurot.
First District Representative Rene L. Relampagos, Deputy Speaker Arthur C. Yap, former Catigbian town kagawad Ariel Lungay, Mahayag Norte Barangay Captain Fe Banol and the entire council also graced the occasion.
The EMFR is owned and managed by Elizabeth E. Mandin, a successful businesswoman not only in Bohol but also in Manila.
Mandin said that her resort is first-ever in Bohol, boasting off a colorful panoramic spectacle of thousands of fresh flowers overlooking rice paddies, back dropped with vast agricultural lands and mountain ranges of Catigbian, Balilihan, and Batuan towns.
She added that the EMFR has 800 concrete steps for easy access around the facility and ensure comprehensive tour and full view of the plantation.
Mandin said that her passion for flowers is inherited from her mother. Her mother attends to the flowers at their home before lending a hand to her father at the farmland.
She said her resort is a stress-buster.A breath of fresh air coupled with the breath-taking panoramic view accented by bees and butterfly pollinator often eases off travel lags.
Mandin disclosed that the venture is her chip of full support to the agri-tourism program of the provincial and national governments.
At the base of the slope, Mandin developed the old water well and erected a reservoir. In her childhood days, this was their source of potable water. Today, with the water facility in place everybody in her hometown gets the share of pure mineral water.
Mandin beckons local and foreign tourists to visit Elizabeth Mountainview Flower Resort and check the serenity of the ambience and let nature ease those worries.
She said the way to the resort could be a tour going to Chocolate Hills in Carmen from Tagbilaran City passing Balilihan and Hanopol to Mahayag Norte, Catigbian. The resort is 100 meters away from the national highway, and from Poblacion, Catigbian passing through the barangays of Baang and Bagtic.
To further serve her hometown, Mandin tossed her hat into the political arena. She is a mayoral candidate in the coming mid-term elections under the banner of PadayonBol-anon. (AtoyCosap)