Counterpart fund for Mindanao cacao program eyed

By MELODY M. AGUIBA

MANILA, Philippines – Cacao producers are looking for a counterpart fund for a $5 million Mindanao cacao sustainable agro-forestry program that should aid in raising Philippine output to 100,000 metric tons (MT) of export-quality cacao beans by 2020.

The counterpart fund will be applied for the same sustainable cacao program in Luzon and Visayas.

From the current cacao production of only 6,000 metric tons (MT) yearly, it is not very hard to reach the 2020 production goal.

This is because there are as much as 1.07 million hectares of available coconut areas that can readily be intercropped with cacao of which only 10 percent or 107,000 hectares will be needed to hit the target, according to Cocoa Foundation of the Philippines (CFP) President Edward F. David.

CFP already obtained a $3 to $5 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with the ACDI-VOCA (Agricultural Cooperation Development Intl-Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance), for the three-year Mindanao program that started in 2009.

The program called the Success Alliance Philippine Program (SUCCESS) includes development of seed gardens, plant distribution, training of farmers, and facilitating of partnerships with the local government.

However, funding for SUCCESS in Luzon and Visayas is also needed.

"Fortunately, we were still able to get a grant for SUCCESS, but only for Mindanao. We're looking for donors from the national and local government for Luzon and Visayas," said CFP President Edward F. David in a press briefing.

SUCCESS is already on its third phase. It has so far successfully helped in raising Philippines' cacao export by raising the quality of cacao beans through sustainable farming, fermentation techniques, and other post harvest technologies. From a negative export figure in 2001, the country's cacao bean export rose to 95 metric tons (MT) in 2004, rising up to 295 MT in 2009. This is further aimed to rise to 500 to 600 MT in 2011.

Related to this target, CFP is pushing for the establishment of 23 more more cooperative-based, village level fermentation and drying facilities nationwide. That should be on top the three post harvest centers in Davao, Compostela Valley, and Zamboanga that it already established in 2010.

The global market for cacao has been very promising over the last few years with a deficit reaching to 82 million MT as of 2009-2010.

It is important that the Philippines should have a long-term cacao program so that farmers will find stability in planting cacao.

"We have received a premium price of $3,400 per ton for our cacao. Five or six years ago, that was just $3,100 dollars. And most people are saying 'we shouldn't have cut our cacao trees.' This is our usual problem-- if price drops, we cut our trees. We forget that we can plant other things in the area (in order to survive the low prices)," said David.

Farmers also have many options of choosing the cacao variety that they see fit in their business as the CFP already has good, high-yielding varieties and certified seeds. CFP has started promoting the production of more cooking chocolates or tableas.

It has also partnered with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (Philrice) in Philrice's Palayamanan program where cacao trees are planted with other high value crops along with rice and with the raising of livestock and fish ponds. Some of the farmers under its cacao program are agrarian reform beneficiaries tending small areas of 1 to 1.5 hectares.

Organic fertilizer producer reeks of unqualified success

By Tonette Orejas Central Luzon Desk Most Read CONCEPCION, TARLAC – In 2006, Alfredo Gonzales had problems with chemicalfertilizers, which at that time cost P2,000 per 50-kilogram bag. He found the prevailing prices of urea to be ironic, considering the wasteful practice of most farmers. “When I traveled around [Central Luzon], I saw palay husks being burned. When I go to sugar mills, I also saw wasteful practices,” says Gonzales, a sugar planter. But instead of whining, the sugar farmer decided to do something about it. His 40-hectare farm, which used to be buried under 20 feet of lahar (volcanic debris) following Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption in 1991, is now the site of what is touted to be the first mechanized production facility for organic fertilizer in the country. In a day, the farm churns out 500 fertilizer bags, which Gonzales sells for P240 each. The product, which is registered with the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, goes under the brand name “Power” – Pilipino Ways for Environmental Reconditioning. Gonzales, 60, says each bag contains 4.40 percent nitrogen, 1.85 percent phosphorous, 2.08 percent potassium, 13.14 percent moisture, and is 27.38 percent organic. The fertilizers are also mixed with microelements, like calcium, magnesium, sulfur, manganese, iron, copper and zinc. All organic elements are obtained by mixing 60 percent chicken manure, 10 percent each of cow and hog dung, and 20 percent sugar waste and agricultural waste from public markets. Laden with indigenous microorganisms, all of these undergo decomposition from 21 to 27 days. Surprisingly, flies are nowhere to be seen in the decomposing area, indicating that the process is clean, Gonzales says. Each bag represents hard work, he adds. From 2006 to 2008, his truck gathered sugar waste (bagasse, mud press and boiler hash) from Basecom, Sweet Crystal in San Fernando and Porac in Pampanga, and Central Azucarera de Tarlac in Hacienda Luisita. Gonzales obtained the droppings of chicken, cows and hogs, and hauled in agricultural wastes from public markets. By late 2008, Gonzales and his staff began making organic fertilizer “pala-pala” (shovel) style. Output then was a little over 50 bags a day, which he used in his sugarcane projects. He also handed out organic waste products to friends who agreed to test the fertilizer. Because labor costs ate into his budget and manual work did not prove to be efficient, this mechanical engineering undergraduate fabricated his own machines. “The current output cannot catch up with the big demand,” he says. One client alone needs 35,000 bags a month, for instance. Minus a marketing staff, the plant employs 10 workers, including seven Aeta. Jomer de la Cruz, 19, of Sta. Juliana, Capas, has not even reached Grade 1, but now he drives a forklift. In late 2009, Gonzales started his own organic farm for health and environmental reasons. His one-hectare farm is certified organic by ecoLand, a certification agency. According to a billboard on the site, the farm has met the Philippine National Standards for Organic Agriculture and Processing established by the Department of Agriculture. On the farm, Gonzales and his helpers raise vegetables, culinary and medicinal herbs, and fruit trees. Gonzales does not sell the produce. He distributes most of the farm yield to family members, friends and workers. On the manufacturing and farming fronts, Gonzales turns to his cousin Eduardo, the Central Luzon assistant director of the Department of Agriculture, for technical advice. Power’s organic fertilizer includes modified sandy soil, found in abundance in Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales following the 1991 eruption, Gonzales says. The organic fertilizer also increases the water holding capacity of the soil by introducing microelements, which improve root penetration. It also minimizes dependence on synthetic fertilizer, eventually turning the farm into a chemical-free plantation. “We can’t just be grumbling and worrying about things. There are solutions,” says the sugar planter, whose sunny disposition is almost legendary in the local industry.

Published in Philippine Daily Inquirer Sept. 26, 2010.

Bahraini Firm Invest in Banana Farm

By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT

September 30, 2010, 4:20pm

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino-Bahraini joint venture Dana Fresh Agri-Development Inc. is developing a 250-hectare Cavendish banana plantation in Sarangani province for export to Middle East, Bahrain, Korea, and other Asian countries.

The Board of Investments has already approved the project on a non-pioneer status entitling the company to four-year income tax holiday and duty-free importation of capital equipment.

In approving the project, the BoI cited the P306.042 million in net cost benefit in favor of the government in terms of tax contribution and foreign exchange earnings of $77.575 million in the first four years of the company’s operation.

The company’s banana plantation in Malandag, Sarangani province is expected to produce over 1.310 million boxes or 17,809 metric tons a year of Cavendish bananas, all for the export market.

Initial planting of bananas has already started after having established a banana nursery in June this year. Commercial production is expected to start in January 2011 with 392 employees with annual payroll of over P52.553 million. Project financing is 88 percent stockholders’ equity and 12 percent bank loans.

This activity is listed in the 2010 Investment Priorities Plan under export activities.

The company is 60 percent Filipino-owned and 40 percent Bahraini. Its major stockholder is Nader & Ebrahim S/O Phils. Inc., which owns 99.99 percent stake in the project.

The group has an existing banana production operation in Davao del Norte province, which is 50 kilometers away from Sarangani province.

Nader & Ebrahim has P427 million company asset and is primarily engaged in wholesale trading of agricultural products.

The company will acquire several farm equipment and machineries including cable system, cross guying, irrigation system, powerlines, transloading hub, farm spray equipment, deepwell, vehicles and radio equipment. from local manufacturers.

Published in Manila Bulletin Oct. 1, 2010.

• l

Ilocos Upland Communities Gets Windfall From 12-M Loan.

September 02, 2010 23:41:00

Philippine Daily Inquirer

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union—Upland communities in at least 10 towns of the Ilocos region have increased their forest and fruit tree density using a P12-million agro forestry livelihood assistance fund, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional office here.

“Agro forestry provides direct income to the upland communities at the same time makes idle lands productive,” said Samuel Peñafiel, DENR Ilocos region director.

According to DENR data, 13 projects worth P6.6 million were given to 1,298 upland farmers in the towns of Vintar, Marcos and Sarrat in Ilocos Norte; Burgos and Del Pilar in Ilocos Sur; Tubao and Santol in La Union; and Sison, San Manuel and Bugallon in Pangasinan.

Out of the target 326 hectares of forest areas, 292 hectares have been planted with forest and fruit trees, coconuts, agricultural crops and bamboos, Peñafiel said.

“We have already organized them into people’s organizations under our community-based forest management program to ensure long-term benefits to them,” he said.

Peñafiel said P1.6 million was also extended to farmers to finance capability building, training on plantation technologies and information dissemination activities on forest protection.

These organizations have been registered with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Labor and Employment and Cooperative Development Authority.

This year, five more organizations involving 231 families were granted different projects worth P4.4 million.

Among these are agro forestry and livestock raising production project in San Pedro, Batac, Ilocos Norte (worth P790,937) and the Tiagan agro forestry development in San Emilio, Ilocos Sur (P984,590). Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon.

Published in Philippine Daily Inquirer September 2, 2010. 

September 02, 2010 23:41:00

Philippine Daily Inquirer

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union—Upland communities in at least 10 towns of the Ilocos region have increased their forest and fruit tree density using a P12-million agro forestry livelihood assistance fund, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional office here.

“Agro forestry provides direct income to the upland communities at the same time makes idle lands productive,” said Samuel Peñafiel, DENR Ilocos region director.

According to DENR data, 13 projects worth P6.6 million were given to 1,298 upland farmers in the towns of Vintar, Marcos and Sarrat in Ilocos Norte; Burgos and Del Pilar in Ilocos Sur; Tubao and Santol in La Union; and Sison, San Manuel and Bugallon in Pangasinan.

Out of the target 326 hectares of forest areas, 292 hectares have been planted with forest and fruit trees, coconuts, agricultural crops and bamboos, Peñafiel said.

“We have already organized them into people’s organizations under our community-based forest management program to ensure long-term benefits to them,” he said.

Peñafiel said P1.6 million was also extended to farmers to finance capability building, training on plantation technologies and information dissemination activities on forest protection.

These organizations have been registered with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Labor and Employment and Cooperative Development Authority.

This year, five more organizations involving 231 families were granted different projects worth P4.4 million.

Among these are agro forestry and livestock raising production project in San Pedro, Batac, Ilocos Norte (worth P790,937) and the Tiagan agro forestry development in San Emilio, Ilocos Sur (P984,590). Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon.

Published in Philippine Daily Inquirer September 2, 2010. 

Ilocos upland communities gets windfall from P12-M loan.

September 02, 2010 23:41:00

Philippine Daily Inquirer

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union—Upland communities in at least 10 towns of the Ilocos region have increased their forest and fruit tree density using a P12-million agro forestry livelihood assistance fund, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional office here.

“Agro forestry provides direct income to the upland communities at the same time makes idle lands productive,” said Samuel Peñafiel, DENR Ilocos region director.

According to DENR data, 13 projects worth P6.6 million were given to 1,298 upland farmers in the towns of Vintar, Marcos and Sarrat in Ilocos Norte; Burgos and Del Pilar in Ilocos Sur; Tubao and Santol in La Union; and Sison, San Manuel and Bugallon in Pangasinan.

Out of the target 326 hectares of forest areas, 292 hectares have been planted with forest and fruit trees, coconuts, agricultural crops and bamboos, Peñafiel said.

“We have already organized them into people’s organizations under our community-based forest management program to ensure long-term benefits to them,” he said.

Peñafiel said P1.6 million was also extended to farmers to finance capability building, training on plantation technologies and information dissemination activities on forest protection.

These organizations have been registered with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Labor and Employment and Cooperative Development Authority.

This year, five more organizations involving 231 families were granted different projects worth P4.4 million.

Among these are agro forestry and livestock raising production project in San Pedro, Batac, Ilocos Norte (worth P790,937) and the Tiagan agro forestry development in San Emilio, Ilocos Sur (P984,590). Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon.

Published in Philippine Daily Inquirer September 2, 2010. 

September 02, 2010 23:41:00

Philippine Daily Inquirer

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union—Upland communities in at least 10 towns of the Ilocos region have increased their forest and fruit tree density using a P12-million agro forestry livelihood assistance fund, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional office here.

“Agro forestry provides direct income to the upland communities at the same time makes idle lands productive,” said Samuel Peñafiel, DENR Ilocos region director.

According to DENR data, 13 projects worth P6.6 million were given to 1,298 upland farmers in the towns of Vintar, Marcos and Sarrat in Ilocos Norte; Burgos and Del Pilar in Ilocos Sur; Tubao and Santol in La Union; and Sison, San Manuel and Bugallon in Pangasinan.

Out of the target 326 hectares of forest areas, 292 hectares have been planted with forest and fruit trees, coconuts, agricultural crops and bamboos, Peñafiel said.

“We have already organized them into people’s organizations under our community-based forest management program to ensure long-term benefits to them,” he said.

Peñafiel said P1.6 million was also extended to farmers to finance capability building, training on plantation technologies and information dissemination activities on forest protection.

These organizations have been registered with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Labor and Employment and Cooperative Development Authority.

This year, five more organizations involving 231 families were granted different projects worth P4.4 million.

Among these are agro forestry and livestock raising production project in San Pedro, Batac, Ilocos Norte (worth P790,937) and the Tiagan agro forestry development in San Emilio, Ilocos Sur (P984,590). Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon.

Published in Philippine Daily Inquirer September 2, 2010.