Regional Executive Director

AGRIKULTURANG MAKAMASA -
HVC PROGRAM

The year ended exuding promising strides towards commercializing jackfruit, banana, mango, coffee, and sweetpotato in the region as portrayed by the growing number of private individuals and organizations who have signified interest in the production, processing and marketing of these crops.

This hopeful situation was molded by the concerted efforts of the different program components of the Agrikulturang MakaMasa - HVC Program in promoting and maintaining a conducive investment environment attractive to potential stakeholders.

CREDIT

In order to help farmers source out capitalization for their farming activities the program linked farmers to the different loaning institutions with available agricultural lending windows. hrough theses efforts, it enabled six (6) cooperatives in Dulag, Leyte to avail of P1,140.000 loan from the "TODO UNLAD" Program of the Land Bank of the Philippines. The loan package served as capitalization for the sweet potato production projects of the cooperatives resulting in the cultivation of at least 115 hectares.

AGRIKULTURANG MAKAMASA -
CORN PROGRAM

To cope with the demands and challenges of globalization, the Agrikulturang MakaMASA Corn Program was conceptualized and relentlessly pursued in the region by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 8. The program seeks to evolve a new development paradigm for the for the corn sector which is farmer-focused and agri-business oriented.

AGRIKULTURANG MAKAMASA - LIVESTOCK PROGRAM

The shift program strategy from commodity specific approach to a functional one challenges program implementors to adjust to the new strategy and be familiar to the new system.

For this year, a relatively stable animal diseases situation was maintained, greatly benefitting stakeholders as this will translate to a steady growth in animal inventory. The entry of FMD to the region was successfully prevented with the strict implementation of quarantine rules and regulations and disease surveillance. All these various activities undertaken are in partnership with the local government units.

AGRIKULTURANG MAKAMASA -
RICE PROGRAM

Considered as the "banner of all banner programs" the Agrikulturang MakaMASA - Rice Program of the Department of Agriculture topped the list of the productivity enhancing strategies for egion 8. During the year, the DA-RFU 8 focused on the operationalization of the Agrikulturang MakaMASA Rice Seed System Action Program (AM-RSSAP) whose primary concern is to raise the level of farmers' utilization of certified seeds from 15% to 20% and ensuring the availability of the production input at the right quantity, time and place.

a. Rice

Pre and Post Harvest Facilities Development

The regional Agricultural Engineering Group (RAEG spearheaded the accomlishment of the various activities in this component.

Irrigration Infra Support

The year 1999 signaled the govrenment's commitment to implement the irrigation component of AFMA. Delivery and installation of small Irrigation systems were completed including those that were procured by the Central Office. A total of 321 shallow Tube Wells (STW) was installed and became operational.

Status of Small Irrigation Development (As of December 29, 1999)

1999 Accomplished (no. of units)
*Type*	*Total Units Installed*	*Targets)*	*Accompl'd*	*% Accompl'd*	*Remarks*
1. STW	876	34	321	944.122	140.00 procurement 155 1998 funds 26 1999 funds
2. SFR	454	140	382	272.860	55 units 1999 funds 327 La Niña funds
3. SWIP/DD	56	13	13	100.00	2 units 1999 funds 6 units 1997 funds 5 units 1998 funds

The number of small Farm Reserviors (SFR) and Diversion Dams (DD) contructed totaled to 382 and 13, respectively.