MARAMAG, Bukidnon (PIA)—The Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 led the soybean harvest recently in Barangay Base Camp, Maramag, here.

Carlene Collado, DA-10 OIC regional executive director, said the crop harvesting started after the department distributed more than 300 kilos of Manchurian soybean seeds to 15 village farmers.

The effort he said aims to boost farmers’ income and contribute to the poultry and livestock sector through local production of quality feed ingredients, under DA Memo Order No. 15 of 2021.

According to DA-10 Soybean Focal Person Samuel Natindim Jr., the agency reinforces its assistance to soybean growers to ensure good harvest—especially since its inclusion in the National Corn Program—extending the continuous provision of farm technologies, training, marketing, and other forms of postharvest help to interested farmers.

For assured market and stable prices of soybean harvest, Natindim emphasized that the agency pushes for the clustering of soybean farmers and consolidation of their yield for bulk delivery and sale.

"To date, DA-10 has linked some soybean farmers to buyers based in the cities of Valencia and Cagayan de Oro," he said.

During harvest, farmer-beneficiary Joven Maniego thanked the DA for the support.

"Giawhag gyud nako ang ubang mga mag-uuma sa pagtanom og soybean kay gawas sa taas nga demand niini, makaani na ka sulod sa tulo ngadto sa upat ka bulan (I urge other farmers to plant soybeans because aside from its high demand, it can be harvested within three to four months)," Maniego said. 

In 2023, DA-10 will expand its assistance to soybean farmers consistent with the agency's mandate to support agricultural crop production for food, animal feed, and industrial uses. (DA-10/PIA-10/Bukidnon)