I. CROPS

• In Abra, irrigated and rainfed palay farmers were on seedbed preparation and seed sowing activities. On the otherhand, picking of mangoes and priming of tobacco was almost through in the province.
• In Apayao, planting of palay and corn has started. Most farmers were on land preparation activities. The sporadic occurrence of rains delayed planting on rainfed areas.
• In Benguet, planting of leafy vegetables was on-going in the top five producing municipalities particularly Buguias, Mankayan, Bakun, Atok and Kibungan. Moreover, most temperate vegetables decreased in production such as carrots, radish, white potato, celery, onion leeks, sweet pepper, habitchuelas, cauliflower, and lettuce.
• In Kalinga, planting of palay has started in the municipalities of Rizal and Pinukpuk while for corn, reproductive stage of the crop was observed in the municipalities of Rizal and Pinukpuk. Start of harvest for avocado and pineapple province wide was also noted.
• In Mt. Province, harvesting of irrigated palay was on-going and land preparation for rainfed and upland palay.

II. LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY

• In Apayao, the Agricultural Technologies of MAO Calanasan conducted de-worming and disease control on large animals in the municipality.
• In Ifugao, 15 head of cattle and 4 head of carabaos sourced from the municipalities of Aguinaldo, Mayoyao, Lamut and Alfonso Lista were shipped out to Urdaneta City. At least 309 heads of swine were shipped in the province from the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya and also 12,000 culled layers sourced from Bulacan, and Batangas.

III. FISHERIES

• In Apayao, BFAR CAR in cooperation with LGU Flora distributed cast nets to selected beneficiaries. The activity aimed to increase the catch on municipal inland. The nets were given free.
• In Ifugao, fishpond and fish cage production slowed down. Production was affected by prolonged dry season and unusually hot climatic conditions caused by mild El Nino. Water level at Magat dam was 178 meters within the normal range. There was adequate supply of irrigation water from the NIA Hapid Irrigation Canal in the municipality of Lamut and Mariz dam in the municipality of Alfonso Lista.
• In Kalinga, low production in aquaculture farms was observed while more catch in municipal inland fishery due to the low water level.
• In Mt. Province, some fishpond operators in Bauko municipality were beneficiaries of tilapia fingerlings from the provincial government as well as BFAR-CAR. The same support was extended by the provincial local government unit to some fishpond operators in Sagada municipality.

IV. PRICES AND MARKET SITUATION

• In Abra, price of rice commodities were observed to be much higher during this period wherein ordinary rice was retailed at P36.00. The reason for such change is the scarce supply available for trade.
• In Apayao, retail prices of most agricultural commodities declined over last month’s prices due to more volume of local supply as well as inflow from neighboring provinces.
• In Benguet, supply of most highland vegetables such as carrots, radish, white potato, celery was deficit which caused the prices to escalate
• In Ifugao, prices of vegetables, fruits, fish, livestock and poultry were within the normal level for the period covered. There was adequate supply of vegetables, fish and poultry in the market.
• In Kalinga, more supply of ripe carabao mango was observed due to peak harvest.
• In Mt. Province, no fast movement of retail prices of commodities was observed except for ginger.

V. SIGNIFICANT AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT/ PROGRAMS/ POLICIES/ GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS

• In Abra, construction of 2 storey Multi Purpose Building in the municipality of Villaviciosa was on-going.
• In Apayao, there was an ongoing construction of small farm reservoir (SFR) at Malubibit Sur, Flora. The project was funded by the DA CAR and it is being implemented by the LGU. The SFR when done would irrigate 5 hectares of vegetable farms. The project cost of P 250,000.00 was provided by DA-CAR. Also, there was an ongoing 5 hectares technoDemo farm on corn-cassava Intercropping at Anninipan, Flor. The demo aimed to transfer the technology to farmers to maximize the use of their area. The techno-demo was attended by 50 farmer participants.
• In Benguet, the Department of Agriculture and the provincial government of Benguet recently forged a memorandum of agreement to enhance the production of high value crops. Under the MOA DA-HVCDP Regional Field Office – Cordillera Region will provide necessary technical support and monitor implementation of the project. The provincial government will prepare the guidelines for the successful implementation of the project.
• In Mt. Province, the provincial government procured this month 150,000 tilapia fingerlings worth P45,000.00 at P0.30 per piece which were distributed to 232 farmers. Of the total fingerlings procured, 52,800 were distributed to121 farmers in the municipality of Sagada; 25,700 to 32 farmers in Barlig; 17,900 to 31 farmers in Bauko; 16,300 to 31 farmers in Sabangan; 10,200 to 10 farmers in Bontoc; 4,500 to two farmers in Tadian; and 4,200 to 5 farmers in Besao. The riverine culture in barangay Supang in Sabangan was also given 20,000 fingerlings. The fingerlings were given for free.
• In Mt. Province, on-going concreting of Abatan, Bauko –Cagubatan, Tadian road was noted.

VI. SEMINARS/ TRAININGS/ WORKSHOPS/ MEETINGS

• In Abra, a one-day federation meeting and election of Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council officers was held at the Farmers Training Center, Department of Agriculture, Provincial Office in Calaba, Bangued last June 21,2012.
• In Mt. Province, a training on Etag Making (smoked meat) was jointly conducted by DA-CAR and LGU-Tadian with 40 farmer participants. Likewise, the CHARM in coordination with the said LGU conducted a training on bookkeeping with 80 participants.

VII. WEATHER/ CLIMATIC CONDITION/ OUTLOOK

The province experienced warm to partly cloudy skies with occasional rainfall. This type of weather greatly favored various farming activites.