Candido Damo, DA Corn and Cassava Program consultant, discusses the revised guidelines on NQCAA, CCMEA, and Cornucopia during the Mindanao Cluster A zonal briefing. (photo by Jonaly Villasis)
VISAYAS & MINDANAO—Following the zonal briefing on corn and cassava industry awards in Luzon, Corn Program coordinators from Visayas and Mindanao convened for the presentation of the revised guidelines of the National Quality Corn Achievers Award (NQCAA), Cassava Cluster Management Excellence Awards (CCMEA), and Cornucopia.
The series of zonal briefings was attended by Corn Program focal persons from the regional offices of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). They are expected to disseminate the revisions in the guidelines to the local government units and farmer organizations.
Aside from the revised guidelines for NQCAA, CCMEA, and Cornucopia, the Philippine National Standards for grading and classification of corn, fresh cassava, and cassava chips were also discussed.
Seventeen Regional Search Committee (RSC) members from Regions V, VI, VII, and VIII constituted the Visayas Cluster. Edralina Serrano, NQCAA Chairman, led the discussions with them.
Meanwhile, briefings in Mindanao were held in two clusters. Cluster A was composed of 11 RSC members from Regions IX, XII, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The briefing was led by Candido Damo, DA Corn and Cassava Program consultant.
The briefing for Mindanao Cluster B was attended by 14 RSC Members from Regions X, XI, and CARAGA.
The Visayas and Mindanao Cluster B zonal briefings were held simultaneously on April 22-24 in Iloilo City and Cagayan De Oro City, respectively. Meanwhile, the briefing for Mindanao Cluster A was conducted last April 24-26 in Pagadian City.