Department of Agrarian Reform XI

	Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM Regional Office XI Catalunan Pequeño, Davao City

Go to Top

Today is

Region XI

For inquiries, comments & suggestions, email us @ darro11webteam@yahoo.com

LAND DISTRIBUTION ACCOMPLISHMENT
TYPE	Davao City	Davao Oriental	Davao del Norte	ComVal Province	Davao del Sur	TOTAL
*OLT*	1,308	823	4,014	2,170	1,431	9,746
*GFI*	676	2,454		3,702	2,012	8,844
*VOS*	3,010	24,595	14,527	9,290	11,741	63,163
CA	2,745	5,228	5,086	5,189	3,275	21,523
*VLT*	6,896	8,730	17,659	13,389	4,759	51,433
PAL	14,635	41,830	41,286	33,740	23,218	154,709
*Settlements*	60	15,564	9,965	12,318		37,907
*GOL*	4,204		7,867	8,329	11,690	32,090
NON-PAL	4,264	15,564	17,832	20,647	11,690	69,997
TOTAL	18,899	57,934	59,118	54,837	34,908	224,706

FEATURE

Agrarian Reform: Making a Difference in Region XI (1972 - 2008)

AGRARIAN REFORM BENEFICIARY (ARB) POPULATION
Davao City	Davao Oriental	Davao del Norte	ComVal Province	Davao del Sur	TOTAL
15,145	29,344	41,388	33,370	20,879	140,126

Source: DARRO XI Planning Division

Macadamia: potential tree species for DAR reforestation project

Step aside, Gmelina, acacia mangium and mahogany -- Macadamia is here! This tree, endemic to Australia but widely cultivated in Hawaii, is famous for its nutritious nut and is seen as the next "preferred tree species" for government reforestation projects.

"We have a pending proposal with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) under its Foreign-Assisted Projects Office (FAPsO) to utilize macadamia in its reforestation project and as a potential moneymaking venture for the ARBs", said Mr. Jorge Disuanco, President and CEO of MacNut Philippines, Inc. The company plans to bring into the country macadamia tree seedlings. Disuanco added that "Macadamia trees are not invasive to the environment and are used primarily for reforestation in Hawaii."

A grafted macadamia tree is said to bear fruit within 3-5 years and will continue to be productive for up to 60-80 years. In contrast, non-grafted trees take 8-10 years to bear fruit but have a longer productive period of 150 years. Once the tree becomes productive, you just have to wait for the mature nuts to fall to the ground, hence the ease in harvesting.

Now that could effectively address one perennial concern in the government's reforestation projects -- cutting down trees to be used as firewood or lumber. This could be abated if Macadamia trees are used, for who would want to destroy something that could provide sustainable income.

How important is macadamia as a crop or tree? Macadamia is prized for its nut, which yields oil rich in Omega 3, 6, 7 and 9 plus vitamins and minerals, thus is used commercially as food supplement and healthy alternative to cooking oil. Macadamia nuts are likewise used as a main ingredient for confectionery, baking and ice cream. Its hard nutshell, reputedly the hardest nut to crack (requiring a pressure of 300 pounds per square inch), is so tough that it can be used as substitute for sand for sandblasting purposes, as an industrial abrasive and can also be turned into charcoal for fuel. It has also been found useful in the beauty industry (as facial scrub) and agriculture as mulch for young trees. The demand for macadamia is seen as a boon for our ARBs who will be involved in the project.

One major drawback, however, is the cost as Macadamia seedlings are quite pricey at PhP 1,000.00. "It's not easy to propagate Macadamia. We spent millions of dollars on research and development and until such time that we recoup our investments, you cannot expect seedling prices to go down", reveals Disuanco. Perhaps we can find a way to address this concern. (Information Unit - DARRO XI)

Macadamia foliage and nuts

Foreign-assisted Projects Implemented in Region XI

The Department of Agrarian Reform in Region XI has already implemented around PhP 1.5 billion worth of infrastructure projects from its four (4) foreign-assisted projects (FAPs) operating regionwide.

DAR XI Regional Director Datu Yusoph B. Mama said these projects were made possible through the cooperation of the national government and LGUs as they provide counterpart funds. The infra projects include farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, post-harvest facilities, bridges, school buildings and barangay health stations, among others. Director Mama said that around 103,0-00 ARBs and residents within the ARCs reaped the benefits from these projects.

The World Bank-assisted Agrarian Reform Communities Development Project (ARCDP) Phases 1 and 2 implemented in the provinces of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental has funded around PhP 328.8 million worth of infrastructure projects. Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Suipport Project (ARISP) Phases 1, 1.5 and 2 and the Mindanao Sustainable Settlement Area Development Project (MinSSAD), both funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) have provided infrastructure projects amounting to some PhP 862.5 million. ARISP is on its third phase, covering the provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and ComVal.

The Agrarian Reform Communities Project (ARCP) with funding support form the Asian Development Bank (ADB) implemented in the provinces of Davao del Sur and Davao City has implemented around PhP 194.9 million worth of infrastructure projects.

The support provided by FAPs are not limited to infrastructure. The Solar Power Technology Support Project (SPOTS) funded by the Government of Spain has the objective of providing electricity to ARCs to hasten economic and social activities, thereby improving the quality of life. Implementation has been completed with projects totaling over PhP 173 million.

Director Mama added that these infrastructure projects were undertaken in tandem with government agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the LGUs. ((Information Unit - DARRO XI)

Site last updated in July 2010