To improve competitiveness of root crop development, the Department of Agriculture through its HVCDP NPMO, conducted a week-long assessment and evaluation of tissue culture facilities in Eastern Visayas to determine existing gaps and assess institutional capacity in addressing the increasing demand for ube (purple yam) and other rootcrops.

Following successful rollouts in Northern and Eastern Samar, the wave of financial relief has reached Leyte, providing ₱7,000 in RCEF-RFFA assistance to rice farmers across 34 municipalities just in time for the new cropping season.

The DA RFO 8, through its Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division (PMED), recently conducted a three-day Operational Planning session to sharpen the region’s agricultural strategy for 2026.

Through the Swine Industry Recovery Project (SIRP) and Rice Mill provided by PhilMech and ATI-RTC 8, Calaguise Agriculture Cooperative has strengthened its rice and swine production.

Through a ₱4.5 million distribution from the DA-RFO8, the RCEF-RFFA is putting cash directly into the hands of growers to help them navigate rising production costs and safeguard the region’s food supply.

Brimming with hope and gratitude, Calaguise Agriculture Cooperative formally received agricultural support from DA-RFO 8 through the HVCDP, during a ceremonial turn-over held at Barangay Calaguise, Leyte, on January 22, 2026.

More than 1,500 rice farmers in Northern Samar are now better equipped for the new cropping season after receiving financial aid under the RFFA program, a move local officials say is key to sustaining the province’s food security.

The JaDE sub-project of Baybay City, Leyte successfully underwent the NPCO – PSO – RPCO Joint Technical Review (JTR) held on 20 – 21 January 2026, marking another major milestone in the project’s advancement under the PRDP.