Organic agriculture key to boost food production – DA
ORGANIC agriculture is a crucial element in enhancing food production and protecting the country’s natural resources.
This was stressed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) during the opening of the 8th Organic Agriculture Month last Monday.
The event with the theme, “Maunlad na Pagsasaka, Garantisado sa Organikong Agrikulturang Sinaliksik,” aims to promote organic agriculture by focusing national attention on the importance of organic agriculture in enhancing global competitiveness and environmental integrity, increasing food security and safety, and alleviating poverty as per the Proclamation No. 1030, series of 2015.
As part of the government’s efforts to entice local farmers to practice organic agriculture, the Republic Act (RA) No. 10068, or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, was passed to establish “a comprehensive program for the promotion of community-based organic agriculture systems” and the “adoption of organic agriculture system as a viable alternative.”
Senator Cynthia Villar, the event’s guest speaker, explained that RA 10068 was later amended through RA No. 11511 to introduce the “Participatory Guarantee System” (PGS) as an alternative to the expensive third-party certifications.
This PGS helped about 165,000 small-scale organic farmers to sell their products with the organic label at a premium price and be reached by consumers.
Villar also shared her personal experiences as an organic agriculture practitioner and advocate, with the main focus on the benefits of capacitating communities to produce their own organic fertilizers.
Villar, who is Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform Chairperson, revealed that a total of 67 composting facilities had been established in the City of Las Piñas during her term as a politician.
With the facilities producing more than 800 tons of organic fertilizer annually and the local government recycling plastic waste, the city generates less waste and saves P300 million every year.
Aside from Villar, Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) Director Juanito Batalon, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte Mayor Rommel Arnado, and other members of the National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) also graced the event.
The opening event featured a mini bazaar of local organic products and features on organic agriculture technologies and innovations.
