LEGAZPI CITY, Nov 14 (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) led the 7th Bicol Organic Agriculture Congress held on November 6-7 at the Ibalong Recreation Center (ICR) here with the theme “Promoting the Well-being of Farming Families through Organic Agriculture.”
DA Bicol information officer Emily Bordado said the theme is aligned with the United Nation declaration of 2014 as International Year of Family Farming which aims to recognize the farm families’ contribution in feeding the earth and caring for the environment.
The Congress was staged in partnership with the City Government of Legazpi, Provincial Government of Albay, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Pecuaria Development Cooperative Inc., (PDCI), Social Action Center and other private sector partners who are supporting the organic agriculture efforts in the region.
Bordado said over 600 organic agriculture farmers, practitioners, advocates and supporters participated in the said gathering held annually to serve as an avenue for sharing of new ideas, experiences and good practices among organic agriculture practitioners, program implementers and adaptors.
“It also served as a venue for disseminating information, policy and program updates, directions and thrusts on organic agriculture in consonance with the implementation of the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010,” she added.
Among the topics discussed during the congress are Ang Kahalagahang Pangnutrisyon ng mga Organikong Gulay by Ms. Marilyn C. Valeza, National Nutrition Council and Kadyos: An Organic Food Option by Ms. Fe B. Perlas and Ms. Melani Y. Abalayan of CBSUA.
Marketing and Livelihood Opportunities for Organic Agriculture by Pacita Juan and Regina Francisco, ECHOSI Foundation; Organic Rice Value Chain by Mr. Crispin B. Cabal, Jr., Pecuaria Development Cooperative, Inc.; Organic Agriculture Registration and Certification Process by BAFS representative were also included.
The guest of honor and keynote speaker during the opening program was Maria Estrella A. Penunia, Asia Pacific Region Ambassador for International Year of Farming Families 2014 and secretary general of the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development.
Also present were Mayor Noel Rosal of Legazpi City; Caroline M. Ubalde, program director of Organic Agriculture-based Social Enterprise Project; Dr. Georgina J. Bordado, president, CBSUA; Fr. Granwell Pitapit, director of Caritas of the Diocese of Libmanan; Fr. Ian Trillanes, NGO sector representative of the National Organic Agriculture Board and Dr. Elena b. de los Santos.
Along with them are Regional Technical Director for Operations and Extensions of the DA who represented Director Abelardo R. Bragas; Adelina A. Losa, DA Regional Organic Agriculture focal person; Dr. Albert Jo of Rapha Valley Place of WELLNESS, and Miller Bicaldo, manager of PDCI, the only certified producer of organic rice in the Bicol Region.
The Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 (Republic Act 10068), signed on April 6 2010, is a state policy to promote, propagate and further develop the practice of organic farming in the Philippines.
The policy is expected to increase farm productivity; reduce environmental degradation and prevent the depletion of natural resources; further protect the health of farmers, consumers and the general public; and help cut expenses on imported farm inputs.
The new law establishes a comprehensive national agricultural program which will promote organic-farming methods through farmers’ and consumers’ education, and the extension of assistance to local government units, peoples’ organizations, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders.(MAL/SAA/EBB-DA5/PIA5)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2571415949299/7th-bicol-organic-agriculture-congress-underscores-welfare-of-farming-families-#sthash.CfRYqF4E.dpuf
DA Bicol information officer Emily Bordado said the theme is aligned with the United Nation declaration of 2014 as International Year of Family Farming which aims to recognize the farm families’ contribution in feeding the earth and caring for the environment.
The Congress was staged in partnership with the City Government of Legazpi, Provincial Government of Albay, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Pecuaria Development Cooperative Inc., (PDCI), Social Action Center and other private sector partners who are supporting the organic agriculture efforts in the region.
Bordado said over 600 organic agriculture farmers, practitioners, advocates and supporters participated in the said gathering held annually to serve as an avenue for sharing of new ideas, experiences and good practices among organic agriculture practitioners, program implementers and adaptors.
“It also served as a venue for disseminating information, policy and program updates, directions and thrusts on organic agriculture in consonance with the implementation of the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010,” she added.
Among the topics discussed during the congress are Ang Kahalagahang Pangnutrisyon ng mga Organikong Gulay by Ms. Marilyn C. Valeza, National Nutrition Council and Kadyos: An Organic Food Option by Ms. Fe B. Perlas and Ms. Melani Y. Abalayan of CBSUA.
Marketing and Livelihood Opportunities for Organic Agriculture by Pacita Juan and Regina Francisco, ECHOSI Foundation; Organic Rice Value Chain by Mr. Crispin B. Cabal, Jr., Pecuaria Development Cooperative, Inc.; Organic Agriculture Registration and Certification Process by BAFS representative were also included.
The guest of honor and keynote speaker during the opening program was Maria Estrella A. Penunia, Asia Pacific Region Ambassador for International Year of Farming Families 2014 and secretary general of the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development.
Also present were Mayor Noel Rosal of Legazpi City; Caroline M. Ubalde, program director of Organic Agriculture-based Social Enterprise Project; Dr. Georgina J. Bordado, president, CBSUA; Fr. Granwell Pitapit, director of Caritas of the Diocese of Libmanan; Fr. Ian Trillanes, NGO sector representative of the National Organic Agriculture Board and Dr. Elena b. de los Santos.
Along with them are Regional Technical Director for Operations and Extensions of the DA who represented Director Abelardo R. Bragas; Adelina A. Losa, DA Regional Organic Agriculture focal person; Dr. Albert Jo of Rapha Valley Place of WELLNESS, and Miller Bicaldo, manager of PDCI, the only certified producer of organic rice in the Bicol Region.
The Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 (Republic Act 10068), signed on April 6 2010, is a state policy to promote, propagate and further develop the practice of organic farming in the Philippines.
The policy is expected to increase farm productivity; reduce environmental degradation and prevent the depletion of natural resources; further protect the health of farmers, consumers and the general public; and help cut expenses on imported farm inputs.
The new law establishes a comprehensive national agricultural program which will promote organic-farming methods through farmers’ and consumers’ education, and the extension of assistance to local government units, peoples’ organizations, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders.(MAL/SAA/EBB-DA5/PIA5)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2571415949299/7th-bicol-organic-agriculture-congress-underscores-welfare-of-farming-families-#sthash.CfRYqF4E.dpuf
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