BARMM OA STAKEHOLDERS JOIN THE 16TH NOAC IN CAVITE

Organic agriculture implementers and practitioners in BARMM took part in the 16th National Organic Agriculture Congress held at Camp Benjamin, Alfonso, Cavite on November 12-14, 2019.
 
There were 26 delegates from MAFAR and from the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, all in the Bangsamoro Region. They were led by Regional Organic Agriculture Coordinator Albaya S. Sagad with P4MP President Yamashita B. Mangacop and AMAD Chief Dr Jalika D. Mangacop.
 
With this year’s theme ‘Organikong Agrikultura sa Kumikitang Kabuhayan para sa Kalusugan at Kapaligiran, the event, spearheaded by Secretary William “Manong Dar” D. Dar, was attended by thousands of organic agriculture advocates from the different regions across the country.
 
Serving as the keynote speaker, Secretary Dar reiterated his campaign for balanced agriculture, which he believes is the key to increase the economic status of the farmers. He emphasized that he does not oppose pure organic farming but instead, he encourages balanced fertilization to attain better harvest. He then pointed out that small farmers and fisherfolk must benefit from more sources of income to realize “Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita” (Prosperous Harvest and High Income).
 
Hon. Mayor Randy A. Salamat of Alfonso warmly welcomed all the NOAC delegates and informed them that the town strongly supports the farmers and organic agriculture. He stressed that without the farmers, they will be left with nothing to eat.
 
Hosted by Region IV-A (CALABARZON), the congress was highlighted by simultaneous Break-Out Sessions with presentations on different topics aimed at making the participants more knowledgeable in organic farming. Among the topics were Organic Agriculture Technologies, Marketing, Research and Policy.
 
To witness and learn from some of the established farms in the region, the group of participants visited in Cavite the Sanctuary Nature Farm in Kayquit, Indang; Luntiang Republika Eco Farm in Taywanak Ilaya, Alfonso; Brookside Hills Leisure Farm in Brgy. Kaymias, General Emilio Aguinaldo; including Taal Maranan’s Farmville in Calle San Jose, Taal Batangas and Lukong Valley Farm in Dolores, Quezon. Agriculture commodities and by products were also displayed by each of the regions and private exhibitors to showcase and promote their respective organic products.