MAFAR CONDUCTS PGS ORIENTATION FOR AEWS, FARMERS IN BARMM
20 Agricultural Extension Workers and Farmers from the island provinces of Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi participated in the orientation on the participatory guarantee system last October 12, 2023, held at Ever O Hotel Business Hotel, Zamboanga City.
The orientation aims to give brief information and prepare the participants for the expected activities during the ten training days. They will be having a series of workshops and field visits for the actual practice of inspection.
Dr. Esmael S. Satol, Chief of Science Research Specialist, expressed his warm welcome to the participants and urged them to continue venturing into organic agriculture and to promote its expansion by practicing and applying government-provided knowledge and technologies.
He added that organic products will benefit not only the farmers by the income they give them but also the soils, the environment, and the health of the organic consumers.
The participants, on the other hand, engaged during the open forum and raised their concerns pertaining to the organic certification and accreditation of organic products.
They also clarify the Department of Agricultures’ advocacy between the promotion of organic practices and the distribution of GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) seeds and fertilizers.
In response, Mr. Johnny Pasaquian, the Resource Speaker from ATI XII, said that their queries were common and discussed extensively during his previous interagency engagement.
He enlightened the participants by showing his presentation, in which he elaborated to them the salient provisions and the implementing rules and regulations of the amended Organic Agriculture Act known as RA 11511 (amending the OAA of 2010 –RA 10068), which declares to “promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines” as cited on Section 2 of OAA – RA 11511.
In addition, the certification and accreditation of organic products shall be granted by a certifying body, which will start with the participants as they will be grouped into 3 to represent their provinces. They will learn so much about the PGS Group and its roles and functions in the event of the training.
Meanwhile, MAFAR-RDE Organic Focal and Science Research Specialist II, Elvie C. Betonio, appreciates the cooperation and coordination of the participants.
“I am grateful for the support of MAFAR RDE Director II, Tong A. Abas, and MAFAR Minister Mohammad S. Yacob, Ph.D., to push this orientation for our AEWs and farmers,” she said.
She also requested two farmers from agri-fishery organizations per province to join in the upcoming training for trainers.