Philippines: 7.5 million to promote organic agriculture

The Provincial Government of Davao del Norte and four of its local government units have received a total of P7.5 million from the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the promotion of organic agriculture in the province. OIC-provincial agriculturist Dr. Anastacia Notarte bared the province, including the municipalities of Sto. Tomas, B.E. Dujali, Kapalong and the city of Panabo were given P1.5 million each to establish techno-demo farms that will showcase natural farming.

She said the demo farms are the most effective and efficient way of promoting organic farming among the farmers and the populace.

"Organic agriculture has been proven to increase productivity and income, while protecting our environment," she said.

Provincial Organic Agriculture (OA) focal person Marilou Runas said the province intends to use the fund to develop more than a hectare demo farm adjacent to the Provincial Agriculturist Office.

She revealed the diversified OA techno-demo farm of the Capitol will grow organic vegetables, fruit trees, and upland rice, among others.

Other components of the project include training, vermiculture, bio pesticide, and the likes.

It will also employ the trichoderma and trichogramma projects, which are highly successful natural bio-control agent and natural pest control projects of the province, respectively.

Runas said the National Organic Agriculture Board is on the process of verifying the application of the other LGUs of the province to avail of the fund.

It can be recalled that Governor Rodolfo del Rosario has urged all the LGUs to take advantage of the funds coming from the national government, as sanctioned by the Organic Agriculture Act (OAA) of 2010, in order to adequately promote organic agriculture in the province, which he said, has been tested to increase productivity and income of the farmers.

Meanwhile, the province of Davao del Norte and the municipality of B.E. Dujali bested the regional level of the search for Organic Agriculture-Local Government Unit (OA-LGU) awards for its stride in promoting organic farming.

DA regional director Remelyn Recoter informed del Rosario that the Provincial Agriculturist Office of Davao del Norte and Runas dominated the competition in the Davao Region.

The town of Braulio E. Dujali was also adjudged as the top performing OA-municipal local government unit.

In a letter dated September 18, Recoter bared the province got a score of 97.34.

She advised the province to prepare for the second round of site visit and documentation which will be held on September 24.

Recoter, who is also the chair of the regional search committee, earlier said the OA-LGU awards aim to recognize the achievement of top performing LGUs and individuals in advancing organic farming in the country.

It also intends to strengthen the partnership of the DA and the LGUs in producing OA products, while gearing towards the conversion of at least five percent of the agricultural lands in the country to go organic.

source: sunstar.com.ph