The Department of Agriculture plans to establish four (4) demonstration sites in Western Visayas this year to step up efforts to boost the practice of organic agriculture in the region.
Photo Credit: martinjapan.blogspot.com
DA 6 focal person for Organic Agriculture Program Dr. Hector Penaranda said they have allocated P1.4 million for each demo site, which will also serve as training site and demonstration site for organic farming.
“The demo sites will be managed by farmer cooperators and priority are those who practice integrated farming or production through the use of organic farming practices,” said Penaranda.
Penaranda said the LGUs need to submit a proposal for putting up a demo site, which should be in accordance with the guideline set by the DA Central Office. Project proposal processing would be on a “first-come, first-serve basis.”
The establishment of the demo sites is one of the components of the organic agriculture program that was established under the “Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 or Republic Act. No. 10068, an act intended for the development and promotion of organic agriculture in the country.
Penaranda said some P21.8 million has been earmarked by DA for the implementation of the organic agriculture program in the region.
Out of the six provinces in the province, Iloilo has the biggest share of the fund getting some P5.2 million, followed by Negros Occidental with P4.2 million, Capiz with P3.1 million, Antique with P2.9 million, Aklan with P2.5 million and Guimaras with P2 million.
Penaranda said the fund will also be used to finance the creation of municipal and provincial technical committees on organic agriculture that will serve as policy making and planning body in the municipalities or provinces and fund support to LGUs and other stakeholders with existing organic agriculture programs.
“Through organic farming we will not only have safe and adequate food but as well as safer environment as the method helps mitigate climate change,” said Penaranda.
He added that “organic farming makes use of organic fertilizer and natural pesticides that reduce greenhouse gases”.
Source: Philippine Information Agency
November 16, 2011 at 6:11 am
I just want to know if the proposed establishment of demonstration farms is open to LGUs only? I am working with a Non-Government Organization and our program is focused on poverty alleviation through organic farming utilizing the diversified and intensified farming systems. We have been doing this since 2003. Having a demo farm could help boost the campaign for organic practice. Can you consider the NGOs to submit proposals too?