Organic Agriculture Program Stimulate Through a Competition
The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office III (DA-RFO III) heeds the mandate of promoting Organic Agriculture in Urban Gardening and Edible Landscaping to support the Plant, Plant, Plant, Program (4Ps). This program generally aims to promote organic agriculture in the Philippines that served as a production system; as an alternative food-security strategy and as a co-friendly economic activity for urban and pre-urban dwellers. This will also help to keep up with the increasing need for food and ensure a healthy lifestyle for fellow Filipinos.
According to Agriculture Secretary William Dar, organic agriculture is important in our country now a day amid the pandemic. “The challenge today for the organic agriculture sector is to further reduce the cost of production and increase productivity so that at the end of the day, mas affordable ang mga produkto pag binenta sa merkado” Sec. Dar added.
Therefore, Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation no. 1030 series of 2015 declaring November as Organic Agriculture Month, the DA-RFO III thru its Research Division headed by Dr. Irene M. Adion, Chief of Research Division started to assist five (5) farmers’ association and barangays of Region 3 for their Organic Agriculture competition. The Research Stations conducted training on organic edible landscaping and after establishing their organic garden, the search will commence from October 1 to November 26 of 2020.
Moreover, one of the Research Experimental Station for Lahar and Ash Laden Areas (ESLALA) that is located in San Marcelino Zambales is currently supplementing two (2) farmers’ associations namely Nagbunga Irrigators Association and San Agustin Modern Farmers’ Association. Other than that, the station is also supporting two (2) barangays in San Marcelino which are San Rafael and Balaybay.
Hence the desire to help, ESLALA organized their own organic garden for the participants to get some ideas on proper management of organic agriculture. The station also supplies vegetable seeds and organic fertilizers. Monthly visitation is also acquired along with their safety protocols in the station.###
Writer: Danica Jen P. Jino
Photographer: Keneth Banal