Siquijor DA-PATCO leads promotion of organic agriculture

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Aug 14 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture-Provincial Agricultural Technology Coordinating Office (DA-PATCO) Siquijor is taking the lead in promoting organic agriculture in the province.

In the series of information caravan conducted over these months, program coordinator Bernadith Bunado said that apart from providing farmers with fertile soil, organic agriculture reduces pollution and destruction of the environment, prevents depletion of natural resources and further protects the health of farmers, consumers and the general public.

He said that once farmers and locals go organic agriculture, everybody can enjoy healthy and organically-produced fruits and vegetables without the harmful effects of chemicals both to the body and the environment.

She said their office and the provincial government are allocating budget to support locals and schools that would go into organic farming.

She also encouraged them to submit proposals for organic farming-related projects which she said are more likely to get immediate approval and funding both from the local and national government. (RMN/RAC-PIA7 Siquijor)

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Siquijor gov calls locals to go organic farming

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Aug 14 (PIA) -- The governor of Siquijor called on all farmers, barangay officials and schools in the province to support the Organic Agriculture Law of the Philippines or Republic Act 10068.

In the series of information caravan conducted in all municipalities and some schools provincewide, Governor Orlando A. Fua Jr. pushed for a strong support to the law and the province's shift to sustainable organic and ecological food production.

The governor admitted that a shift to organic agriculture makes farmers double their efforts in the beginning in order to meet the desired production but Fua said, he would support all the efforts if only to preserve and ecology, enhance farm productivity and raise farmers’ income in the province.

During the infocaravan, Fua lauded the Department of Agriculture in taking the lead in promoting sustainable organic and ecological agriculture as he call everyone to go on organic farming.

RA 10068 establishes a comprehensive organic farming program, that includes incentives for farmers engaged in the production of agricultural crops free from harmful chemical pesticides and fertilizer.

The new law, signed last April 6, also created a National Organic Agricultural Board (NOAB) to provide policy direction towards the promotion of organic farming in a bid to promote a healthier citizenry and an environment-friendly atmosphere.

In Siquijor province, a Provincial Organic Agriculture Board (POAB) and Provincial Technical Working Group were created to undertake advocacy efforts on the new law. (RMN/RAC-PIA7 Siquijor)