ILIGAN CITY (PIA) — In the fourth episode of Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Pacamalan from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 shared that they have supported local farmers in northern Mindanao with resources to improve their ability to grow organic crops and ensure food security.
In 2023, DA-10 distributed tools and other inputs to organic practitioner farmers, including 1,000 gallons of molasses that can help improve soil quality, 1,579 packs of vegetable seeds, 217 knapsack sprayers, 800 plastic crates, 1,300 seedling trays, and 45 plastic water drums.
“We are working on improving the capacity of our farmers to engage in organic farming. We started with different inputs so they can produce organic feeds for their livestock or organic fertilizer,” he said.
In order to ensure that farmers had food to eat in between production seasons, he added, the initial distribution of seeds met their household needs.
Moreover, Pacamalan shared that in 2023, two farms in the region achieved certification through the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), which certifies small farmers, their associations, or cooperatives engaged in organic agriculture to ensure that they produce organic agricultural products.
“There are also guarantee systems to ensure that customers are guaranteed that the organic products they are buying adhere to our protocols,” he added.
Pacamalan this system enhances consumer trust and supports the marketability of locally grown organic produce.
Furthermore, DA-10 played a vital role in organizing the 6th Organic Asia Congress held in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, in June 2023, which brought together organic farming experts and practitioners worldwide to share updates and technological advancements.
He shared that they consolidated updates and technology systems for organic farming from the congress to support farmers in northern Mindanao. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
