NORTHERN Mindanao Agriculture department (DA-10) on Saturday urged farmer groups to support and achieve the 5 percent nation’s total agricultural area target in organic farming.
During the 6th year National Organic Month celebration Saturday, DA-10 officials led by regional executive director Carlene Collado rallied for support to DA's organic farming program.
Collado said the celebration is in support to Republic Act 10068 or otherwise known as the Organic Agriculture (OA) Act of 2010 and the National OA Program (NOAP) with the aim of mainstreaming OA practices throughout the country.
They also expressed their commitment and full support to the organic agriculture program especially in providing product inputs and technical support to the farmers to increase their harvests and sales.
Collado also urged farmers to come up with proposals for the department to address their adoption to organic agriculture concerns.
Collado believed this will help in the improvement of farm produce and for them to promote the development and the spreading of organic agricultural practices in the region.
Based on the 2017 data, the Philippine organic farming from the total target of 52,283.7has agricultural land, about 7 percent has been accomplished and has been converted the farms to organic food production areas.
“All LGUs are encouraged to support the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 to apportion five percent of the total agricultural areas to be converted into organic farms,” said Collado.
Collado also bared, this year’s theme focuses on ‘Pagsasakang Organiko, Ani at Kita ay Sigurado. Kalusugan ay Garantisado' during its kick-off activity on Wednesday, November 18.
“Organic farming will also aid in enriching the fertility of our soils, increase farm productivity, at the same time, preserve the environment and protect the health of farmers and consumers,” he added.
Previous year’s record indicates the Philippines has more than 52,500 hectares organic area, attributing 12,786.67 of these to Region 10.
Specifically, the province of Misamis Occidental leads NorMin with the biggest OA area at of 7,376 hectares, followed by Lanao del Norte (2,495.5), Misamis Oriental (2,053), Bukidnon (656.17), and Camiguin, pegged at 52 hectares.
Collado accounted Region 10’s strides, which includes being the home of 3,058 organic practitioners with 4 organic third party certified farms, namely: Tropical Harvest Farm (Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental), MOMS Happy Farm (Mambatangan, Manolo Fortich), Potter’s Garden and Alomah’s Place (Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich).
He noted, the total volume of production for Region 10 is listed at 5,166.37 metric tons.
Effective and successful implementation of the program of DA needs strong coordination among government agencies and stakeholders through the conduct of sustained and community-based action,” stressed Collado with OA as one of the banner programs under the department.
“With the different challenges besetting the agriculture sector amid this ongoing pandemic, the adoption of OA as a farming system is a sustainable tool in attaining increased yield and income,” said regional OA focal person Samuel C. Natindim, Jr.. (Angie Cabig/JLO/DA-10)
