TACLOBAN CITY — The regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) is organizing provincial and municipal technical committees that will prepare farmers in Eastern Visayas for the shift to organic agriculture from green revolution technologies.
Antonio G. Gerundio, DA regional executive director, said the region has been allotted a budget of P34 million for the promotion of organic farming practices. Half of the amount was released this year and the other half is programmed for release next year, he added.
“We will give simplified training to farmers for them to understand organic farming. We will also teach them how to make organic fertilizers and biological pesticides using our existing technology,” Mr. Gerundio told BusinessWorld.
Priority sectors next year will be the livestock, poultry and feed industries as well as rice production.
The DA will also promote the establishment of facilities that produce organic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other farm inputs as well as a certification process. Trading centers for organic products will likewise be established.
“There’s a need for total conversion in the supply chain. If we will go organic, there’s a need to plant organic seeds, apply organic fertilizer, and use organic pesticides,” Mr. Gerundio added.
Republic Act (RA) 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 provides for the development and promotion of organic agriculture in the country to increase productivity, reduce environmental degradation, cut expenses on imported farm inputs, and protect the health of farmers, consumers and the general public.
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By: Sarwell Q. Meniano
Source: Business World, Nov. 28, 2011
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