LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office I (DA-RFO I) together with the Agricultural Training Institute- Regional Training Center I (ATI-RTC I) and the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) held the 1st Regional Congress on Organic Agriculture ( 1 ROAC) in the Ilocos Region on September 19 - 21, 2017 at the Sison Auditorium, Lingayen, Pangasinan.
With a theme, “Produktong Organiko: Kalusugan at Pag-unlad Sigurado”, the congress aimed to strengthen the advocacy and promotion of organic agriculture in the region, showcase the organic produce of the farmers, and help link the organic producers to potential markets.
Hon. Amado I. Espino III, Pangasinan Governor, welcomed the participants by stressing the importance of attaining good health through organic agriculture. “We cannot tend to our farming duties and we cannot provide for our families if we do not prioritize our health,” he said.
The congress was highlighted by a Trade Fair showcasing different organic products from the four provinces in the region. Slow Food, an organization that advocates reintroduction of indigenous food and traditional cooking, was promoted through free-food tasting and drew large crowds during the congress.
Moreover, the congress involved technical sessions where participants were divided and classified as Beginners, Researchers and Entrepreneurs in the field of organic agriculture. These sessions have been avenues on clarifying misconceptions on the benefits and disadvantages of producing and consuming organic products.
Mr. Jeffrey S. Garido, Science Research Specialist of the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), talked about the Philippine National Standard for Organic Agriculture and helped answer queries on how organic farm sites could be accredited. He also explained how accreditation could be holistically beneficial to the future of organic agriculture in the country.
Deputy National Program Coordinator for Organic Agriculture Joselito F. Bernabe, Regional Training Director for Operations Erlinda F. Manipon, and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist OIC Dalisay Moya also graced the program.
While the congress was attended by 329 Farmers and Agricultural Extension Workers and other agencies, Director Rogelio C. Evangelista of the ATI-RTC I said that the many benefits of going organic should encourage other stakeholders to take part in the promotion of organic agriculture in the region.
“We should change the mentality of our children on consuming inorganic products to advocating the organic way of life for this will be a means for us to live a healthy life with a healthy environment,” Evangelista emphasized.