Baliangao, Misamis Occidental--- The high cost of organic products third party certification hinders organic practitioners in the application for third party certification. This was manifested in Region 10 where only five organic products were certified in 2020.

The latest Training on ICS for Smallholders Group by the center is a timely approach to address the different socio-economic conditions in which farming takes place around the country. With the creation of an Internal Control System (ICS) to serve as its official “control body”, this ensures that certain basic requirements for organic inspection are being met.

Standard inspection protocols are integral for the implementation of ICS. Given the current requirements in installing ICS for smallholders group, the need for assistance in this aspect is crucial in order to prepare the group for third party certification and thus allow for more market access of their products.

A total of 22 participants attended the training which is composed of farmers/farmer leaders from the different barangays of the municipality, wherein majority of the participants are Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture.

Former Undersecretary Joel S. Rudinas of the Department of Agriculture, who now serves as a consultant of DA-FRO 10, happen to visit the municipality and was requested to deliver a message to the participants. “Last year ang atong economiya deficit, pero gibitbit sa agrikultura. Mao ni ang hagit karon, unsaon pa gyod nato pagpalambo sa Agrikultura nga mabitbit ang economiya nga dili na madeficit” Rudinas said in his message.

During the training, the participants were able to identify and discuss the principles of organic agriculture as well as develop and establish the following documents for farmers groups in compliance with the establishment of the ICS: Internal Organic Agriculture Standard; Operating Manual ( including policies and sanctions); Internal control and approval procedures; ICS structure (including identification of personnel involved in the ICS structure such as; ICS coordinator/manager, Internal Inspectors and other committees.); ICS forms (membership, inspection, buying-selling, storage, delivery etc.) ; and the formulation of an ICS manual.

Meanwhile, certification and labeling have been identified as important tools used in marketing organic products. Extensive capacity building and technical assistance to farmers, SMEs, and even to certification bodies and auditors on standards and requirements of organic agriculture and its trade requires much emphasis.

Point Person and Agriculturist II Javier P. Andalan facilitated the Training on ICS for Smallholders Group at Municipal Gym, Baliangao, Misamis Occidental on April 19-23, 2021. The said activity was conducted as a response of the letter request from the LGU-Baliangao through the Municipal Agriculture Office. (With reports from Javier P. Andalan, Agriculturist II)