Around 200 organic farmers, advocates and policy-makers from different parts of Mindanao had a 2-day gathering at Chali Beach Hotel, Cugman, Cagayan De Oro City to enhance the implementation of organic agriculture programs in Mindanao, making it more relevant to the small-scale farmers, resilient to climate change, and a driving force towards sustainable development.

The recently concluded 3rd Regional Organic Agriculture Congress has infused so much hope into the Philippine National Organic Agriculture Program since it centered on climate change resiliency, diversified farming, social enterprise and PGS which are very important aspects that can make the whole program become more relevant to the small-scale farmers.

Noel Salazar, a Mindanao nominee to the National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) presented What’s Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) all about while Fidel Carpesano, the Marketing Coordinator of Agro-Eco Philippines discussed the significance of social enterprise in increasing the income of the organic farmers and in strengthening local economies.

Meanwhile, Learning Site (LS) operators of the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center X (ATI-RTC X) also attended the said event to showcase their expertise and farm produce.

The annual activity is organized by the Organic Agriculture Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA Region 10) in partnership with the Northern Mindanao Organic Agricultural Association, Local Government Units, and Agro-Eco Philippines. (with reports by Mr. Geonathan Barro)