LOS ANGELES, Butuan City –In line with the Philippine Organic Act of 2010, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is mandated to develop, promote and implement organic agriculture program in the country. Recently, the ATI- Regional Training Center (RTC) 13 conducted the 5-day Training in Support to the Installation of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for Smallholder Group on July 18 – 22, 2019.

This was attended by 35 participants composed of agricultural extension workers and farmers from five municipalities of Agusan del Sur, namely: Veruela, Sta. Josefa, Trento, Bunawan and Bayugan City.

The training highlighted the PGS as a locally-focused quality assurance system where the producers are certified based on active participation of stakeholders through trust, social networks and knowledge exchange among members. PGS also serves as organic certification for small hold farmers as it encourages small-scale production and processing following the guidelines of PNS.

Mr. Noel Salazar from National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) discussed the following topics, namely: Organic Agriculture Production System Appraisal; Current Situation of Philippines Agriculture/Organic Agriculture; Philippine National Standard (PNS) of Organic Agriculture; Organic Agriculture Certification; Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) and Certification process and requirements. He added some organic technologies like concoctions they have used in Agro-Eco Philippines for the rice production.

The activity was then followed by a field practicum at Private Public Partnership-Caraga State University Farmers Land Renter, Associations, Inc. (PPP-CFLRAI). The practicum served as the avenue to ask clarifications to the officers. Analysis of data gathered, during inspection, reporting was facilitated by Salazar. The participants organized themselves into Agusan del Sur PGS. They have elected officers for executive and inspector committee.

Mr. Nilo Acupinpin, cited in his impression that, through the training he now dreamed to be a millionaire someday if they can acquire a PGS Certification.