ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal- To ensure the development of organic agriculture practice in the country, in line with the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 (Republic Act No. 10068), the Agricultural Training Institute- Calabarzon, in partnership with LGU of Antipolo City through the City Agriculturist Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist – Rizal, and National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) initiated the "KATUwang TUngo sa ProgresiBOng Agrikultura ng mga Dumagat (KATUTUBO) for the Indigenous People (IPs).

According to Ms. Soledad E. Leal, Project Leader and Organic Agriculture Focal Person, the KATUTUBO is a five-year innovation project which aims to support the IPs through the enhancement in farming knowledge and skills focusing on organic farming.
The project extension initiatives comprise of various components such as capacity enhancement (trainings, seminars, technical briefings), community enhancement (Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) establishment), and institutional development(financial literacy training, community organizing, organizational development).

A two-day orientation on organic vegetable farming was held last July 8-9, 2020 which was attended by 30 members of Dumagat- Remontado of Brgy. Calawis, Antipolo City.

Mr. Brian Amante Belen of ABF Integrated Farms and Agribusiness Center Inc., led the discussion on the business component of farming, pest and diseases of crops, and natural pesticides and fertilizer.

During the closing ceremony, City Agriculturist Ms. Mamalyn C. Dion and Dumagat-Romentado Chieftain Gerardo SJ. Doroteo, with ATI- Calabarzon Center Director, Ms. MaritesPiamonte-Cosico and Chief of PASS, Ms. Sherylou C. Alfaro led the turn-over of agricultural inputs as starter kit for the community.

A series of trainings, seminars, and other extension initiatives will also be conducted to the IPs community in Brgy. Calawis, Antipolo City in the upcoming months of 2020 and will continue in the next four years.

Edited: MGJ