Tagbilaran City – A three-day Provincial Training of Trainers on Organic Agriculture was held in Tagbilaran City on March 9 – 11, 2021. It was attended by different organic agriculture focals from 18 municipalities of Bohol: Albur, Antequera, Balilihan, Bilar, Carmen, Calape, Dagohoy, Danao, Dimiao, Duero, Guindulman, Loon, Pilar, San Miguel, Sevilla, Talibon, Tubigon and Ubay.
The training mainly aims to further educate extension workers, especially the younger generation, on the value of organic agriculture. Specifically, the training also aims for the extension workers to be able to: appreciate the importance of organic agriculture as a sustainable farming system; describe and demonstrate skills in various organic agriculture practices; and apply appropriate production technology for specific farm activities and management.
The training also served as a venue to inform the extension workers about the Republic Act (RA) 11511, an amendment to RA 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010. RA 11511 will reinforce the national organic agricultural program and promote the consumption of organic products.
One of the salient points in RA 11511, is that, it now recognizes the Participatory Guarantee Systems as a credible and affordable way to certify organic produce. This will pave the way for the small farmers the right to label and market their produce as organic.
According to Artemia A. Gotardo, one of the resource speakers, “there is always an ill effect of chemicals and pesticides in farming. Chemical residues in food are also ingested by humans, thus there is always degradation of food quality.”
One of the principles of organic agriculture is to look at the health aspect which is about the sustainability and enhancement of the health of soil, plant, animals and planet as one and indivisible. Thus, there is a call to do organic farming in the country. The passage of RA 11511 is expected to impact the organic agriculture industry positively.
The training was facilitated by Ma. Gracia Soliva-Pungay, Project Officer and assisted by Quennie Lou Vistal as member of the training management team. Reyland P. Jabonillo, Artemia A. Gotardo, Merigine C. Otara and Joemelyn A. Sumagang served as resource persons during the said activity.