Maramag, Bukidnon---To effectively implement one of the extension activities required to support the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, a Training of Trainers (TOT) on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) was recently conducted. This training provides an opportunity for small and medium farmers to pursue sustainable and environmentally friendly organic practices through PGS. PGS is a locally focused quality assurance system developed and practiced by those involved in organic agriculture. It is based on trust, social networks, and knowledge exchange, and is used to certify producers and farmers as genuine and active practitioners of organic agriculture.
Under this act, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center X (ATI-RTC X) recently conducted the Training of Trainers (TOT) on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) which aims to enable farmers, and Agricultural Extension Workers (AEW) to establish their PGS, and operate in their respective city and municipality, consistent with the organic agriculture standards and corresponding technical regulations. The Local Government Units (LGU), organic farmer practitioners from Impasug-ong, and LGU Maramag participated in the training held at the Farmer Training Center (FTC), Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon.
A total of 25 participants, capacitated during the intensive 10-day training from April 22 to May 3, 2024, began formulating their Internal Standards and Manual of Operations, ensuring consistency with organic agriculture standards and corresponding technical regulations in their respective municipalities.
As part of the training, participants were divided into two groups and conducted separate Mock Peer Review Inspections at the Municipal Agriculture Research Enterprise (MARE), a demo farm from LGU-Maramag, and at the Payag ni Daday Integrated Farm (PNDIF) owned by Mr. Jesus Cornito, one of our LSA partners and participants.
The success of the training would not be possible without the help of the dynamic and experience resource person from ATI-RTC X and DA RFO X:
- Mr. Javier P. Andalan kicked off the training by giving an overview of the training. Then, on day three, he dove into Module 3: How to Set Up and Run a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), explaining important stuff like internal standards and how to manage everything. After that, participants got hands-on workshop, testing their skills, and discovering their strengths, like leadership and communication.
- Mr. Samuel C. Natimdim Jr. started things rolling with Module 1, talking about the Organic Agriculture Act and its rules. He also introduced the new guidelines for raising organic pigs and poultry.
- Ms. Mary Lie Monteroyo-Suralta, Mr. Natimdim, and Caren Libre each took turns covering topics like what substances are allowed in organic farming and what the standards are. Then, they had their first workshop activity where they figured out how to label products right and keep things simple for the new farmers.
- Ms. Chamberlie Gay M. Regis kept the momentum going with Module 3, discussed about how to set up and run a PGS and who does what. On the fourth day she then shared Module 4: Accreditation of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) as Organic Certifying Body (Session 1-6). The participants then shared what they have learned in the past workshops and apply them on the hands-on breakout session.
- Mr. Mark Anthony Lagamon discussed Module 5: Peer Review and Certification Protocols certification and how to review each other’s work. He gave the participants helpful feedback and tips on understanding farmers' needs.
- Mr. Lagamon together with Mr. Natimdim and Mr. Andalan, helped the participants to really understand the importance of Protocols and their Principles. They also gather everyone for the Planning of Actual Field Inspection (Mock) for the last day’s Farm Inspection activity.
One of the best parts of the ten-day training was the breakout sessions after each module. They got to bounce ideas around and make the training even more interesting.
Participants from Maramag Organic Farmer’s Association (MOFA) shared their stories and listened to the experts, while the Impasug-ong Samahang Nayon Multipurpose Cooperative (ISNPC) really shone during the breakout sessions and open discussions.
Finally, they finished up by creating their Action Plans and Draft PGS-Manual of Operations, wrapping everything up successfully. (written and submitted by: Joebert Apdian)
