In an effort to strengthen the organic agriculture movement, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA led an intensive 10-day ‘Training of Trainers (TOT) on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for Organic Implementers and Identified PGS Organizations on June 10-21, 2024 at Lola’s Healthy Farm, Poblacion, Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro.
The TOT, held in collaboration with the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) and the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO), aimed to equip PGS groups with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish and operate PGS systems in accordance with organic agriculture (OA) standards and technical regulations.
The training employed a series of lectures on the newly approved Philippine National Standards pertinent to organic agriculture. Mr. Marc Owell A. Ama and Mr. Ibraham A. Racmat, both from BAFS, served as resource persons and co-facilitators, guiding participants through the complexities of the standards.
Workshops on drafting Internal Standards (IS) and Manuals of Operations (MOO) were also conducted, resulting in the initial drafts of three IS for organic crops and organic animals, including poultry, small ruminants, and large ruminants.
During the second week, Engr. Karen T. Vicente, Agriculturist I at ATI-MIMAROPA, covered the Certification and Accreditation Process for PGS groups, as well as the peer review and certification protocols. Participants were then guided through the drafting of their MOO, following Department Circular No. 2, Series of 2022. In preparation for their pre-inspection with BAFS, the PGS core members finalized their Organic Management Plan, farm layout, and farm map.
One of the highlights of the training was the mock inspection and actual peer review conducted on a farm identified within the core group. The peer review committee and the Regional Pre-Assessment Team led the inspection, teaching participants how to generate findings and comply with the Correction and Corrective Action Plan form.
Ms. Maria Luisa A. Hartshorn, OA Point Person of the Municipal Agriculture Office of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, voiced her strong support for the establishment of the Samahan ng Organikong Magsasaka ng Kanlurang Mindoro (SOMKAM) as a core PGS group.
“Malaki po ang gampanin ng bawat isa sa atin upang magtagumpay ang ating adbokasiya. Nakikita natin ang kahalagahan ng pagsasaka sa organikong pamamaraan. Ito na ang tamang panahon para lalo nating pag-igtingin ang ating sistema ng pagsasaka sapagkat tayo ay maswerte dahil nandito na ang buong suporta ng gobyerno. Iyan ay upang mapalakas pa natin ang mga maliliit na magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng PGS,” she emphasized.
With 24 participants, including SOMKAM members, Agricultural Extension Workers, and representatives from the academe, the TOT concluded with the scheduling of a pre-inspection for the Core PGS Group with BAFS, DA-RFO, and ATI in August 2024. While waiting for the scheduled date, the core members of SOMKAM will prepare all necessary documents and improve their farm operations in accordance with the standards.
