Trainees from the TOT on PGS conduct a field inspection for their demonstration as PGS Peer Reviewers

 

CENTRAL VISAYAS - “I trust myself, that I can do it. That someday, I will become a certified organic farmer,” said Lilia Ano-os. This is the insight of Ano-os after attending the 10-day Training of Trainers (TOT) on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS).

The said TOT was held at the Plaza Maria Luisa, Dumaguete City on February 13-22, 2023. It was attended by 16 farmers and 4 agricultural extension workers coming from Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.  These farmers and AEWs came from the different municipalities/cities of Amlan, Bais City, Canlaon City, City of Tanjay, Dauin, Manjuyod, Sibulan and Vallehermoso in Negros Oriental province; Larena, Lazi, San Juan and Siquijor in Siquijor province; and Bilar in Bohol province.

The training aims to capacitate PGS Groups on the establishment and operations consistent with the organic agriculture standards and corresponding technical regulations.

Another participant in the name of Raul Tubac, mentioned that this training has enlightened them that their farm practices have a long way to go to become a certified organic. Yet, the experience also offered them knowledge on how to equip themselves on different organic practices leading towards an organic certification. Now, these participants have created their plan of action and are aspiring to build a core PGS group in order to create a pool of peer reviewers who would help small farmers to spend less when undergoing an organic certification application.

One of the outputs from this TOT is the development of their procedures for their manual of operations and their re-entry plan. And now, these farmers are aiming to form a PGS core group in their respective provinces.