DILIMAN, Quezon City—The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP), has officially kicked off the celebration of the 9th Organic Agriculture (OA) Month with the theme “Kabuhayang OA, Kinabukasang OK!” pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation No. 1030 issued in 2015.
DA Undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan, who serves as alternate representative of the agency to the National Organic Agriculture Board, expressed his full support to organic agriculture practitioners and industry stakeholders in the country, emphasizing the benefits of organic farming for the environment, human health, and community development.
“Organic agriculture is the spirit of agriculture, the conscience of agriculture,” he stated.
Senator Cynthia Villar also lauded the practice of organic farming in her video message, highlighting its financial benefits for farmers selling certified organic produce.
“It is good to produce organic products because farmers can sell their produce at higher price compared to the conventionally produced agricultural products,” she said.
NOAP Director Bernadette San Juan presented some of this year’s major projects related to the promotion of organic agriculture. These projects are aimed at empowering organic agriculture practitioners to attain a sector that is self-sufficient and not reliant on imports.
Meanwhile, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Director Remelyn Recoter also spoke during the event and congratulated NOAP and its partners for their consistent effort to promote organic agriculture.
“This year, all initiatives are geared towards increasing the entrepreneurial mindset and activities related to organic agriculture among our youth and farmers; cooperatives and associations. And, we, at the Agricultural Training Institute, support these efforts to ensure that food is safe for all Filipinos and that farming is sustainable for our farmers and for the environment,” she added.
Other DA officials, including Undersecretary for Livestock Deogracias Victor Savellano, were also present at the event to show their support for the organic agriculture industry.
An exhibit was held as part of the launch where DA bureaus and attached agencies participated to promote organic agriculture products, technologies, and projects and services. Selected ATI-certified Learning Sites for Agriculture were also present for retail-selling of their organic and naturally-grown products.
The activity was held on November 10-12, 2023 at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.
In support to the month-long celebration, the ATI will conduct various activities such as webinar series featuring matured organic agriculture technologies, regional and national “Kabataang OA” events, and media promotions to increase public awareness on the importance of organic agriculture.
