Aggie 10 hosts FY 2025 NOAP midyear performance assessment workshop

 

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON- To bolster the department’s commitment to the organic agriculture sector, the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP), in partnership the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (Aggie 10) successfully conducted the FY 2025 NOAP Midyear Performance Assessment Workshop at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) on June 16 to 20, in this city.

The activity is a platform for the evaluation of the program’s accomplishment relative to its first-semester targets for FY 2025, as well as an opportunity to recalibrate plans for the second semester. Additionally, the workshop aimed to lay the groundwork for the FY 2027 Plan and Budget Proposal, setting the course for future initiatives for organic agriculture in the country.

Bernadette F. San Juan, NOAP Director, underscored the assessment’s objectives. “We are here to reflect, identify solutions for the gaps and challenges, particularly in physical and financial accomplishments. We must focus on our individual roles, execute our catch-up plans, and work towards achieving them effectively,” San Juan emphasized.

The workshop also served as a platform for open dialogue relative to project implementation, training, accreditations, and the overall operations of NOAP and its associated agencies.

Participants were also apprised of the Philippine National Standard (PNS) for organic swine production, which outlined the recommended practices covering essential aspects such as transport, slaughter, packaging, and labelling. This is critical to ensure that organic products maintain their integrity throughout the production chain and meet the required standards for organic certification.

According to Gabriel A. Arubio, National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) Small Farmer Representative for Luzon, the assessment allows NOAP implementers to reflect on the importance of decision-making and resiliency.

“As part of the Small Farmer Group, initiatives like this help strengthen our decision-making skills—knowing what to stand firm on, what to let go of, and what to accept. Despite financial challenges, we remain committed to supporting our farmers and fisherfolk toward greater success,” Arubio stated.

Apart from accomplishment tracking, the workshop also inspired greater collaboration among DA agencies and partner stakeholders in reinforcing collective goals of advancing organic agriculture in the Philippines. # (NQA)