R-10’s aggie department urges for the adoption and support to OA, as Proclamation No. 1030 provides the observance every month of November as the Nat’l. OA Month. (L-R) Kicking off the celebration is Samuel C. Natindim, Jr., reg’l. OA focal person, Carlene C. Collado, regional executive director, Mylin Verador Tayapad, organic practitioner and proprietor of MYLIN Herbal Products of Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental, and Carlota S. Madriaga, regional technical director. (Photo Supplied)

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) continues to push for the adoption and support to organic agriculture (OA).

Proclamation No. 1030, declares the observance every month of November as the National OA Month.

Marking its sixth year, said celebration is in support to Republic Act 10068 or otherwise known as the OA Act of 2010 and the National OA Program (NOAP) with the aim of mainstreaming OA practices throughout the country.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado bared, this year’s theme focuses on ‘Pagsasakang Organiko, Ani at Kita ay Sigurado. Kalusugan ay Garantisado‘ during its kick-off activity on Wednesday, November 18.

Collado added, through the NOAP, the department has vigorously promoted OA to contribute to the overall agricultural growth and development of the country in terms of sustainability, competitiveness and food security.

“It will also aid in enriching the fertility of our soils, increase farm productivity, at the same time, preserve the environment and protect the health of farmers and consumers,” he added.

DA targets to have at least five percent of the nation’s total agricultural area practice organic farming.

Previous year’s record indicates, the Philippines has more than 52,500 hectares organic area, attributing 12,786.67 of these to Region 10.

Specifically, the province of Misamis Occidental leads NorMin with the biggest OA area at of 7,376 hectares, followed by Lanao del Norte (2,495.5), Misamis Oriental (2,053), Bukidnon (656.17), and Camiguin, pegged at 52 hectares.

Collado accounted Region 10’s strides, which includes being the home of 3,058 organic practitioners with 4 organic third party certified farms, namely: Tropical Harvest Farm (Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental), MOMS Happy Farm (Mambatangan, Manolo Fortich), Potter’s Garden and Alomah’s Place (Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich).

He noted also, the total volume of production for Region 10 is listed at 5,166.37 metric tons.

With OA as one of the banner programs under the department, he stressed, the effective and successful implementation of the program and projects of DA needs strong coordination among relevant government agencies and stakeholders through the conduct of sustained and massive national and community-based action.

“With the different challenges besetting the agriculture sector amid this ongoing pandemic, the adoption of OA as a farming system is a sustainable tool in attaining increased yield and income,” Samuel C. Natindim, Jr., regional OA focal person concluded.# (JLO)