DA fetes Region 11 organic agriculture achievers

DAVAO CITY -- The Department of Agriculture in Region 11 (DA-11) has recognized several of its personnel for their contribution in the intensified campaign on organic food production in the Davao Region.

In a ceremony held in Davao City on Wednesday, DA-11 bared the awardees as Vicente Jalalon - Most Outstanding Organic Agricultural Extension Worker (AEW); Eugenio Tumuran Jr. - Most Outstanding Municipal Organic Agriculture Focal Person; Marylou Jalalon - Most Outstanding Provincial Organic Agriculture Focal Person;

Sol Arlan Geroche - Most Outstanding Young Farmer; Rolando Manching - Most Outstanding Small Farmer Individual; and Roderick Buenconsejo and his family as Most Outstanding Farming Family and Most Outstanding Organic Agriculture Small Farmer Group.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, was declared Most Outstanding Municipality and the Province of Davao del Sur as Most Outstanding Province.

In her message during the 4th Regional Organic Agriculture Congress (ROAC), Senator Cynthia Villar noted that the momentum for organic agriculture has picked up in recent years.

“Organic agriculture make a major impact and become a part of people’s way of life. We need to incorporate modern approaches and strategies that are based on scientific research and development that can provide the needs of a wide market, can adapt and respond to various issues and changes in the sector, environment among others, and most of all can transform our lives as well as the farmers,” Villar said in a speech delivered by a representative, Anna Mae Dela Peña.

Marila Corpuz, Regional Technical Director for Operations, lauded the contribution of the organic farming stakeholders, adding that the Regional Organic Agriculture Congress is designed as a marketing strategy to promote and strengthen the global competitiveness of the organic agriculture industry.

She said the annual gathering of organic farmers is also aimed at forging an effective networking and collaboration among stakeholders and guarantees food and environmental safety.

“This occasion shows that your partnership with DA has zealously sought after meeting the demands of the organic growers and stakeholders in the respective provinces,” Corpuz said.

ROAC is an annual activity spearheaded by the DA, which recognizes exemplary contribution among organic stakeholders in the implementation and promotion of organic agriculture towards development and advancement of the organic industry in Region 11. (Cherry Mae Palicte/PNA)