The Department of Agriculture – Region 9 through the Organic Agriculture Program (OAP) conducted the 4th REGIONAL ORGANIC AGRICULTURE CONGRESS (ROAC) lastweek at the Boulevard Function Hall in Dipolog City.
The event was participated in by 200 stakeholders from the
Academe, Farmers Organizations/ Cooperatives, Agricultural Extension Workers/ City and Municipal Agriculturists, Provincial Organic Agriculture Focal Persons, Local Government Units, and farm owners engaged in organic and natural farming from the entire Zamboanga Peninsula.
DA regional organic agriculture focal person Janice Legaspi said that the ROAC aims to convene all organic agriculture stakeholders to provide them updates on programs and project implemented in the region, and its impact on the industry.
Legaspi also said that the event is the Fourth (4th) organic congress held in the region. “ROAC is very unique, we set up an exhibit for organic products display, and our menu is also organic. Aside from the lectures, the participants will have a field visit in organic farms in Dipolog,” she said.
The ROAC also aims to provide opportunity for stakeholders to raise relevant issues and concerns to improve future program planning and implementation, as well as and provide stakeholders the knowledge on Best Practices through product showcase and field visits.
Resource speakers presented updates on the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP), National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) accomplishment and interventions, technology updates, health and wellness, investment opportunities in promoting organic agriculture or natural farming in the region.
To further enhance the knowledge of the participants about organic agriculture, participants visited the Organic Processing Center at Lubing Ugis, Dipolog City where City Agriculturist Engr. Jose Kerr Porlas briefed the participants on how the center operates and process of making organic fertilizers.
Among those present during the ROAC were ZDN Vice-Governor Senen Angeles, Dipolog City Vice-Mayor Horacio Velasco, DA9 Regional Director Constancio G. Alama; NOAB Dir. Adelberto B. Baniqued, DA Agribusiness Chief Ferdinand D. Gamorot and Leonardo Caparida, RAFC 9 Chairperson. (EDWARD NON/DA9)