Thursday, September 15, 2011

Mindanao participates in building the Philippine Organic Roadmap

Various stakeholders in Mindanao attended the consultative workshop on the formulation of Philippine Organic Agriculture(OA) Roadmap held at Davao City last September 7, 2011 organized by Bureau of Agriculture & Fisheries Product Standards headed by Dr. Gilberto F. Layese.

Various sectors coming from the Local Government Units, Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office, Department of Agriculture Provincial Field Office, Non-Government Organizations, Peoples Organization,and Business Sector.

The workshop intended to answer two main questions namely: What are the problems you see in Organic Agriculture in the Philippines and What do you think is the solution to the said problem. Each sector gave various views but in the end the Key Areas were identified: Research, Development & Extension, Production, Financial Market development and Policy.

The NGO Group 3 had identified RD&E as first priority. Such priority was based on the facts that there are no data available yet to support the claims in terms of technology and so with the whole value chain of organic agriculture. The need of looking at the whole value chain of Philippine Organic Agriculture is what we are pushing and not just one sector. Further, we need to instill and train our farmers to look Farming As A Business not just organic farming.

There were discussions on why the Department of Agriculture are promoting Organic Agriculture yet also promoting BioTechnology. Dr. Leyese stressed that Organic Farming is an option. Indeed, it is an option and I believe we have our choice. Nevertheless Filipino Farmers need to educated so that they can see the pros and cons of organic farming. Without that, they would stick to what they believe in and the cycle goes...

Finally, my congratulations to the National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) and the Department Of Agriculture headed by Sec. Alcala for starting to make a difference in the Philippine Organic Agriculture. May you continue to work on it not just on papers but rather in the field - Balik Kita sa Uma.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Increase Coconut Productivity using CocoCheck as guide


Coconut farming has been a part of Filipinos long time ago and plays an important role in the nations economy. It is sad to note that more and more coconut farms are now converted to banana plantations due to the fact that coconut farming is no longer a lucrative business. Further, high productivity level could not be achieved and can be attributed to lack technical information.

The CoCoPal project of ACDI/VOCA thought of ways to help coconut farmers. The CocoCheck System was developed and now used for the project. This is the 2nd technical handbook released by ACDI/VOCA Philippines for its beneficiaries.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Cocoa CheckBook developed in Mindanao

ACDI/VOCA Philippines Chief of Party and his staffs develop the first ever CocoaCheck booklet in Philippines if not throughout the world.

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The book was written and edited by Nic Richards, Raul Itong, Janoz Xn Yesu Laquihon for the use for ACDI/VOCA CoCoPal project.

According to authors, "The CocoaCheck is all about learning, checking and sharing, of best cocoa crop management practices. It is an innovative system of crop management patterned from the PalayCheck system developed by PhilRice and Australia’s Ricecheck system.

CocoaCheck system is a holistic approach to cocoa production. It covers the three main stages of cocoa production: crop establishment, crop maintenance, crop harvest and post harvest operations.
For more information visit www.acdivoca.org

Monday, March 7, 2011

Davao holds Dairy Congress


Dairy farmers, advocates, academe, and law makers attends the 14th Dairy Congress and Expo on May 12-14, 2011 at the Davao Convention and Trade Center, Regine’s Compound, F. Torres St., Davao City.

The congress theme is “Gatas ni Pinoy, Yaman ng Pinoy!” hosted by the Federation of Davao Dairy Farmers Cooperative and sponsored by the National Dairy Authority, Philippine Carabao Center, Livestock Development Council and Land O’ Lakes Foundation Philippines, Inc.

There will be plenary sessions and arranged tours to selected Agri-Tourism spots and dairy plant. For further information please visit www.dairyconphil.webs.com