In the pursuit of not only providing available and affordable food, but also safe, nutritious and quality food, the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) under the Department of Agriculture culminated its 14th National Organic Agriculture Congress at the Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro on October 24-26, 2017.
The NOAC is a yearly event that unites organic food producers, marketers, researchers, policy makers, and consumer and promotes organic farming. The Congress also serves as a venue for the sharing of the latest techniques, trends, and news as well as discussions for the betterment of the organic agriculture in the country.
In support to the sector, which is on the upward trend, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol announced that the government will continue to find ways to lessen the burden for organic farmers including the provision of tax incentives for agricultural products producers in the country.
“There is a demand in the market for safe and healthy foods, and we will make sure that everyone is taken care of,” the agri chief added.
The theme “Organic Agriculture: A SMART Culture. The 14th NOAC pushes for the improvement and promoting organic agriculture in a Science based, Market-oriented, Adaptive, Responsive, and Transformative (SMART)” way of doing organic agriculture which calls for a healthier, more bountiful, and modern farming system while protecting and sustaining biodiversity.
Republic Act 10068 pushes for the promotion, development, and implementation of organic agriculture in the Philippines to enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, while reducing pollution and destruction of the environment and depletion of natural resources and preserving the health of our farmers.
“I will not stop moving around the country and touching lives of our people because I know that there are still areas waiting to receive help from the government. I know the sufferings of our farmers and I will do to the best of my ability to help them. We will give what they need because they know what is best for them,” Piñol added. ### (Carlos Cezar Baldosa DA-AFID)
