The organic agriculture town of Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte is set to host the Organic Asia Congress 2023 of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) Organics Asia.
On August 18, 2022, IFOAM Organics Asia President Mathew John represented by First Vice President Edgardo Uychiat and Kauswagan Mayor Rommel Arnado signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the coherent, effective, and transparent implementation of the project activities.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for Special Concerns and National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) Alternate Chairperson Zamzamin Ampatuan served as witness to the partnership signing of the local government unit (LGU) and the international non-profit organization.
Through the MOU, the parties committed to establish networks and linkages for the exchange of data, reports, or information on organic agriculture and share successful approaches and practices in organic agriculture and make recommendations for institutionalization and replication.
The parties will also discuss the proposed conduct of the Organic Asia Congress in the Philippines. In addition, they committed to discuss the issues and challenges in advancing the advocacy and practice of organic agriculture and in strengthening food sufficiency in the Asian region and promoting consumer health and environmental protection.
Mayor Arnado, who is also a NOAB member and the National President of the League of Organic Agriculture Municipalities, Cities and Provinces of the Philippines (LOAMCP Philippines), expressed his commitment to promoting the practice of organic agriculture in the country.
As the country’s leading organic municipality, the Kauswagan LGU aims at achieving food sufficiency and spurring local economic development through organic agriculture. The LGU’s “From Arms to Farms Program” also helped rebel returnees become organic farmer leaders in the community.
Its Sangguniang Bayan also enacted an ordinance declaring the municipality as a purely organic town. To show its commitment in promoting the practice of organic agriculture, the LGU prohibits the sale and use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in their farms.
The IFOAM Organics Asia, which is based in Seoul, South Korea, was established in 2012 as a regional group of the IFOAM Organics International. IFOAM declared 2022 as the Year of Organics to mark the 50th anniversary of the IFOAM Organics International and the 10th year of IFOAM Organics Asia.
The MOU signing was also attended by DA National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) Director Bernadette San Juan, Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) Director Vivencio Mamaril, IFOAM Asia Chief Operation Officer Vic Anthony Joseph Tagupa, LOAMCP Members General Nakar Mayor Eliseo Ruzol and Sibagat Vice Mayor Ma. Liza Evangelista, and NOAB members. # # # (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-AFID)
