The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office V, in partnership with Central Bicol State University of Agriculture through the Organic Agriculture Center, hosted the 14th Bicol Organic Agriculture Congress on August 30-31, 2023. With the theme, “Kabuhayang OA, Kinabukasang Okay,” the activity sought to advocate and advance the OA industry in the Bicol Region.
About 200 delegates from different local government units, Department of Agriculture Bicol officials, National and Regional Organic Agriculture Program (N/ROAP) coordinators, CBSUA faculty and students, OA advocates and practitioners, and other OA stakeholders participated in the two-day Congress.
The congress was graced with the presence of the National Organic Agriculture Board Luzon Small Farmer Representative Dr. Victorio Fernando D. Nacpil who also served as the keynote speaker during the event. Also present were, Dr. Lea Deriquito, Chief of NOAP Advocacy and Policy Division, who represented NOAP Director Bernadette San Juan, DA RFO V Regional Executive Director Rodel Tornilla, DA RFO V Regional Technical Director for Operations Luz Marcelino, DA RFO V Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Chief and Regional OA Focal Person Adelina Losa, CBSUA President Alberto N. Naperi, CBSUA VP for Research and Innovation Dr. Monet S. Ramirez, DA RFO V Regulatory Division Chief Rosita Imperial and Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center V OIC Assistant Center Director Emmanuel Orogo.
The event’s highlight were the awarding of certificates to the seven farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) who qualified for the P20.5 million worth FY 2023 OA Livelihood Project (OALP), and the recognition and awarding of scholarship grants to 10 OA youth scholars under ATI’s Youth Scholarship Grant on Organic Farming program. A Certificate of Accreditation as Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Organic Certifying Body was also awarded to Pecuaria Development Cooperative.
The CBSUA Organic Agriculture Center was also highlighted to present the university’s Organic Agriculture programs during the congress.
The 14th Bicol Organic Agriculture Congress stood as a testament to the growing momentum and collective commitment towards sustainable and organic farming practices within the region. The event served as a vital platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the shaping of a stronger, more resilient organic farming community. | 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘔𝘴. 𝘓𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘰, 𝘖𝘈𝘊 𝘋𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳
