DA Plans to Create More Organic Farms in West Visayas
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking to create more organic farms in Western Visayas.
According to DA Regional Director Remelyn Recoter, they only have 5,000 hectares left to work on until 2023, but it’s still possible to go beyond their target areas.
At the 6th Organic Agriculture Congress, Recoter added that the region has more than 27,000 hectares of organic farms. Negros Occidental currently has the largest.
“Other towns in Western Visayas are also significantly increasing their organic areas,” she said.
Continuing greener practices
Back in 2015, the town of Tubungan in Iloilo was named as the country’s top organic agricultural municipality.
On top of the financial grants, the region’s organic farmers were also given recognition by DA.
Here’s the list of winners for the 2018 Regional Organic Agriculture Achievers:
- Miag-ao, Iloilo and Dao, Capiz as Outstanding Municipalities
- Mary Ann Janoya and Jo Ann Diosa as Outstanding Agricultural Extension Workers
- Presentacion Continente and Leni Lacuesta Outstanding OA Focal Persons
- Palmy Meliton and Renato Catiempo as Outstanding Small Farmers
- the Villarenias Family as Outstanding Farm Family
- the Negros Island Organic Producers Association (NIOPA) as Outstanding Small Farmer Group
- Cirilo Ortega Jr. and Aiza Zacarias as Outstanding Young Farmers.
via Manila Bulletin / Tara Yap
