DAVAO ORIENTAL- Aimed to strengthen the promotion of organic agriculture in the province, the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental through the Provincial Agriculture Office has staged Davao Region’s first Provincial Organic Agriculture Congress.
Held on August 20, 2019 at Honey’s Hotel and Restaurant, Matiao, City of Mati, Davao Oriental, the event has the theme “Pagkaong Organiko, kahimsug sa tao ug kinaiyahan Sigurado”.
“This event is to make the City and Province attain its overall growth and development,” said City of Mati Mayor Michelle N. Rabat in a message read by her representative City Technical Assistant Mr. Allan E. Andrada, as he emphasized that the organic congress will be the doorway to address issues in the City of Mati and to the whole province concerning to organic agriculture.
Moreover, Mr. Rotchie M. Ravelo, Provincial Agriculturist and Provincial Cooperative Officer, highlighted the rationale of the event, stressing that the Organic Congress is the contribution and support of the province to the nationwide implementation of Republic Act 10068 widely known as Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.
He furthered the objectives of the event as it envisions to increase the volume of production of the Province through expanding organic production areas, adoption of the appropriate organic agriculture technologies and learn new innovative approaches.
“Feed the land and the land will feed you,” said Ms. Betty M. More, an organic agriculture practitioner and successful organic farmer who brought herself and the Province pride after grabbing the Provincial Gawad Saka Award and bagged the Champion Award as the Regional Organic Gawad Saka Awardee in Region XI.
In addition, more will be competing to the Gawad Saka National Level from the region in Agriculture Organic Farming.
Meanwhile, Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, who was represented by Provincial Administrator Mr. Art Benjie Bulaong, thanked all the farmers and fisherfolk in the province as he recognized their efforts that contributed much in making Davao Oriental a Champion Province in terms of agriculture.
“Bagging the Gawad Saka Award for 5 years is a manifestation that Davao Oriental is catching fire in the province, region and beyond,” he underscored, saluting farmers and fisherfolk.
On the same day, the Provincial Agriculture Office also opened the TIENDA, showcasing fresh produced and processed different organic products from the city and municipalities of Davao Oriental. By Harold John Miguel/Photos by Joel Owano and Ryan Fernandez
