The City Agriculturist Office (CAgrO) of Davao City officially launched the Organic Agriculture Month celebration this Thursday at Rizal Park, putting a spotlight on the diverse produce and farm products cultivated by the city's organic farmers.
A Showcase of Organic Bounty and Support
The event featured an impressive array of goods from numerous participating groups, including the Saloy Organic Farmers Association (SOFA), PGS-Davao Organic Farmers and Advocates Association, Farmcoop, and several others. Stalls were filled with high-value vegetables, assorted root crops, fruits, native coffee, tablea chocolate, and fermented dried cacao beans. Beyond the exhibition, the CAgrO distributed vital resources to attendees, such as fruit seedlings, vermicast, and vegetable seeds, while the City Veterinarian's Office provided crucial information on animal production and health.
In a message delivered by Councilor Lorenzo Villafuerte, Acting Mayor Sebastian 'Baste' Duterte recognized the indispensable role of organic farmers. "The agriculture sector plays a crucial role in advancing socio-economic progress... and ensure food security in our communities," the mayor stated. He commended the CAgrO and its partners for their efforts in empowering farmers and promoting sustainable agribusiness.
Certification and Global Reach of Davao's Organic Farms
During the I-Speak Media Forum, CAgrO Organic Agriculture Focal Person Jeana Ablen provided significant updates on the city's organic certification landscape. She revealed that Davao City currently has seven farms certified through the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), located in Tamugan, Gumalang, Ula, Catalunan Grande, Tacunan, and Los Amigos.
Ablen emphasized the success of farms in Sibulan, managed by cooperatives that hold official certifications. "Sibulan is the source of organic products exported abroad," she said. Notably, two cooperatives in the area export organic bananas to Japan with JAS accreditation, while another grows organic cacao and coffee, with Saloy's cacao certified by Control Union for the European market. This third-party certification allows local products to compete internationally.
Driving Food Security and Future Initiatives
The push for certification is a key strategy for the city. Ablen's office continuously encourages farmers to get certified, even through the accessible PGS route, to access larger markets, especially institutional buyers. She underscored the dual advantage of organic products: reducing health risks for consumers and being environmentally friendly due to minimal chemical use.
Adding to the city's strategic direction, Councilor Ralph Abella, Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, announced that the Sangguniang Panlungsod is currently crafting a Food Security Ordinance, a move that requires broad participation from various stakeholders.
The organic product display at Rizal Park will continue every Thursday and Friday. The Organic Agriculture Month culmination is scheduled for November 31 at Rizal Park, featuring the awarding ceremony for the Gulayan sa Barangay Program. Ablen also reminded farmers that technical support and free fruit seedlings are available year-round at CAgrO district offices and through their caravan distributions.
