Noac_2019

27/02/2022

Here are the highlights of Day One of the 16th National Organic Agriculture Congress held at Camp Benjamin, Alfonso, Cavite.

DA Secretary William D. Dar, DA Undersecretary for High Value Crops Evelyn Lavina, Engr. Christopher Morales, DA IV A CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Arnel V. De Mesa, Mayor Randy A. Salamat of Alfonso, Cavite, Representative Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga, Chair of House Committee on Agriculture and Food, among all ranking officials of the department and its attached agencies, bureaus graced the occasion.

The plenary session was composed of engaging discussions facilitated by the following esteemed guest speakers for the 16th NOAC: Department of Tourism Region IV A Regional Director Jeff Ortega, Master Han Kyu Cho, Dr. Youngsang Cho, and Ms. Rowena Buena.

27/02/2022

25/11/2019

Half an hour to forty five-minute travel from Camp Benjamin, participants of the 16th National Organic Agriculture Congress (NOAC) from the sixteen regions of the country witnessed the breathtaking and relaxing scenery of Sanctuario Nature Farms located at Sitio Italaro, Kayquit 3, Indang, Cavite. Upon arrival, all were warmly welcomed by Ms. Mitch Razo, the Farm Operations Manager of the farm and were served with freshly made welcome drinks, both hot and cold tea available for consumption.
Before the actual farm tour, all participants were led to the mini hall of the farm for the orientation. Ms. Mitch Razo explained that the 2.5-hectare organic farm is owned by someone who prefer to be anonymous and generously lends her farm plot for as long as the corporation managing the farm practices farming that shall promote and produce safe, healthy, and organic food.
With this, the farm runs under a non-stock, non-profit organization. In fact, the farm runs under second batch of management which started in 2014 whereas the first management was recalled way back in 2000. Ms. Razo pointed to the areas around the hall that were devastated by a typhoon before the second management took over, explaining why some areas in the farm were like that. Nevertheless, Sanctuario Nature Farm ensured that the farm is filled with so much life and nature, catering to organic produce namely vegetables, fruits, seedlings, herbs and spices, and even livestock: goat, pig, and chickens.
Organic produce such as baby lettuce, lettuce, purple alugbati, talinum, camote tops, malunggay, red amaranth, Tuscan kale, ampalaya, eggplant, tomato, squash, papaya, passion fruit, santol, beet root, carrot, turmeric, natural chicken egg, cilantro, dill, gynura, lemongrass, curled parsley, flat parsley, Italian oregano, native oregano, pandan, peppermint, spearmint, stevia, sweet basil, tarragon, thai basil, radish, blue tarnate, and roselle were tenderly cared inside the greenhouses and nursery of the farm.
After the orientation, participants were given a tour around: from the vermicomposting area, concoction area, to the nursery and greenhouses, up to the livestock areas. Each batch of participants were teamed up with farmers from Sanctuario to share their knowledge and practices of the farm. An interactive and guided discussion on the seed sowing and nursery care, land preparation, transplanting, simple farm planning, preparation of organic fertilizer, vermicomposting, and livestock care took place throughout the tour. Indeed, the participants were eager to know more about the farm and their existing organic farm practices.
Afterwhich, representatives from the host region DA IV CALABARZON awarded the tokens of appreciation to the farm and were handed over to Ms. Razo.

25/11/2019

Taal Maranan FarmVille’s Inc. is a 3.8 hectares farm owned by Mr. Michael Maranan. The farm is planted with various organic crops such as lettuce, kale, basil, eggplant, string beans, cucumber, okra, pechay, squash, tomato and some Columbian seeds.
Initially, upon arrival, the delegates were gathered in the hall and were set to be toured altogether.
As the tour guide directed the delegates to the koi pond, he explained the origins of Koi fish that is from China. He stated that simply watching them swimming relieves stress aside from making money from it.
He shared about the different fruits found in the farm with their various health benefits.
He also pointed the monkey living in the farm. Its name is Cesar. The farm has rabbits, livestock and poultry such as chickens. The farm has its restaurants and cafeteria as well as a kiosk at the entrance of the farm for selling to the clients their produce. Other staffs and crews of the farm were seemingly very friendly and approachable during the farm visit. The delegates were happy taking pictures of the farm and thankful for the experience.

25/11/2019

A 4-hectare farm, Brookside Hills is located at Brgy. Kaymisas in General Emilio Aguinaldo, Cavite. It is owned by Mr. Abelardo Malimban and is run together with his family. The Malimbans originated from Bulacan, and only started farming through their youngest child who intended on building a farm of his own. With their son’s vision, the Malimban couple, then working in a telecommunications company, started to invest on the property; having acquired the 2.8 ha land from the bank. They were also able to get the neighboring 1.2 ha before their retirement. From there, they were able to develop the former commercial piggery to their very own farm.
The farm tour started with the registration of participants. Right off, they showcased some of their magazines and small woodwork for sale. The tour began at the piggery and the JADAM. According to Mr. Malimban, everything he feeds the animals are all natural, and comes from his very own crops, which include fruit trees such as dragon fruit, banana, star apple, papaya, cacao, coffee, and herbs.
He also showed his workshop wherein he creates his furniture. Some of his works are tables, chairs, shelves, cutting boards and benches. These are also sold for extra income.
Mr. Malimban’s approach to organic agriculture is unconventional. According to him, he is a “natural farmer”. This entailed allowing crops and trees to grow as is and not disturb the biodiversity in the area. To him, he explained, a farm requires a forest.
The participants were toured around the fruit trees the farms have. Aside from this, Mr. Malimban also showed the stingless bees.

Brookside Hills has its accommodation especially built for guests. A part of his farm is also dedicated to the sheep and the other remaining native pigs, all fed with grass and plants grown around the area.
The farm tour concluded with a photo-op with the farm owners and the awarding of tokens for Mr. Malimban, his family, and staff.

25/11/2019

Part of the 16th National Organic Agriculture Congress (NOAC) was visiting organic farms located in Region 4- CALABARZON. Delegates coming from the 16 regions of the Philippines had five featured farm choices to be explored and discovered. One of the featured farms is the Lukong Valley Farm. It is a five-hectare farm located at Sitio Lukong, Barangay Pinagdanlayan, Dolores, Quezon. The farm owner is the incumbent mayor of the municipality, Hon. Orlan A. Calayag. Since 2016 they are harvesting crops such as: dragon fruit, coconut, lanzones, and vegetables like chinese cabbage. They are also into livestock- growing animals like pigs, goose, chicken. Moreover, one of their assets in maintaining an organic farm is the use or raising of stingless bees. Just two and a half hours travel time from Camp Benjamin, Alfonso, Cavite, the 38 NOAC participants finally arrived at Lukong Valley Farm. As they stepped down from their respective vans, the breathtaking dragon fruit plantation and mountainous scenery caught their attention and made them automatically take photos. The farm manager, welcomed the participants and oriented them about the things they will be expecting during the tour. After the orientation the delegates lined up in-front of the farm's welcome arch holding the NOAC Lukong Valley Farm tour tarpaulin. After which, the delegates can not wait a second and eagerly took selfies, groupies, and their own photos capturing the plants, farm vicinities, and the whole area of the farm. During the visit, the weather was gloomy and according to the staff they were expecting a typhoon that will hit the area the next day. As expected, small drops of rain began dripping, then rain poured affecting the farm tour. Hoping for a good weather, the delegates decided to take their lunch first and had their chit-chats about the farm. After their 30 minute-lunch, the weather was getting worse that made the delegates decide to just pick and pay dragon fruits as their 'pasalubong' or souvenir. After which, they were advised that there is still another portion of the farm to be explored. Still having the same weather condition, the participants went up straight to the steep hill location where the accommodations can be found. In this area, the delegates also took photos having mount Banahaw as their background. At exactly four o’clock in the afternoon the guests arrived back to Camp Benjamin.

Part of the 16th National Organic Agriculture Congress (NOAC) was visiting organic farms located in Region 4- CALABARZON. Delegates coming from the 16 regions of the Philippines had five featured farm choices to be explored and discovered.
One of the featured farms is the Lukong Valley Farm. It is a five-hectare farm located at Sitio Lukong, Barangay Pinagdanlayan, Dolores, Quezon. The farm owner is the incumbent mayor of the municipality, Hon. Orlan A. Calayag. Since 2016 they are harvesting crops such as: dragon fruit, coconut, lanzones, and vegetables like chinese cabbage. They are also into livestock- growing animals like pigs, goose, chicken. Moreover, one of their assets in maintaining an organic farm is the use or raising of stingless bees.
Just two and a half hours travel time from Camp Benjamin, Alfonso, Cavite, the 38 NOAC participants finally arrived at Lukong Valley Farm. As they stepped down from their respective vans, the breathtaking dragon fruit plantation and mountainous scenery caught their attention and made them automatically take photos.
The farm manager, welcomed the participants and oriented them about the things they will be expecting during the tour. After the orientation the delegates lined up in-front of the farm's welcome arch holding the NOAC Lukong Valley Farm tour tarpaulin. After which, the delegates can not wait a second and eagerly took selfies, groupies, and their own photos capturing the plants, farm vicinities, and the whole area of the farm.
During the visit, the weather was gloomy and according to the staff they were expecting a typhoon that will hit the area the next day. As expected, small drops of rain began dripping, then rain poured affecting the farm tour. Hoping for a good weather, the delegates decided to take their lunch first and had their chit-chats about the farm.
After their 30 minute-lunch, the weather was getting worse that made the delegates decide to just pick and pay dragon fruits as their 'pasalubong' or souvenir. After which, they were advised that there is still another portion of the farm to be explored. Still having the same weather condition, the participants went up straight to the steep hill location where the accommodations can be found. In this area, the delegates also took photos having mount Banahaw as their background.
At exactly four o’clock in the afternoon the guests arrived back to Camp Benjamin.

21/11/2019

HIGHLIGHTS OF ORGANIC TECHNOLOGIES BREAKOUT SESSION

I. Climate Smart Agriculture and Bio Intensive Gardening (BIG)

The first topic under Organic Technologies was shared and facilitated by the representatives from the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IRR)—
Ma. Shiela Anunciado (Agricultural Officer) and Ruvicyn S. Bayot (Project Manager).
The presentation entitled: “Building Farm Resilience for Food Security, Livelihood Security and Nutrition” in particular was presented by Ms. Anunciado. The speaker started the talk by giving an overview of how climate change affects the condition of farming or specifically the Organic Agriculture. One particular line that Ms. Shiela emphasized are the words of Peter F. Drucker that say “ The best way to predict the future is to create it”. The overall discussion goes around with the message that farmers have the ways such as Diversified farming, Agrobiodiversity Conservation, Regenerative Agriculture, and Promotional of climate resilient crops that could conquer climate change. Ms. Anunciado also promotes School Garden, Community and home gardens and family farming. According to her, collective efforts signal an automatic success in the venture.
The second speaker- Ms. Bayot on the other hand, elaborates the climate-smart agriculture by sharing IIRR’s various programs. With their experience in dealing with Climate change and promoting smart agriculture, she shared five important interventions: 1. Water-Smart; 2. Carbon-smart; 3. Nitrogen-smart; 4. Energy-smart; and 5. Knowledge smart.
During the open forum, the delegates center their queries knowing the difference of Climate-smart practices from the traditional ones. Through this portion, most of the participants were enlightened on how they can weigh and choose the appropriate practices for their own farming or agriculture.

II. Potential Benefits in Raising Native Pigs

The second speaker is the owner of Teofely’s Farm, Mr. Ian Cabriga. According to him, the Farm name -Teofely came from the names of his in-laws who originally own the land where his farm is located.
The discussion of Mr. Cabriga stirs from the humble beginnings of their farm to its expansion and success. What Mr. Ian has shared was basically his own experiences in establishing the business.
The delegates were inspired and asked some tips in developing and maintaining such business. One of the Uniqueness of his venture is providing a native lechon wherein the way it is prepared and done is through a so-called ‘pugon’.

III. Native Pig Production

The third speaker was Engr. Edelissa A. Ramos, a certified ‘Magsasakang Siyentista’. The focus of Ms. Ramos’ presentation centered on the basics of native pig production, from sharing the Native Pigs’ characteristics, housing, breeding, to its feed nutrients and Percentages. She also shared about the avoidance and treatment in Common Diseases of Pigs.

IV. Scientific Propagation and Essentials of Native Animals

The topic “Native Animals: Prospects and Production Technologies” was discussed by Doc. Rene C. Santiago from the Bureau of Animal Industry-National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center.
Mr. Santiago’s talk centered on the importance of Native Animals. He shared the benefits of growing such animals and how an agricultural industry could grow through reproducing farm animals such as: cow, carabao, goat, horse, etc.
He also emphasized that as the number of people exponentially expands, all the more reason to depend from native farm animals as one of foods or basic necessity.
Through Mr. Santiago’s presentation the delegates became more knowledgeable about the Philippine Native Animals Development Program (PNAD) or the Department of Agriculture Administrative Order (AO) No. 15 series of 2010. According to him farm owners must be aware of this AO because of the policies and initiatives for sustainable conservation, production, and marketing of native animals were protected under this legal term.

V. Management of Major Insect Pests in Organically-grown Vegetables

The last speaker is from UPLB, Dr. Pio A. Javier. He is an adjunct research professor from the Institute of W**d Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Food Science.

Dr. Javier talked about the topic: Management of Insect Pests of Vegetable with Emphasis on Biocon Agents and Botanical Insecticides. In particular, he focused sharing the major insects that affect vegetables and the management strategies against insect pests with emphasis on Biocon agents and botanical insecticides.

Organic Technologies was featured in one of the breakout sessions of the 16th National Organic Agriculture Congress (NOAC). Organic Technologies breakout session catered to the following discussions:

1. "Climate Smart Agriculture and Bio Intensive Gardening (BIG)" by Dir. Rene R. Vidallo of Philippine Country Program

2. "Potential Benefits in Raising Native Pigs" by Mr. Ian B. Cabriga of Teofely's Farm

3. "Native Pig Production" by Engr. Edelissa Ramos of Uma Verde Eco-Nature Farm

4. "Scientific Propagation and Essentials of Native Animals" by Dr. Rene Santiago of National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center

5. "Management of Major Insect Pests in Organically-Grown Vegetables" by Dr. Pio A. Javier

21/11/2019

HIGHLIGHTS OF POLICY BREAKOUT SESSION

I. ATI’s Organic Agriculture Programs/Projects under New DA Administration, and its Status/Updates & ATI-CALABARZON Best Practices

Facilitated by ATI RFO IV A CALABARZON, the breakout session was discussed by the ATI IV A Training Superintendent I Mariel Celeste C. Dayanghirang. In her discussion, she highlighted “HiLING Program” as one of ATI-CALABARZON’s best practices under DA administration.

HiLING Program stands for High impact, Location specific, Institution centered, Need based, and Goal directed. Dubbed as the extension innovation of the ATI-Region IV A, the program is designed for the sustainable development and sustainable intervention. Ms. Dayanghirang explained and justified the acronym of HiLING—High impact such that it involves national/regional agencies, SUCs, LGUs, and the private sector; location specific usually involving 4th to 6th class municipalities; Institution centered with each members of the family as beneficiaries; Need-based with specific interventions matched with the location’s needs; and Goal oriented activities in line with Ambisyon 2040, Ani at Kita of DA, ATI, and capacitating families and farm communities.

From 2016-2019, a total of 84 families were reported to benefit from the program with a total of 336 individuals across CALABARZON.

The implementation framework of HiLING program was discussed into its parts--pre-intervention phase (conceptualization, planning, and preparation phase) five months before actual intervention; actual intervention phase for six months; and impact evaluation phase. All of which are aimed to cause maximized productivity and profit to beneficiaries, disaster readiness in times of calamities, and empowerment among individuals.

The discussion was concluded with video presentation about the program and insights from the beneficiaries. The video featured 30 families as the beneficiaries; 16 from Macalelon, Quezon, and 14 from Mabitac, Laguna. Families were engaged into a series of trainings and seminars: DRRM on climate change, first aid training, Farmers Field School (FFS), Farmers Business School (FBS), Training on Meat processing, Training on Enterprise Development, Training on Early Child Care Development (ECCD), Training on Gender and Development, Training on Rice Updates and the like. Furthermore, regional youth camps, planting soybean and tricantera, and FFS on sustainable pig farming were also launched by the program.

II. Program of Sustainable Agriculture in the Communities

Fr. Edu Gariguez, Executive Secretary of Caritas Philippines discussed on Sustainable Agriculture Community Empowerment and Resilience Strategy. As part of the humanitarian, development, and advocacy arm of CBCP, the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines, Fr. Gariguez highlighted the involvement of the church and their organization in serving and helping the most vulnerable, including farmers. He started his presentation by defining food security; quoting the 1996 World Food Summit, as the concept is said to exist “when people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” With this, he stressed the importance of agriculture and rural development in addressing poverty, more specifically in investing small holder farmers.
In his discussion, Fr. Gariguez explained the three tenets of NASSA: Humanitarian, development, and advocacy, along with their attributed projects and activities. Humanitarian efforts of the organization is said to focus on relief & rehabilitation, emergency response and community-managed disaster risk reduction (CMDRR). Meanwhile, development includes sustainable agriculture and rural development, livelihood and poverty alleviation, self-help group (SHeG) – MicroFinance, and Social Enterprise. Lastly, advocacy efforts include justice and peace, ecology and Laudato Si Campaign, land rights and agrarian reform, and good governance and Human Rights.
Focusing on small farmers, farmer communities, food sovereignties, he discussed sustainable agriculture framework and principles. Basically, in the PMP framework on Sustainable agriculture, economic, environmental, and social factors are unified by Food and livelihood security, social organization and promotion of farmers’ rights, and environmental regeneration. Another framework supplementing the discussion was shown; with sustainable agriculture, land rights/agrarian reform, community empowerment, and ecological advocacy/resilience unified by the concept of improving quality of life and achieving a sustainable ecosystem.
Some programs and activities of the organization in line with the frameworks were discussed by Fr. Gariguez: FarmFirst, the Sulong Carper program, Climate Change Mainstreaming in Community Organizing, Natural Resource Management Through Sustainable Agriculture, Disaster Preparedness through CMDRR, Product Development and Creation of Community Enterprise with Social Mission, Building Community Resilience Towards Food Security, amongst all other land installation and ownership, land production, and legal process initiatives of the catholic church serving the farmers, farmer organizations in securing their lands and capacitating them with sustainable agriculture and resiliency to climate change.
Fr. Gariguez also introduced the organization’s published reading materials about FarmFirst for Climate Change and Establishing Community Managed Learning Farms Towards Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture. He stressed that all their programs, activities, and initiatives seek everyone’s participation, contribution, and involvement, regardless of religion or belief.

III. Land Bank of the Philippines Agricultural and Development Lending Center “Capital Opportunities”

Account Officer Edwin Umali of Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Agricultural and Development Lending Center- Cavite discussed on the salient features and requirements of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) Lending Program as part of the Capital Opportunities of the LBP. The said program was implemented in compliance with RA 8178 or the Agricultural Tarrification Act, as amended by RA 10848 or the ACEF Extension Act in order to increase the productivity of farmers and fisherfolks, including their cooperatives and associations, micro and small enterprises, through extension of credit assistance.
Apart from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council credit programs, the government also extended loan assistance through ACEF. According to Mr. Umali, ACEF aims to provide necessary credit to farmers and fisherfolk and their cooperatives and associations, and micro and small enterprises to increase their productivity and to establish an agricultural lending program that enhances competitiveness of target project beneficiaries or sectors especially small farmers and fisherfolk. It was emphasized by Mr. Umali that farmers and fisherfolks must be treated with special care and priority assistance. considering that they are the core to LBP’s mandate.
The salient features of ACEF Lending Program was discussed next, more particularly on the eligible borrowers, eligible projects and loan purpose. Eligibility criteria for individual farmer and fisherfolks were mentioned as follows: individual should present a viable project, he/she should not be an existing LBP borrower nor he/should have an outstanding loan from other formal lending institutions for the same project, and he/she should have a marketable surplus of the project or other confirmed sources for repayment. Meanwhile, for micro and small enterprises, the requirements are similar only that each should be duly registered with DTI/SEC and should have no adverse findings nor have an existing landbank borrower. For farmers’ and fisherfolk Coops and Associations, each should be duly registered with CDA/SEC/DOLE-BRW, should be operational for at least 6 months, should have no adverse findings on the borrower nor have an existing landbank borrower, should entail a core management team (i.e. manager, cashier, treasurer or equivalent positions), and lastly, with proven track record.
Loan features, the loanable amount, financing mix, credit facilities, Interest Rate, Loan Tenor/Repayment Term, Application/Pre-termination fees, Credit Investigation/Background Investigation, Pre-release requirement, mode of release, loan restructuring, refinancing, penalty for loan default, security/collaterals were also tackled by Mr. Umali. With each important factor to satisfy for the loan, he explained each and made some clarifications. One of which is, if a particular building is to be made as a security/collateral, the land will be included as well. Also, as per the processing of the loan, provided that all basic requirements were satisfied and accomplished, Mr. Umali assured that applicants in Cavite are given a maximum of five (5) days for the approval of the loan for amounts not exceeding 300, 000 pesos. Sixth day will be the signing and release of the funds through LandBank ATM for utmost convenience. The rest of the applications are given thirty to forty-five (30-45) days for the processing and approval of the loan application.
Documentary requirements and the ACEF loan form were discussed next. For farmers’ and fisherfolk cooperatives and associations, the following must be secured and accomplished for processing of the loan application: loan application form , General Information Sheet, Photocopy of Certificate of Registration (for cooperatives, the cert. of registration from the CDA and for associations, cert of registration from either DOLE-BRW, SEC and other registering agencies), Bio-data of incumbent officers and board of directors with ID, board resolution authorizing the coop/association to borrow and designating authorized signatories, audited financial statement for the last year or latest interim financial statement for start-up companies, business plan/consolidated farm plan and budget, and the current year business permit. Mr. Umali reassured that the applicants shall find the submission of business plan easier than before since LBP already designed a standard form for all applicants that will only involve checking and brief answering of some questions relative to the project to be funded and the application itself. Furthermore, the ACEF loan form has its English and Filipino version, so that farmers and fisherfolks will only wish to accomplish the form with the language they are comprehendible and comfortable with.
Some questions were raised after the discussion. A concern on who shall “inherit” the outstanding loan in the case of accident or death of the main applicant was raised; Mr. Umali explained that the spouse who signed in the loan application of the farmer/fisherfolk applicant is indicated beforehand and therefore understood to be the inheritor of the loan if that in case, happens. Another concern was asked on what will the borrower do if he/she is gravely affected by an unexpected disaster/epidemic such as the onslaught of African Swine Fever (ASF). Mr. Umali advised that the borrower must immediately go to the lending center that handled the lending account and consult with the manager regarding on the feasible options for the situation.

One of the breakout sessions for the 16th National Organic Agriculture Congress (NOAC) focused on policy. Policy breakout session catered to three (3) fruitful discussions:

1. ATIs Organic Agriculture Programs/Projects under New DA Administration and its Status/Updates & ATI-CALABARZON Best Practices by Ms. Mariel Celeste C. Dayanghirang of ATI RFO IV A CALABARZON

2. Program of Sustainable Agriculture in the Communities by Fr. Edu A. Gariguez of CBCP, NASSA Caritas

3. LBP Agricultural and Development Lending Center by Mr. Edwin Umali of LBP Agricultural and Development Lending Center - Cavite

21/11/2019

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MARKETING BREAKOUT SESSION

I. Development of a Sustainable Farm Tourism Enterprise

The first resource person is Ms. Josephine Costales from the renowned Costales Nature Farms located in Majayjay, Laguna. Ms. Costales was from IT industry before going into farming alongside with his late husband, Mr. Ronald Costales. During discussions, most of the time, she shared the farms she had visited especially from different countries. Also, she shared the eight (8) Ps of farm tourism and these are: Passion, Proposition, Partnership, Promotion, Peace and Order, Profit, Poverty Reduction and Place. First and foremost, she stressed that Passion must be with enthusiasm. Farming according to her is a full-time job and needs to be worked “hands-on”. In Proposition, she discussed that a farmer who wants to start in his or her own must find unique product and environment. In addition, she added that Partnership with government agencies such as Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Tourism (DoT) is very important. Accreditation to these agencies especially with the attached agency of DA, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) opens a lot of opportunities. Promotion for her can be very effective for she managed to utilize what she had learned in the years she worked in the IT industry. She added the use of Digital Marketing, giving Traveloka and Klook as examples. She pointed out that there must be consideration for the costs invested in a farm not needing to always give the products to the clients. Peace and order, as she said would be self-explanatory.
The speaker had to run through with the remaining parts of Farm Tourism due to time constraints. As one of her practical tips, she gave emphasis on the identification of the target markets such as: backpackers, family, students, government staffs, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and many others. For her, instead of going to malls, give students more learnings through farm tours.
As for the questions of the participants after the talk, Dr. Lourdes Batanes, a Tourism Farm starter and a retired professor asked on the accreditation process. The speaker said that ATI gives a lot of learnings. Taking advantage from it, a farm owner must also accomplish basic needed documents and havecollaboration with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). One of the concerns also raised was about encouraging youth in organic farming. Ms. Costales impressed that children must be brought back to basic.

II. Digital Platform for the Production, Marketing and Sales of Organic Products

The second resource speaker is Mr. Henry James Sison, a Managing Director in Accenture. As he started the session, he opened up being into weekend farming. He shared that in organizing farmers, it is very essential to actually know when is the off-season, also considering the “bad” weather times. One of the things he also impressed to the participants was changing the way doing business; changing the way managing it. The samples he cited on these are the following: Amazon disrupted the department stores, as well as the other brands in the market such as Air BnB, Uber and Grab.
He pointed out as well the relevance of Forecasting. He shared on developing a system for planting a certain crop in a land and the harvests will be estimated afterwards.

III. Creative Media for Consumer Awareness

Mr. Ruy Valente Polistico is the next resource speaker. He claimed to be an hands-on farmer for 10 years. As introduction, he asked “Why is Organic not a mainstream product?” He enumerated certain reasons. The public, per se lacks awareness. The stakeholders or simply the consumers revolve around the Republic Act (R.A.) 10068: Organic Agriculture Act. It is a nationwide educational campaign for all to be addressed. He stressed out if the Filipinos do adhere to this act then, it should not all be dependent to the government.
Mr. Polistico was very enthusiastic in dealing with the public on having the right choice especially with the ones they consume. He related the marketing to market linkaging.
The speaker encouraged the audience into good nutrition. He asked the audience, “Have we been telling people to eat?” In relation to nutrition, he shared one must have good soil. He also added that the ordinary people should learn and understand it. In order to make the people more aware, he suggested to find creative ways such as to laymanize the terms to be used in educational and promotional materials. Lastly, aside from his emphasis on properly educating people in organic agriculture, he also impressed the power of media and therefore, we must utilize it.

IV. Consumer Awareness

Dr. Nim Gonzales is the last resource speaker. He opened the discussion with the following topics such as: global issues and pollution. According to him, climate change is a health crisis including the younger generation. The values nowadays of this generation are as follows: the 24/7 culture, having no patience anymore causing to get easier sicknesses, throw-away society, immediate gratification that hates waiting at this point of time, and globalization.
He also warned the audience in the consumption of foods such as drinking too much bottom less tea resulting to Cholelithiasis. The cultural foods such as alcohol, fatty and sugars are all Filipino favorites. He stressed out that the culprit and problem of organic agriculture is people hate information, ignorance and love fake and instant news. Dr. Gonzales pointed out that the solution is simply innovation. This has to extend or shorten one’s life.
The Iceberg of Organic Farming is that the foundation is said to be very important. The insights from Science as he enumerated: aquarium effect which has the holistic approach, butterfly effect and the universal having the true, good and beautiful concept. Also, he shared that the processed or canned foods are just giving someone a satisfying feeling and makes tummy bigger.
The speaker told the public that the need is to study and learn the environment, per se. He also remarked that “do not stand around with negative people” only with organic ones.

Marketing breakout session was also included in the 16th National Organic Agriculture Congress. The following discussions took place:

1. "Development of a Sustainable Farm Tourism Enterprise" by Ms. Josephine Costales of Costales Nature Farms

2. "Agribusiness-What Attracts Young Farmers" and "Bridging the Gap between and the Culinary Industry" by Mr. Raphael Dacones, Ms. Barbara Cruz, and Ms. Stef Mendiola

3. "Digital Platform for the Production, Marketing, and Sales of Organic Products" by Mr. Henry James Sison of Al Seasons Nature Farm

4. "Creative Media for Consumer Awareness" by Mr. Ruy Valiente Polistico of CALABARZON Organic Exchange (CORE)

5. "Consumer Awareness" by Dr. Nim Gonzales