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The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) is ready to tie-up South Korea for new technology in the
improvement of organic agriculture in Bohol and other provinces in Central Visayas.

This was the statement issued by Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado when he delivered a message during the 6th Regional Organic Agriculture Congress (ROAC) held at Reynas The Garden and Haven, New Calceta, Cogon, Tagbilaran City.

Gov. Aumentado was in South Korea at the middle of this month eyeing the direct importation of farm
equipment for the development of agricultural program in Bohol.

The governor emphasized that even though that the provincial government has been advocating the conventional method of farming for high production we still promoting the organic agriculture focusing not only for the household consumption but also for the tourists who have been visiting and staying in the different tourist destinations, hotels and resorts in the province.

Aumentado after delivering his message led the signing of the pledge of commitment to support organic farming as he said that agriculture is also a priority in his administration.

KEYNOTE SPEECH

Director Bernadette A. San Juan, Director-National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP)-DA Central Office
who was not able to come-up during the congress, in her prepared keynote speech delivered by Lea C. Deriquito, Chief-Advocacy and Policy Division, NOAP said the she was elated that after more than two years since the pandemic came to our shores, the conduct of ROAC is finally back, stronger and better.

She said that the development of the agricultural sector, particularly the Organic Agriculture industry is
challenging these trying times therefore, our responses are decisive, innovative, integrated, and strategic.

San Juan said that she knows that we cannot do everything at once as much as we want to, but holding relevant gathering like this ROAC serves as the pivotal point to spur participation and collaboration among and between our OA stakeholders, agripreneurs, farmers, our local chief executives, and government officials.

Fervently, the NOAC is particularly toughening up for the global challenges ahead that could dampen our food productivity and mitigation of climate change: our farmers are feeling the pinch of global rising fuel prices and costs of fertilizers, which have now tripled; the entire world has been subjected to high consumer price inflation brought by the disruption of global food supply chains during the pandemic; climate change and natural disasters are upon us, and frequency of typhoons are making agricultural damage a common sight.

San Juan said that because of these reasons, we find solutions and on the ground actions: we in the program are prioritizing the Certification of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS); establishment of OA livelihood programs; massive production of organic fertilizer and soil ameliorants through the composting facilities for Biodegradable wastes (CFBW) and Small Scale Composting Facilities (SSCF); inventory and promotion of OA zones per municipality and city.

She said that all of these will aid the dynamic and changing needs of our OA practitioners and will definitely ease the effects of climate change.

San Juan disclosed that by next year they will conduct information caravan to any part of the country to inform the public regarding the importance of R.A. 11511 that mandates the responsibility of the chief local executives to help in the promotion of OA in their respective areas.

MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Director Joel B. Elumba, OIC-Regional Executive Director, Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office
(DA-RFO) 7 said that in order to have food safety and sustainability we should go back to Organic Agriculture it doesn’t matter if it takes a long time for the effect.

Director Elumba emphasized that originally the method of farming that has been practiced by our early ancestors is the organic agriculture. Only in 1970’s that the inorganic agriculture or method of farming using synthetic chemicals was introduced in the Philippines, he clarified.

Elumba said we should think about our health and the future health of the next generation as he encouraged the youth to take up agriculture course.

Dir. Antonio Jesus C. Orbida, Member-National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) on his message via on line emphasized the importance of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for the solution to the problem of organic practitioners in marketing of their products.

Dir. Orbida said that NOAB is offering scholarship for the youth to mitigate the impact on the aging organic farmer-practitioners problem.

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

During the presentation and discussion of OA profiles per province and FY 2023 onwards Plan and Budget
Proposals of PLGUs to be done by Maricel Barloso, Provincial Focal Person (PFP), Office of the Provincial
Agriculturist (OPA)-Bohol; Mirabel Amado, PFP, OPA-Cebu; Joshua Demerre, PFP, OPA-Negros Oriental and Rio Duhaylungsod, PFP, OPA-Siquijor, it was known the key issues and challenges in promoting OA in their respective locality.

Some of which are lack of support from the MLGUs in OA program implementation, less allocation of budget compared to other programs, poor monitoring and evaluation, lack of focal persons assigned in the LGU affecting data generation, less promotional campaign compared to conventional farming, lack of organic farming research, too many requirements for PGS certification, laborious, and lack of organic farming inputs.

Meanwhile, Mae E. Montecillo,Regional OAP Focal Person, DA-7 and Ma. Gracia S. Pungay, Regional OAP
Focal Person, ATI-7 also presented and discussed the OA Program Highlight of Accomplishments and FY 2024 onwards Plan and Budget Proposals.

The one-day congress carrying the theme “ Maunlad na Pagsasaka, Garantisado sa Organikong Agrikulturang Sinaliksik” was formally closed by Gracia F. Arado, OIC-Training Center Superintendent II, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)-7. (Atoy Cosap)

6th REGIONAL ORGANIC AGRICULTURE CONGRESS. Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado delivers his message during the 6th Regional Organic Agriculture Congress (ROAC) held at Reynas The Garden and Haven, New Calceta St. Cogon, Tagbilaran City last Wednesday.

The province of Bohol will be the host of the 6 th Regional Organic Agriculture Congress (ROAC)
slated on October 26, 2022 at the Reyna’s the Haven and Garden, New Calceta Street, Cogon, Tagbilaran
City.

This will be the second time after the province also hosted the 2 nd ROAC last 2016. It can be
remembered that the first congress was conducted in Cebu last 2015, the 3 rd was in Siquijor, 4 th (Negrosn Oriental), and 5 th (Cebu). There were no congress being conducted on 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist
(OPA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and other agri-line government agencies have been balancing their efforts for the promotion of organic farming as well as conventional method through hybridization program which aims for high production.

Within the whole day ROAC activity, Director Bernadette A. San Juan, National Organic Agriculture
Program will deliver the keynote speech after being introduced by Ms. Mae E. Montecillo, Regional
Organic Agriculture Program Focal Person, DA-7.

Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado; Agriculture Assistant Secretary Atty. Salvador Diputado; OIC-
Regional Executive Director Joel A. Elumba; and Dir. Jet Orbida (virtual), Member, National Organic
Agriculture Program will give their messages after Agricultural Provincial Coordinating Officer Roman
Dabalos could acknowledge the participants and Acting Provincial Agriculturist could give the welcome
remarks.

Provincial Focal Person Ms. Maricel C. Barloso, OPA-Bohol; Provincial Focal Person Ms. Mirabel Amado, OPA-Cebu; Joshua Demerre, OPA-Negros Oriental; and Rio Duhaylungsod, OPA-Siquijor will present and discuss the organic agriculture profiles per province and FY 2023 onwards plan and Budget Proposals; while, Ms. Ma. Gracia S. Pungay, Regional OAP Focal Person, ATI-7 and Montecillo will present and discuss the organic agriculture program highlight of accomplishments, and FY 2023 onwards Plan and Budget Proposals.

After the presentation and discussion, the ATI-7 representative will give the synthesis of the whole day affair.

Each province has an exhibit of their organic products from their respective locality.

The whole day activity will be formally closed by Gracia F. Arrado, OIC- Training Center Superintendent II, ATI-7.

The PGBh is very determined to help the organic program in the province in tandem with the conventional method of farming.

In fact, the provincial government has an annual program which is the Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-
uumang Bol-anon wherein there are some categories with big prizes at stake intended for organic such as; Outstanding Organic Agriculture Practitioner (Individual Family), Outstanding Organic Practitioner
(Association), Outstanding Young Farmer (Practicing Organic Farming) and Outstanding Organic
Technician. (Atoy Cosap)

Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado will lead the Boholanos to join the whole world in celebration of the World Food Day on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) has
prepared a program to fit the celebration to be held at the Bohol Cultural Center this city to start at 9 in the morning.

In the program, Gov. Aumentado will deliver the inspirational message while Vice-Gov. Dionisio Victor A.
Balite will give the welcome remarks while Director Joel A. Elumba, OIC- Regtional Executive Director,
Department of Agriculture (DA)-7 will give the message of support as Dr. Gracia F. Arado, OIC-Center Director, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)-7 will explain the rationale.

Other activities being lined-up in the one- day affair to include: Agri-Fishery Situationer And Major Programs ofOPA to be shared by Acting Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas; Sharing of Best Practices on Organic Farming by Jose Travero, Organic Farming Practitioner; Integrated Farming System (Celencio Maligsa, Farmer); Vegetable Production and Marketing Enterprise (Casino Monil, Farmer Entrepreneur/Owner, Bilar STEM Vegetable Farm); Sharing of Best Practices: Rice Wine Processing Enterprise to be shared by Vanessa Panugan,the owner of Jzaki Rice Wine (“The First Rice Wine Produced in Bohol”); Mushroom Production Enterprise to be taken by Rona Denque, CEO-Green Thumb Farm, Corella; and Tilapia Production Enterprise by Eleno Evangelista, Upland Aquaculture Section Head-OPA).

There will be an open forum to give chance of the participants to ask clarification or questions to the sharers.

Joining the World Food Day Celebration is one of the annual activities of the provincial government geared towards the strengthening of the relationship with national and international ties to fly together into greater height as the celebration this year brings the theme “Leave No One Behind”. (Atoy Cosap)

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) is gradually achieving in the quest to modernize agriculture in
the province.

Last Thursday, Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado led the ribbon cutting and the blessings of some farm machinery and farm facilities at Bohol Organic Agriculture Technology (BOATech) Center in Gabi, Ubay, Bohol.

The farm machinery and facilities which are worth P68,900,000 are as follows: Combine Corn Harvester-4
rows (picker, sheller, and stalk chopper) with trailers; Brand New Movable Trailer-Mounted mechanical dryer 4 to5 tons capacity; Portable Feed Mill; Corn Flour Mill (25 tons corn/day);120 HP Tractor with Complete Accessories (disc plow, furrow ridge, harrow); 95 HP Tractor with Complete Accessories (disc plow and harrow); Cassava Chipper and Cassava Uprooter; and Cassava Dryer (6-8 tons) options diesel-electric-rice hull or corn cobs fuel.

Gov.  Aumentado has cited the importance of farm equipment to boost the agricultural products in Bohol.
Acting Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas said that the objectives to purchase of the machinery above are to increase the production of quality corn and cassava for human consumption, feeds and industrial uses; to empower the farmers and increase their income, thereby improving the quality of life; to facilitate the production of local feeds for livestock and aqua intended for backyard raisers; to reduce the production cost of livestock and fishery products; to showcase the complete value chain for corn and cassava; to enhance farm efficiency compared to manual labor; and to have access to modern agricultural equipment for the farmers thereby reducing production cost for corn and cassava.

Dr. Pamugas bared that the direct beneficiaries are the Boholano corn/cassava farmers who will be given
production support through the provision of affordable and efficient machine services during the land preparation, harvesting, and other postharvest activities.

Pamugas emphasized that the distribution of the machines will be focused on the four clustered areas of corn and cassava in the province such as; Cluster 1 (Dimiao, Valencia), Cluster 2 (Carmen, Sagbayan, and Sierra- Bullones), Cluster 3 (Dagohoy, Danao, San Miguel, and Trinidad), and Cluster 4 (Anda, Alicia and Ubay). Each cluster will have a machine shade based on the approved proposal from the Development Bank of the Philippines. He said that the equipment will be stationed in strategically clustered areas for easy access to the beneficiaries. It will also serve as the workshop and focal ground of the team and operators managing the machine.

The rental and payment mechanism for the use of the machinery will be based on the approved ordinance of the provincial government.

The province of Bohol has more than 20,786 corn farmers and the existing areas utilized for corn production are at 6, 243 hectares (has.) but it can be expanded to 20, 000 has. If appropriate support will be provided. (Atoy Cosap)

Gov.Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado leads the blessings of the farm machineries and facilities at Bohol Organic Agriculture Technology (BOATech) Center in Gabi, Ubay last Thursday. He is assisted by Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte and his mother Former First Lady in the Province of Bohol Mrs. Greeny C.Aumentado. Photo by Alfredo Amora Jr.

The just concluded three-day Sandugo Agri-fair in the province of Bohol last July 18-20 at the Old Tagbilaran City Airport had gotten total sales of P780, 814.

 The fair was participated by 23 exhibitors from the different participating Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) namely: Pilar, Talibon, Tagbilaran City, Buenavista, Calape, San Miguel, Baclayon, Bien Unido, Batuan, Carmen, Candijay, Cortes, Trinidad, Sierra-Bullones, Loon, Valencia, Panglao, Sevilla, Loboc, Ubay, Dimiao, Balilihan, and Dauis.

Eleven commercial partner exhibitors participated. These were the Bio AGRONICA, RPC-KOICA, UNACHO Feeds Company, AGRIMAC, SL HATAW Seeds Distributor, BONACGA-Bohol Native Chicken Grower’s Association, Bohol Rabbit, FISH, Suki Trading, PIGROLAC and Aldrtz Corporation; while the seven Tabo Exhibitors were: AIM, Jumawid Farm, Evalyn’s Processed, Garrote Dried Fish, KaBoOM, BUSEO and Cabudlan Farmers Association.

Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado in his inspirational message during the closing and awarding program last July 20, emphasized that agriculture is on top of his priority programs in the province.

Gov. Aumentado thanked the exhibitors who participated in the fair while he asked them to continue giving support to the plans and programs of the provincial government.

The Sandugo Agri-fair is an annual activity of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) as one of the highlights of the month-long celebration of the Bohol Sandugo Festival every July showcasing the agricultural products from the Boholano farmers, fisherfolks and livestock raisers.

The three-day activities included different contests with big prizes at stake which also encouraged the exhibitors to participate.

The celebration aims to recognize and award the efforts and toil of the Boholanos who have been helping the PGBh in shaping up the agricultural landscape of Bohol.

The fair was closely coordinated with the Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Office 7 (DA-FRO 7) and other government agri-line agencies: Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bohol Island State University (BISU), Ubay Stock Farm (USF), Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV), Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center (B-APC) and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA). 

Due to the super typhoon “Odette” and the Local Government Units (LGUs) have been very busy in the relief
and rehabilitation efforts, the Ubi Festival cannot be conducted this year.
The Ubi Festival is one of the annual activities of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) every 3 rd  week of
January which aims at recognizing and awarding the Ubi growers who have been helping the PGBh to sustain the
Ubi industry in Bohol.
However, Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas said that the buying public can still buy Ubi
tubers in big volume at the Old Tagbilaran City Airport starting tomorrow until supply lasts.
Pamugas emphasized that only Ubi products from the members of the Bohol Ubi Growers Associations (BUGA)
are allowed to be displayed and sold at the Old Airport.
He added that the conduct of Ubi Festival has a lot of preparation which could be hardly done by the LGUs
whose times have been focused on the relief operations and restoration of the devastation brought about by Odette.
Pamugas also clarified that not only Ubi tubers can be sold at the old airport but also other root crops like
cassava, camote, apale, gabi among others.
The assistant Provincial Agriculturist stressed that if there had been no Odettete that hit Bohol even though there 
is still a threat of COVID-19 like last year, the PGBh through OPA could conduct Ubi Fest this year.
Regularly, the Ubi Festival has been participated by the LGU of Tagbilaran City, Dauis, Panglao, Baclayon,
Sikatuna, Corella, Cortes, Antequera, Loon, Carmen, Pilar, Ubay, Sevilla, Loay, Dimiao, Balilihan, San Isidro, San
Miguel, Valencia, Jagna, and Anda.
The selling of Ubi at the Old Airport tomorrow coincides with the launching of the “Kadiwa on Wheels” in
Bohol this year wherein fruits, vegetables, root crops and fish products from Davao and Zamboanga Regions will be
sold such project is in partnership with the province of Bohol. ( with report from Atoy Cosap)
  
DA Sec. Dar arrives this afternoon
 
The Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William D. Dar will this afternoon in the province to lead the
turnover of the different projects of DA to the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) among others.
 Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas said that Sec. Dar will stay overnight in Bohol to lead the
ceremonial turnover of the different projects of the department to the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh)  and
to give assistance to the Boholano farmers.
According to the news posted by DA’s Facebook Page, Sec. Dar will lead the ceremonial awarding of the cash
subsidy to 52,818 Boholano rice farmers amounted to more than P264M under the Rice Farmers’ Financial
Assistance (RFFA) program who are duly registered at the Registry System on Basic Sector (RSBSA) during the
program to be held tomorrow morning at Bohol Island State University (BISU) Tagbilaran City Main Campus.
The equipment to be turned over by Sec. Dar to the PGBh are the 5 hauling trucks worth P9.3M from the rice
program and the agribusiness and marketing assistance division, corn seeds worth more than P8M, farm-to-market-
road for 7 local government units worth more than P70M, and the combined interventions from the Special Area for
Agricultural Development program and the Balik Probinsya program worth P1.4M.
Other equipment to be turned by the sec. to the PGBh and BISU System is for the Bohol Soils and Water
Laboratory Center from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) to be constructed in BISU, Bilar
Campus.
The Assistant Provincial Agriculturist added that also in the program that Sec. Dar will sign the Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) between Gov. Art C. Yap regarding the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension
System (PAPES) programs for Bohol.
Bohol is one of the pilot provinces on PAPES program of the Department of Agriculture wherein according to Dar
could expect more projects to pour in.
Before leaving for Manila, the Secretary will launch the Kadiwa on Wheels at the old Tagbilaran City Airport at
1:30 p.m. selling indigenous fruits such as durian, marang, pomelo, rambutan, root crops and various vegetables at
low prices from Agbu Farmers’ Association, Davao Farmers’ Cooperative, First Consolidated Cooperative and the
Ulay Argo Enterprises.
The Kadiwa on Wheels will be participated also by the traders and entrepreneurs from Zamboanga Region that
will be selling fresh and dried fish.

The Ubi tubers from the Bohol Ubi Growers Association (BUGA) will also be sold at the old Tabilaran City
Airport.
On Tuesday, the Mobile Market will be going to Dauis, Albur, and Loay and on Wednesday at the Bohol
Agricultural Promotion Center (B-APC) for the market matching between the producers from regions 9 and 11 and
organized exhibitors of the ART Tabo sa Bohol and the Cooperatives  have been engaging retailing program. (Atoy
Cosap)