Some 45 participants composing of Agriculture students from Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) – Tiaong Campus, farmers, and technical and administrative staff of Quezon Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (QARES) were invited to attend the consumer awareness seminar on organic agriculture on April 24, 2019 at QARES in Brgy. Lagalag, Tiaong, Quezon.
This seminar which was conducted by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) aims to help them in the improvement of their farm produce, engage young ones to be aware of its viability, and for them to promote organic agricultural practices in their areas.
Mr. Sancho A. Buncha, Chairman of Highly-Urbanized City Agricultural and Fishery Council (HUCAFC) in Lucena City and an organic agriculture practitioner, discussed the principles and practices of organic farming. He emphasized that organic should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plants, animals, and humans as one and united. “…Organic farming should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to common environment and life processes…,” he said.
He also presented the health benefits of eating organic farm crops as these are more nutritious and higher in antioxidants because they are grown on more nutrient, rich soil.
Ms. Mabel B. Equia, Agriculturist II of Regional Organic Agriculture Program, gave updates and shared the Program’s projects and activities like providing farm inputs and technical support to the farmers to increase their harvest and sales.
It was a day full of learning as participants expressed their appreciation to the Department of Agriculture Region IV-CALABARZON for the conduct of this kind of activity. • ARC