Implementers of the Organic Agriculture (OA) from the Department of Agriculture-National OA Program (DA-NOAP), regional OA and other implementing agencies, were in Negros Oriental Province this week, February 10-14, 2025 for the 2026 Plan and Budget Preparation.
NOAP Director Bernadette San Juan, in an interview said the plan and budget preparation is important and necessary to ensure that the interventions and resources are directed within the program’s priorities.
Organic Agriculture, she said is important because it promotes environmental sustainability, preserves biodiversity and contributes to food security.
“Sa organikong pamamaraan ng pagtatanim, ang mga natural na mikrobyong nasa lupa ang pinapakain natin dahil sila yong magtatransform ng mga natural elements na nasa lupa into something that can be used to our plants, so less yong cost and in this way nape-preserve din natin yong soil health. Sa pagnenegosyo kasi ang mahalaga is kumikita, so kung mababa yong puhunan mo, mataas ang kita mo “, director added
(In organic farming method, we feed the natural microbes in the soil because they will transform the natural elements in the soil into something that can be used by the plants, so the cost is less and in this way we can also preserve the soil health. In doing business, the important thing is to make profits, so if your investment is low, your income will be high.)
Director San Juan said that activities in the plan will include training, capacity building, production support services, facilities and other lacking interventions across the value chain of organic farming.
“We assist organic farmers from production to marketing. We will bridge the gap”, she ended.