An information caravan on the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office IV-A was conducted at the Rizal Provincial Capitol Multipurpose Hall to encourage and discuss the importance of having an Organic Agriculture Ordinance in the province.

Bernadette F. San Juan, Director and National Program Coordinator highlighted the Joint Memorandum Circular 01-2018 between the DILG and DA through its purpose to encourage partnerships and alliances among various Government Agencies, Local Government Units, local and international organizations, and stakeholders for the full adoption and implementation of RA 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.

Among the provisions is to create provincial and municipal technical committees to implement activities in line with NOAP.

Rizal has upland farm activities within its legislated protected areas and forest reserve, thus For. Violeta Masagnay, Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) of Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) raised her concern on the mainstreaming of Biodiversity Friendly Agricultural Practices (BDFAP) in and around Protected Areas and the need to include DENR as member of the technical working group following the DA-DENR Joint Administrative Order No. 2021-01.

BDFAP's objective is to promote agricultural development that is compatible with the conservation of the ecosystem in the areas where agricultural and fisheries activities are being carried out. To ensure judicious use of the country's natural resources for sustainability and conserve the genetic diversity of biological resources used for food and agriculture. To institutionalize BDFAP in multiple-use and buffer zones of protected areas and tenured areas.

Participants and NOAP officials positively agreed to the PASu's position and will elevate the concern to regional national organic agriculture.

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Parent Category: News & Events
Category: Photo Releases
Published: 28 March 2023