PIA Press Release Friday, January 13, 2012 Lamut ventures in organic agricultureby Dan B. CodamonLAMUT, Ifugao, Jan. 13(PIA) -- This municipality has started venturing into this organic agriculture after having been oriented last year about Republic Act 10068 or the “Organic Agriculture Act of 2010” to boost agricultural production. Municipal Agriculturist Beda Pasay-an said they began implementing organic agriculture in selected barangays of the municipality as a demonstration area for other farmers to observe, learn and follow especially those engaged in rice and corn farming. They already started the conduct of rice technology and palay check training in Barangay Panopdopan because of its accessibility and the presence of many rice and corn farmers with a wide area of irrigated rice fields which is very ideal for said organic technology showcase. A compost facility was already established so that the training on the production of organic fertilizer can also be demonstrated and taught to the farmers . Pasay-an also bared that they will also engage in intensive mechanized farming to complement this organic farming and boost agricultural production in the municipality to support the ongoing construction of a food terminal. This is a barangay-based food depot and distribution center that will directly link the farmers to the consumers. He said that the farmers have already conducted a meeting to have a Tractor Pool Program for a full blown mechanized farming in the coming months. The success of these projects is very critical to attract and encourage other farmers to also engage in similar organic farming as it has been seen to offer the most comprehensive response to the sustainability problems facing agriculture and the food production system because it reduces external or commercial inputs such as chemo-synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and pharmaceuticals, he added.(JDP/DBC-PIA CAR,Ifugao) |