P20-M fund eyed in proposed Organic Agriculture ordinance

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — The Negros Occidental Provincial Board has completed a public hearing on the proposed organic agriculture ordinance, providing for an initial allocation of P20 million for the promotion of organic agriculture, and similar amount every year thereafter.

The proposed measure is now set for discussion at the PB agriculture committee headed by the proponent himself, PB Member Miller Serondo.

This latest move, according to Serondo and stakeholders, has given a much-needed boost to the provincial government's plan to transform the province into the country's leading producer of organic farm products.

The proposal also calls on all LGUs in the province to come up with their own programs on organic agriculture, with budget allocations from their respective internal revenue allotments.

The provincial government shall also draw the participation of the private sector in the promotion and implementation of organic agriculture from farm production through marketing, trade and consumption.

The proposed ordinance further provides for the creation of the Negros Occidental Organic Agriculture Management Council that would be tasked to formulate and develop a Provincial Organic Agriculture Plan, in consultation with stakeholders, and oversee its implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

The council will supervise agricultural practices, identify and recommend organic agriculture zones, adopt existing national standards for organic agriculture, and recommend criteria for organic farms, farmers, standards and practices, among others.

The provincial government shall also establish and institutionalize an incentive and award system to encourage the implementation of plans and programs of LGUs, non-government organizations and people's organizations to promote organic agriculture.

Ramon Uy Jr., president of Organik na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association, the other day said the P20-million initial fund in the proposed ordinance "would be a big help in the promotion of organic agriculture."

He said organic agriculture can support the province on food security, which he said could be the number one problem in five to 10 years from now. (FREEMAN)