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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider ‎Organic farming for healthier food security in Western Visayas pushed

‎Organic farming for healthier food security in Western Visayas pushed

Published May 21, 2026 12:28 pm  |  Updated May 21, 2026 01:09 pm
‎THE 11th Regional Organic Congress in Iloilo City.  (Tara Yap) ‎
‎THE 11th Regional Organic Congress in Iloilo City.  (Tara Yap) ‎
‎ILOILO CITY — The Department of Agriculture-6 is promoting organic farming for healthier food security in Western Visayas.
‎“Under the environmental and social governance, this organic agriculture is very important for the health of the people,” said DA-6 Regional Technical Director Zarlina B. Cuello at the 11th Regional Organic Congress in Iloilo City.
‎“This promotes stewardship towards advanced nutrition and food security across the region,” added Cuello.
‎DA-6 and other stakeholders are pushing organic farming in Western Visayas to convince farmers and consumers of the benefits of natural agriculture production.‎
“Many farmers are focused on immediate output, but the long-term effects on soil health and human health must also be considered. After all, health is wealth,” echoed Buen Mondejar, chairperson of the Western Visayas Regional Agri-Fishery Council.
‎‎Mondejar shared that he has personally shifted to organic farming to ensure that fruits and vegetables consumed are free from synthetic farming that uses chemicals that might be harmful to the body.
‎‎The three-day congress that ends on Friday, May 22, seeks to strengthen organic farming in Western Visayas.
‎‎While Negros Occidental province is no longer part of Western Visayas, Cuello said the region posted a seven percent organic farming rate in its land areas and higher than the national minimum of five percent.
‎‎But Cuello said majority of farmers in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo are still hesitant to shift to organic farming due to small yield, longer production time, and low income.
‎‎To promote organic farming, the DA has the National Organic Agriculture Program. This includes the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), which is for small farmer's groups or cooperatives that can be certified and may avail of at least P5 million in technical assistance.
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