DA And UE Team Up To Promote Composting And Organic Farming

The Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) recently formed a partnership with the University of the East-Caloocan City Campus to promote the gradual adoption of Organic Agriculture nationwide through establishment of Small-Scale Composting Facilities (SSCF), which was formalized during the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on May 17 at the University of the East Manila Campus.

The joint project is in support of Republic Act 10068 (also known as the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010), authored by Secretary Proceso Alcala during his term as Quezon Province congressman, aims to promote and encourage the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines to improve soil fertility, increase productivity, reduce pollution, decrease imports of agricultural goods, and protect the health of both farmers and consumers.

According to BSWM Director and National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) National Coordinator, Dr. Silvino Tejada, the BSWM advocates the usage of organic fertilizers and inputs to protect the environment while producing safe and healthy food for the consumers.
 “This project is in view of the wider approach to promote organic agriculture in the country. Also, this undertaking will strengthen our partnerships with universities to help educate the students on the importance of agriculture and organic agriculture,” Tejada noted.

UE, represented by their President and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Ester A. Garcia, will operate and manage the SSCF by providing manpower and maintenance of all components of SSCF.

UE Caloocan Campus Chancellor Dr. Zosimo M. Battad said that this partnership will energize urban farming and will help in R&D activities undertaken by the university.

The government is set to allot at least PhP 300,000 for the establishment of SSCF.