DA orients Tubungan Vegetable Producers Association members on Participatory Guarantee System

The Department of Agriculture Western Visayas (DA-WV) Organic Agriculture Program (OAP) briefed the Tubungan Vegetable Producers Association (TVPA) on the requirements to become an accredited Participatory Guarantee System Organic Certifying Body (PGS-OCB).

Marjorie Tacardon, the municipal agriculturist, requested an intensified coaching activity with the organic agriculture program to ensure that TVPA members could internalize the processes.

“We continuously produce organically-grown vegetables in Tubungan, which needs pertinent certification from the accredited organization. With the help of the DA organic agriculture program, the farmers of Tubungan could have their produce certified once the TVPA is PGS-OCB certified. With this, they will not depend on the LGU funds to sustain their productivity,” said Tacardon.

The Local Government Unit fully supports all agriculture programs and projects of the municipal agriculture office, specifically activities initiated by the farmers themselves. She added, “The road to accreditation is strenuous, and we need to follow the guide and steps to achieve our goals.”

Antonio Tadiaque, TVPA president, presented the operations manual, which the OA and regulatory division representative reviewed for compliance with PGS-OCB guidelines. TVPA has more than 200 farmer-members who are engaged in organic vegetable farming. They use Bio-Organic Fertilizers and concoctions like Fermented Fruit Juice, Fermented Plant Juice, Vermiculture, Wood Vinegar, Oriental Herbal Nutrients, and Fermented Fish Amino Acid in their respective gardens. A mock inspection and simulation activity followed in one of their vegetable areas at Brgy. Male, Tubungan, where the core group inspected different vegetables and fruit trees.

# JNCapaciete- DA/ RAFIS6 (Text), VNOQuimpo (Photos)