T O : HON. LOURDES S. CATAQUIZ – City Mayor
THROUGH : Mr. AARON CALIXTO S. CATAQUIZ – Executive Assistant V
SUBJECT : Report of the 14th Vegetable Congress
DATE : October 13, 2015
Dear Mayor,
Greetings!
Here are the results of our Official travel to Cagayan de Oro City as per your approval of attending a three (3) day event of the 14th National Vegetable Congress and Agro-Industrial, Trade Expo in Cagayan de Oro City hosted by the NorminVeggies Marketing Cooperative (NMC) in partnership with DA-Regional Field Office 10 and Philippine Vegetable Industry Development Board (PVIDB) last September 15-19, 2015 with a theme, “Good Practices, Better Business, for a Healthier ASEAN.”
The event was participated by thousands of participants from the different regions. The congress aims to gather, interact and celebrate the Philippine vegetable community. The congress was highlighted with different Agro-Industrial Trade Expo at the venue proper, farm tour showcasing best practices at Manresa Farm in Xavier University and market tour at the Bulua Vegetable Landing, Cagayan de Oro City.
According to Dir. Jennifer Remoquillo, Assistant Director of Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) that there was significant increase of 5% in production of local vegetables from 2013 to 2014. This increase was due to the input subsidy given by the LGU, production support and hands-on training on organic agriculture conducted by the DA and producing of organic fertilizers by the Farmers Association.
Many of our small vegetable farmers are facing different challenges to make their products globally competitive. But, Philippines being a member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nation) is committed to make them as the 7th largest economy in the world, giving many opportunities for our small business farmers. Our country continually supports and promotes the implementation of ASEAN GAP that will harmonize the quality and safety standards of our agricultural products. Through the GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) we can also enhanced our participation in global supply chain.
Ms. Slyvia Conception, professor of the University of the Philippines Mindanao recommended that through capitalizing on the idea of family farms or household production, forming clusters, using appropriate technology in farming and learning farming as a business are the useful tools for us to compete in the ASEAN economic community.
Mr. Marcelino Remotigue, President of PVIDB and also chairman of the NorminVeggies Marketing Cooperative discussed the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) or environment-friendly practices that help farmers to produce good quality vegetable at a lower cost of production.
Based on our field visitation at Manresa farm, we observed that Philippines are now adopting their own new farm practices and technology in order that our farmers can compete their product in the global supply chain. Different large seed company showed their new farm technologies such as grafted ampalaya, hybrid seeds, square foot and containerized gardening.
We are planning to apply some of this methods and practices to our city such as Square Foot and Containerized Gardening. These new techniques are applicable to our condition since we are in an urban community. It will maximize the use of our land and will make our city clean and green. But, for us to disseminate this kind of technologies we recommended to have an intended place where we can adopt and showcase an Urban Gardening. This Demo Garden will serve as a venue for hands-on training of all interested trainee. We look forward to give trainings and seminars to our Barangays, Home Owner Associations and even households with open spaces, regarding square foot vegetable and containerized gardening.
Prepared and submitted by:
GENESIS JOY D. MALUGAO
Agricultural Technologies (J.O.)
ROGELIO C. BARTOLINI
City Agricultural Officer
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