By Niño Manaog
Extension Associate II
Capiz State University
Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City—In the 10th National Organic Agriculture Congress, Ma. Susan F. Dordas, manager of the Dao Farmers’ Information & Technology Services (FITS) Center was conferred as one of the outstanding focal persons for organic agriculture by the Department of Agriculture during the awarding rites on October 17, 2013 at the Plenary Hall here.
In the Organic Agriculture Local Government Unit Awards 2013, Dordas shared the limelight along with six others nationwide who are named outstanding municipal and city organics focal persons. Dordas was conferred a trophy and a check worth P30,000.
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| Dordas (far right) shares the limelight with Dao Vice-Mayor Loreto Eslaban (second from left) and Department of Agriculture Region 6 Director Larry Nacionales (center) during the 10th National Organic Agriculture Congress awarding rites at the PICC Plenary Hall. |
For the outstanding cities and municipalities, Represented by Vice-mayor Loreto Eslaban, Dao, Capiz was awarded a trophy and 1 million pesos worth of organic agriculture projects—i.e. the grant will be awarded according to proposals submitted.
Among others, Dordas acknowledged the assistance extended by Techno Gabay Team Leader Eduardo Navarra and Extension Associate Niño Manaog of the Capiz State University, the partner member agency, who provided the Dao FITS Center valuable technical assistance and documentation in said endeavors.
According to the article titled "Working toward Productive & Sustainable Organic Communities: The Organic Agriculture Program Of Dao, Capiz," Dao, Capiz under the leadership of Mayor Joselito Escutin and their active and dynamic Council and Local Government Unit has initiated massive efforts to organize and lead the communities in getting acquainted with and adapting organic agriculture in various capacities and activities. The Dao local government has initiated efforts, sponsored activities and scheduled continuing projects that will help implement the organic agricultural program toward attaining economic growth for its constituents and the environment.
The Dao Organic Agriculture Program has gradually evolved from the grassroots level. Before the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center in Dao was launched in November 2010, the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMA) led by extension worker Susan Dordas and agricultural technologist Genes Estialbo started conducting their research on natural farming systems online and other available sources.
Among others, Dordas and Estialbo were faced with the pressing need and issues confronting their agricultural sector. They recognized that their municipality had witnessed high production cost of agricultural inputs and rice shortage due to low agricultural productivity. Dao farmers had also been also dependent on commercial fertilizer for agricultural production. Further, the rampant use of fertilizer and continuous planting both have depleted the soil affecting productivity.
But after the Dao FITS Center was launched, Dordas and Estialbo further reinforced their activities working with the farmers and encouraging them to practice organic farming use foliar fertilizers and indigenous microorganisms (IMO) concoctions in their farms.These and other succeeding efforts helped launch and create awareness in organic agriculture among Dao constituents.
From 2011 to 2012, DOAP successfully undertook a series of activities contributing to more efforts for organic agriculture awareness campaigns and actual efforts to “walk the talk” in organic agriculture.
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| Extension Specialist Eduardo Navarra (first from left) of CapSU shares the limelight with the winners during the 10th National Organic Agriculture Congress awarding rites at the PICC Plenary Hall. |
