22 farmers now certified organic vegetable producers

By JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA
April 7, 2016

INOPACAN, Leyte – Twenty-two farmers from two highland barangays of this town are now certified organic vegetable producers after completing the five months training on High Value Vegetable Production Using Technology on Natural Farming System last month.

Regional Director Sheila Enciso of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) disclosed that her office tapped the East-West Seed Company for the conduct of the said training under the Agricultural Enterprise Development component of the second phase of the Agrarian Reform Community Project (ARCP-II).

Participants of the said training were members of the Hinabay Upland Farmers Association (HUFA) and the Cabulisan Multi-Purpose Upland Farmers Association (CAMUFA), who all expressed happiness for having been trained on organic vegetable production.

According to Edelito Merano Sr., 51, though organic farming is more tedious than the traditional way of growing vegetables which uses hazardous chemicals, the former is environment-friendly and the products are good for our health.

In organic farming, Merano added, they also can save more for they no longer use pesticides and expensive fertilizers.

The farmers instead used the vermicast produced by the CAMAFU sold at P350 per sack of 50 kilos only.

Merchant Cristeta Abenoja disclosed that there are more buyers of organic vegetables than those grown the traditional way.

Her vegetables from barangays Hinabay and Cabulisan are easily sold out for consumers already know that products from these villages are grown organically, said Abenoja.

Various organic vegetables abounded during the farmers’ graduation for it coincided with the harvest festival.