To ensure food safety and sustainability, the Davao City Agriculturist’s Office (CAgrO) is eyeing the implementation of natural farming in the city.
Natural farming is an agro-ecological approach in agriculture that is chemical-free and relies on natural processes rather than synthetic interventions to promote soil health, biodiversity, and reduce environmental impacts.
Antonio Obsioma, CAgrO’s Officer-in-Charge, said during the ISpeak Media Forum on Thursday that earlier this year, their office already started strengthening its natural farming program through capability training with their field technicians.
“Ang isang initiative na gusto natin ay gusto natin mag-increase ang production ng safer na vegetables. This year nag-start tayo ng promotion ng natural farming. In fact, earlier this year we organized the first training on natural farming involving our field technicians (One of the initiatives that we want to implement is to increase the production of safer vegetables. This year, we started promoting natural farming. In fact, earlier this year we organized the first training on natural farming involving our field technicians),” he said.
On March 26–27, CAgrO held a training on natural farming to their field technicians from its district offices at the Davao Food Terminal Complex (DFTC).
The trained field technicians will be the ones who will cascade information on natural farming in the community. They are at the planning stage on how to further promote and encourage farmers to go natural farming.
Obsioma also explained that natural farming not only benefits both farmers and consumers, but most importantly, the environment.
Through natural farming, the soil will not be disturbed, preserving its natural structure, microbial life, and organic matter.
He added that with natural farming, improvement of soil quality can be observed through the years which allows for an increase in crop yield.
Obsioma also said that during the roll out of the program, CAgrO will initially supply farmers with necessary materials for natural farming as well as train farmers until they become well-equipped to fully adapt this agricultural method.
CAgrO continues to further strengthen its mechanisms and initiatives to promote food security in the city as well as provide quality services to Dabawenyo farmers. CIO