Organic farmers,traders and consumers were encouraged to utilize the establishment of organic trading posts (OTPs) in every region for the promotion and marketing of organically grown products in the area.

According to Junibert de Sagun deputy program director of the National Agriculture Organic Program(NOAP),there is a need to formulate strategies,action plans and review of existing OTP guidelines in order to determine why some OTPs are non-operational and not fully utilized.

“ As of now we have eighty five (85) established OTPs nationwide ,44 were monitored which is 52% and based from NOAP monitoring conducted and geo-tagged on January 23 to July 8 ,2018. It shows that there are 25 OTPs completed and operational, 14 completed but non-operational and remaining 5 OTPs still for completion, said de Sagun”.

Some successful operational trading post with a strategic location,strong management team, stable supply and demand of organic products and strong support from the local government units are the OTP Capas in Tarlac (Luzon), OTP Silay in Negros Occidental(Visayas)and the OTP Dumingag in Zamboanga del Sur(Mindanao).

The OTPs are primarily established to showcase organic products in the locality and at the same time a market link of the producers to consumers and institutional buyers.

The Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) in coordination with the Organic Agriculture Program Board should review the existing MOA with the local government units and standardize OTP guidelines to ensure its feasibility and sustainability of the project.

This could resolve issues and concerns raised during the recently concluded OTP summit in Negros Occidental regarding selected completed non-operational OTPs and delayed implementation. With this organic farmers could have a venue to market their produce directly to the consumers.###########JCapaciete (DA6/RAFIS).