The Victorias Organic Farmers Association (VOFA) has been identified to be the first operator of the ORGANIK KONEK or Organic Agriculture hub a one stop shop for the organic products in the province of Negros Occidental.
“This one stop shop will address the limited supply of organic inputs, scarcity of farm labor and limited access to processing and marketing facilities and services. We all knew that supply of organic inputs can affect production and supply of organic products. This resulted to low adoption of organic technology and non-preferences from the consumers,” said Glenda Himatay, DA-WV organic agriculture focal person.
Himatay said that with the collaboration of LGU Victorias, the VOFA and its integrators; the Heredas Farm, Nisols Farm and Martinez Farm will perform the following services like production of agricultural inputs, agricultural farm and technical services, consolidation of harvest and marketing, processing, and value adding, training and capacity building.
“The growing demand of organic products has become popular in the country because of its benefits to health and wellness but still supply is very low. We encourage organic farmers to venture, produce and invest more and establish linkages with the bigger market through consolidation and establishment of Organik Konek,” Said Maria Lourdes Yasona, Project Development Officer III of the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP).
Currently, VOFA is producing organic vegetables like papaya, tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce, pechay, ampalaya , pole sitao, cucumber, okra, squash, taro, kangkong and corn. They are using organic concoctions, vermicompost, compost made from rice straw and animal manure.
They are also raising Rabbits and utilize their urine and manure as additional substrates to be thoroughly mixed with mill ash and mudpress for organic fertilizer.
Rhodora Martinez, VOFA president said that the establishment of organic hub will not only generate more jobs in the community but will also be a source of livelihood for the association and its members.
She is optimistic that with the establishment of the Organik Konek, VOFA could avail of additional interventions on farm machineries, irrigation, seeds and processing facilities which could optimize their production.
The NOAP through the regional counterpart will be responsible for the Social Preparation, Capacity Building and Institutional Development Support, and marketing and logistic needs.#(JNCapaciete/DA-RAFIS6)
