Business Bayani PH

In a recent interview during the 18th annual agri-tourism Adivay festival, Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan, the regional director of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR), highlighted the growing commitment of Benguet farmers to good agricultural practices (GAP) and organic farming.

Dawayan emphasized that the surge in adherence to GAP is not merely a boost in production but a concerted effort by local farmers to prioritize consumer safety. According to her, as of November 2 this year, 344 farms in Benguet have become GAP-compliant, marking a significant leap from just 50 in 2019.

“From 2016 to now, much has been done to instill the importance of GAP among farmers, encouraging them to adopt and apply for certification, which is free,” Dawayan, who is a native of Buguias town in Benguet, told the Philippine News Agency.

Buguias, renowned for its vegetable production, particularly the ingredients of the famous dish “chopsuey,” has seen notable progress in ensuring the safety of its produce. Dawayan assured, “Our vegetables are very safe for human consumption.”

Cordillera, responsible for 85% of the country’s semi-temperate vegetable supply, relies heavily on Benguet, which contributes about 70% of the region’s total production.

Despite the progress, Dawayan acknowledged that the number of GAP-certified farmers in the region is relatively small compared to other areas. However, Benguet leads within the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

In addition to GAP, the DA-CAR aims to encourage more stakeholders to embrace organic farming and produce crops consumed in their raw state. Dawayan mentioned the existence of a DA laboratory that monitors pesticide content in the market but stressed that inspections are not punitive. Instead, they seek to identify farmers who may have exceeded permissible pesticide levels.

Several municipalities, such as Tublay in Benguet, have taken a bold step towards sustainability by being the first Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) certification holder in the country. PGS is a locally focused quality assurance system that certifies producers based on the active involvement of stakeholders, built on trust, social networks, and knowledge exchange.

The region has also witnessed the opening of various agri-tourism sites, aligning with the DA’s focus on food sustainability and the tourism department’s efforts to expand tourist destinations.

Dawayan underscored that these sites contribute to food safety, starting from the widespread adoption of GAP by Benguet farmers and moving towards organic production.

With a growing demand for organically-produced food, Dawayan encouraged farmers to explore this potential market. “We already have a lot (of farmers) who produce organic products but marketplaces for these items still run out of supplies, which shows the demand. That should be an avenue farmers must look into—the potential market of organic food products,” she added.

The dedication of Benguet farmers to sustainable agricultural practices not only ensures a steady supply of safe and healthy produce but also positions the region as a leader in responsible farming within the Cordillera Administrative Region. ◼