Organic farming info net and book on organic fertilizer launched

PCARRD launched the Organic Farming Information Network (Phil-Organic) and the book The Philippines Recommends for Organic Fertilizer Production and Utilization on June 1 at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Held during the plenary program of the ninth annual meeting and scientific symposium of the Philippine Society of Soil Science and Technology, Inc. (PSSST), the launching appropriately coincided with the symposium theme “Organic-based agriculture for sustained soil health and productivity.”

Around 150 PSSST members and students attended the activity.

PCARRD Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon presented the rationale, contents, as well as the writers and organizers of the publication, which will be off the press in July 2006.

The publication gives baseline information on the dynamics and importance of organic raw materials; presents technological recommendations on composting and other treatment procedures for organic wastes; and provides valuable information on the economic, sociocultural, political, and environmental considerations in their production and use.

Limited edition in compact disc copies of the book were presented by Dr. Faylon to CLSU president, Dr. Rodolfo Undan; PSSST president, Dr. Eduardo P. Paningbatan Jr.; and the proxy of keynote speaker Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Ms. Redia N. Atienza.

PCARRD’s Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD) director, Dr. Digna O. Manzanilla, led the group in launching Phil-Organic, the latest addition to the Council’s commodity information network.

Phil-Organic provides a system for collection, review, and organization of data and information on organic farming; provides an avenue for data and information buildup through networking/linkages among sectors involved in organic farming; and enhances the accessibility and ease in the retrieval of information by various stakeholders.

This information network aims to consolidate under one network all available information materials widely dispersed among many organizations.

The Website contains information on market, technologies, research and development activities, policy, directory, publications, news and events, as well as regular programs and services related to organic farming. (Ma. Teresa de Guzman, S&T Media Service)