DA 6 Conducts AEC Awareness Campaign Among Farmers’ Organization

DA 6 Conducts AEC Awareness

Campaign Among Farmers’ Organization  

by James Earl E. Ogatis

James Earl E. Ogatis, DA 6 – Public Relations Officer II turned over 60 pieces of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) integration poster to Dr. Jonic F. Natividad, Chief, Regulatory Division to be distributed to the participants of “Awareness and Information Dissemination For The AEC 2015 Integration Among Farmers and Peoples’ Organization In Western Visayas”. (Remegio Soqueño photo)

The Department of Agriculture 6 through its Regulatory Division conducted an awareness campaign on ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) integration among farmers’ organizations in region 6.

Dr. Jonic F. Natividad, Chief of Regulatory Division, said that understanding AEC integration will equip farmer leaders of necessary information about its effects to the agriculture sector.

Natividad added that adopting organic agriculture technologies and strengthening good agricultural practices (GAP) among farmers’ organization will be a vital edge to gain competitive advantage among ASEAN member countries.

He encouraged the participants to emulate technologies and best practices of GAP-certified farms from other countries.

Ms. Felicitas M. Neturada, DA 6 Senior Science Research Specialist discussed the topic on “Code of Conduct on Hygienic Practices for Herbs and Spices” while Mr. Sonie S. Guanco,   Agriculturist I talked on “Understanding GAP and Its Guiding Principles.”  

The participants were expected to identify their needs and opportunities towards GAP certification of their respective farms in line with the country’s AEC commitment.

The ASEAN Economic Community is an integrated economy of 10 ASEAN member countries. It is envisioned as a highly competitive economic region that is fully integrated into a global economy having equitable economic development and a single market and production base.

AEC 2015 heralds the establishment of the ASEAN economic community that will allow the free movement of goods, services, investments, skilled labor and capital flow in the region. /MP