CatSU leads seminar on Organic Farming, paving the way for Sustainable Agriculture

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CatSU leads seminar on Organic Farming, paving the way for Sustainable Agriculture

To promote sustainable agriculture on the island, the Catanduanes State University (CatSU) College of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF), in partnership with the Provincial Local Government of Catanduanes and Provincial Agricultural Services Office, conducted the inaugural seminar on Empowering Island Organic Farming Educators Practitioners: Catalyst for Sustainable Agriculture on May 18, 2023, at the CatSU Gymnasium.

With the theme, "Technical Advancement in Organic Agriculture Contributions for Food Security in the Island Province," the seminar aimed to gather CAF faculty, students, farm owners, and other stakeholders to address the challenge of promoting organic agriculture in Catanduanes. The event accommodated participants both onsite and online through Zoom and Facebook Live.

In her opening remarks, CatSU Executive Vice President Dr. Lily P. Custodio expressed her gratitude to the resource speakers for sharing their expertise on organic farming. She emphasized the seminar's timeliness in light of the adverse effects of global warming.

Furthermore, CatSU President Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza delivered an inspiring message, highlighting the university's commitment to sustainable agriculture. He shared his aspirations to make a significant impact on the island by achieving food security through organic farming.

“We hope that by bringing together this field of experts in the field of organic farming, we are able to create an impact in the province because, at the end of the day, our goal is to have food security knowing that we are in an island and unfortunately we are heavily dependent on the importation of food from the Mainland,” Dr. Azanza said.

Governor Joseph "Boboy" Cua, represented by Bato Councilor Hon. Joselito Alberto, also delivered an inspirational message, urging support for government programs aimed at empowering island farmers to enhance their efficiency and productivity.

The seminar commenced with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CatSU, the Research Institute of Modern Organic Agriculture (RIM-MOA) at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) in Bangkok, Thailand, represented by its Director, Professor Dr. Kasem Soytong, and CMCS Agricultural Products Trading Inc., represented by its President and the Country Representative for Envirolizer Ltd. UK., Mr. Miguel P. Delgado Jr.

According to Dr. Azanza, these MOUs are essential and will significantly contribute to CatSU's services to the people of Catanduanes.

“Hopefully with these MOUs with two significant organizations, mas mapapakaray kan CatSU an serbisyo na kinakaipo itao sa lambang Catandunganon.”

Following the MOU signing, Dr. Ma. Jugie R. Ramos, Dean of CAF, introduced the first speaker for the morning session, Professor Dr. Kasem Soytong. He was followed by Professor Dr. Pakkapong Poungsuk, the Executive Vice-President for Student Affairs of KMITL.

The afternoon session featured discussions with Dr. Jimmy T. Masagca, Professor VI from CatSU, Mr. Miguel P. Delgado, and Dr. Teodoro Mendoza, a former full Professor and UP Scientist at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños.  #RJI