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