Five Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Organizations (ARBOs), under the Sugar Industry Foundation, Inc. – Responsible Sourcing from Smallholders (SIFI-RSS) Program, have made names as the first vegetable garden groups in Negros Occidental to be certified compliant with the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) standards.
The milestone highlights the growing commitment of small farmers to adopt globally recognized agricultural practices that prioritize food safety, environmental management, workers’ health, safety and welfare, and produce quality. These four modules form the backbone of the PhilGAP framework.
The five ARBOs that successfully passed the certification are:
- Guin-olayan Agrarian Reform Cooperative (GARC) – Manapla
- Rita Baldo Agrarian Reform Cooperative (RBARC) – Manapla
- Caridad I Agriculture Cooperative (CAC) – Cadiz City
- Victorias Organic Farmers Association (VOFA) – Victorias City
- United Agrarian Reform Cooperative (UNARC) – E.B. Magalona
Through the assistance of the RSS Program under the Productivity Aid to Group of Small Farmers Improve their Crop (RSS-PAGSIK), these cooperatives underwent extensive onsite training, farm facility upgrades, and safety compliance measures. The program ensured that each farm adhered to the stringent requirements of the PhilGAP modules, preparing them not only for certification but also for their produce’s sustainability.
The recognition of these five ARBOs is a testament of the farmers’ commitment to sustainable and responsible farming. More ARBOs is expected to commence their PhilGAP certification application this year.
