The Sugar Industry Foundation, Inc., (SIFI) through its special project on Responsible Sourcing from Smallholders (RSS) Program, elevates support to its ARBOs under the PAGSIK through the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) of the Department of Agriculture.
As part of the scaling-up support to ARBOs under the Productivity Aid to Group of Small Farmers Improve their C(K)rop (PAGSIK), the SIFI-RSS Program collaborated with the Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), the Department of Agriculture Region VI in Iloilo City, and the Bureau of Plant Industry Region VII in Cebu City. The agencies provided inputs, guidance, and links to enable the initiation of the process in assisting the RSS ARBOs certified under PhilGap.
IN PHOTOS
Right – Shienah Rose Medina, Bureau of Plant Industry Food Safety Officer; Left – Romel Cortones, SIFI-RSS Junior Agriculturist
Under the PhilGAP certification, the farmers will be able to sustain their farm practices, establish competitive edge for their products, and create easy market access and language of trade that focuses on food safety and quality assurance.
A total of 10 ARBOs completed the 3-requisite training that includes the introduction to PhilGAP, orientation on PhilGAP certification, and internal control systems for PhilGAP practices. Out of the 10 ARBOs, 6 are preparing for their application and submission on the first quarter of 2025.
