APO Conference on Organic Agriculture for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development in Colombo, Sri Lanka on December 9-10, 2024Ms. Geeza June Painaga-Auditor of the DA-BAFS attended the Conference on Organic Agriculture for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on December 9-10, 2024. Organized by the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) and hosted by the National Productivity Secretariat (NPS)-Sri Lanka, the event aimed to enhance awareness of climate change and intensify the promotion of Green Productivity in the agriculture sector.The two-day conference featured presentations on the critical role of organic agriculture in enhancing biodiversity and advancing sustainability goals. Case studies from selected countries illustrated the adoption of organic practices, emphasizing policy frameworks, regulatory mechanisms, and innovative approaches to advance organic agriculture. Discussions also highlighted strategies to foster stakeholder collaboration and integrate biodiversity-focused practices into agricultural systems.The conference provided a platform for participants to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and collaboratively identify solutions to strengthen biodiversity and sustainability through organic farming practices.A total of 97 participants from 15 APO member countries attended the conference, including seven Philippine representatives from the National Organic Agriculture Program – National Program Coordinating Office (NOAP-NPCO), Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), Climate Change Commission (CCC), University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), and DA-BAFS. #OrganicAgriculture #BAFSonthemove #DABAFS DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted the initial assessment of a core PGS group based in Mati City, Davao Oriental January 24, 2025 Organic Agriculture Division (OAD) conducted an in-house seminar on the newly approved Philippine National Standards on Organic Agriculture January 23, 2025 TeleRadyo Serbisyo’s Wais Konsyumer Program in DWPM Radyo 630 December 20, 2024 Monitoring of Atok Organic Practitioners Association Inc (ATOPAI) in Atok, Benguet December 20, 2024 Inspection Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group Farmer – Members Province of Cotabato December 19, 2024 Supervised Certification of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group in South Cotabato December 12, 2024 Field Compliance Assessment of Ongoing Efficacy Trials in Davao del Norte December 12, 2024 DA-BAFS Monitoring Team conducted monitoring activities to two of the DA-BAFS registered organic soil amendment producers in Davao City December 12, 2024 1 2 3 4 5

The DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted the initial assessment of a core PGS group based in Mati City, Davao Oriental from January 14-16, 2025. The activity aims to verify the compliance of the group with the accreditation requirements. The assessment was made possible through the assistance of the representatives from the DA Regional Field Office XI (Regulatory Division and Organic Agriculture Program), and representatives of Mati City and Province of Davao Oriental LGUs. #OAassessment#BAFSonthemove#DABAFS      DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted the initial assessment of a core PGS group based in Mati City, Davao Oriental January 24, 2025 Organic Agriculture Division (OAD) conducted an in-house seminar on the newly approved Philippine National Standards on Organic Agriculture January 23, 2025 TeleRadyo Serbisyo’s Wais Konsyumer Program in DWPM Radyo 630 December 20, 2024 Monitoring of Atok Organic Practitioners Association Inc (ATOPAI) in Atok, Benguet December 20, 2024 Inspection Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group Farmer – Members Province of Cotabato December 19, 2024 Supervised Certification of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group in South Cotabato December 12, 2024 Field Compliance Assessment of Ongoing Efficacy Trials in Davao del Norte December 12, 2024 DA-BAFS Monitoring Team conducted monitoring activities to two of the DA-BAFS registered organic soil amendment producers in Davao City December 12, 2024 1 2 3 4 5