March 10, 2021- Baguio City. As part of the standards development process, the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) conducted a series of Initial Stakeholders Consultation for the Development of the Philippine National Standard (PNS) on the Code of Practice (COP) for Organic Agriculture Production of Traditional Rice Varieties (Heirloom Rice) with the four (4) provinces of Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The first of consultation-series was participated by the stakeholders from Kalinga and Ifugao Provinces. Through this activity, BAFS managers were able to get technical and commercial inputs on common farm practices for the production of heirloom rice. These inputs will support the provisions of the draft PNS.
Figure 1. Initial Stakeholders Consultation for the Development of the Philippine National Standard (PNS) on the Code of Practice (COP) for Organic Agriculture Production of Traditional Rice Varieties (Heirloom Rice) in Baguio City
The discussion of the initial draft PNS was spearheaded by the BAFS management team led by Ms. Farlash D. Pancho and co-handled by Ms. Kristel Alarice R. Aborido, and Ms. Krisha Marie L. Mecija of the Standards Development Division (SDD); in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Regional Field Office CAR focal person, Mr. Landes Teofilo.
BAFS and DA-CAR will continue to work closely to complete the consultation series and TWG meetings towards finalization of the PNS. Through the approval of the PNS, the global competitiveness of organic traditional rice in the market will be intensified at the same time ensuring organic integrity of heirloom rice. ###