ABOUT TIME the government makes up its mind regarding the practice of sustainable agriculture ,” declares Marbel Bishop and NASSA National Director Dinualdo Gutierrez when asked about the imminent partnership between NASSA and the Department of Agriculture.

In an unprecedented move, DA finally sought NASSA's assistance and cooperation in mainstreaming sustainable agriculture, notwithstanding government's insistent bias toward chemical farming and hybrid production.



Only three years ago, the government had staunchly campaigned for hybrid rice production called “Gloria rice” as means to ensure the country's food security.

The scope of partnership includes DA's assistance on the establishment of mini-organic fertilization plants in NASSA-identified dioceses, provision of technical trainings and equipment such as 70 pieces of soil test kits for distribution to other Sustainable Agriculture Resource Centers, and provision of funds for the propagation of traditional seeds such as rice, corn, vegetables and fruit trees for distribution to some interested farmers' group.

Both institutions are set to sign a Memorandum of Agreement within the week, following the National Launching of DA and Social Action Network (SAN) joint program on sustainable agriculture in Butuan City on 22 August 2007 .

DA's top officials led by Sec. Arthur Yap, and three other bishops from the CARAGA region, namely: Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos , Auxiliary Bishop Zacarias Jimenez, and Surigao Bishop Antonieto Cabajog, will attend the launching.

Activities in-line with the launching also include the awarding of Certificate for Soil Test Kits, shredders, small-scale organic fertilizer production plant and microbial inoculants, awarding of assorted vegetable seeds for the Hunger Mitigation program and the Seeding of Tilapia fingerlings.

This undertaking is hoped to revitalize the interest of farmers to switch to the traditional nature farming and veer away from the prevalent chemical farming system.

The direct beneficiaries of the program are the 64 dioceses, agricultural reform communities and peoples' organization belonging to NASSA's Sustainable Agriculture Network.