CBCP-NASSA and DA team up for agri development, to focus support on Church-based farmers.

In what could be seen as complete turn around of approach and principles, the Department of Agriculture has finally acknowledged the potential of sustainable agriculture in improving the conditions of farmers and even in ensuring food security.

This statement was made by no less than the DA Secretary himself, who came to the National Launching of DA and Social Action Network (SAN) joint program on Sustainable Agriculture in Butuan City on 22 August 2007.

Secretary Arthur Yap even enumerated the “4-point agenda” drawn by the Department to assure its support to “subsistent farmers”.

Aside from the provision of fund for farm implements, the DA also plans to address problems on water system, lack of farm to market road, flatbed driers, and an accessible market for their produce.

Yap discloses that government has made its decision to engage NASSA and the Social Action Network in DA's programs to ensure the effective delivery of services to the grassroots farmers.

Prior to the conception of the joint activity, DA officials lamented the resources wasted on corruption, and the enumerable services it proposed, which did not bring the desired impact for the farmers.

NASSA Executive Secretary Sr. Rosanne Mallillin attributed DA's problem to its lack of support on sustainable agriculture and also on the waning interest of the youth on agri-based services.

But while the government has particularly overlooked the youth sector in agriculture, NASSA has in fact set up training centers to revive the youth's interest in the natural farming system.

Yap reported that DA now plans to show young Filipinos that there are many opportunities as well as challenges in farming and that it plans to pursue market establishment of agricultural products and skills enhancement and productivity of young farmers.

During the launching at the Diocese of Butuan's Sustainable Agriculture Resource Center in Pagdaulan, Yap expressed happiness at seeing the extent of Church initiative on sustainable agriculture and lauded NASSA's progress in mainstreaming the natural farming system.

NASSA, through its Sustainable Agriculture Desk, has represented the Philippines in numerous forums, symposia, and advocacy campaigns that actively promoted the country's potential in sustainable agriculture.

He likewise promised to develop more areas in Visayas and Mindanao , calling the Church institutions as “a place of learning and as a place of hope.”

The activity was capped by a MOA signing, which formalized DA's partnership with the Social Action Network.

Other activities included the photo exhibit and tilapia fingerlings seeding.

Numerous materials on sustainable agriculture were also distributed by NASSA's SA desk.