LAGAWE, Ifugao- A P1.5 million worth of organic trading post (OTP) in this municipality is now ready for operation after its launching on February 10.
The facility was turned-over to the local government unit (LGU) of Lagawe by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Cordillera regional office after having been appraised by the inspection committee of the completeness and conformity of the plans and specifications.
The facility will be used as packaging center of organic products to be sold at the organic display center located at the public market of the municipality.
Mayor Ceasario Cabbigat lauded the DA regional and provincial office for selecting Lagawe to host the organic trading post for the benefit of organic farmers.
According to Carmen Himmiwat, focal person on organic agriculture of DA-CAR, the OTP in Lagawe is the first OTP LGU-supported launched in the Cordillera. Their office she said is giving technical assistance to the project like training of beneficiaries on simple book keeping, certification and marketing scheme. She challenged everyone to utilize properly and work for the success of the facility.
Meanwhile, Provincial Agriculturist Raymundo Bahatan asked the attendees of the event to practice organic farming which is also being promoted by the government. Aside from the provincial organic agriculture ordinance, five towns in Ifugao have their own municipal ordinance to encourage more farmers to engage in organic farming . He expressed hope that other municipalities will enact their own local organic farming law. By Marcelo Lihgawon
