The
Local Government Unit of Valencia, Bukidnon, in
cooperation with farmer cooperatives, indigenous
communities, and non-governmental organizations, has
recently adopted a proposal to transform the city as a
major producer of organic rice for the country. In a
consultative meeting conducted on August 20, 2004, the
City Mayor concretized the proposal by declaring the
city as the “Organic Rice Capital of the Philippines.”
This policy declaration presents an opportunity to
mainstream and upscale rural community initiatives in
Valencia to produce healthy food while protecting the
environment and agricultural resource base. This
initiative is also expected to spur local economic
growth, provide increased local employment, increase
competitiveness of the local rice industry, and prepare
local communities for the impending negative impact of
the inclusion of rice in international trade under WTO.
In 21 February 2005, the Sangguniang Panlungsod passed
Ordinance No. 03-2005 creating a Task Force for the
formulation and implementation/ operationalization of
the Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Rice Development
Master Plan for the City of Valencia. The Plan served as
the guideposts in attaining the objectives as well as
propelling Valencia towards sustainable agriculture
development.
The Organic Rice Master Plan (ORMP) will focus mainly on
developing a single product and industry – the organic
rice industry. As such, the ORMP will look at the needs
of this industry from both a developmental and business/
market perspective. The Task Force assigned this process
to a specialized Research Team under PDAP and AJPN.
Organization and Use of the Master Plan
The main body of the Plan is presented in five parts:
· Chapter 2: Assessment of the current status of the
organic rice industry
· Chapter 3: Articulation of the ORMP’s development
goals, objectives and targets
· Chapter 4: Assessment of the local agricultural
situation in Valencia City
· Chapter 5: Proposed strategies, interventions, and
action plans
· Chapter 6: Proposed governance and institutional
arrangements for implementation of the ORMP
The ORMP is intended to be used as:
· a policy and program to be adopted by the City
Council;
· a strategic direction for LGU budget planning and for
ongoing development plans for developing the agriculture
sector, especially the local rice industry;
· a common platform for establishing working
partnerships between the LGU, communities and POs, NGOs,
R&D institutions, and the private sector.
· an investment plan to seek possible involvement of
external support agencies. It was recommended that that
a “donors’ forum” will be convened to raise possible
support for the ORMP.
Email us if you want the full copy of the master plan
admin@pdap.net
The
Local Government Unit of Valencia, Bukidnon, in
cooperation with farmer cooperatives, indigenous
communities, and non-governmental organizations, has
recently adopted a proposal to transform the city as a
major producer of organic rice for the country. In a
consultative meeting conducted on August 20, 2004, the
City Mayor concretized the proposal by declaring the
city as the “Organic Rice Capital of the Philippines.”