Ilocos farmers brace for ASEAN integration

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Laoag City—As the Philippines gears up for the ASEAN market integration, Ilocos farmers here have expressed their commitment to increase their productivity and improve the quality of their produce through sustainable organic farming.

Backed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) jointly with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, a number of outstanding farmers’ groups and associations in Ilocos Norte are making waves in producing organically-grown high value crops such as fruits and vegetables ready for the ASEAN market integration.

On November 2007, ASEAN leaders including the Philippines signed a blueprint for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015 to create a single market and production base by ensuring a free flow of goods, services, investment and skilled labor.

As a result, ASEAN products and services starting this year will now have zero import duties while ASEAN member states will now also be allowed to work anywhere in the region without a work permit.

In Ilocos Norte, farmer-entrepreneurs here have welcomed this development as the integration is expected to boost investments, job creation and income.

According to provincial agriculturist Norma Lagmay, Ilocos farmers continue to adopt new technologies and innovations geared towards modern agriculture and sustainable development.

As of this posting, the Provincial Agriculture Office continue to organize farmers’ field day to showcase outstanding farmer-scientists best practices in the region and for them to be inspired along the way.

To boost farmers’ productivity, Ilocos Norte has partnered with high end retail stores in the province include the Vegetable Importers, Exporters and Vendors Association of the Philippines (VIEVA) to bring their products closer to the local and international market.