Infanta, Quezon, 15 December 2021-- Guided by the theme "From the Community, For the Community" (Mula sa Pamayanan, Tungo sa Pamayanan), SEARICE conducted a farmers forum on farmers rights, emerging challenges and prospects of policy work at the international, national and local level, linking them with practices of agroecology and program implementation in partner communities. Partners from the municipalities of Real, Infanta, General Nakar and Llavac in Quezon Province and the municipality of Baras, Rizal province were welcomed by Angelito Sanchez Jr., a farmer and volunteer worker from the Prelature of Infanta.
Emphasizing that farmers’ rights are inherent rights, SEARICE program officer for policy Cid Ryan Manalo provided a brief overview of relevant international negotiations and agreements and their recent developments. At present, he explained that the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA, Plant Treaty) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP) contain important provisions that generally remain supportive of these rights.
Linking these to national policies related to farmers’ rights, SEARICE’s other program officer for policy Patricia Nicdao reviewed agricultural laws in the country. Nicdao identified policies that need further implementation, policies that pose threats, and policies that require stronger monitoring as they are impending reversals of initial successes. Towards the end, she emphasized the need for partners to claim these rights and actively involve themselves in seeking accountability in implementation.
Putting the previous discussions in the backdrop of local contexts, SEARICE program officer Guiller Domingo presented the successes of partnerships in Mindanao and the evolution of local policy developments that were fostered collaboration with various stakeholders over the years. Domingo presented recent milestones, such as the development of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) in Kidapawan City for its Organic Agriculture Ordinance, and the formulation of the Arakan Agricode. All these were made possible through enabling genuine multi-stakeholder and participatory processes.
After lunch, a quick demonstration on seed conservation using basic materials was provided by SEARICE CONSERVE Farm Manager Jonna Mae Lacamento-Ducala, showcasing the traditional knowledge and existing techniques of farmer partners.
Program officer Ren Gamaya provided the final discussion on the principles of agroecology focused on the political, social and cultural values embedded in it. The discussion weaved policy advocacy with program implementation, reminding that agroecology, diversified and integrated farming systems are intergenerational and forward-looking.
SEARICE partners raised their concerns and reactions to each presentation, and representatives from each municipality provided their testimonies. SEARICE executive director Normita Ignacio capped the day with her message of gratitude to partners for their persistence, and a challenge to continue in the years to come.
The event was supported by the Social Action Center of Prelature of Infanta, SRI-Baras Farmers Association, MSKs (Munting Sambayanang Kristiyano) of Real, Infanta, Nakar and Llavac.
