DOST Sec congratulates ZIDOFA, assures support from DOST

Iloilo City—In the performance of its mandate to provide central direction, leadership and
coordination of scientific and technological efforts and ensure that the results therefrom are
geared and utilized in areas of maximum economic and social benefits for the people, Department
of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato De la Pena visits the Zarraga Integrated
Diversified Organic Farmers Association (ZIDOFA) last January 21, 2018 at Zarraga, Iloilo.
ZIDOFA promotes the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) to help farmers get greater yield.

SRI is an agro-ecological methodology for increasing the productivity of irrigated rice by changing
the management of plants, soil, water and nutrients. SRI originated in Madagascar in the 1980s
and is based on the cropping principles of significantly reducing plant population, improving soil
conditions and irrigation methods for root and plant development, and improving plant
establishment methods.

Secretary de la Pena congratulated the said association for successful rice production and for
being the first agricultural product featured in DOST’s OneSTore, an e-commerce web application
platform that operates nationwide and caters primarily to Philippine consumers which aims to
further assist the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) widen the scope of their target
market.

“Congratulations, you might be the first agricultural product to be endorsed in OneSTore. This is
something well accomplished.” Sec Dela Pena said during the presentation of ZIDOFA at Zarraga,
Iloilo.

ZIDOFA also presented a technology which uses artificial intelligence beneficial to rice farmers
which was yet to include real time assessment of soil fertility and other features that can make
farming of rice more efficient.

The Secretary further suggested that ZIDOFA shall register the technologies they come up with
so as to provide protection and also develop more technologies aside from technologies for rice
production. He also suggested that the association may also work with academe to gain support
and further connections that would help the association later on in terms of research and
development.

ZIDOFA Chairman Joby Arandela also shared his gratitude in the support that they get from
DOST.

“We are very thankful that DOST is supporting Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) like us.
We hope to help the community here in Iloilo and the farmers to become productive and
competitive because I believe that people from Western Visayas can compete not only here in
the Philippines, but in the whole Asia as well.” ZIDOFA’s Chairman Arandela said.

“Rest assured that DOST will be looking forward to support your future endeavors.” Secretary De
la Pena further added.

ZIDOFA is an organization dedicated to “create a closed-loop organic food value chain which
covers the whole spectrum of activities in the chain.” It helps small-farmers who are interested in
converting some of their land to organic farm areas undergo series of trainings and seminars.
ZIDOFA’s assistance continues until post-harvest drying and milling, packaging and marketing.
(DOST6/jragabiota)