BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ZARRAGA, Iloilo – This town will soon be home to an agro-ecotourism site called Garden Area for Initiatives in Action (GAIA).
On August 9, the local officials of Zarraga headed by Mayor John Tarrosa, along with the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region officials, participated in the groundbreaking of GAIA in a 2.8-hectare lot in Barangay Inagdangan Norte.
GAIA is an integral component of the sustainable integrated area development (SIAD) project aimed at achieving its vision of sustainability.
It was a result of a series of workshops, meetings, consultations, and planning sessions among various stakeholders in the town.
“It will be a dynamic showcase for walking the talk in caring for the planet. It will be a place to visit by Zarraganhons and non-Zarraganhons alike,” said Mayor John Tarrosa.
GAIA has nine components, including:
- research farm – a venue for all crop-related researches while utilizing organic agriculture technologies that will help farmers increase their income
- model farm – a site for testing and showcasing organic agriculture technologies prior to the implementation in the various organic farming communities
- Iloilo Provincial Environment and Natural Resources-funded Vermi Composting Facility – will host the vermin-composting structure for research and production vermin-compost which serves as an integral part of GAIA’s organic agriculture projects
- Organic Agriculture Training Center – where participants and trainees can observe the technologies and practices being promoted by GAIA
- Green Library – will host books, papers, and researchers on organic agriculture and nature conservation
- Garden for the Senses – will be a haven of flowering and ornamental plant varieties. It is a component of the butterfly plant.
- herbal garden – garden of plots for the production of medicinal and culinary herbs
- wellness center – venue where the various graduates of trainings on therapeutic massage, massage oil and essences production conducted by the municipality and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority could practice their acquires skills and earn extra income.
- organic restaurant – where GAIA guests can enjoy local dishes made of produce from the organic farms. It will showcase organic products that guests can take home.
The land where GAIA will rise is a donation from Isidro Pedregosa, a local farmer-leader of Talibong Organic Farmers Association, to the municipality.
Among those who graced the event was Dr. Joyce Wendam, regional technical director for Policy, Planning, Research and Extension and the regional organic program focal person of DA Region 6, and Nicanor Perlas, a staunch advocate of organic agriculture./PN
