Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

NEWS STORIES

BPRE selects Outstanding Information Campaign on Mycotoxin
by Karen Mei R. Cariaga (April 15, 2005)
Field evaluation conducted nationwide

Field evaluation of contenders for Outstanding Information Campaign on Mycotoxin has started. Nine DA-Regional Information Offices participated.

The contest aims to select the most outstanding implementor of the mycotoxin information campaign based on strategy, resourcefulness, execution of communication plan and effectiveness/impact of the campaign.

The Search for Outstanding Information Campaign on Mycotoxin was an offshoot of the seminar ''Training Course on the Prevention and Control of Mycotoxin in Maize'' last year. It was participated in by Regional Information Officers and Corn Coordinators in the country aimed at raising the participants knowledge on mycotoxin#s nature, prevention and control. Implementation period ran from October 2004 to March 2005 based on the workplan.

The campaign is tasked to help increase the level of awareness of farmers and various stakeholders on mycotoxin. Mycotoxin is said to be a poisonous and carcinogenic substance produced by molds posting health and economic hazards.

Recognized as a serious problem and a threat to both humans and animals, the contenders focused on improving their target clienteles# production and postharvest practices to escape from the mycotoxin peril.

The participants are one in saying that they will sustain the mycotoxin awareness campaign even after the contest. ''It is our duty to serve the people especially the grassroots in raising their literacy on mycotoxin and other agricultural problems to advance their practices and improve their lives,'' they said.