Block Farm Accreditation Guidelines
SRA Circular Letter No. 010, s. 2015 establishes the Block Farm Accreditation Guidelines aimed at promoting organized sugarcane cultivation in the Philippines. To qualify, a Block Farm must encompass at least 30 hectares, be within a 2-kilometer radius of other farms, and have legal registration. Members should primarily be smallholders with land holdings of 5 hectares or less. The accreditation process involves submitting an application, undergoing an orientation, and meeting specific requirements, including a commitment to sustainable farming practices and child labor-free operations. Approved applicants will receive a Certificate of Accreditation and enter a Memorandum of Agreement with the SRA before accessing funding.
December 17, 2015
SRA CIRCULAR LETTER NO. 010, S. 2015
SUBJECT : Block Farm Accreditation Guidelines
In the interest of the service, the SRA hereby publishes the Block Farm Accreditation Guidelines as follows:
A. Basic Qualification Requirements of Block Farms
1. A Block Farm should enroll at least 30 hectares for sugarcane cultivation;
2. The area should be within 2-kilometer radius from one farm to the other; SICDAa
3. The Block Farm should have legal personality (registered with either CDA, SEC, DOLE)
4. Majority of the members are farmers with small land holdings (5 hectares and below including ARBs)
B. Other Requirements
1. Accomplished Application Form
2. Memorandum of Undertaking supported by a Resolution of the General Membership stating among others that each member commits:
> Their farm lot for sugarcane production under the Block Farm Program for a period of at least 6 years
> To implement the best practices on sugarcane farming as recommended by the SRA DHIcET
> To provide SRA with all the necessary information in connection with the program (e.g., farm productivity, cost, farm, household income, etc.)
> To implement a child labor-free sugarcane farming system
> Violation of any of the provisions of the Undertaking is a ground for termination of accreditation
3. Basic Organizational and Individual (farm and member) Profile
4. First Level of Sugar Farm Management Training (basic) HcDSaT
5. Values Formation
C. The Accreditation Process
1. The applicant shall undergo a Block Farm Program Orientation/Awareness.
2. The applicant shall submit an application form and all requirements herein set forth.
3. The application, documents and area shall be verified by the RDE Extension Division.
4. If the applicant has met all the requirements set above, the MDO, the MDDC representative and the Block Farm Area Focal Person shall endorse its approval to the Administrator.
The approval or disapproval of the application shall be communicated to the applicant within 30 days. In case of disapproval, the reasons for rejection shall be stated and the applicant may file for reconsideration after correcting the defects or insufficiency of the application. ASTcaE
5. Issuance of Certificate of Accreditation — After receipt of the favorable recommendation of the application and the signing of the Certificate of Accreditation, the said certificate shall be issued to the applicant Block Farm.
6. A Memorandum of Agreement shall be forged by the Block Farm and the SRA stating therein the obligations and responsibilities of each party before any funding from the SIDA shall be authorized for release.
Please be guided accordingly,
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SUGAR BOARD
(SGD.) MA. REGINA BAUTISTA-MARTINAdministrator