SINCE CREATION, THE only agriculture likely practiced in the world had been natural — planting seeds on the soil under the care of rain, sun, irrigation, and farm animals. Until Capitalism during the Industrial Revolution brought in chemical and synthetic inputs to increase crop production that would meet the needs of a booming population.
From the early fertilizers, antibiotics and pesticides that are still widely used, business and science acumen in time advanced to genetic modified organisms (GMOs) that made corn, rice, and other food stuffs more palatable but hazardous to health.
Shouldn’t health buffs, environment advocates, and consumers at large welcome the rise of an alternative? Organic Agriculture is going back to basics with Nature providing for the fields and their nurturers, as well as to a time when food was more nutritious than fortified. And, there’s also another path to boost it: FORWARD.
In the Philippines, since organic agriculture quite belatedly drew the government’s serious attention in 2005 with the first legal framework to institutionalize Organic Agriculture (OA), this sector is slowly picking up.
‘Organic Agriculture is going back to basics with Nature providing for the fields and their nurturers, as well as to a time when food was more nutritious than fortified. And, there’s also another path to boost it: FORWARD.’
WHY GO ORGANIC?
It was a long but very informative Kamayan forum in June by Green Convergence for safe food, healthy environment and sustainable economy when experts laid down the benefits of organic agriculture and why it is an answer to the growing concern for food security.
Zoom attendees were a cross-section of agriculture and environment students and teachers, environment educators and advocates, small farm owners, promoters of organic harvests, and health-concerned individuals. I was particularly interested as one in the stage of making lifestyle changes for better health and encouraging others to do likewise.
Dr. Chito Medina, founder of MASIPAG, a nationwide network of farmers and scientists working to empower small farmers, shared his long experience in agriculture including educational visits to organic farms abroad and engagements with local government units.
He identified some of the benefits of Organic Agriculture as: product is healthier, more nutritious; avoids artificial and hazardous chemicals such as fertilizers, antibiotics, and pesticides; a sustainable farming practice; relies on modern and scientific knowledge while also depending on tradition; good for rural development; a mitigation measure against climate change; and politically, can fend off corporate control.
Fr. Benigno Beltran, SVD, representing the Veritas Social Empowerment Inc. and the Laudato Si movement of the Catholic Church, discussed their e-trading network to help organic farmers efficiently sell their harvests to consumers. Inspired by the Pope Francis encyclical on care for the planet which includes care for the poor and marginalized, they envision an economic system prioritizing human dignity, social justice, and environmental stewardship.
Their e-trading strategy allows women and youth to help the farmers in their family to use technology to market and deliver their supplies.
Both also brought up issues which hinder the growth of Organic Agriculture – the strict and costly certification system for organic farmers and organizations and lack of strong technology and promotion support from the government represented in the session by the Department of Agriculture. Medina also envisions the government building small farmers’ organic markets in various localities.
MOVING FORCES
Two Green Convergence trustees were also able to articulate why Organic Agriculture is good practice. GC president Victoria Segovia said it can address food security through good soil, natural farming system, and respect for the dignity of farmers.
Dr. Cecilia Alarcon concluded the session noting two strong foundations of Organic Agriculture: the Science that advances the practice and the Spirit to help the poor and harmonize Agriculture with Nature.
The whole episode on Organic Agriculture: Answer to Food Security? can be viewed at greenconvergencephil.com.