Strategies and support systems needed by farmers in conversion to organic agriculture

Issue Date

7-2018

Abstract

Organic agriculture (OA) has a strong potential for building resilient food systems through farm diversification and building soil fertility. It offers alternatives to conventional agriculture where energy-intensive production inputs such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are applied. OA is also an excellent adaptation, as well as mitigation strategy for climate change. However, many farmers who opted to convert to OA have found conversion to be unsupported, isolating, and stressful experience. Thus, a four-year DA-BAR [Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research]-funded research was implemented to identify constraints to conversion and develop strategies and support systems for farmers who are converting to OA. The research covered the provinces of Benguet, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Leyte, Antique, Iloilo, and Misamis Oriental [Philippines]. Considering the province specific constraints, conversion can be facilitated through the following strategies and support systems: (1) Organize farmers into associations; (2) Gradually convert to OA to avoid drastic reduction in yield; (3) Apply organic fertilizers based on recent soil analysis; (4) Establish the appropriate quantitative measures of the buffer zone; (5) Make use of the research results; (6) Information dissemination on available organic inputs in the market; (7) Regulate the marketing and use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides; (8) Aggresive and sustained multi-media promotion of OA; (9) Create a niche market for organic produce and products: (10) Aggresive and sustained conduct of trainings on OA; (11) Provide support for processing of organic produce; (12) Make certification affordable and accessible; (13) LGUs to encourage and support farmers' conversion to OA; (14) Strict implementation of the provisions of RA 10068 and local ordinance re OA; and (15) Encourage and revive gardening activities in schools. Overall, the identification of constraints to conversion, development and dissemination of strategies and support systems for farmers, and strengthening the knowledge base of farmers will increase the rate of successful conversion to OA.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Crop Science

ISSN

0115-463X

Volume

43

Issue

Supplement no. 1

Page

39-40

Document Type

Article

Subject

Organic agriculture;

En – AGROVOC descriptors

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE; CERTIFICATION; FARMERS; SUPPORT MEASURES; MARKETS

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