|
What is Go Organic! Philippines |
Beginnings
 The current global trends of increasing food and oil prices as well as the rapid deterioration of ecological state prompted several people’s organizations, non-government organizations, members of the academe and local government officials to initiate the creation of a movement that will systematically promote organic agriculture in the Philippines, including conversion of rural and urban wastes into composted soil-builders that farmers could use to increase fertility and restore soil structure.
Being practitioners and advocates for years already, these groups and individuals carry a strong and long-held belief that sustainability, both in agricultural and environmental terms, necessitates a significant shift to organic farming systems. Benefits derived form this shift range from food safety issues, health, restoration of ecological balance, lowering of production costs and increased incomes for farmers.
Celebrating the Culture of Agriculture
 "Healthy soils equals healthy food equals healthy people" is a basic tenet of organic farming systems. This includes a system of crop cultivation that uses biological methods of fertilization and pest control as substitutes for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which are harmful to health and the environment and unnecessary for successful cultivation. Miscellaneous organic materials, including animal manure, compost, grass turf, straw, and other crop residues, are applied to fields to improve both soil structure and moisture-holding capacity and to nourish soil life, which in turn nourishes plants. (Chemical fertilizers, by contrast, feed plants directly.) Biological pest control is achieved through preventive methods, including diversified farming, crop rotation, the planting of pest-deterrent species, and the use of integrated pest management techniques. Bioengineered strains are avoided. Organic agriculture being a celebration of the culture of agriculture will thus: - Reduce the Toxic Load: Keeping chemicals out of the air, water, soil and our bodies. Nitrate pollution from nitrogen-based fertilizers and pesticide run-off which leach into lakes, rivers, and groundwater pose great environmental and health risks causing algal blooms, eutrophication, and subsequent dead zones, both in water and land. Studies have also linked the increased incidence of cancer, Parkinson’s disease and other neurologic health risks to the trace pesticides residues in food.
- Improve Food Quality. Extensive scientific research that conducted to determine the differences in the quality of organic food products compared to conventional states that organic products stand out as having higher levels of secondary plant compounds and vitamin C, and double the flavonoid contents (an important anti-oxidant). As regards undesirable substances such as nitrate and pesticide residues, organic products have a clear advantage.
- Build healthy soil and promote biodiversity. Studies have shown that organic farming is better in building up the soil. Use of artificial fertilizer rather than replacing organic material results to the progressive destruction of soil structure which in turn becomes increasingly susceptible to wind and water erosion. Use of herbicides to kill weeds, instead of plowing them under, may present a short-term solution to this problem. However, repeated use of herbicides can disturb the soil microflora and -fauna that contribute to the decomposition of the plant residues that help rebuild the soil organic matter content.
- Increase farmers income. Organic farming which includes production of organic inputs will take away the dependence from expensive and imported chemical fertilizers. On-farm fertilizer and pesticide production by farmers will also allow farmers to fully understand and appreciate the ecological process involved in agriculture.
- Workplace safety. Workplace safety is a separate but related issue. Pesticides create a hazardous work environment. Chemical accidents and the effects of long-term exposure are both well-known risks faced by many farmers and farm workers.
Our Commitment
Go Organic! Philippines commits itself to the development and propagation of organic agriculture in the Philippines through: - Capacity building activities for farmers
- Establishment of learning farms
- Research and development, documentation of experiences in organic farming systems
- Information, Education and communication activities
- Marketing studies
- Policy advocacy
These efforts and initiatives will be directed to the government and the public at large.
The Initiators
Go Organic! Philippines is being initiated by the following: | People’s Organizations (POs): | Paragos-Pilipinas, Malasimbu Farmer's Cooperative
| | Non-Government Organizations (NGOs): | Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM)
Centro Saka, Inc. (CSI)
La Liga Policy Institute (LLPI)
SRI – Pilipinas
Education for Life Foundation | Local Government Units (LGUs):
| Mayor Nani Braganza of Alaminos City, Pangasinan | Academe:
| University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB)
|
|
|
Hit Counter
Content View Hits : 153317
Calendar
<< February 2012 >>
| Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su |
|---|
| | | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | | | | |
News Archive
-
August, 2009
-
July, 2009
-
June, 2009
-
May, 2009
-
April, 2009
-
March, 2009
-
February, 2009
-
January, 2009
-
November, 2008
-
September, 2008
Enhancing, Labeling, Standards and Certification for Sustainable, Organic and Agriculture in the Philippines
Click here to download
Go Organic! Resource Book
OFSP - QIEC End Project Report
Go Organic Blog
Go Organic! @Wordpress.com
|
Go Organic! 
