Philippines: There's money in organic fertilizer

Organic farming is developing rapidly all over the world. That’s according to a global survey carried out by the Foundation Ecology and Agriculture and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture.

In the Philippines, a significant increase in hectarage under organic management has been noticed – from 3,500 hectares and 500 farms in 2002-2003 to 14,140 hectares and 35,00 farms in 2004.

Organic agriculture, as pointed out by Republic Act 10068 -- more popularly known as Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 -- “includes all agricultural systems that promote the ecologically sound, socially acceptable, economically viable and technically feasible production of foods and fibres.”

The Act further explained: “Organic agriculture dramatically reduces external inputs by refraining from the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. It also covers areas such as, but not limited to, soil fertility management, varietal breeding and selection under chemical and pesticide-free conditions, the use of biotechnology and other cultural practices that are consistent with the principle and policies of this Act, and enhance productivity without destroying the soil and harming farmers, consumers and the environment…”

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