Organic Agriculture Principles Jap Asence

PRINCIPLES ANDPRACTICES OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

JAP ASENCEAGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN ICITY AGRICULTURE OFFICELOCAL GOVERNMENT OF NAGA CITY

FOOD ISSUES IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippines is largely an agricultural country.

Agriculture and agribusiness constitute the backbone of Philippine economy.

Food scarcity and lack of access to food in adequate quantities and of nutritional value are widespread.

Agribusiness accounts for 71% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while primary agriculture and fisheries contribute about 21%.

Despite the seeming agricultural abundance, the Philippines is locked in a chronic food crisis and food security is central issue.

These are aggravated by falling incomes, food production that lags behind population growth, land tenure issues, peace and order situations, occurrence of disaster situations, and lopsided investment priorities, which are affecting poverty, hunger and malnutrition

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

Organic farming is the production of crops and livestock without the use of synthetic chemicals and in-organic fertilizers.

Principles of Organic Agriculture

The Principle of Health - Organic Agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal and human as one and indivisible.

The Principle of Ecology - Organic Agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them.

The Principle of Fairness - Organic Agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities.

The Principle of Care - Organic Agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well being of current and future generations and the environment.

Principles and Aims

1. To produce food of high nutritional quality in sufficient quantity;

2. To interact in a constructive and life enhancing way with natural systems and cycles;

3. To encourage and enhance biological cycles within the farming systems, involving micro-organisms, soil flora and fauna, plants and animals;

4. To promote the healthy use and proper care of water, water resources and all life therein;

Principles and Aims

5. To enhance the conservation of soil and water, improve soil quality and increase soil fertility;

6. To use organic matter and nutrient elements, within a closed system;

7. To work with materials and substances which can be reused or recycled, either on the farm or elsewhere;

8. To give all livestock conditions of life which allow them to perform the basic aspects of their innate behavior;

Principles and Aims

9. To maintain the genetic diversity including protection of plant and wildlife animals;

10. To minimize all forms of pollution;

11. To allow everyone involved in organic production and processing a quality of life;

12. To foster indigenous and ecological production systems that can produce adequate, safe and nutritious food for local communities

Issue of Genetic Diversity

Hazards of Industrial AgricultureHazards of Industrial Agriculture

What are the hazards of industrial agriculture?

Organic Farming: A Growing Organic Farming: A Growing TrendTrend Consumer demand for organic farming is rising at 20%

per year. The highest growth is in Argentina, US, and China. People are growing conscious of adverse effects of

industrial agriculture, where there is a focus on maximizing profits at the expense of health and the environment.

How do you think industrial agriculture contributes to global warming and water pollution?

Health Risks: Industrial Health Risks: Industrial MethodsMethods Pesticide residues on produce

remain after washing and peeling. have links to cancer.

Antibiotics we ingest from plant and animal sources lead to the development of untreatablesuperbugs

Do you worry about pesticide residues on or antibiotics in your food? Explain.

Additional Health RisksAdditional Health Risks Plant and animal growth hormones

disrupt endocrine system. lead to early puberty.

Biological engineering Unregulated items are virtually invisible in stores. Manipulation of genetic code could impact health.

How do you think genetically modified food might impact your health?

Environmental HazardsEnvironmental Hazards Environmental hazards comprise air pollution,

global warming, and other problems. Synthetic fertilizers

largest source of nitrous oxide emissions 300 times more toxic than carbon dioxide gases will affect air pollution and intensify global warming if continued

Are you concerned about air pollution in your country? Why or why not?

AuthoritiesAuthorities on Water on Water PollutionPollution Animal waste, fertilizers, and pesticides leach into

soil. They run off through irrigation and contaminate ground

water (large portion of water supply). They contain nitrates, which cause permanent damage

to ground water.

Are you concerned about water pollution in your country? Why or why not?

Dead Zones in OceansDead Zones in Oceans Preponderance of nitrogen in fertilizers

helps crops grow; harms oceans generates algal overgrowth

Algal overgrowth depletes oxygen in water no plant or animal can survive

UnsustainableUnsustainable Soil Soil Industrial mono-cropping: one crop is planted

repeatedly on a single field. The process relies on the use of synthetic fertilizers. Mono-cropping kills microorganisms needed to produce

soil nutrients. Infertile soil leads to erosion,

unsustainable farmlands, and reduced biodiversity.

If mono-cropping is destroying farmlands and biodiversity, what is the alternative?

Vicious Vicious CycleCycle Soil infertility leads to a vicious cycle of fertilizer use.

Increasing fertilizer use leads toenvironmental hazards.

Increased use of pesticides Only the fittest pests survive. Stronger pesticides are then needed.

What are the environmental hazards associated with the use of pesticides?

Crop RotationCrop Rotation Holistic farming techniques

infuse soil with essential nutrients. ensure different crops are planted every year. vary the nutrient demand in soil. create sustainable soil.

How does organic farming affect soil?

Animal Animal WelfareWelfare Small-scale organic farms are

less likely to confine livestock to small spaces. against the use of antibiotics.

Free-range farms allow animals to roam freely. reduce stress and susceptibility to disease.

How do you feel about confining animals to small spaces in order to produce food?

Advantages

Organic farming

Fewer workers neededFewer

blemishes on crops

Produce is cheaper Large numbers of

animals kept in ideal conditions

Bigger yields from land available

Antibiotics use keeps animals

healthy

Use of hormones increases

meat production

Soil structure is better

Less harmful to

environment

More birds and insects

Animals lead happier

lives

No harmful chemicals – healthier?

VERMICOMPOSTING FACILITY

Vermicomposting Facility

The vermicomposting facility at the City Nursery started last July, 2011.

The City currently produces 2 tons of vermicast per month . The vermicast has an NPK value of 6.32, classified as an Organic Fertilizer.

We started with 7 Kilos of African Night Crawlers , we now have 60 Kilos.

Vermicomposting Facility

In line with RA 10068 or the Organic Act of 2010, the vermicomposting facility will support the transition from conventional to organic practices.

Our target production for 2013 is 4.0 tons of vermicast per month.

Cabiokid Permaculture Farm in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija

CITY AGRICULTURE OFFICE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF NAGA CITY

J. MIRANDA AVE., CONCEPCION PEQUEÑA, NAGA CITY.

TEL. # 473.1479

EMAIL: cago@naga.gov.ph

cagonaga@gmail.com