The Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Agriculture Program today reported that organic agriculture production has grown enormously from 12,899 metric tons to 442,510 in a span of four years. (Stock Photo)
National Organic Agriculture Program National Coordinator Elsa Parot said in 2011, the rise in production enticed more farmers to also practice organic farming.
“Today we have close to 43,470 organic farming practitioners all over the country, from an initial number of 8,980 in 2011,” Parot said.
According to data submitted by NOAP’s operating units, and DA’s regional field offices (RFOs), land devoted to organic farming also grew from 14,140 hectares in 2011 to 107,911 hectares in 2015.
Parot said, the growth of organic agriculture in the Philippines is due to the fact that the DA has adopted NOAP as one of its banner programs.
More incentives for organic farmers
According to Parot, their department is implementing specific intervention to attract more farmers to become organic farmers.
For production support, farmers who want to engage in organic farming are given by DA-RFOs starter seeds, planting materials, and fertilizers.
In training potential organic famers, they are made to see first hand the effectivity of organic farming technology through technology demonstrations.
R&D and marketing
For research and development, the NOAP coordinator said there is always a need for new technologies. Organic farming research and development extension centers are needed for the development of organic farming technologies.
Parot said, “there is no sense in producing organic products if there is no market, hence the DA established organic trading posts.” These trading posts, along with regional congresses, and the national organic agriculture congress, have helped farmers showcase their products to a wider audience, extending their market and reach.
—From the Department of Agriculture
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