To promote a healthier citizenry and a more empowered sector and an environment-friendly atmosphere, a lawmaker is pushing for organic farming, or a chemical-free agricultural method. A bill called Organic Farming Act of 2008.
MANILA, Philippines – A lawmaker is pushing for organic farming, or a chemical-free agricultural method, for the promotion of a healthier citizenry, a more empowered sector and an environment-friendly atmosphere.
Quezon Rep. Proceso Alcala has filed a bill called Organic Farming Act of 2008 that seeks to establish a comprehensive organic farming program and designate a dedicated body to provide policy direction towards the promotion of organic farming.
He said farmers should always be the main beneficiaries in the agricultural cycle. “A farmer is a farmer. Rain or shine, profitable or not, he will still continue to farm, whatever happens.”
“I have carefully studied the agricultural system which, almost often than not, fertilizer suppliers and resellers stand to gain from. This leaves farmers with profit disproportionate to the amount of backbreaking labor they’ve provided, from planting to harvesting,” he said.
“The methods I am proposing will make sure farmers will have the largest piece of the pie. And most of all, this eco-friendly system will guarantee the restoration of lost nutrients and minerals in the land they till, and will provide a healthy produce for the consumer’s benefit,” Alcala added.
The lawmaker also proposed that farmers and local government units be actively involved in propagating and enhancing organic agriculture. considering the amount of time farmers consume before fertilizers are produced.
“Organic fertilizers should be considered as an alternative in agricultural production since its components are already available to the farmers,” Alcala said.
Alcala also introduced a book called “Likasaka” or Likas na Pagsasaka (organic farming), which discusses a number of farming methods.
“This can be a guide from the costly and ecologically hazardous chemical-based farming, to the more accessible and can easily be made from one’s own backyard, inexpensive and eco-friendly method of organic farming,” he said.
