“If organic farming is the natural way, shouldn’t organic produce just be called “produce” and make the pesticide-laden stuff take the burden of an adjective.” – Ymber Delecto
It has been more than half a century that the organic agriculture movement in Negros Occidental has been there. In the last 2 decades it has been made more pronounced. But how is this going as far as impacts and results are concerned? While parameters are unclear and may seem complicated, it is important that we recognize the major breakthroughs since it started 50 or more years ago.
HISTORY REPEATS IN MULTIPLICITY
Significantly, organic agriculture movement in Negros started in the 1970s and was able to push the local governments to craft policies and corresponding programs were created supporting such advocacy. Arguably, this served as the springboard of the movement in the province. More importantly, it paved the way for a healthy living and organic products made their way to the local and national mainstream markets.
It can be said that the organic agriculture movement in Negros Occidental is an example of how collaboration can lead to an evolution that is sustainable development and regenerative agriculture, especially among rural folk. This is a significant factor in the alleviation of rural poverty amid the economic and political turmoil that have hit Negros since the sugar crisis.
ORGANICALLY CONTAGIOUS
The movement has reverberated all throughout the country, and even the whole Southeast Asian region. Close to two decades ago, the two provinces signed a pact to work together and turn the island into the “Organic Food Bowl of Asia.” Last year when I paid a courtesy call to the then provincial agriculturist Dr. Edmundo Raul Causing, the province had a consolidated 15,000 hectares of organic production areas in the province. This scale is planted with different crops, mainly rice.
Alter Trade was asked to incorporate its data on organic production areas among its partner producers in Negros Occidental. Alter Trade pursues organic production of sugarcane and the balangon variety of banana exported to Europe and Asia.
By 2017, Negros organic agriculture has led the national government, in one way or the other in crafted laws on organic agriculture, and the Negros was labeled as the Organic capital of South East Asia. This is a feat other provinces in the country would wish to achieve. Since then, various training, workshops, and seminars on a national have regularly held in Negros as the model for this purpose.
THE PARTNERSHIP’S DENT
Undeniably, the contribution of the private sector is invaluable in this evolution. To name a few are the Organic Producers and Retailers Association, Alter Trade and later, more NGOs and more significantly were the agrarian reform beneficiaries and small producers’ associations and cooperatives all over Negros. Today, the Central Philippine State University is the recognized state university pursuing 100 percent organic agriculture in its more than 4,000 hectares property in the uplands of Kabankalan City together with its farmer settlers as partners in this pursuit. The commitment to invest and undertake thorough research and development along this line has reached an enormous level yet needs to be sustained.
This week the provincial government is once again hosting an Organic Week Trade Fair and all producers and stakeholders showcase all their organic products including their value-added produce. This is one major marketing strategy where small producers gain access to the mainstream market where their products are not only bought but recognized.
AGRO-TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT
The past decade brought the organic agriculture movement a new front for socio-economic heights especially the small producers and farmers. As an agricultural province, Negros Occidental has now evolved into a tourism province for local and international visitors alike.
A visit to a tourist area is a showcase of local products of small farmers. While it strengthens their livelihood it spurs more economic activities. Consciously, local governments with tourist spots clearly support this endeavor by way of investment and providing security and safety among tourists.
Moreover, organic agriculture as a form of natural farming reinvigorates soil and contributes to the preservation and resilience of the environment to climate change. A consistent practice of organic farming experts say does not only sustain and preserve ecology it regenerates by producing more products and rehabilitates the ecosystem.
In Negros, organic agriculture is not only institutionalized but has become a way of life to many, if not most, Negrenses. An antidote to the onslaught of commercialism where food is unsafe, and the environment is damaged.*
