Rodel G. Maghirang, Reynaldo dela Cruz, and Reynaldo L. Villareal
https://doi.org/10.57043/transnastphl.2011.3763
Abstract
Organic agriculture has continued to grow substantially despite the world economic crisis. It is now being viewed as an additional option to conventional or ‘chemical’ agriculture and not just for the niche market. But uncertainties remain that it can be an alternative option that could feed the world. The reported organic area in the Philippines is just 52,500 hectares but the government support for organic agriculture became more emphatic and accelerated in 2010 with the passing of the “Organic Agriculture Act of 2010” or RA 10068 which provides for its development and promotion in the country. Being an advisory body for science and technology policies and issues, the National Academy of Science and Technology has subsequently conducted discussions addressing the assessment of the status of organic agriculture in the Philippines. Organic pioneers and leaders in their respective fields presented papers related to the issue of ‘How Sustainable is Organic Agriculture’. The organic practitioners provided relevant data on the advantages of organic agriculture on income in the case of rice and sugarcane with yields comparable to conventional farming. The need for more research and the help of the scientific community in improving the technologies in organic agriculture were also highlighted specially on livestock and poultry. The paper on health took a different route of dealing on food safety concerns rather than directly on organic produce. But organic agriculture in its present state is still far from its full potential. Given the meager formal support throughout its supply chain including input supply, production and Research and Development on seeds, nutrient and pest management. Thus direct comparison of organic agriculture with conventional agriculture does not appear to be valid. Overall it is well accepted that organic agriculture is sustainable on the ecological aspect but sustainability on the financial and the social/cultural aspects are still being questioned. There is optimistic prognosis for organic agriculture, but the numerous challenges of agronomic, economic and cultural nature must be addressed more substantially. This would require long term support from research institutions, a strong extension system and a committed public in sharing with the costs of organic agriculture given its multi-functionality benefiting everyone.