Choose Organic

MANY people would rather choose organic food in order to protect themselves and their
families from exposure to pesticides. But choosing organic also means helping to create a
healthier food system for everyone, from farm to table. For more than 3 years, this has been
the trademark of Adlawan Farms Corporation, to foster and encourage organic farming both in
the public and private sectors of the region.
On 2013, Jun Adlawan bought a 3-hectare land to start his cacao journey. Although, over the
years of growing these crops, he has settled on using pesticides and synthetic fertilizers to grow
it. But just two years ago, upon stumbling on the concept of organic farming – Mr. Adlawan has
decided to incorporate such idea to the crops and vegetables in the farm.
From that, he has seen the wonders what organic farming has to offer. The plants and crops
grew healthier and way more alive than they were before.
Thus, this inspired him to pursue this new venture.
What more, organic farming pushes us to have a healthier produce. Recent studies confirm that
organic food contributes to better health through reduced pesticide exposure for all and
increased nutritional quality.
In spite that this pursuit only generates a net income of less than 100,000 pesos, Mr. Adlawan
cannot give up such practice because he himself and his family want to inculcate organic
farming into their way of life.
So, to further appreciate this world of sustainable farming, he has taken up NC II courses from
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to learn more about the
appropriate methods and procedure that organic agriculture has to offer.
In the Organic Agriculture Production, the core and elective competencies of the course has
been thoroughly illustrated through the outputs of each section. In the elective competencies,
raising organic hogs and ruminants are the main subject of such portion. From the housing
requirements of these animals to its feed formulation, the elective competencies fully
encapsulate the proper and organic way of taking care of live stocks.
On the other hand, the core competencies focus on raising organic chicken and producing
organic vegetables, organic fertilizers, and organic concoctions and extracts.
Learning these topics have greatly contributed to the organic improvement of Adlawan Farms.
First, producing organic vegetables promotes proper seed selection and land preparation for
vegetable gardening – which leads to a fertile soil that provides essential nutrients to plants,
while supporting a diverse and active biotic community that helps the soil resist environmental
degradation.
Second, in producing organic fertilizers, we learn the concept of vermiculture and the two
forms of organic fertilizers – which are basal or solids and liquid or foliar fertilizers. The former
is applied to the soil where the plants absorb it through the root system, while the latter are
sprayed to the plants.
In both instances, the nutrients are used to condition the soil thereby making it a living soil and
finally nourish the plants.
Finally, producing organic concoction and extracts is the heart of natural farming techniques. It
is the replacement of chemical based fertilizers, pesticides, and chemical based growth
enhancers and other synthetic food ingredients for animals and plants. From left-over fruits and
produce, one can already make their own Fermented Plant or Fruit Juice and many more.
The practice of organic farming became easier with the use of these methods from Organic
Agriculture Production.
For Mr. Adlawan, organically raising and producing crops, animals, and vegetation has been
fulfilling – not only in terms of good quality stocks and produce, but to a better ecological
biodiversity in the farm.
From the reduced pesticide exposure of the farmers, to increased nutrition and reduced
pesticide contamination for the consumers – indeed, organic farming should be the trending
movement circling around the agricultural sector.
For him, this course is not only a step into a healthier food system – but, it is a new act that
makes us more conscious on what we eat daily. It molds our minds to be more resourceful with
our food wastes, and not just throw it away, because these wastes can be valuable in the
improvement of our farms and garden.
This radiates a fresh and brand-new awareness for the entire generation. And that we have the
power to choose organic.