Philippine Organic Farming

Revolutionizing Agriculture with

Systems Thinking

Robert Ian Maranon

1
What is Organic Farming?
Organic farming is the production of crops
and livestock without the use of synthetic
chemicals and in-organic fertilizers.
2
What is Organic Farming?
a production system which avoids or largely
excludes the use of synthetically
compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth
regulators, and livestock feed additives.
3
What is Conventional Agriculture?
Conventional agriculture uses pesticides,
herbicides, fungicides, and harmful chemicals
to produce the food we eat.
Farming systems dependent on the input of
artificial fertilizers and/or pesticides
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What is Conventional Agriculture?
Rapid technological innovation
Large capital investments and large-scale farms
Single crops/row crops grown continuously over
many seasons
Extensive use of pesticides, fertilizers, and external
energy inputs
High labor efficiency
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Impact on Health
The Economic and Social Research Council,
USDA, published a report in April 2000 saying
that a combination of high tech crops,
pollution and soil erosion are affecting the
intelligence of millions of people.
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Impact on Health
High yielding rice called green revolution
crops developed in Los Baos are now
named as one of the causes of brain damage
especially impaired intellect in third world
countries.
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Impact on Health
International studies have likewise shown
that chemical-infused crops have resulted in
cancer, hormone disruption, neurological
disorders and other life-threatening illnesses.
8
Impact on Health
Farm workers are poisoned in fields
Toxic residues found on food
Certain human and animal diseases have
developed resistance to currently used
antibiotics.
9
Environmental Impact
Decline in soil productivity

Salinization of soils and irrigation water in
irrigated farming areas.

Desertification due to overgrazing

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Environmental Impact
Agriculture is the largest single non-point
source of water pollutants. Pesticides have
been detected in groundwater in agricultural
areas
Eutrophication and dead zones due to
nutrient runoff affect many rivers, lakes, and
oceans.
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Environmental Impact
Reduced water quality impacts agricultural
production, drinking water supplies, and
fishery production.
12
Environmental Impact
Water scarcity due to overuse of surface and
ground water for irrigation
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Environmental Impact
Increased resistance to pesticides

Loss of Biodiversity
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Environmental Impact
Agricultures link to global climate change is
just beginning to be appreciated.

Destruction of tropical forests for agricultural
production has a role in elevated levels of
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
15
Enacted Laws in Organic Farming
As the trend towards healthier lifestyle
continues to grow, the interest in organic
farming in the Philippines is also
expeditiously gaining ground.
16
Enacted Laws in Organic Farming
Although the Philippines has not resorted to
completely ban the use of synthetic
chemicals in farming, the country is set to go
all natural in agriculture through Republic Act
10068.
17
Enacted Laws in Organic Farming
Republic Act 10068 or Organic Agriculture
Act of 2010 aims to strengthen the states
policy to promote, propagate, develop
further and implement the practice of organic
agriculture.
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Birth Pains of Organic Farming
Local farming community is yet to totally
embrace organic agriculture.

The use of chemical inputs in farming
guarantees sure harvests

There isnt much economic inducement for
farmers to organic.
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Case Study
Comparative Economic Study of Organic
and Conventional Rice Farming in
Magsaysay, Davao Del Sur

Rubinos, R., Jalipa, A., Bayacag, P. (2007)
20
Case Study
Comparative Economic Study of Organic
and Conventional Rice Farming in
Magsaysay, Davao Del Sur

Rubinos, R., Jalipa, A., Bayacag, P. (2007)
21
Case Study
Most organic farmers have lesser monthly
income compared to conventional rice
farmers
Organic farmers have to increase their
seeding rate and reduce labor to increase
output
Conventional farmers should increase
pesticides and labor to increase their output
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Case Study
Organic rice farming is as profitable as
conventional rice farming.

Even though it might have lower yield and
gross returns, it also has lower total cost.

Price for organic rice is higher than
conventionally grown rice.
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Conclusion
Applying Systems Thinking, Conventional
Farming is not sustainable, a totally wrong
system.

Organic Farming is profitable and can be the
Future of Philippine Agriculture if properly
understood.

Whether the current efforts of government
will be successful, only time will truly tell.
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Recommendation
It is time also for everyone to recognize that
we cant leave everything to government.

If we wish the agriculture sector to grow in
importance, then we all have to do our share
in helping farmers.

Take a stand and advocate!
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