- How to Cook Greens
- On Being Vegetarian
- Coffee and Exercise
- Coffee and Liver Function
- The Health Benefits of Green Salad
- Vegetables and Health
- Salad vs. Junk Food
- Vocabulary to Describe the Flavor of a Coffee Brew
- History of Coffee
- Knowing Your Coffee Roasts
- Storing Coffee Beans
- The Story of Coffee
- Coffee Botanical Aspects
- Coffee Drying
- Decaffeination
- Ecology
- Field Coffee Processing
- The Thriving Industry of Organic Produce and its Entailing Clauses
- Careless Whisper: The Stomach's Call
- Tips for a Healthier Baon
- On Health
- Malunggay Benefits - so Amazing!
The Thriving Industry of Organic Produce and its Entailing Clauses
In the age of rampant use of synthetic fertilizers and genetic modifications, it is comforting to know that there are still farms that follow environment-friendly measures.
It is no doubt quite a difficult transition: since majority of the farmers in the Philippines have been accustomed with the use of commercial fertilizers and pesticides, the idea of organic farming will be a hard pill to swallow. Organic will also cost more, and will require double the effort and attention.
Back in 2006, farmers in Cordillera dismayed over the idea of organic certification from the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP), which would require them to shy away from the use of commercial fertilizers for three years. This would translate to a decline in income because of the relatively higher cost of transition and maintenance of an organic farm. Besides, the market for organic produce is still unstable.
(http://www.asiafoodjournal.com/article3638thephilippinestoughorganicrulesdiscouragecordillerafarmers-Asia.html).
It is important to note that it was only in December 2005 when President Arroyo signed Executive Order (EO) 481, the “Promotion and Development of Organic Agriculture in the Philippines”, which contains policies that would govern and support the budding organic produce industry in the Philippines. As such, farms that are used to conventional farming, and seem to gain overwhelming profit are skeptic with the idea of going organic.
To live healthy and be environment-friendly is undoubtedly idyllic, but would also entail a huge sum of money. For businessmen and investors, this is quite a risk, especially if people do not care whether or not the strawberries and apples they are eating are organic or not; just as long as they are plump and juicy, then there’s no debate on being organic or not.
According to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and the Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau (FiBL), in 2006 there are 35,000 organic farms on 14,140 hectares of land that are under organic management, which sadly only accounts for a total agricultural land of 0.12% in the Philippines. (http://www.intracen.org/organics/Country-Profile-Philippines.htm). This means that the organic practice of farming in the Philippines is small, but it is slowly developing with the help of the government.
However, these problems did not hinder the budding organic industry from full flight. As the awareness on the health benefits of organic foods increased, more and more people opted for organic diet. They suddenly realized the hazardous impact of preservatives and pesticide sprays on human health and in this moment,.slowly shifted from instant processed foods to preservative-free offerings.
Of course, organic foods cost higher, and not many people can afford them, especially those who have been content on instant noodles. This may also be a reflection of the economic status of the Philippines, with majority of the people living below the poverty line, but to go organic is a choice rather than a chance.
Today, many farms are following the organic path. As such, the Philippines is fast becoming globally recognized exporter of organic rice, Muscovado sugar, Cavendish bananas, and a variety of herbs and spices.
With this fact comes the realization that organic produce should be made accessible to the larger public. Since the most prominent and recurring problem of the Philippines is poverty, which also entails hunger, and as end-result malnutrition, the government should greatly consider giving more support to the organic agriculture industry the way it does other already booming industries.
Mong Palatino (2008) discusses that for a country that has fertile land for farming, many Filipinos, even the farmers themselves suffer from hunger. Malnutrition, which is an offset of poverty, is caused by food insecurity, and today many Filipino preschool children are underweight and malnourished. What used to be the staple food of Filipinos before, which is rice, now happens to be an unreachable commodity due to its continuous price soar. Therefore, financially challenged people resort to instant noodles.
(http://www.upiasia.com/Economics/2008/03/11/worsening_hunger_in_the_philippines/4820/).
Today, what the Philippines need most that may someday solve the problem of hunger is NATURE.
N-o to pesticides and other harmful chemicals in everyday food
A-wareness on organic agriculture, and its health benefits
T-aking responsibility for the current food situation in the Philippines, and doing something
about it, no matter how big or small
U-tilizing untapped government and private resources for organic agriculture
R-endering intensive technical training to farmers, social workers and other immediate stakeholders
E-mpowering every individual to invest in their health
Organic means natural, and natural means healthy, and if someday healthy would be embraced by everyone, then organic will be the new artificial—accessible, cost-efficient, and innovative.