Agriculture Business Week

The leading proponents of the organic product sector have united to launch the One Organic Movement as part of their thrust to push further development of organic agriculture in the Philippines.

Comprising the group are the Philippine Development Assistance Program (PDAP), La Liga Pilipinas/Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, Organic Producers Trade Association, Organic Certification Center of the Philippines, Altertrade, Infanta Community Development Association Inc., Don Bosco Foundation for Sustainable Development, SIAD Initiatives in Mindanao Convergence for Asset Reform and Regional Development, and the Philippine Network of Rural Development Institutes, Inc.

Jerry E. Pacturan, executive director of PDAP said that the launch of the One Organic Movement was a major step in presenting a united front to convince government to give more support to organic agriculture.

Pacturan said that the group believes that promoting organic agriculture, or farming without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, would save the government billions of pesos in fertilizer expenses and ensure the continued health of agricultural land and its workers.

As an initial activity, the One Organic Movement decided to set unified standards for organic products, help farmers who are planning to convert into organic agriculture and put a stop to the rampant conversion of fertile agricultural land into commercial establishments.

The One Organic Movement will also work closely with the National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB), composed of private sector and government representatives, to improve the implementation of Executive Order No. 481 issued in December 2005.

Pacturan added that the need to promote organic agriculture has never been more urgent due to the twin issues of climate change and the still expensive inputs such_ as fertilizers and pesticides.

He added that even with the global economic crisis that has caused significant belt tightening all over the world the demand for organic produce here and abroad continues to grow because of increasing health consciousness.

The Philippine market for organic products is estimated to be worth $2.0 million and growing by over 20 percent a year.

By Melpha M. Abello