Dr. Irene Estrada1, Dr. Sulpecia Ponce1
1Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, PHILIPPINES
Biography:
Dr. Irene A. Estrada is currently employed as University Research II (UR II) in the Office of Research Management (ORM) under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise (OVCRE) of the Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT). As a University Researcher (UR), Dr. Estrada have various research engagements in partnership with some faculty members of the University. Some researchers are funded by the University and other research undertakings are externally funded. With commitment and dedication for research, Dr. Estrada has been promoted three times from Science Research to UR 1 & UR II.
Abstract:
RA 10068 (as amended) is a legal guidepost to spearhead the implementation of organic agriculture in the Philippines. The law promotes sustainable practice using the lens of ecologically sound, socially acceptable, economically viable, and technically feasible farm-to-table food production.
This study investigates the status of farm conversion to organic farming, the reasons behind the farmer’s decision to adopt the system, the issues and challenges they encounter, and their recommendations for its successful implementation. This is a qualitative study which covers 12 out of 22 municipalities of Lanao del Norte. The primary data sources were 36 organic farmers and 23 program implementers as key informants.
Results show the average land converted to organic agriculture (OA) in the covered municipalities is 2.428 hectares already, almost half of the 5% prescribed in the law based on the total agricultural land area per municipality. With the quest to address the intractable conflict in the Municipality of Kauswagan, with its active and supportive local leaders, advanced itself in OA implementation in the area and, they were able to maintain the peace and order, in fact, the Municipality of Kauswagtan has already been declared as an Organic Agriculture Municipality. Other municipalities are in the process of replicating the practice of OA.
Keywords: Organic farming; farmland conversion to organic farming; sustainable Agriculture; challenges of organic farming; peace and development