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Nature Farming in the Philippines

T. C. Mendoza

University of the Philippines, Los Banos, Philippines

Full Paper (PDF File: 70KB)

Abstract

For almost three decades, farmers in the Philippines have been using chemical fertilizers, pesticides and growth regulators in their crop production strategies. Despite the high cost of these inputs, and the farmers' awareness that they can adversely affect soil fertility, food quality, human and animal health, and environmental quality, they are used extensively because there are few alternatives that would be considered practical and feasible. One reason for this is that university-based research has strongly promoted the use of agricultural chemicals as the best means of achieving the highest possible crop yields. The predominant question then is how can the farmers shift from a chemical-intensive agriculture to one that is based on the utilization of natural systems, and still maintain their economic Viability. It is encouraging that there are some efforts now underway by university researchers, the Philippine government, and the private sector to develop nature farming as an alternative to chemical-based agriculture.
The government, in cooperation with nongovernment agencies, needs to set forth certain policy initiatives that would promote the necessary research for the development of productive, profitable, and sustainable natural farming systems, and to ensure that such knowledge is transferred effectively to the farmers.