Farmers in SOCCSKSARGEN region should consider going into organic farming, according to an official of the Department of Agriculture in Region 12.
Bai Dido T. Samama, OIC-Regional Technical Director of DA 12, during a recent Kapehan sa Kapitolyo said, the agency is pushing for popularization of organic farming because of the benefits the farmers can gain from this method.
She said, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has ordered an allotment of more than P999 million specifically for the promotion of organic farming in the countryside.
“Products produced from organic farming have greater opportunities for exportations since people abroad are now more conscious as regards to their health,” Samama said.
To call further attention to this farming system, Samama cited the experience of Perfecto Vicente a farmer-scientist in Sto. Nino, South Cotabato.
Through crude methods, Vicente has developed several organic rice varieties and went on to win a national Gawad Saka award.
Vicente is encouraging other farmers to also go into organic farming by giving out one tablespoon of organic rice seeds to each farmer who wishes to try the system as starter planting material.
“Sec. Alcala also started with one spoon but now, he already has a wide rice field planted with organic rice,” Samama said.
Meanwhile, Samama said that the department is also working to attain self-sufficiency by maintaining stability in the supply of rice in the country.
“Sec. Alcala pronounced that by 2013, we will be self-sufficient with rice, no more exportations of rice,” Samara said.
To make this possible, Samama encouraged everyone to use ‘kamote’, corn, cassava and other root crops as substitute to rice because these also contain nutrients such as carbohydrates. (LMSalvo/PIA 12)
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