05/01/2021

MODULE 1. INTRODUCTION TO
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

Mary Yole Apple Declaro-Ruedas

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this module, the learners shall be able to:

1. Define organic agriculture and explain its importance.

2. Explain the legal basis of OA in the Philippines.
3. Differentiate OA and conventional agriculture.
4. Determine the advantages & disadvantages of OA.
5. Discuss current issues regarding the understanding of
organic agriculture.

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WHAT IS ORGANIC
AGRICULTURE?

What comes to your

mind when you hear
the term “organic
agriculture”?

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It is a common misconception among farmers that

because they use organic fertilizers in their crops
this automatically means they are practicing
organic agriculture. If you ask about their
practices of controlling pests you will discover
that they use synthetic pesticides.
Recently, many of our farmers are planting Bt corn
and RR corn (Round-up Ready corn). These are
genetically modified organisms (GMO) which are
not allowed in organic agriculture.

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GENETICALLY ENGINEERED/MODIFIED ORGANISMS

(PNS for Organic Agriculture, 2016)

These are organisms made with techniques that alter the

molecular or cell biology of an organism by means that
are not possible under natural conditions or processes.

Genetic engineering includes recombinant DNA, cell

fusion, micro- and macro- encapsulation, gene deletion
and doubling, introducing a foreign gene, and changing
the positions of genes.

It SHALL NOT INCLUDE breeding, conjugation,

fermentation, hybridization, in-vitro fertilization, and
tissue culture.

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IS NOT…

“farming by input substitution”.

This means substituting conventional farming
inputs with those approved for organic
production, rather than using an array of
cultural and biological practices to build soils,
control pests, and grow nutritious, productive
crops (Oryza Organic Rice Market Report 2002).

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What is Organic Agriculture?

common understanding

• agriculture based on organic and natural inputs

• agricultural systems following the principles and
logic of a living organism
• defined by organic standards
• ecologically-based production systems used to
produce food and fiber.

IFOAM Definition
Organic Agriculture…
•Is a holistic production management system,
which enhances agro-ecosystem health,
utilizing both traditional and scientific
knowledge

•Organic agricultural systems rely on

ecosystem management rather than external
agricultural inputs

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Organic Agriculture Act (OAA) of 2010 also known as

Republic Act 10068 defines organic agriculture
“...includes all agricultural systems:

• That promote the ecologically sound, socially

acceptable, economically viable and technically feasible
production of food and fibers;

• That dramatically reduce external inputs by avoiding

the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and
pharmaceuticals;

• It covers soil fertility management, varietal breeding

and selection without synthetic chemicals and
pesticides;

“...includes all agricultural systems:

• • That enhance productivity without destroying the

soil and harming farmers, consumers and the
environment;

• That the use of biotechnology and other cultural

practices are consistent with the principles and policies
of this Act, provided, that the biotechnology herein
referred to shall not include genetically modified
organisms or GMOs...”

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The Organic Idea

Source: IFOAM, 2007

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Principles of Organic Agriculture:

Principle of Health -safe nutrition of the
family with healthy
sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal,
food
human and planet as one and indivisible

Principle of Ecology -using renewable

based on living ecological systems and cycles, work energies;
with them, emulate them and help sustain them - Promote biological
diversity
Principle of Fairness
build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard -sufficient production
to the common environment and life opportunities for subsistence and
income;
Principle of Care
-good working
managed in a precautionary and responsible manner conditions for both
to protect the health and well-being of current and men and women
future generations and the environment

ADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

Reduce cost of production

inputs in agriculture.

Restore soil health.

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ADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

Improves biodiversity.

Protect the environment.

ADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

Protects the health of

farmers & consumers.

Organic vegetables have

longer shelf life, taste
better & more nutritious.

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DISADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

Initially requires additional Yields may be reduced

labor. initially during the
conversion period.

Terms and Concepts Related to OA

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE puts value to seven main
philosophies. For agriculture to be sustainable it should
aim to be (Zamora, 2009):

1. ecologically sound
2. economically viable
3. socially just and equitable
4. culturally sensitive
5. location specific appropriate technology
6. grounded on holistic science
7. aimed for total human development .

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SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

NATURAL FARMING’S two most prominent concepts:

Masanobu Fukuoka (1913–2008)

believes that farming should respect
natural processes with no or minimal
human intervention.

Five principles
1. No tillage or cultivation
2. No fertilizers
3. No pesticides (nor herbicides)
4. No weeding
5. No pruning

Spiritual approach to life

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Mokichi Okada re-states the core

values of natural farming as:

1. Do not plow the fields

2. Weeds and insects are not
your enemies
3. There is no need to add
fertilizers
4. Adjust the foods you grow
based on your local climate
and conditions

Another type of natural

farming was established by Mr.
Han Kyu Cho, Founder and
Chairman of the Korean
Natural Farming Association
(KNFA).

Korean Natural Farming is most associated with

the use of IMO and various fermented products
like FRB, FPJ, FFJ, FAA, Oriental Herbal Nutrient
(OHN) and Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB).

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KNF avoids the use of waste products such as manure,

which reduces the chance of transferring pathogens from
the waste back into the food production chain.

1. Use the nutrients contained within the seeds

2. Use indigenous microorganisms (IMO’s)
3. Maximize inborn potential with fewer inputs
4. Avoid commercial fertilizers
5. Avoid tilling
6. No use of livestock waste

ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE was define by the

FAO (2009) as a management system that
enhances the regeneration processes of nature.

Specifically, it focuses on the management of

soil fertility; nutrient cycling and the action of
micro organisms; the management of insect
pests including population dynamics, natural
enemies, plant resistance; and the
management of crop varieties through genetic
diversity.

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BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE is a form of

alternative agriculture very similar to organic
farming, but it includes various esoteric concepts
drawn from the ideas of Rudolf Steiner (1861–
1925). It treats soil fertility, plant growth, and
livestock care as ecologically interrelated tasks,
emphasizing spiritual and mystical perspectives.

Methods unique to the biodynamic approach

include its treatment of animals, crops, and soil
as a single system. Some methods use an
astrological sowing and planting calendar.

BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE
500: A humus mixture prepared by
Tawse is a family-owned organic and
filling a cow's horn with cow manure
and burying it in the ground (40–60
biodynamic winery.
cm below the surface) in the autumn.
It is left to decompose during the
winter and recovered for use as
fertilizer the following spring.

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Definition of Some Farming Systems…

Source: IFOAM, 2007
Traditional Agriculture
Farming methods before agro
chemicals, high yielding varieties and
machines have been introduced

Sustainable Agriculture Conventional Agriculture

Group of agricultural systems w/c “Green revolution” agriculture,
are not clearly define, aiming on monocultures of high yielding
sustainable land use e.g. LEISA varieties, use of chemical
fertilizers, pesticides, etc.

Biodynamic Organic Agriculture Integrated Production

Agriculture Based on agro-ecological Improved conventional
type of OA including a principles, focus on soil agriculture, using reduced
spiritual dimension fertility and plant health, amounts of chemical
no use of agro-chemicals fertilizers and pesticides

DIFFERENTIATE OA AND CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE

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Organic Farming in Asia & the Pacific

3,500

Adoption of Organic Farming in the Philippines

Source: OCCP, 2007

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Area for Organic Farming, per island

Source: OCCP, 2007

Philippine National Standards for Organic

Agriculture

• Initially prepared by the OCCP and adopted by

DA in 2003 & was revised in 2016

•Provides uniform approach to the requirements

for:
– Conversion to organic agriculture
– crop production
– Livestock
– processing
– special products
– labeling and consumer information

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Prominent Crops & Livestock, per province

Region II
Chicken, corn
Region III
Carabao, corn, cow, fruits, goat, pigs, poultry, rice, vegetables, wild
crops, rice, vegetables, elemi resin,

Region IV – A
Vinegar, VCO, Vegetables, Coconut, Fruits, Henna

Region V
Sugar (Muscovado), rice

Region VI
Banana, coconut, corn, fallow, fruits, vegetables, goat, lemongrass,
sugar (muscovado), papaya, rice (upland and lowland), soya milk,
watermelon, wild crops
Source: OCCP, 2007

Prominent Crops & Livestock, per province

Region VII
Coconut, corn, fruits, root crops, vegetables, rice, wild crops

Region VIII
Corn, Fruits, Vegetables, Rice, Wild crops

Region X
Rice, banana, corn, fruits, peanuts

Region XI
Abaca, Banana, Fruits, Vegetables, Livestock, Rice

Region XII
Rice, fruits
Region XIII
Rice, Vegetables
Source: OCCP, 2007

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Organic Certification

CUSTOMER
Certification is a
procedure for verifying
that products conform to
certain standards. In the
Product with case of organic products,
Certificate
it is primarily the
CERTIFICATION
acknowledgment that
-products
-processes
PNS such products have been
produced according to
PRODUCT
the applicable organic
(Organic Produce) production standards.

Organic Labels and Certification Marks

• Labels and
certification marks allow
an easy recognition of
organic products.

• They are protected

and only to be used by
authorized producers
and processors.

• They can help to

achieve a better price
for organic products.

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OCCP’s List of Locally Certified Farms

Company Name/ Product Address Area (ha)
Contact Person

1. Kablon Farms/ Fresh fruits and Brgy. Kablon, Tupi, 74 ha

Ernesto Pantua Jr. processed products South Cotabato
Tel # 0920 9067628

2. Leonie Agri Corp/ Organic herbal crops 441 Liwayway, Sta. 39 ha*
Alexander Parducho Rosa, Nueva Ecija
Tel # (044) 9652134
09209624640
3. Leonie Agri Corp/ Organic and wild Antipolo, Binukawan,
Alexander Parducho collection of herbal Bagac, Bataan
crops
4. Leonie Agri Corp/ Organic vegetables 441 Liwayway, Sta.
Alexander Parducho Rosa Nueva Ecija

OCCP’s List of Locally Certified Farms

Company Name/ Product Address Area (ha)
Contact Person

5. Atikha Inc./ Organic OFW Center Main Avenue, Green 4.5 ha

Mai Anunuevo Vegetables Valley Subd., San Francisco,
Calihan, San Pablo City
Farm Add: Candelaria, Quezon
Tel # (049) 8000082/
5623156
6. Laguna Coco Virgin 515 Emerald Street Nepa Subd., Coconut –
Product*/ Coconut Oil San Vicente Biñan, Laguna 42 ha
Linda Ocba Tel # 699 6249

7. Ecological Earth Organic 404 Brgy. Tinurik, Tanauan City, 1 ha

Planners/ Vegetables Batangas
Jacqueline Alleje Tel # 778 1264

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OCCP’s List of Locally Certified Farms

Company Name/ Product Address Area (ha)
Contact Person
8. Plantation Hills/ Organic Vegetables Tagaytay Highlands 0.05 ha
Jude Serrano International and
Golf Country Club
Greenlands
Plantation Hills
Homeowners
Association Inc, Brgy
Suplang Tanauan
City, Batangas
9. Makakabus/ Organic Rice Brgy Sinayawan, 15 ha
Deodelita Diaz Valencia City,
Bukidnon

10. Pecuaria Devt Organic Rice Pecuaria Estate, 64.1 ha

Cooperative Inc./ Organic Muscovado Brgy Lanipga, Bula,
Miller Bocaldo Cam. Sur

OCCP’s List of Locally Certified Farms

Company Name/ Product Address Area (ha)
Contact Person

11. Gina Oil Corp/ Organic Virgin Silangan, Calutan, 22 ha

Gina Bartholomi Coconut Oil Agdangan, Quezon

12. Multi-Sectoral Papaya, Banana, Purok San Jose, 82.3 ha

Alliance for Watermelon, Circumferential
Devt upland rice, guava, Road, Brgy Alijis,
– Negros/ calamansi and Bacolod City
vegetables Tel # (034) 446-1065
Reynic Alo

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Buyer Profiles

Source: OCCP, 2007

EO 481 Implementing Rules and Regulations

(AO 09 s. 2006)
Salient Major Provision
Labeling
• Unlawful to sell products with labels as organic
without the approval of the certification body
• No article shall be sold under any name or other
marking or labeling which is false
• Unlawful for any dealer to import into the Phils
or advertise any product that contains false
representation
• Product with false marking shall be withheld
after due process and subject to Consumer Act
unless modified

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EO 481 Implementing Rules and Regulations

(AO 09 s. 2006)
Salient Major Provision
Labeling
• Unlawful to sell products with labels as organic
without the approval of the certification body
• No article shall be sold under any name or other
marking or labeling which is false
• Unlawful for any dealer to import into the Phils or
advertise any product that contains false
representation
• Product with false marking shall be withheld after
due process and subject to Consumer Act unless
modified

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