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Mainstreaming Organic Agriculture through
Innovation Policy– The Case of Organic Agriculture in
Negros Occidental, Philipp....
Article in IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation · June 2015
DOI: 10.7718/ijec.v14i1.890
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Vol. 14 · March 2015 Volume 14 · March 2015
Print ISSN 2244-1573 · Online ISSN 2244-1581
International Peer Reviewed Journal
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7718/ijec.v14i1.890
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Mainstreaming Organic Agriculture
through Innovation Policy– The Case
of Organic Agriculture in Negros
Occidental, Philippines
ANDREW GASMEN
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5741-2028
andgasmen@yahoo.com
Agricultural Training Institute
Quezon City, Philippines
ROWENA DT. BACONGUIS
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3300-1208
rdbaconguis@up.edu.ph
University of the Philippines Los Baños
Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
Gunning Fog Index: 18.20 Originality: 96% Grammar Check: 92%
Flesch Reading Ease: 20.68 Plagiarism: 4%
ABSTRACT
This paper highlights the innovation policies that facilitated the growth of
the organic movement in Negros Occidental. The research is an intrinsic case
study that employed in-depth data collection involving multiple sources of
information. Organic agriculture started with the civil society because of the
desire to produce healthy food and ensure environmental integrity. Health
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IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation
conscious businessmen saw the opportunity of a business built on the pillars
of environmental integrity, health, partnership with the grassroots and the
growing movement of organic agriculture supporters. In response, the provincial
governments of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental crafted a policy that
envisioned the whole Negros Island as the “Organic Bowl in Asia”. Innovative
responses of the provincial government included the development of ordinances,
organizational adjustments and budget allocations. The innovations of the
government legitimized the movement and facilitated the mainstreaming of
organic agriculture. The collaboration model results from the active participation
of the key stakeholders that was reinforced by forces such as increasing health
and environmental consciousness of the populace. While the movement is now
mainstreamed, the actors have to forward the movement to another level by
increasing the market share of organic products.
KEYWORDS
Innovation policy, organizational innovation, organic agriculture, case study,
Philippines
INTRODUCTION
Innovation policy is defined as “actions by public organizations that influence
the development and diffusion of innovations” (Edquist & Hommen, 2008).
To make it more explicit, innovation policy encompasses introduction of new
ways of doing things – either through introduction of new policies, processes,
organizational set-up- that aim to change the ways things were done to facilitate
development and diffusion of innovations. In recent years, a lot of studies had
been conducted about organizational innovation and this concept is tied to the
successes of organizations and business firms in meeting the challenges of the
changing times (Mytelka, 2000; Hall, Mytelka, & Oyeyinka, 2004; Coriat,
2001; Spielman, 2005).
This paper intends to investigate innovation policies of government
institutions in relation to the institutionalization of sustainable agriculture in
Negros Occidental, a province in the Visayan part of the country that is als known
“sugar bowl” of the Philippines. The province is the most active province in
terms of supporting organic agriculture and is known as the “organic agriculture
capital” of the Philippines (Gacutan, 2013). It aims to convert 10% of all its
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agricultural lands into organic agriculture although the current 584 hectares
of certified organic farms is far from the target as the total agricultural land is
792,607 hectares (Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Negros Occidental).
Despite the low accomplishment to date of certified farms, DA allots research
funds to evaluate the impact of organic agriculture movement as the province
moves on to accredit more organic farms which is already estimated to be at
more than 10,000 hectares (Cayon, 2014). The same news avers that Negros
Occidental indeed is the leading organic agriculture province of the country.
The collaboration among the different sectors in promoting organic agriculture
provides lessons for other provinces as the country embarks on a nationwide
campaign to promote organic agriculture. As the Department of Agriculture
intensifies its campaign to promote organic agriculture, it is important to learn
from experiences of the local government units who are in the forefront of the
movement. However, there had been no studies that focus on the innovation
policies and resulting contributions of these actions to the mainstreaming of a
practice, such as organic agriculture. This paper aims to highlight government
innovation policies with the hope that it will be able to analyze ways by which to
improve the processes in local government organizations and contribute to the
mainstreaming of similar movements.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This study aims to contribute to the body of knowledge by investigating
successes of innovation policies in terms of promoting movements and
facilitating collaboration among its constituents. Specifically, it aims to: (1)
describe the innovation policies of the local government unit, the province
of Negros Occidental, Philippines; (2) determine how innovation policies
facilitated mainstreaming of organic agriculture; and (3) analyze the strengths
and weaknesses of the innovation policies.
METHODOLOGY
Research Method
The research employed a qualitative approach in the form of an intrinsic case
study by exploring a unique case of one of the most progressive organic agriculture
movements in the Philippines (Stake, 1995; Creswell, 2007). It did not quantify
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IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation
the extent of how far it has gone, but only described what it has done and is doing
to promote and institutionalize organic agriculture with respect to innovative
policies that may indicate the movement’s possible success. Carefully observing
the protocols of naturalistic inquiry, e.g. avoiding being obtrusive, it utilized an in-
depth data collection method involving multiple sources of information through
various techniques such as interview of key informants using semi-structured
questionnaire, direct and personal observations, focus group discussions,
participatory rural appraisal, and review of secondary data from various sources.
It also used a type of single instrumental case study to illustrate an issue. Useful
tools for the analysis of linkages include a typology of relationships, pattern of
interaction analysis and network analysis.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
To understand the growth of organic agriculture, various key stakeholders
from civic society, NGOs, government and private sector were interviewed in
order to reconstruct history. The main question was, “how did you start getting
involve in organic agriculture”?
This simple question in a naturalistic inquiry elicited a variety of responses
from respondents of interviews and focus group discussion. Some spoke as
individuals on how they joined the movement, others for their organization as
producers or providers of support services (such as those in the public sector
and NGOs) while others spoke broadly for the peoples of the city/municipality,
province and the whole Negrenses. To sum, the responses reveal that local farmers
and the emergence of organic agriculture movement is orchestrated by the civil
society, the government and the private sector. This history can be summarized
in four waves.
The first wave refers to organic agriculture practitioners and civil society
organizations (CSOs). Some farmers had been practicing organic agriculture long
before the known organic movement existed. They were scattered all across the
province practicing independently without any support from the government.
Several reasons moved them to be into organic. First, private organic practitioners
were drawn into organic because they are naturalists – individuals or groups who
believe that the best way to live is to be natural with food and the way food is
produced. Among these is a church-based organization led by a Columbian priest
named Fr. Brian Gore in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental. He along with other
priests had been practicing organic agriculture since the 70’s until now.
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Volume 14 · March 2015
Other practitioners were into organic because it is their way of life. This is the
case of the Iliranan Tribe of San Carlos City and other indigenous peoples in the
Negros Island. Ms. Ruby Sweño, Secretary of the Iliranan Tribal Council, believed
that their way of life is to co-exist Among these is a church-based organization led
by a Columbian priest named Fr. Brian Gore in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.
He along with other priests had been practicing organic agriculture since the 70’s
until now and was active in convincing farmers to do the same.
As a result of the campaign of NGOs and Moreover, poor farmers key
informants share that they were “practitioners by default” as they find chemical
fertilizers expensive. It is only much later when civil society movement educated
them about the benefits of organic farming that they appreciated their practice
as environment-friendly.
The second wave refers to the active involvement of the government. The
key informants from the civil society organizations accede that the organic
agriculture movement picked up with the campaign of the local government,
particularly the Provincial Government which declared that Negros will become
the “Organic bowl of Asia.” This action was strengthened through the enactment
of ordinances in support to the organic movement and the implementation of
organic agriculture program. Majority of the municipal governments followed
this step of the province.
The third wave refers to the entry of entrepreneurs which became more
pronounced in the year 2005. The entry of social entrepreneurs was a big push
as well to the organic agriculture movement as these were the organizations
which help linked the farmers to the market. Mr. Ramon Uy, one of the social
entrepreneurs invested in machinery and market outlets to promote organic
agriculture products.
The fourth wave refers to the collaboration of these three prime movers as
they pushed policy innovations to mainstream the movement. Here, there were
merging of interests in the creation of foundation, certifying body and creation of
various activities and programs that promote organic agriculture. The support of
the National government became helpful especially with the signing of Philippine
Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 which placed organic agriculture among the
government’s top agenda and allocating budget for such. Based on secondary
data, the Department of Agriculture led other national government agencies by
allotting support to the country’s organic agriculture movement with a total of
P950 million for 2013. This is the first time in the history of DA with such
a highest financial support for organic agriculture– an action that significantly
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IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation
benefited provinces like Negros Occidental. Table 1 below provides a snapshot of
the milestones in the history of organic movement in Negros Occidental based
on secondary data gathered and key informant interviews.
Table 1. History and milestones of organic movement in Negros Occidental,
Philippines
YEAR SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
1980 – 1990 NGOs introduced alternative farming initiatives which is technical organic
farming
1990 NGOs and small farmers initiated the sustainable agriculture program which
centered on the principles or organic farming
2000 20 NGOs, POs, and GOs organized and collaborated on the Negros
Organic Sustainable Agriculture Network with the slogan: “Negros
Goes Organic”
2005 Negros Occidental Governor Joseph G. Maranion and Negros Oriental
Governor George Arnaiz signed a Memorandum of Agreement to make
Negros Island an “Organic Bowl in Asia”
Active Involvement of entrepreneurs
12 organizations pooled their resources and instituted the movement by
holding Organic Trade Fair with the forum on Organic Agriculture
Foundation for organic agriculture (Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture
and Rural Development) was created
2006 The First Negros Island Organic Farmer Festival was held at Aguinaldo St.,
Bacolod City headed by the two Governors of Negros Island
2007 Launching/Opening of Organik na Negros Weekend Market
Provincial Ordinance #007 dubbed as “James Bond Ordinance” was passed
banning the entry of GMO to the province
10 Organic Villages were established
“Organik na Negros” Organic Producers and Retailers Association
(ONOPRA) was organized and registered with 46 member
organizations
2008 Organic subsectors were organized: i.e., for vegetables
Local certification body (NICERT), with membership from various sectors
were created as hosted by the Provincial Agriculture Office
In-flow of agriculture enthusiasts and extension workers to learn from
organic farms increased
2009 The 4th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival was held
NICERT released first list of certified organic products
Incidence of banned entry of GMO Corn worth P18 million
2010 Passage of Organic Agriculture Act RA 10068
2011 Organic Festival highlighted the importance of organic cuisine. 25 Chefs
showcased the preparation of organic food.
Birth of Slow Food Negros spearheaded by the Negros Cultural Foundation,
Organic Farmers, Chefs and Cooks
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Volume 14 · March 2015
2012 Awards were given to participatory schools that grow organic vegetables and
other organic produce
Organic coffee was exported to international market
Organized Fair Trade Federation
Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) was started by ONOPRA
More than 4,000 hectares under conversion to organic agriculture in
addition to areas that were already certified to speed up certification
process
2013 Panaad Festival highlighted organic agriculture and set up the first organic
village during the whole week of festival
Given the key role of the local government in mainstreaming organic
agriculture, innovations at the local level is highlighted in this paper. The
presentation of innovations starts with the province followed by the city
/ municipal level and finally, the national level. Two types of innovations are
presented: policy innovations and organizational innovations.
Innovations at the Provincial level
Among the policy innovations of the province is the banning of genetically
modified organisms that was followed by support to the organic movement. The
provincial government of Negros Occidental was among the first to issue policies
in support to the organic agriculture movement in the country. Policies issued
include:
1. Provincial Ordinance No. 007, series of 2007, or “James Bond Ordinance”.
This ordinance bans the entry, importation, introduction, planting, growing,
selling and trading of genetically modified organism (GMO) plants and animals
within the territory of Negros Occidental. This ordinance was created in support
of the desire of the local government to protect organic agriculture.
2. Provincial Ordinance No. 007, series of 2011. This ordinance seeks to
institutionalize, promote and develop organic agriculture as it lays out the
blueprint to mainstream organic agriculture. Under Section 2 in its declaration
of policy, it states:
“…the local government shall mainstream organic agriculture as a
main agricultural practice in Negros Occidental, and shall influence large-
scale and monoculture agri-industries to integrate organic agriculture
practices.”
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IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation
The provincial level organizational innovations included the development
of organic programs and strategies and setting up of appropriate institutional
mechanisms.
As the implementing arm of the provincial government on all agriculture
concerns, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) plays a major role
as coordinating body. OPA developed the Organic Agriculture Development
Program designed to implement the organic agriculture initiatives of the
provincial government. Such initiatives include the setting up of organic
demo farm, vermiculture and compost project, development and promotion
of biological control, development and promotion of biofertilizers. There were
also interventions to promote organic agriculture as a livelihood for inmates
and promotion of other agri-based enterprises such as mushroom production.
Side by side with this is the organization of a local certifying body to speed
up the vision of making Negros as an Organic Bowl of Asia. Certification is at
the heart of organic production and the local government and the civil society
organizations perceived the then process as slow. Hence, they initiated a local
certifying body which adheres as well to international standards and recognized
by the government.
In addition to this, the local government, civil society and the entrepreneurs
knew that without a market, the movement will die. Hence, the government
invested in further developing the market through the conduct of organic trade
and festivals, setting up or organic restaurants and organizing weekend markets
and organic villages.
Moreover, there were institutional mechanisms adopted to support the
implementation of the programs. The Negros Occidental Provincial Technical
Committee on Organic Agriculture (PTCOA) is an administrative body
composed of representatives from various sectors to oversee implementation of
the programs. Within the provincial government set-up, a unit composed of six
personnel was created to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate the Organic
Agriculture Development Program.
Innovations at the City/Municipal Governments’ Level
While it can be said that some cities and municipalities have embraced
organic agriculture, local governments’ participation in the organic movement is
relatively new. Supportive cities and municipalities adopted Republic Act 10068
and the above provincial ordinances and developed their OA programs. An
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Volume 14 · March 2015
example of adopted ordinance is Provincial Ordinance No. 007, series of 2007,
which bans GMOs in their respective localities. Corresponding the adoption of
the above organic agriculture law and ordinances, cities and municipalities have
also developed their organic programs and projects. These local government units
provided the much needed technical support as their field personnel support
provincial level personnel in the development of OA in organic villages.
Innovations at the National Government Level
As in the provincial and municipal/city governments, national government
agencies (NGAs) also designated their focal persons in organic agriculture to
spearhead activities supporting the initiatives of the local governments.
Table 2. Roles of national line agencies (NGAs)
NGAs Roles
Department of Agrarian Reform Advocacy and promotion of organic agriculture to
help organic practitioners in the agrarian reform
communities
Department of Trade and Industry Coordination for organic fertilizer
DA Agencies Coordination and facilitation of all DA initiatives of
Region 6 for the Province
• DA-Regional Field Unit 6
Development and implementation of training and
• Agricultural Training other extension services for the province
Institute
PhilRice, together with NGOs, came up with an interim protocol on organic
rice seed production adopted by Philrice. This protocol was made when PhilRice
was designated as the lead unit for organic rice farming. The protocol includes
setting aside an area for organic rice seed production apart from the conventional
production area. The area has filter pond to screen off irrigation water that passes
through the organic area; and buffer plants such as legumes, lemon grass and
marigold for areas with parallel productions with conventional systems. The
protocol also includes the practice of a three rice-based cropping system where
two consecutive seasons are for organic rice production and a leguminous crop
for the third crop. Crop rotation is a component of the nutrient management
strategy for organic rice. The protocol for seed production reflects the Institutes
innovative approach from seed selection to post-harvest management
Each of the actors played key roles without which the movement would not
have reached its currents state. For example, the early practitioners, represented
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IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation
the farmers, religious organizations, tribal groups were the early sources of
knowledge and rallying points for the NGOs. The movement significantly picked
up with the support of NGOs which campaigned for conversion to organic
agricultural practices and support from various sectors such as entrepreneurs and
the government. The government, on the other handcrafted policies, allocated
money and provided technical support for the practitioners.
Resulting Patters of Interaction
The support of the local government for the practitioners and civil society
provided legitimacy to the organic movement and encourage entrepreneurs
to invest in organic agriculture. Figure 1 illustrates a pattern of interaction in
marketing which shows the integration of the small farmers to civil society
organizations, to federations and to a social entrepreneur with a farm tourist area
and a market outlet in uptown Robinsons’ Mall.
Figure 1. Patterns of Interaction in Marketing of Organic Produce
The Uy Family became active in organic agriculture in 2005 and actively
participated in the movement, eventually investing in organic agriculture. It
set-up Puro Organics which packages organic specialty rice, coffee and honey
and makes piyaya (a local food specialty) to be sold in its market outlet, Fresh
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Volume 14 · March 2015
Start Organics in uptown Robinson’s mall and in its farm tourism site. Fresh
start organics also serves organic fruits and meals. The family business also
has its own farms planted to lettuce and herbs and a distillery which processes
essential oils to produce personal care products. Moreover, Fresh start integrates
organic produce coming from other companies, civil society such as MUAD
(Multi-Sectoral Alliance for Development), farmer federation such as ONOPRA
(Organik na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association. This pattern of
interaction was made possible primarily because of the involvement of all of these
key individuals in the organic agriculture movement.
Collaboration Model in Mainstreaming Organic Agriculture
Mainstreaming organic agriculture could not have occurred without
collaboration among the various stakeholders namely, practitioners, NGOs,
civil society and technocrats who played key roles in the advocacy, business
development, policy making and provision of support to OA. Collaboration is
defined as a “mechanism by which a newly negotiated order emerges from a set of
stakeholders” (Gray in Williams and Sullivan 2007). Figure 1 shows the resulting
collaboration model in organic agriculture of Negros Occidental as interpreted
and designed by the authors.
Various International Environmental Movement, Agreements
Figure 1. Collaboration Model in Organic Agriculture
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IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation
The model shows the critical activities undertaken and the lead actors in each
of the critical activities. Advocacy and development of organic practice were
pushed through by NGOs and practitioners while the key actors in the business
development were the social entrepreneurs supported by the practitioners
and NGOs. Legitimation, through legislations and provision of support was
spearheaded by the government agencies supported by NGOs and entrepreneurs
who helped in the crafting of the low and advocated the provision of various
support from the government. Lastly, it is in the implementation of programs
where all of the various stakeholders, which includes now the consumers
converge. The collaboration merited from various environmental factors such
as the growing health consciousness of the people, the strong NGO movement,
support from key politicians such as the Governor as well as from the various
international movements and agreements. The success of the collaboration could
not have occurred had it not been to the resulting synergy of the actions of key
stakeholders as well as the facilitating factors in the environment.
Strengths of the government’s organizational innovative responses
Some positive observations from the above organizational innovations include
the ability of the government to influence partners, allocation of resources and
the collaboration among various stakeholders. The first relate to the presence
of ordinances. Ordinances carry the strength of a law – thus have the power
to command stakeholders to do what is expected of them as within specifically
defined. Those who submit to the ordinances are given incentives It also inspires
pro-active partners from all sectors (government, NGOs, business organization)
to do more and justifies their actions to promote their advocacies in the organic
movement.
The second refers to the allocation of resources which fund the various
activities of the organic agriculture movement. The projects under the Organic
Agriculture Development Program address some of the needs of the organic
industry, thus provide justification for financial support and assigning of personnel
to manage such resources. Lastly, the presence of designated operating units and
individuals to focus on specific activities allows for more effective coordination
in the organization (of government institutions) both internal and external. As a
result of these organizational innovations, the three levels of government could
harmoniously assist the grassroots in the marketing of their produce.
Complementing the government innovations are positive environmental
factors. Among these are the vigilance of civil society which led to national
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Volume 14 · March 2015
policy frameworks in favor of environmental management and protection. The
campaign of the civil society greatly influenced government officials and which
led to the adoption of policy frameworks such as the Agenda 21.
One very important factor was the heightened consciousness among
consumers who were seeking food produced using alternative ways of production
that do not pose a threat to the environment nor compromise health. As a result,
there was a market for organic produce which emphasized the environmental and
health benefits of their production systems and their food produce.
The various collaborative activities of the actors in terms of advocacy work,
various activities such as mobilization and federation of people’s organization and
consolidation of organic produce to facilitate marketing, as well as participation
of the various programs, were key to the strength of the organic movement
which made Negros Occidental the leading province in organic agriculture in
the Philippines.
Weaknesses of the above innovations
Overall, the weakness of governments’ organizational innovations lies in
their reactive stance on the organic movement. While the civil society has gone
far ahead, the government has plenty to do to keep pace with the changing
agriculture context. Some specific weaknesses of the above innovations are
inherent to their very nature. For instance, designations are temporary. Besides,
designated personnel also perform other functions associated with their
permanent appointment in service.
It is also a weakness to assign the management of the Organic Agriculture
Development Program of OPA under a small unit with a very specialized
function of laboratory and research. Granted the basis for such an assignment
is the competence of the present staff in the section, the task associated with
the program is too huge for a small unit notwithstanding its regular function.
Organic agriculture is a cross-cutting practice that involves the functions of
extension, marketing, credit and production, among others.
Since this study merely described in qualitative terms the extent of how far
the organic movement has gone by examining innovative policies that promote
organic agriculture, it can be said that there is high subjectivity of findings in
the described weaknesses within the bounded system. The investment of the
Department of Agriculture to conduct impact assessment can provide hard data
on the movement’s farm level impact.
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IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation
CONCLUSIONS
The government’s innovation policies were significant contributions to the
organic movement - with the province now recognized as the leading organic
agriculture in the whole of the Philippines. The changing context of agriculture
has proven a challenge for government agencies that are carrying out fixed
mandates. The Collaboration Model illustrates the facilitating environmental
factors and the key roles played by various stakeholders that strengthened the
organic movement in Negros Occidental. While the initial push came from the
civil society and the government was a late player, it cannot be denied that the
role it played significantly influenced the movement in terms of its scope, pacing
and outcome. It takes organizational innovations or the application of new ways
in the organization to give full support to the institutionalization.
The collaboration model provides activists and policy makers with an
analytical framework on how to promote synergy among key stakeholders and
what environmental factors to influence in order to facilitate collaboration. The
mainstreaming of the movement as a result of the collaboration among key
stakeholders was greatly facilitated and legitimized with the innovation policies
of the local government through its official campaigns, promotion, technical and
monetary support and regulatory policies.
This paper highlights government policy and organizational innovations that
were carried out, particularly in the level of the local government units such
as: institution of ordinances in support of the organic movement; adoption of
organic programs and projects to help the grassroots in the organic villages;
and designation of focal units and individuals whose major role is to effectively
coordinate all organic concerns in their respective agencies.
These innovations demonstrated the ability of the government to carry out
functions that are not regularly carried out. As such, strengthening collaborations
in various undertakings could help address weaknesses in the government’s
response.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The various stakeholders should step up their collaborative efforts to reach
the goal of 10% share of organic produce in the Negros market by conducting
research and improving extension work among farmers to increase the number of
organic producers and improve marketing of the organic produce.
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Volume 14 · March 2015
Studies that investigate cropping patterns that significantly control pests and
improve soil condition should be investigated to help farmers determine the best
combination of crops within a particular plot. Moreover, financial analysis for
different sizes of farms and combination of crops should be conducted as a way
to establish the profitability of the practice and encourage farmers to convert to
organic farming.
The government should also step in to assist farmers by employing value-
adding techniques to enhance packaging of organic produce as well as the
other products of the farmers. Processing and packaging of organic rice have
to be enhanced in order to reduce infestation and lengthen shelf life. Likewise,
improvement of processing and packaging of products from lemon grass, planted
along the borders of plots could enhance farmer income. Research on derivative
products from organic rice, such as the bran, as well as the promotion of business
interest for these, can increase farmer income.
Moreover, there is a need to translate scientific information into the
vernaculars of users of research results. These can be packaged into information
education and communication (IEC) materials, i.e. brochures, posters, paintings,
radio play and video clips, and other media forms that are innovative, accessible
and affordable to them.
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
To reach out to more farmers, there is a need to translate scientific information
into the vernaculars of users of research results. These can be packaged into
information education and communication (IEC) materials, i.e. brochures,
posters, paintings, radio play and video clips, and other media forms that are
innovative, accessible and affordable to them. Organic farming practices can
be presented in the form of brochures, with the environmental benefits and
economic gains to be highlighted. Given that organic agriculture is a priority
of the government, video production by the government extension agency
regarding experiences of stakeholders along the value chain – the cooperatives
producing vermicasts, the small holder practitioners, the farmer groups which
collect the produce to be sold to businessmen, the businessmen, the certifying
body, as well as the consumers, should be prepared for distribution to different
local government units and NGOs supporting organic agriculture to help them
in their extension work.
Lastly, the movement needs to encompass younger members of the society as
they will be the decision makers in the future. To continue organic farming, the
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IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation
campaign has to include the younger generation through various means such as
storytelling and authentic learning experiences for the primary school students.
For the middle school and college students, the Department of Agriculture has to
actively collaborate with schools to mainstream the topic on organic agriculture
to reach out not only to future farmers, policy makers and businessmen who will
champion the movement, but also to the future consumers whose critical support
is necessary for the success of this movement.
LITERATURE CITED
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