1

Overview of Organic Agriculture

2
Organic Agriculture in the
Philippines
1. Organic Agriculture Act
2. Philippine National Standard for
OA
1. Overview of Organic Agriculture
HISTORY
Original type of agriculture and practiced for thousands of
years.

1760 to 1840 - the industrial revolution introduced inorganic

methods, some of which had serious side effects.

1930’s and 1940’s – organic movement began as a reaction to

agriculture’s growing reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
 HISTORY
1940’s - the term was first coined by Walter James in his book
“Look to the Land”, in which he talked about a natural and
ecological approach to farming. He focused on the “farm as an
organism,” and his ideas were fundamental in the creation of the
worldwide organic farming movement.

1962 - Rachel Carson came out with her book "Silent Spring"
which highlighted the effects of DDT and other pesticides on
wildlife, the natural environment, and humans. Carson called for
humans to act in a more responsible manner and be stewards
of the earth instead of destroying it.
Sir Albert Howard - is widely considered to
be the “father of organic farming”.

Rudolf Steiner - an Austrian philosopher,

made important strides in the earliest organic
theory with his biodynamic agriculture .
• OA is an integrated production management system which
promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including
biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity
(FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission, 2007).

• It emphasizes the use of natural inputs (i.e. mineral and

products derived from plants) and the renunciation of
synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Organic farming is not just avoiding the
use of harmful inputs. Rather, it is also
a way of life that respects nature and
other living things including humans.
Organic agriculture follow the principles and logic of a
living organism, in which all elements are closely linked to
each other:
• soil
• plant
• farm animals
• insects
• the farmer
• local conditions
OA uses natural ecosystem as model.
Organic agriculture shares many techniques
used by other sustainable agricultural
approaches, example:
•intercropping,
•crop rotation,
•mulching,
•integration of crops and livestock.
According with the Guidelines of Organically Food Produce of
the Codex Alimentarius (2007), an organic production system
is designed to:
✓Enhance biological diversity within the whole system;
✓Increase soil biological activity;
✓Maintain long-term soil fertility;
✓ Recycle wastes of plant and animal origin in order to return
nutrients to the soil, thus minimizing the use of non-renewable
resources;
✓Rely on renewable resources in locally organized agricultural
systems;
✓Promote the healthy use of soil, water and air as well as
minimize all forms of pollution that may result from
agricultural practices;
✓Promote the careful processing methods of agricultural
products in order to maintain the organic integrity and vital
qualities of the product at all stages;
✓Become established on any existing farm through a period of
conversion, the appropriate length of which is determined by
site-specific factors such as the history of the land, and type of
crops and livestock to be produced.
● contribute to the enhancement of sustainability.

Sustainability - refers to the successful management of

agricultural resources to satisfy human needs while at the same
time maintaining or enhancing the quality of the environment
and conserving natural resources for future generations.

Sustainability in organic farming must be seen in a holistic

sense, which includes:
● ecological,

● economic and

● social aspects.
 Low investments
Economic security
Good and constant yields
Economically viable
Economic Low external inputs
Added value aims
Make best use of local resources
Good working conditions
Organic Ecosystem balance
Fair trade Agriculture
Ensure food supply No chemical pollution
Social aims Ecological aims High soil fertility
Satisfy local needs
Clean water
Gender balance
Biological diversity
Respect the local culture
Animal friendly husband
Good taste and quality
Conserve natural resources
• Generate 30% more OA, how • Promising higher yield
employment in rural
areas and labor to attain compared to low input
achieves higher conventional
returns per unit of
Economic agriculture.
labor input. sustainability?
ADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
• Reduces cost of production inputs
• Restores soil health
• Improves biodiversity
• Protects the environment
• Protects the health of farmers and consumers
• Organic food has a longer shelf-life
• Organic food tastes better than conventional products
• Organic food is more nutritious than conventional products
DISADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
• Initially requires additional labor
• Yields may be reduced initially during the
conversion period from conventional to organic
agriculture
• Certification and standards are costly
• Research and support for organics is
somewhat limited
• z
 2
1. Organic Agriculture Act Organic Agriculture in
the Philippines
2. Philippine National Standard for OA
Organic Agriculture in the Philippines
• 1980s the concept of Sustainable Agriculture was
promoted due to the negative effects of the green
revolution in 1960s and 70s were becoming apparent.

• In recent years high consumer demand for safe organic

products is increasing due to their growing awareness on
the adverse effects to human health and the
environmental threats brought by the synthetic fertilizer
and pesticide used in conventional farming.
Organic Agriculture in the Philippines
• Advocacy for OA increased with the intervention of people’s
organization (POs) and NGOs in seeking environmental
protection from conventional agriculture.
• The first step focused mainly on rice “most politically important
commodity” also the staple food (PhilDHRRA, 2004).
• Followed by organic colored unpolished rice,
muscovado sugar, garlic, herbs, ginger, lowland and highland
vegetables, coconut, guava, products, fruit passion, bananas,
pineappples, santol, and guyabano
Organic Agriculture Act (OAA)
On April 6, 2010 the Organic Agriculture Act (OAA) of 2010 or
Republic Act 10068 was passed, a declaration of policy of the
State to promote, propagate, develop further and implement
the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines that will:
• cumulatively condition and enrich the fertility of the soil
• increase farm productivity
• reduce pollution and destruction of the environment
• prevent the depletion of natural resources
• further protect the health of the farmers, consumers and the
general public, and save on imported farm inputs.
OAA covers:
1. policy formulation;
2. research, development and extension;
3. establishment of processing facilities for
organic fertilizers and other farm inputs;
and
4. provision of support services for farmers
and other stakeholders.
 OAA Amendment
● The organic agriculture movement in the Philippines
celebrated a significant event on 23 December 2020. It was
on this day that the Republic Act 11511, or Amendments to
Organic Agriculture (OA) Act of 2010, was signed into law
by President Rodrigo Duterte.
● RA 11511, as an amendment to RA 10068, declared the
comprehensive government policy of the Philippines to
promote and further develop the practice of organic
agriculture (OA) in the country, and promote community-
based organic agriculture systems.
MAIN ACTORS INVOLVED IN PROMOTING OA

1. Through the Implementing Rules and

Regulations (IRR) of the OAA, a National Organic
Agriculture Board (NOAB) was created to
formulate policies, plans, programs and projects to
develop and promote organic agriculture in terms of
production, processing and marketing. NOAB provides
the direction for the smooth implemention of the
National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP).
 The NOAB is composed of the following:
1. Chairperson Secretary of the DA or his Undersecretary
2. Vice-Chair Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
3. Members Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
Department of Environmental and Natural Resources
(DENR)
Department of Education (DepEd)
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Department of Health (DOH)
4. Rep from small Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao
farmers group (3)
5. One representative from a Non-Government Organization (NGO)
6. One representative from an agricultural college or university
7. One representative from the private sector or agribusiness firm.
2. Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Products and
Standards (DA-BAFPS), the national technical and
administrative secretariat of the NOAB and
coordinates with other agencies in implementing the OA
programs approved by the NOAB.

3. Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR),

assists in the formulation and implementation of
unified and integrated OA Research, Development and
Extension (RDE) plans and programs (national to field
level).
4. Department of Education (DepEd) to include OA in its
curriculum for all elementary and secondary school levels.
(Section 23 of OAA)

5. Local executive committees – Governor of every province

with the assistance of BAFPS/DA-Regional Field Units, Mayor
and local executive committee of every municipality.

Proceso J. Alcala - is considered as the 'Father of Organic

Agriculture' in the Philippines, being the principal author of the
Organic Agricultural Act of 2010 (RA 10068).
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD FOR OA
PNS OA – originally prepared and adopted in 2003.
Purpose: promote OA and enhance market
competitiveness by providing a uniform approach
to the requirements on:
• conversion,
• crop production,
• livestock,
• processing,
• special products,
• labeling, and
• consumer information.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD FOR OA
Scope:
Part 1. Conversion to OA
Part 2. Crop Production
Part 3. Livestock
Part 4. Beekeeping
Part 5. Processing
Part 6. Special products
Part 7. Labeling and consumer information
Part 8. Traceability and record keeping
Part 9. Requirements for the inclusion of substance for organic
production
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD FOR OA
Definition of terms: (43 important terms)
1. Agricultural product/product of agricultural origin
2. Animal
3. Animal production
4. Annual crop
5. Biodegradable inputs
6. Biodiversity
7. Biosecurity
8. Breeding
9. Buffer zone
10. Certification
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD FOR OA
11. Commingling
12. Compost
13. Contamination
14. Conventional
15. Conversion period/transition period
16. Crop rotation
17. Disinfecting
18. Farm unit
19. Food additive
20. Genetically engineered/modified organisms (GEO/GMO’s)
21. Green manure
22. Habitat
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD FOR OA
23. Herb
24. High conservation value areas
25. Homeopathic
26. In-conversion/conversion to organic
27. Ingredient
28. Inspection
29. Ionizing radiation (irradiation)
30. Isolated nutrients
31. Labeling
32. Organic agriculture
33. Organic integrity
34. Organic produce
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD FOR OA
35. Organic product
36. Organic management plan
37. Parallel production
38. Perennial
39. Processing aid
40. Sanitizing
41. Split production
42. Synthetic
43. Wild harvest
ASSIGNMENT #1: Essay - Free
Style (1 whole yellow paper)

What makes organic agriculture

a unique agricultural
management system?
 References
● Blesilda M. Calub, Edna Luisa A. Matienzo. 2013. Organic Agriculture
● Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards. 2018. The National Organic Agriculture Program
● Organic Agriculture: A Global Perspective, Edited by Paul Kristiansen, Acram Taji and John Reganold

● http://organic.da.gov.ph/index.php/2016-12-02-08-48-43/iec-materials

● https://bafs.da.gov.ph/bafs_admin/admin_page/pns_file/2021-03-01-BAFS%20PNS%2007-2016%20Organic%20Agriculture.pdf