LA TRINIDAD, Benguet: The First National Scientific Conference on Organic Agriculture is set on Tuesday until Saturday at the Agriculture Training Institute in Benguet State University (BSU) in this capital town known for its vegetables, strawberries and flowers. The conference with the theme, “Philippine Organic Agriculture Competitiveness in the Asean,” will provide a venue for the systematic sharing of organic agriculture technologies and experiences and to facilitate massive dissemination and wider application of the practice.

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Benguet town pioneers organic farming

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET: The municipality of Tublay is aiming to get high-end markets in Metro Manila to encourage more farmers practice organic agriculture and get higher profits.

Tublay made history by being the first municipal government in the country to pass an ordinance institutionalizing organic agriculture which was later recognized by the provincial board of Benguet.

The passing of the ordinance was historic because it was the first in the Philippines since the passage of the Organic Agriculture Act in 2010.

The municipal council considered the passing of the ordinance as a response to the need of the people clamoring for a system that will discourage too much reliance on costly synthetic farm inputs which may result to adulterated or synthetically–laced foods and vegetables.

The municipal leaders are now looking to open more outlets and markets for the organically–grown vegetables, root crops and rice.

The town produces cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli and rice, among others.

Initially, the municipal traders targeted to market at least one ton of organic vegetables which can be increased depending on the demand.

Instead of inorganic inputs, the municipality promoted the production of compost through vermiculture and wood vinegar or “mokosaku” introduced by the Japan International Cooperative Agency.

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