While we have a national law that mandates the development and promotion of organic agriculture in the Philippines (RA 10068), the country still relies heavily pesticide-intensive food production systems posing corresponding health risks to Filipinos. Those who want to have access to safe and healthy food may have to pay for more given that only few farmers remain in the Philippines. Organic farmers themselves are challenged to continue in their practice since they are more vulnerable to crop damage when surrounded by farms that engage in chemical-intensive fertilizers and pesticides.
In Davao City with 60% of its land area devoted to agriculture, the Organic Agriculture Ordinance passed in April 28, 2010 asserts that organic farming shall prevail over any other activity in the agricultural sector. In accordance with its mandate to protect the health of its citizens, the city declared Brgy. Sibulan as its first organic agriculture zone in 2018. The Ordinance protects the zone from “encroachment and contamination of using chemical-based farm inputs, mining, including contamination of genetically engineered crops and other similar activities.” Through an organic market set on Thursdays and Fridays, made possible by the City Government, the public has increased access to affordable, safe and chemical-free food supporting livelihood of Davao organic farmers.
Benefits
- Contribute to food security, food sufficiency, ecological sustainability and well-being of the people
- Empower small and marginalized farmers in the agricultural sector
- Conserve indigenous farm knowledge and practices on organic agriculture, including those that relate to seed conservation and propagation
- Protect the welfare of organic farmers and their organic farms and products
- Promote biodiversity
Learn more about organic farming.