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Organic
agriculture is among the more rapidly expanding trends in Filipino
consumerism nowadays. Ironically, there are no local livestock products
that are truly “organic” in the strict sense.
This was among
the major realizations of the participants at the seminar-workshop
on organic animal production organized by PCARRD last 22 May at
its headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna.
Indeed, there
are technically no organic livestock products in the local market
as there is no animal farm that is certified organic yet in the
country.
For animal products
to be truly organic, according to experts, their production must
be anchored on the principles of health (sustains and enhances the
health of the soil, plant, animal), ecology (based on ecological
systems and cycles), fairness (with regard to the common environment
and life opportunities), and care (protects the well-being of current
and future generations and the environment).
Resource person,
Ms. Jacqueline H. Alleje, a member of the International Federation
of Organic Agriculture Movements stressed that organic agriculture
involves all agricultural systems that promote the environmentally,
socially, and economically sound production of food and fibers.
She added that
it aims to optimize quality in all aspects of agriculture and environment
and refrains from the use of chemosynthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Dr. Rectorino
Escobin of the University of the Philippines Los Baños and
Ms. Lara Vivas of the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product
Standards also served as resource persons with Dr. Edwin C. Villar,
Director for Livestock Research of PCARRD leading the discussions.
With the great
deal of information exchanged during the seminar, local researchers,
technicians, animal raisers, and entrepreneurs were able to level
off their understanding on organic animal production system.
Organic
product certifying offices, non-government organizations, state
colleges and universities, the Department of Agriculture, local
government units and the private sector were well represented in
the seminar-workshop. (Jhoanna Frances S. Valdez, S&T Media
Service)
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