SPM Mosuela Proposes Organic Farming vs. Fertilizers in LU

By: Rafael C. Mosuela, GPC-SP

A proposed ordinance promoting and developing organic agriculture and biodiversity conservation has been introduced in La Union.

Proponent Board Member Jennifer C. Mosuela, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Laws, Rules and Privileges, said the ordinance aims to expand the practice of organic farming in the province, educate stakeholders on the principles of sustainable organic farming and promote the development of organic practice.

“With the price of our main agricultural produce, rice, going down, it is about time for our farmers to take a good look at organic agriculture where the produce commands higher prices. Many of our constituents are becoming health conscious and they turn to crops and vegetables from organic farms. Moreover, it is one mode of protecting the environment as provided in Section 13 of R.A 10068 otherwise known as the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 wherein Section 13 promotes organic agriculture and protection of the environment. The National Organic Agriculture Program of the province shall constantly devise and implement ways of producing organic fertilizers and other farms inputs needs on and off the farm while helping to alleviate problems in sorting, collecting and composting. The Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS) and Department of Agriculture (DA) shall conduct continuing studies, with consultations among the people and officials involved as well as People’s Organizations and Non-Government Organizations in order to advise local governments from the barangay to the provincial level on the collection and disposal of garbage and waste to provide raw materials for the production of organic fertilizers and other farm inputs,” Mosuela explained.

The proposed ordinance covers the implementation of organic agricultural programs, projects and activities including the provision and delivery of support services with focus on the farmers and other stakeholders. The scope of the proposed measure includes the search for the Most Outstanding Farmer in Organic Agriculture Award Ordinance of 2020.

Under the proposed ordinance, the Provincial Technical Committee on Organic Agriculture shall act in coordination with and assistance of the BAFPS and DA-Regional Field Units to implement activities in line with the National Organic Agricultural Program within the province.