Agricultural Approach: Organic Agriculture
Organic Farming in Rice Farms
Climate Adaptation Effectiveness
In comparison to conventional rice farming practices, organic rice farming is found to be much more climate resilient and sustainable. The farming techniques promote crop, farm, and landscape diversity providing the community the capacity to adapt to climate hazards and reduce the vulnerability of the farm [1].
Climate Hazards
- Drought
- Rain-Induced Flooding
Locations
- Negros Occidental, Region VI (Western Visayas)
Adaptation Sectors
- Agriculture
CCET Instuments
- Action Delivery
Target Group based on Vulnerability
Basic Sectors:
- Children
- Farmers and Landless Rural Workers
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Senior Citizens
- Women
- Youth and Students
Evaluations
Economic / Financial Effectiveness
During the transition from conventional to organic farming, it has been observed that yield is lower due to the previous state of the soil due to various inorganic chemicals used. Once the soil quality improves and the techniques are properly adopted, there will be a noticeable increase in yield and income. The use of organic fertilizers also decreases the production cost contributing to overall low operating cost [1].
Technical Feasibility
Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura (MASIPAG), a local organization which advocates organic farming provides training and technical assistance to the farmers transitioning from conventional practices. MASIPAG notes that the said transition can be challenging as it takes time to learn new farm management strategies and to rebuild soil health but these are trumped by benefits in the long-term such as improvement in yield, income, and environmental quality [1].
Social Acceptability
As of 2017, only 1.89% of the agricultural lands in the Philippines practice organic farming [3]. In Negros Occidental, the number rose to 4.8% [2]. The hesitation in adaptation is due to the initial cost of acquiring the technology and materials, the need to learn new management strategies, and the low return of yield at the initial phases of implementation. Farmers are much more responsive to this solution if the efforts are supported by the government and incentives are present to aid the farmers during the transition [1].
Environmental Impact
Organic rice farming practices involve water conservation measures and the use of organic fertilizer to prevent land degradation and enhance soil quality. The variation in crops, farming techniques, and landscape promotes the sustainability and climate resilience of the farm. By reducing external input, alternative energy sources such as renewable energy are tapped to power equipment used. The lack of chemical input also lowers soil acidification of the farmland [1].
Mitigation co-benefit
Organic farming prevents or reduces the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.
Keywords
organic rice farming, organic agriculture, climate resilient, soil conservation, organic fertilizer, water conservation
References