BACOLOD CITY—Up to 15,000 hectares of agricultural land in Negros Occidental have been utilized for organic farming as of 2015, figures of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) showed.
The total area is 25 percent higher than the 10,000 hectares devoted to organic crops in 2013.
Armigenia Benedicto, OPA provincial focal person for organic program, said the increase in the hectarage of farms converted to organic farming is one of the province’s major accomplishments last year under its food-security agenda.
The 15,000-hectare organic farms in the province, including organic by default areas, are being cultivated by about 9,000 organic farmers across all towns and cities in Negros Occidental. The largest organic farms are in Hinobaan town and cities of San Carlos and Silay.
In terms of commodities, high-value commercial crops, particularly vegetables and rice, are the most locally produced, Benedicto said.
“We are very glad to note that more farmers are going organic, and it means many are already looking at it as a way of achieving food security,” she added, stressing that using chemicals in farming not only poses health risks, but also destroys the land.
“Organic agriculture is the call of the time. On top of being one of the most effective means of mitigating climate change, through this system of farming, we are also reviving our source,” she added.
In 2015 on top of counterpart-funds from the Department of Agriculture and private sector, OPA has shelled out about P8 million for the implementation of various programs, the biggest was the hosting 10th Negros Island Farmers Festival and 12th National Organic Agriculture Congress.
Of the 5-percent organic land-conversion target this year, Benedicto said that, currently, the province is at almost at 3 percent.
“We are positive that we will reach the 5-percent target through continuous implementation of programs and projects, like trainings, information dissemination and field exposures for farmers,” Benedicto said.