Davao City Council okays organic farming ordinance

A group advocating organic agriculture lauded the City Council on its approval last week of the Organic Agriculture Ordinance. Go Organic Davao City (GODC), a network of sustainable agriculture advocates and practitioners actively lobbied for the mainstreaming and institutionalization of organic agriculture in the city.
Elvira Anduyan, head coordinator of GODC, said the ordinance even preceded the National Organic Agriculture Act which is still pending signing into law by President Arroyo. “Once again, this ordinance shows that Davao City is thinking of the welfare of the small farmers. It will promote and support farmers who are practicing organic farming.”
The ordinance mandates the local government to capacitate farmers through education on organic farming and marketing of their products. Part of the promotion of organic farming is the identification of organic agriculture zones based on the minimum criteria set by the ordinance. A budget of PP10 million is also allotted for its implementation.
Essentially, the ordinance will be an enabling mechanism to benefit small farmers (or those who own three hectares or less). It also aims to ensure the sustainability of organic farming through a management council headed by the city government in coordination with nongovernment organizations, international organizations, the city agriculture office and other related agencies.
For one, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region 11 office headed by Lornito Orillaneda is one of the steadfast supporters of the ordinance. Orillaneda claims that the PCA is strongly promoting organic farming.
The ordinance also mandates the creation of an Organic Seed or Gene Bank which will produce and supply endemic or indigenous seeds to the farmers.
Jose Nobleza, the director of the Organic Center of Davao City and GODC member, said the ordinance will be a step-up for what the organic farmers have been doing. A value chain analysis and organic agriculture model farms will further the cause of organic farming and healthy living.
Other local governments, like in Trento in Agusan del Sur and Arakan Valley in Cotabato Province have already institutionalized organic farming as the main agricultural practice in their municipalities. [Nena Morales]