TRAILS UP NORTH

Glo Abaeo Tuazon
4th Cordilleran organic congress

In today’s world everything seem to be genetically modified to cope up with what we term as getting on with the times and civilization. We conform to everything new and modern, and it didn’t spare us even in the field of food and its production. Going into the topic of agriculture, one which is as diverse and to say the least an art and science at that is like discussing the human anatomy at most.

Artificial fertilizers were first introduced during the late 18th century. Using the Haber-Bosch process developed during the era of the First World War, the use of superphosphates and then ammonia were integrated into fertilizers prodding its mass production. In the 1940’s the “pesticide era” was well on its way to fame.

Today, environmental awareness and concern is becoming a movement. Going back to the basics is what we needed to try to save our environment and the deterioration of the human body by the recent flooding of genetically altered and modified food we take in everyday. These days the world is slowly entering the “organic” civilization.

In world agriculture, organic farming and animal tending only compose a small percentage. The reason of course is because most farmers are still into the usual supply-driven cause for larger incomes. Small proportion as may be, organic agriculture remains small in output but is now gaining popularity as a demand-driven cause, is growing rapidly in many countries especially in Europe. Other countries are on its trail.

In the Philippines, the movement is not lost. Take the case of the recently concluded 4th Cordillera Organic Congress. With the theme, “Go smart, go global, go organic,” the three-day event was held in the spacious grounds of the ISCAF campus in Nayon, Lamut, Ifugao and is participated in by Cordillera provinces.

The event was graced by Ifugao Gov. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. who gave the opening speech. He is known to support environmental causes and urges more farmers and livestock raisers to back the cause. Booths were put up to sell and promote organic products, along with other activities and talks given by reliable and prominent speakers.

Through it all, organic agriculture will go nowhere without people learning the basics and rationale of the movement. Why organic? It is widely believed that organic food is healthier, although contested by others. Most people consuming organic food, according to research, have lower probability of health risks.

It is for the reason that organic foods do not have as much of the undesirable chemicals which are into conventional foods. In Lagawe, Fr. Marion Buyagawan of SADC specializes on the introduction of local produce and of healthy eating habits. In garden plots inside the campus of Don Bosco High School, Ifugao, Fr. Marion teaches school children the ways and means of organic gardening.

In a small hut way at the back are drums filled with “concoctions” or organic fertilizers. Chopped and shredded leaves of unwanted weeds and plants mixed with organisms found naturally in the environment. This and such others as compost and mulch, plant “teas”, green manure and all are being incorporated to the children’s curriculum. Such practice must also be adopted by other schools in other provinces.

This education would prod and inculcate in the minds of the young the importance and values of healthy living and caring for the environment as well.

For more inspirations on organing farming visit the organic farms of Maligcong, Bontoc, Mt. Province and the organic gardens or Mr. Pat Acosta (Master's Garden) in La Trinidad, Benguet. -- Email: twilight_glo@yahoo.com