2. Organic Agriculture and
Agritourism:
Contributors to Philippine
Economic Development
Ernest Asence III
Agricultural Technician I
City Agriculture Office
LGU Naga City

3. Objectives

5. Environmental
degradation

6. Poverty,
lack of opportunities

7. Insecurity,
rising crime rates

8. Solid waste management

9. Agriculture

10. Agriculture sector faces inherent
threats, like the weather.
Poverty is most pronounced in
agriculture; 2 out of 3 poor persons are
from the farming sector
Manufacturing will provide good
quality jobs; farming should be linked to
manufacturing

11. FOOD ISSUES IN THE PHILIPPINES
• The Philippines is largely an agricultural
country.
• Agriculture and agribusiness constitute the
backbone of Philippine economy.
• Food scarcity and lack of access to food in
adequate quantities and of nutritional
value are widespread.

12. • Despite the seeming agricultural
abundance, the Philippines is locked in a
chronic food crisis and food security is
central issue.

13. Lack of access to wealth
creating assets
Land
Capital
Technology
Market

14. Low priority against urban
based enterprises, e.g.
services, manufacturing

15. What we can do
CHANGE and
CREATE

16. CHANGE
• use & protect our natural
resources
• nourish our families
• develop our communities
• meet the needs of society

17. CREATE
• ways to solve problems & create
value
• ways to do business
• jobs, products & services
• wealth

19. Organic Agriculture

20. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
• Organic farming is the production of
crops and livestock without the use of
synthetic chemicals and in-organic
fertilizers.

21. OOrrggaanniicc FFaarrmmiinngg:: AA GGrroowwiinngg TTrreenndd
• Consumer demand for organic farming is rising at 20%
per year.
• The highest growth is in Argentina, US, and China.
• People are growing conscious of adverse effects of
industrial agriculture,
where there is a focus on
maximizing profits
at the expense of health
and the environment.
How do you think industrial agriculture contributes to
global warming and water pollution?

22. Principles of Organic Agriculture
• The Principle of Health - Organic Agriculture
should sustain and enhance the health of soil,
plant, animal and human as one and
indivisible.
• The Principle of Ecology - Organic Agriculture
should be based on living ecological systems
and cycles, work with them, emulate them
and help sustain them.

23. • The Principle of Fairness - Organic Agriculture
should build on relationships that ensure
fairness with regard to the common
environment and life opportunities.
• The Principle of Care - Organic Agriculture
should be managed in a precautionary and
responsible manner to protect the health and
well being of current and future generations
and the environment.

24. Hazards ooff IInndduussttrriiaall AAggrriiccuullttuurree
What are the hazards of industrial agriculture?

25. HHeeaalltthh RRiisskkss:: IInndduussttrriiaall MMeetthhooddss
• Pesticide residues on produce
 remain after washing and peeling.
 have links to cancer.
• Antibiotics we ingest
 from plant and animal sources
 lead to the development of untreatable
superbugs
Do you worry about pesticide residues on or
antibiotics in your food? Explain.

26. AAddddiittiioonnaall HHeeaalltthh RRiisskkss
• Plant and animal growth hormones
 disrupt endocrine system.
 lead to early puberty.
• Biological engineering
 Unregulated items are
virtually invisible in stores.
 Manipulation of
genetic code could
impact health.
How do you think genetically modified food might
impact your health?

28. EEnnvviirroonnmmeennttaall HHaazzaarrddss
• Environmental hazards comprise air pollution, global
warming, and other problems.
• Synthetic fertilizers
 largest source of nitrous oxide
emissions
 300 times more toxic than carbon
dioxide gases
 will affect air pollution and intensify
global warming if continued
Are you concerned about air pollution in your
country? Why or why not?

29. AAuutthhoorriittiieess oonn WWaatteerr PPoolllluuttiioonn
• Animal waste, fertilizers, and pesticides leach into soil.
 They run off through irrigation and contaminate ground
water (large portion of water supply).
 They contain nitrates, which cause permanent damage to
ground water.
Are you concerned about water pollution in your
country? Why or why not?

30. DDeeaadd ZZoonneess iinn OOcceeaannss
• Preponderance of nitrogen in fertilizers
 helps crops grow; harms oceans
 generates algal overgrowth
• Algal overgrowth
 depletes oxygen
in water
 no plant or animal
can survive

31. UUnnssuussttaaiinnaabbllee SSooiill
• Industrial mono-cropping: one crop is planted
repeatedly on a single field.
 The process relies on the use of synthetic fertilizers.
 Mono-cropping kills microorganisms needed to produce soil
nutrients.
 Infertile soil leads to erosion,
unsustainable farmlands,
and reduced biodiversity.
If mono-cropping is destroying farmlands and
biodiversity, what is the alternative?

32. VViicciioouuss CCyyccllee
• Soil infertility leads to a vicious cycle
of fertilizer use.
 Increasing fertilizer use leads to
environmental hazards.
• Increased use of pesticides
 Only the fittest pests survive.
 Stronger pesticides are then needed.
What are the environmental hazards associated with
the use of pesticides?

33. CCrroopp RRoottaattiioonn
• Holistic farming techniques
 infuse soil with essential nutrients.
 ensure different crops are planted every year.
 vary the nutrient demand in soil.
 create sustainable soil.
How does organic farming affect soil?

34. AAnniimmaall WWeellffaarree
• Small-scale organic farms are
 less likely to confine livestock
to small spaces.
 against the use of antibiotics.
• Free-range farms
 allow animals to roam freely.
 reduce stress and susceptibility
to disease.
How do you feel about confining animals to small
spaces in order to produce food?

35. Issue of Genetic Diversity

38. The Garlic Problem

39. Urban Agriculture

40. CAgO Urban Garden

41. Benefits of Urban Agriculture
• Sense of fulfillment for producing the
food that they eat.
• Transformed sensitivity at their
environment as it will now mean a
source of what they eat to nourish their
body.

42. • Desire to grow more and raise more food as
they seem tastier and more nutritious aside
from the fact that they are safe from toxic
chemicals
• Changed regard to discarded materials, refuse,
rains, sunlight, air, soil, and degradable wastes
to something that can be used beneficially for
production of the food that can be readily
brought to the dining table without much
expense

43. Urban Container Gardening

44. Aquaponics

47. Agritourism
Agritourism is the practice of
attracting visitors and travelers to
agricultural areas, generally for
educational and recreational
purposes.

48. Benefits of Agritourism
For farmers
–Diversification of activities and income
–Protection against fluctuating conditions
–Increased on-farm revenue and employment
–Off-season revenue and employment
–Allows farmers to add value

49. Benefits of Agritourism
Increased business sustainability
Encourages/allows farmers to
keep their farms and pass them
down to future generations

50. Benefits of Agritourism
For tourists
–Nostalgic, rural, outdoor experiences
•Landscapes, activities, the way of life
–Education
•Agricultural practices, food production, rural
values
–Contribution to sustainability
–Access to healthy, fresh, local (+ organic) foods

51. Benefits of Agritourism
For the tourism industry
A new and underexploited market
–Enhancement and diversification of existing
destination regions
–New destination sites and regions
–Expanded season

52. Benefits of Agritourism
For society
–Contributes to rural economic development
–Builds support for agriculture and farmers
–Builds support for regional products
–Preservation of rural lands, buildings and
heritage

53. The Most Successful
Agritourism Product Combines
Farm Produce or Activity with
a Farm Experience

54. Three Levels of Agritourism
I. Sales – most basic – selling produce
direct to the consumer on-farm
II. Experiences – authentic (seasonal) farm
experiences
III. Destinations – large, year-round,
permanent retail shopping
destinations/facilities

56. Integrated Farming System