How Going Organic Farming Is Healthy For The Farmer, Buyers And Community

The current lockdown of the world’s governments as common response to the perceived threat of the coronavirus or Covid-19, has dramatized the urgent need for good food, which can come only from good farm produce, and which in turn can come only from good agricultural practice – which includes organic farming.

The Department of Agriculture, DA, Region 4A, Calabarzon, covers Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon, and has its regional office at the RMIC Bldg in the BPI Compound along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City. From the Region 4A image, below is the statement from Alicia Valdoria, who is an organic farmer in Tayabas City in Quezon Province:

Walang sayang sa organic. ‘Yong nakukuha namin sa kapaligiran ay ibinabalik din namin sa kalikasan… Kung hindi natin papalaganapin ang pag-o-organic, balewala rin ang five percent na nag-o-organic. Dapat naintihand talaga ng mga tao ito.

Here is my free translation of Ms Alicia’s sharing:

Nothing is wasted in organic farming. Those we can gather from the surroundings are what we return to Mother Nature… If we do not spread the practice of organic farming, we 5% who are into organic are nothing. People should understand this.

In the image above, Ms Alicia is labeled Organic Agriculture Farmer. Implying that she follows the guidelines provided by the DA.

The text below the image is more than 300 words and in Tagalog; I will now translate some lines:

Yumi’s Farm, owned by Mrs Alicia Valdoria and her husband, supplies organic vegetables, foremost of which is lettuce (iceberg) at the markets of Tayabas and other consumers. The demand is great of their harvest. They can sell 50 kg everyday at P200/kilo. The farm is now focusing on the system of continuous and voluminous production of lettuce to cater to the demands of eateries and hotels nearby.

The triumph of Yumi’s Farm, more of supplying organic foods, has paved the way for the formation of the Ilayang Bukal Organic Farmers' Association (IBOFA), which is helping 49 families to earn and serve healthy foods in their own households via organic methods. With the leadership of Mrs Valdoria, the IBOFA farmers are awakening the consciousness of youth about organic agriculture. They are also sponsoring some youths up to and including studying in college.

Mrs Valdoria and her group acknowledge the program and support of the DA in terms of farm equipment, farm inputs, and training. She is only one of the many farmers in Calabarzon who continue to exhibit industry and inspire people in their communities. Thereby, they help keep agriculture alive as one of the most important sectors of society.

May is the month dedicated to our farmers and fishers, according to Presidential Proclamation 33. Let us show our high respect and acknowledgment of their worth by buying from them, not wasting food, and giving thanks!

Let us join our farmers and fishers journeying towards bounteous harvests and bountiful income!

So, via organic farming, Mrs Valdoria is cultivating good food, good business, and good neighbors. I admire you, Mrs Valdoria. You are exemplary!@517