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| Clearly, organic or low external input methods can be a viable alternative for small scale rice growers in Aklan. The experiences of these and other local farmers confirm what IRRI scientists say, "in tropical South and Southeast Asia, where most rice -is grown, populations of insect pests are held in check in most instances by abundant conununities of natural enemies.... Rice plants, particularly high-tillering, modem varieties, have an amazing ability to compensate for damage by insect pests." |
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Yields
The per-hectare yields in the case studies are, respectively: Ben, 140; Myrna, 116; Tay Pedro, 80; Tay Odong, 70 and Eyoy, 32. Ben's LEISA field is the most productive, although Myrna's is also very productive for being rainfed. Having a full-timejob, Ben is able to pay cash for the fertilizer he uses, which increases production enough to be worth the investment.
The negative role of debt for the poorer farmers cannot be overstated. Like Ben, these farmers might find that if they could purchase fertilizer without going into debt, they could increase their profits. The down side to using fertilizer, however, is that the nitrogen can increase weed and insect problems. From the point of view of sustainability, fertilizer is less sustainable in that enormous amounts of fossil fuel are used to produce it, and it can pollute ground and surface water and interfere with the soil ecosystem. Ben's farm as a whole is probably the least sustainable of the case study farms in that he uses fertilizer and it is not diversified in time or space, except that the vermicompost comes from varied sources.
In considering the "before" pesticide use of the case study farmers, it seems likely that they were using chemicals improperly, judging from the perceived health effects, the poor results, and the chemical taste of the rice in the case of Myrna. 1 would recommend that chemical pesticides be sold only to famiers who have received training in the safe and proper use of the chemicals, as well as fines for farmers who spray without wearing the proper protective gear. (Such laws are already in effect in California, U.S.A.) If the costs for training and safety equipment were included in the price of the chemicals as they should be, the chemicals would be an even less attractive choice than now. The chemicals were originally introduced as "medicine" for the plants, downplaying their toxicity. While the health effects of pesticides have not been studied in Aklan, some cases of cancer of the skin and liver are suspected to be related to pesticide use.
The case study farmers may also have been applying too much seed when they direct-seeded the HYV'S, thus spending more on seed than necessary. This is a common problem with small-scale farmers in the Philippines.
However, even if the farmers received extensive training in modern chemical rice farming and used the proper amounts of seed and chemicals at the right time, the organic method would provide an appealing alternative in freeing them from debt and from the volatility of market prices of chemicals, giving them independence and control, good health, and a more stable and resilient farming system. The organic method is also more ecologically sustainable.
Many proponents of chemical agriculture say that, "Organic farming cannot feed the world." But chemical farming does not feed the world either, in that a billion or so people cannot afford to buy enough of the food it produces. In an area like Aklan that has unemployment and underemployment, the extra labor usually needed for organic farming is not a major drawback, and the lower cost helps the families of subsistence farmers to have more food. Organic farming gets them off the chemical "treadmill" and out of debt.
HYVvs. iTRV seeds
HYV's do produce high yields, even with LEISA methods. They have resistance to a wide range of pests and diseases. The advantages of iTRV's, though, are many. As with natural pest management, iTRV's give farmers more control, in that the farmers can grow and even breed the seeds themselves since the seeds are not hybrids. The seeds are inexpensive, if not free. Their use helps maintain genetic diversity in rice. They also tend to have more "stable resistance, particularly to diseases - with modem varieties possessing narrower-based and less stable resistance."
Agricultural technology and community organizing
The case studies also show the effectiveness of offering agricultural technology training and community organizing together. The directors of METSA, an NGO in Mindanao, have likewise found a synergistic effect with the two approaches combined together.
Attitudes toward organic farming
Farmers initially are very skeptical about organic farming, thinking it is backward or unprofitable. Organic farming is seen as simply not using chemicals and growing a poor crop as a result. (I have also found this attitude to be prevalent among the general public in the U.S. and Australia.) Somehow, we need to improve the image of organic farming as a sophisticated discipline in its own right. This may help in getting funding for research as well in persuading more farmers to try it. Perhaps, toward this end, we could make signs for the fields like the chemical companies do, with a pleasant logo and the word, "Organic."
Farmers'needs
I found several glaring needs among farmers that DEVELOPERS has barely begun to address. For one, the organic technology still has gaps in dealing with specific problems such as rats and rice bugs. Beyond organic technology, the farmers with rainfed fields need irrigation. Furthermore, the tenant farmers need to own their land. Finally, the farmers want to have more cash. Tay Odong's example, however, shows that it is possible for a landless farmer to save money and buy land.
Effects on the local economy
While it doesn't provide high-paying jobs, organic farming can help keep money in the local economy because the farmers aren't buying inputs manufactured in distant places. If a large number of small farmers went organic, it might cause a loss ofjobs among local agro-chemical retail stores. However, it might create markets for locally produced vermicompost, herbal pesticides, and beneficial insects. (The production of beneficial insects is a thriving business in Califomia.)
Furthermore, if markets could be found for organic rice, it could increase the flow of money into the barangays. Right now none of the farmers involved with DEVELOPERS are getting a premium for their rice being organic.
Research to pursue
Along with finding organic markets, DEVELOPERS and other organizations could study the best way for farmers to transition to organic methods. For subsistence farmers, even one bad season can bring hunger, so making a smooth transition is important. Likewise, the iTRV's can always undergo further improvement. In addition, as mentioned earlier, DEVELOPERS attempts to address specific technological problems in response to requests by the farmers. Furthermore, while the organic method is holistic, some of the specific herbal pesticides and other IKS could be tested scientifically to see how effective they are. (At least, unlike agro-chemicals, they are not likely to be harmful.) DEVELOPERS also plans to teach farmers how to use the scientific method on their own farms to do simple experiments, as recommended by Roland Bunch in Two Ears of Corn. Thus the fanners would be even flinher empowered to develop their own agriculture.
Another challenge is to facilitate farmers in learning from each other, in a culture where reading is not a common pastime. DEVELOPERS facilitates such interaction through the trainings, P.O.'s, and sending farmers to conferences and training centers, and on "exposure" trips to other farms. The extension office at ASCA takes the creative approach of providing a radio talk show.
Areas of growth for DEVELOPERS
DEVELOPERS is also planning to increase its repertoire of trainings. The next to be added will be DIOFS, using Henry's farm as an example. They are also initiating a formal system for obtaining feedback from the farmers on what works, what problems need to be addressed, and innovations by farmers that the farmers are willing to share. The farmers are being asked to keep written records, which will help them in their own financial management. DEVELOPERS is also pursuing the possibility of getting farmers to archive their own story, so that Eyoy's inspiring account will be one of many.
DEVELOPERS is not static, but keeps reviewing and improving it's training modules as needed. It is also not dogmatic about organic methods, but rather offers the technology and lets farmers find what works best in their own situation. The technology usually speaks for itself, once the farmers try it, as the case studies show. Some of the farmers become adamant "purists."
Implications for larger scale farming
At least a few of the organic methods might be profitably used on larger farms in Aklan. In particular, incorporating non-diseased rice straw rather than burning might increase productivity and reduce the need for fertilizers. It would also help limit air pollution, which is a problem in Aklan in spite of it being a rural province. Along with the rice straw, all trash is burned, and vehicles use leaded fuel. Less smoke might improve the respiratory health of the population.
In addition, rotating in a leguminous crop occasionally might prove profitable. Rice is not a high value crop, so rotating crops would not necessarily affect profits. Many vegetables that can grow well here are shipped in from lloilo and Bagio, so vegetables could be an alternative crop that would help keep money in the province.
Finally, scouting for pests and diseases and spraying only as needed has proven to be worthwhile even in the U. S., where labor is much more expensive.
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