More Filipino Farmers Train on Organic Farming Technology

More Filipino farmers are being trained on Japan’s organic farming technology.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Japanese non-profit group Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC) trained some 2,500 Filipino farmers in 14 provinces on safe plant and vegetable production technology in a move to boost the competitiveness of the country’s agriculture sector and address food security.

JICA Senior Representative Yuko Tanaka said that the growing population and the economic integration in ASEAN present opportunities for the Filipino farming sector.

“How agriculture products are grown will have an impact on the ordinary Filipinos’ health and on the competitiveness of the local farmers in entering new markets.” According to JICA, the training is a 3-year technical cooperation initiative that began in 2013, disseminated technology from Japan using organic inputs as substitute for inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.

At the regional level, the ASEAN economic integration creates opportunities for farmers in the region to also supply new and larger markets and address changing food preferences for high value, organic food products.

“Our goal is to uplift the lives of the farmers by introducing them to technologies that will give them options for safe vegetable farming at the same time help improve their income,” said JAEC Executive Director Ryoji Sakamoto.

The project introduced local farmers to the use of organic materials such as mokusaku (wood vinegar), charcoal, and compost, which can help produce safe and healthy vegetables and fruits. Further, these materials are known to contribute to rich and healthy soils by reducing chemicals.

This enabled farmers to harvest high value produce for better income. Likewise, the project has trained 800 extension workers and 400 personnel from the DA. To further build up on its gains, the second phase of the project which will be focused on marketing technology and improving vegetable grading and packing system on farm will commence this December.

Since 2007, JICA and JAEC have worked with DA in promoting soil improvement and safe vegetable production technology to local farmers. Through past projects, JAEC has also sent 500 young Filipino farmers to train in organic farming in Japan.

Aside from capacity building, JICA has been supporting the Philippines’ agriculture sector since the 1960s through official development assistance (ODA) in building farm roads, promoting market access for farmers’ goods, credit financing, and sharing Japanese knowledge with agrarian reform communities. (JICA/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)