Farmers in NegOr told to convert to organic farming

Chemical-free vegetables will help reduce malnutrition

By Rachelle M. Nessia

Friday 13th of July 2012

DUMAGUETE CITY, July 13 (PIA) -- The office of the provincial agriculturist here is urging farmers in Negros Oriental to adopt organic farming to increase the supply of chemical-free vegetables in the province.

Provincial agriculturist Gregorio Paltinca noted the incidence of malnourished children in the province persists despite a surplus of vegetables here.

Paltinca said that one of the causes of malnutrition is consumption of chemically-grown crops such as rice, corn, and vegetables.

Negros Oriental has long been sufficient in vegetable production but not all farmers have opted to go organic.

“About 50 percent of the farmers in the province have gone into organic farming,” he said.

The agriculturist said that organically-grown vegetables are more nutritious and even quoted the province’s international organic consultant Nick Perlas, who said that deep-rooted trees absorb the 48 elements found in the soil that are need by plants.

“The roots bring the nutrients to its leaves. Once the leaves fall as dry leaves, they will decompose and from them these elements are available,” explained Paltinca.

The province’s malnutrition rate is pegged at 8.2 percent, according to Dr. Edgardo Barredo, action officer of the provincial nutrition council here.

Dr. Barredo said that although the province’s malnutrition rate is going down, “sad to say we are still among the highest in Central Visayas.”

Negros Oriental has been pushing for organic agriculture since the 1990s when it signed a memorandum of agreement with the neighboring province of Negros Occidental to make Negros Island the “Organic Food Bowl of Asia.” (RMN-PIA7, Negros Oriental)