Organic farming only way to survive high fertilizer cost

[S.Annadana]

, Negros dad argues
Bacolod City (30 April) -- Sagay City Councilor Kent Javelosa, organic farming advocate and practitioner, said organic farming is the only way to survive the high and irreversible cost of chemical fertilizers.

Javelosa was guest speaker at the Opening Ceremony of the 3rd Negros Island Organic Farmers' Festival at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.

"Organic or natural farming is my only way for agriculture today and I am extremely satisfied with the outcome," said the youngest legislator in Negros Occidental. "My cane field gained excellent results as I had low production cost but my yield was maintained," Javelosa added.

Organic farming has risks, he added, that's why farmers have to innovate and pool their resources together.

Javelosa is grateful to organic farmers Batchoy and Pamela Henares, and Ramon Penalosa, who taught him how to produce his own fertilizer. He considers as his mentor Sagay Mayor Alfredo Maranon, who is the Chairman of the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (NISARD) Foundation who helped him find his way when he was still struggling to be an organic farmer.

"With organic farming, I have learned to accept risks and take courage. I believe that when you protect Mother Earth, she will provide for you in abundance. Let's continue sharing with one another," Javelosa said.

The Organic Fest runs for four days with a series of seminars on organic agriculture and aquaculture at the Social Hall and Governor's Conference Hall of the Provincial Capitol Building in Bacolod City. (OPA/PIA/EAD) [top]