Every consumer needs to know the source of their food to make sure that the food they eat is safe and nutritious. Better yet is for us to produce our own food. Adherent to the principles of slow food movement, which is to promote the production and eating of good food – food that is tasty; clean food which is free from pesticides and other harmful chemicals; and fair food both for the producer and the consumer. She presented the concept of ECHO- store (Environment, Community, Hope, Organization), a model of small scale organic farming that can provide a supply of safe and nutritious food for domestic and local consumption while promoting healthy diet and ecological integrity. A social enterprise, ECHO-Store is run by an organization within the community thus its focus is more on the capability-building and not on the economic gains.
May Bigas Na! May Ulam Na! May Ganansya Na! Maka Kalikasan Pa! Enhancing Organic Rice and Duck Industry though Integrated Rice Duck Farming System (IRDFS)
Integrated Rice-Duck Farming System (IRDFS) is a method of growing rice and ducks together in an irrigated field. It benefits organic rice production in several ways. The movement of the ducks in the rice field helps it to produce more grains. The duck manure can be used as fertilizer eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers. Ducks serve as natural pest control; they eat harmful insects and weeds like the golden snail. The meat and egg from ducks enhances the country’s food security; it can be a source of additional income for farmers.
The IRDFS reduces production cost by as much as 30 percent. It also impacts health and the environment. According to studies, ducks in rice fields reduces greenhouse gas emissions from methane as it eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, and herbicides. Furthermore, ducks eat schisto-carrying snails that bring schistosomiasis, a disease affecting farmers and their families that occur in select areas of the country.
Sustainable Integrated Organic & Natural Mini-Farm Program: An Initiative for Food Self-sufficiency, Poverty Alleviation and Environmental Renewal
A 1,000 sqm mini-farm model is a food-self sufficient and self-generating income. Livelihood income can be generated from the animals and crops while the composting of crops and manures will be able to sustain the fertility of the soil. It can also stabilize microclimate through the windbreak. Also it can diversify itself into having a multi-purpose hall for activities, organic market and accommodations; agrotourism for discovery and learning activities within the farm and a community herb/garden for gardening learning activities.
Each mini-farm features an intensive farming scheme consisting of a natural (odorless) piggery, free-range chicken coop, a fish pond, propagation and nursery, vegetable production, a kitchen/medicinal garden, and a small farmer’s house – all contained in a 1,000 square meter lot area. It can also have its own fruit strips wherein it can be for the farmer’s consumption or can also be added for income and border strips that can attract beneficial insects. A place within the farm can also be allotted for a meditation or sanctuary area for a place to rest or meditate.
The 1,000 sqm mini farm can be expanded into a community or commercial production version measuring to a 1/2 hectare area. The mini farm does not only produce and generate income but it can also be a place to become a sustainable community cluster and possibly to become an eco-village.
Running an Organic Restaurant
The Coconut House is not just an organic restaurant but a social enterprise managed by the Philippine Coconut Society whose advocacy is for the welfare of the coconut farmers through the development and production of different healthy products that can be derived from coconuts. Being a social enterprise, the restaurant is not profit- oriented but is more on empowering the farmers by maximizing their gains. As a means of promoting the products, Coconut House Restaurant, located at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, serves 1001 traditional and old recipes of coconut cuisine. There are health benefits that one can get from the different coconut foodstuffs aside from the ecological value of coconut farming.
Contact Growing: The Promise of Cocoa
The great demand for organically grown and processed cacao provides opportunities for cacao farmers, processors and traders. Their organization is helping capacitate the farmers by providing them support and training on organic cacao farming and processing. Aside from the health benefits that can be derived from cacao products, there are ecological gains from organic cacao farming.