HIGH DEMAND.DA 7 Director Angel Enriquez says there is a high demand for organic food.(SUN.STAR FILE)

WITH a growing health-conscious market in Cebu, officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) 7 encouraged farmers to venture into organic farming.

DA 7 Director Angel Enriquez and regional crop protection center chief Wilberto Castillo said the high value placed on organic products in supermarkets should encourage farmers to consider organic farming.

There is a high demand for organic food. There is money in natural farming (because the products) command a premium price. We need to maximize this opportunity, Enriquez said. He said medical professionals, particularly doctors, are the major markets for organic goods. Some doctors she knows have started growing their food organically, and even others, turned them into businesses.

Organic goods are yields from farming practices that are not dependent on synthetic agro-chemicals. Advocates believe that crops grown organically are healthier and safer to eat, unlike products of conventional farming that make use of chemicals to grow and protect crops.

Funds

In a previous interview with Castillo, the official said DA 7 allotted P19 million for organic farming last year. The funds were available for grants to organic growers and a portion of which was used for organic farming seminars.

Castillo noted a minimal presence of organic farms in Cebu. In the next few years, he said the region is targeting at least five percent of the regions produce to be organic.

Philippine Organic Agricultural Act of 2010 or RA 10068 promotes organic agriculture.

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DA 7 tells farmers to go organic