Integrating Organic Products in Sustainable Farming

Let’s Integrate Organic: A Forum on Organic Crop protection and nutrition products for
Sustainable production

Resource Speakers: Mr. Felicitos “Boy” Palis

Philippine Representative (GOWAN Crop Protection)

Mr. John Christopher E. Potot

Senior Plantation Manager (STK Bio-Ag Technologies)
Kristle Grace Hawod
STK Bio-Ag Technologies

Mr. Jesse Montaner

International Sales Representative OMNIA Specialties Australia PTY LTD

I. Introduction
Annually 20-40% of global crop production is lost due to pest and diseases. It
contributes around 220 billion dollars and for invasive insect, losses are estimated to be around
70 billion dollars. There are 2 types of farming: the organic farming and conventional farming.
The organic farming is a type of farming system that incorporates environment-friendly
approaches for insect pest, weeds and disease management. The conventional farming is
commonly associated with high-input agricultural practices such as using synthetic chemical
fertilizers, and pesticides.
In increasing global demand for organic products it affects consumer consciousness in
health and environment-friendly products. Market pressure which stricter regulation on import
tolerance; almost zero MRL for export commodities like bananas, banning of commonly used
chemicals in developed countries. Price premiums make organic systems profitable in many
developed and developing countries, even spurring rural revitalization. There are common
misconceptions about organically produced products such as shorter self-life, effective only at
higher dose rate, expensive, difficult to handle, can be used at low disease pressure only and it
limited only to farm-prepared concoctions. Organic agriculture in the Philippines pursuant to
Republic Act 10068 also known as the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 which products are
evaluated by organic certifying bodies and registered with the Bureau of Agriculture and
Fisheries Standard (BAFS). Plant protection has a major issue in Organic Farming which is the
Organic Crop Protection (OCP) strategies often rely on a limited number of methods often
perceived as providing only partial control of pests and diseases and resulting to lower yields
and poor economic performances. “Integrated Pest Management (IPM) means the careful
consideration of all available pest control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate
measures that discourage the development of pest populations and keep pesticides and other
interventions to levels that are economically justified and reduce or minimize risks to human
health and the environment. IPM emphasizes the growth of a healthy crop with the least
possible disruption to agroecosystems and encourages natural pest control mechanisms.” A
holistic approach and the importance given to the design of a “healthy” agroecosystem. Organic
farming includes a variety of practices, ranging from intensive input-to a comprehensive
integrated approach. IPM is not an individual pest control method. It is a combination of different
pest management strategies. The four-tiered approach to IPM: establishing Action Thresholds,
pest monitoring and identification, prevention and control. IPM is the leading paradigm in crop
protection and it provides foundational basis, prioritizing bioecological processes and alternative
techniques to reduce pesticide use. “Integration” remains the real conceptual foundation of IPM,
with the understanding that IPM integrates organic crop protection.
Benefits of integrating organic products into conventional farming helps in pesticide
resistance issues due to multiple modes of action, thus using them will break resistance
specifically for products that are high-risk. The other one is lowering chemical load, as overall
objective of sustainability to lower environmental impact, the use of organic products will
significantly reduce our chemical footprint. And lastly it addresses MRL issues which with zero
PHI, and exemption from MRL establishment in most importing countries, organic products are
best fit for late-stage important application prior to harvest.

II. Background of the Seminar

Ka-agway Kaalaman was conducted free webinar entitled “Let’s Integrate Organic: A
Forum on Organic Crop Protection and Nutrition Products for Sustainable Production” hosted by
Mr. Ej Ortiz. Dr. Fe Dela Cueva, Director of the Institute of Plant Breeding College of Agriculture,
UPLB was introduced the importance of Integrating Organic Products in Sustainable Farming.
There are three resource speakers who introduced products that we can use in our farm. The
first one is Mr. Felicitos “Boy” Palis, Philippine representative of GOWAN Crop Protection
introduced the M-PEDE. The second one is Mr. John Christopher E. Potot of Senior Plantation
Manager STK Bio-Ag Technologies introduced the Timorex Gold. And the last one is Mr. Jesse
Montaner of International Sales Reprsentative OMNIA Specialties Australia PTY LTD introduced
K-Humate S100. These are natural products that provides excellent control of pest and
diseases.

III. Objectives
Generally, the webinar aims to integrate organic products in sustainable farming.
Specifically, it aims to:

 to learn how importance organic crop protection in our plants.

 to know how the proper use of organic fertilizer.

 to create balanced, cleaner, and sustainable agricultural environment.

IV. Methodology
The webinar was done through Facebook live and zoom live and there are attendance
and evaluation link for resource speakers for those who attended the webinar.

V. Discussion and Summary of the Study

Integrating organic products helps to reduce the risk of human, animal and ecological
exposure to toxic effects through pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals. These benefits are
counterbalanced by higher food costs for consumers and generally lower yields.
M-Pede is a natural product that helps to control insects and diseases. It has four mode
of action: K-SoFa penetrates the insect body and cell membranes are damaged the cells
content leak out and it result of dehydration. K-SoFa act as IGR interfering with cellular
metabolism which result is disrupting metamorphosis. K-SoFa block the spiracles (breathing
pores) of insects which result is disrupting respiration. And K-SoFa interfere with the production
of the ATP which result is the cell has no more energy. This product was used in pineapple
condition known as Naturally Differentiated Flowering (NDF) in banana bunches with mealy
bugs and insects scale, sugar apple and cacao with mealy bugs and ants. M-Pede fits well into
existing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. It can be used as a stand-alone product
or in product rotations or in tank mixtures with other commercial products that provide both
immediate and residual control. M-Pede has extremely low toxicity to animals, fish and birds. It
has limited impact on beneficial insects leading to less target and secondary pest resurgence
after application.
Timorex Gold is for control of various diseases of economically important crops. It is
made of Tea Tree Oil (TTO) extracted steam distillation from tea tree plant (Melaleuca
alternifolia). It contains many components which are mostly terpenes and has been proven to
have antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial properties. TTO is classified as a low risk substance
for Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) are not required. Timorex Gold is the 1 st registered organic
fungicide in the Philippines pursuant to Republic Act 10068 otherwise known as the Organic
Agriculture Act of 2010. Timorex Gold penetrates the cuticle and diffuse through mesophyll
through the cell membranes (composed of phospholipids). Timorex Gold was for banana.
Proven effective against Black Sigatoka which in solo application, tank mix with systematic
fungicides and mix with oil and emulsifier. It also integrated in a spray program for resistance
breaker and compatible with the regular spray program. Timorex Gold was also for mango. It
can be tank-mixed with other fungicide during pre and postbloom applications. Incorporated
within a spray program along with other products used in mango. No negative effects on non-
target organisms. No residue, PHI, and re-entry period restriction. Helps with resistance
management and TTO contains natural spreader/sticker capability that can complement other
products used for mango. Timorex Gold also for tobacco and onion pests and diseases.
Biostimulants enhances plant growth and development throughout the crop life cycle
from seed germination to plant maturity in several demonstrated ways, including but not limited
to: improving the efficiency of the plant’s metabolism to induce yield and enhanced crop quality,
increasing plant tolerance to and recovery from abiotic stresses (e.g. drought, water logged,
frost bite, excessive heat, poor soils), helps plant to efficiently use nutrients from soil or from
applied fertilizers, enhancing quality of produce, including sugar content, colour, fruit formation,
etc., and enhancing certain physicochemical properties of the soil, and stimulates growth of soil
micro-organisms. Biostimulants are divided in 7 groups: humic acids, fulvic acids, seaweed
extracts, microbials, plant extracts, amino acids and biopolymers. K-Humate S100 is an organic
soil conditioner which is a highly concentrated source of humic acid derived from Leonardite. It
is an effective agent to use as a complement to organic or conventional fertilizers. K-Humate
increases the nutrient availability from the applied fertilizers. Good chelating properties which
reduces nutrient loss due to leaching and run off. And it is certified as input for Organic
Production by NASAA (National Association for Sustainaryble Agriculture, Australia). There are
benefits of applying K-Humate in physical, chemical and biological. K-Humate26 also readily
available form of humic acid via foliar application. It is world’s most highly concentrated liquid
humic acid which contains total Potassium Humate and Fulvate 26% and also certified input for
Organic Production by NASAA (National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia).
Macronutrients like Zinc involve in different vital plant physiological activities. Zinc is
needed for the synthesis of the hormone Auxin in plants (include acetic acid or IAA), which is
needed for healthy cell division. Zinc is also needed for chlorophyll formation and carbohydrate
formation. The more chlorophyll, the darker green the plant, the better the plants are able to
photosynthesize. Plant deficient in Zinc will exhibit chlorosis between the leaf veins, appearing
as yellowish or whitish stripes between the midrib and margin. Leaves also can be stunted and
misshapen. Yellowing between the leaf veins is the first sign. Flowers may drop off and fruit fail
to set. There are ways to prevent Zinc deficiencies in plants. Check soil pH and nutrient levels
with a soil test before planting. Correct acid soils by applying lime and regular application of K-
Humate. Correct alkaline soils by applying organic fertilizers and regular application of K-
Humate. And check Zinc levels regularly with a petiole sap test of the youngest mature leaves.

VI. Conclusion
Integrating organic products gives information about natural products for farmers to lessen
the use of synthetic products. Those products helps to control pests and diseases of different
crops or fruit trees. By using natural products

VII. Recommendation
Further seminar recommended to try using natural products to your crops. You should
always check with your certifier before using a new fertilizer product.
Lesson Learned
Organic products is safer and to some extent, tastier. Synthetic products meant to
stimulate growth and production in farming and livestock are used regularly by commercial
industries. Because organic farming restricts the use of any chemicals in its production,
advocates have long been saying that organic food is actually safer, and even tastier, for
consumption. Production of organic products is better for the environment and animals because
its farming methods are different from commercial ones, as the latter rely heavily on the use of
pesticides and other chemicals and synthetic materials in the production line.