Asian Part 2222222222222

PHILIPPINE & ASIAN AGRICULTURE
Introduction
Agriculture, basically farming was originated thousands of years ago by nomads. It is
the beginning of civilization in the world. As time passed, the knowledge skills in
agriculture were developed by human. Technologies develop from generation to
generation as what agriculture today.
The Philippines is one among the Asian countries that majority of the people rely
on agriculture. As the government says that “Agriculture is the backbone of countries
economy”. This statement might lead to a big question with consideration of the
economic status of our Filipino farmers with the reality the most of them belongs under
Economic Threshold Level.
Reviewing the status of Philippine agriculture, issues and concerns or even

challenges might help technical persons/ extortionists develop a panacea how to help
alleviate the standard of living of our rural folks.
LESSON 1
At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:
1. Define what is Agriculture;

2. Discuss the Agriculture in Asia; and
3. Determine the 12 things to know about Asian Agriculture
WHAT IS AGRICULTURE?
Agriculture, known also as husbandry or farming, is the science of

cultivating plants, animals, and other life forms for food, fiber, and fuel.
The agricultural industry, which includes enterprises engaged in growing crops,
raising fish and animals, and logging wood, encompasses farms, dairies,
hatcheries, and ranches.
Lupine Publishers
https://www.google.com/search?
q=agriculture&rlz=1C1GGRV_enPH859PH859&sxsrf=ALeKk01pv9_kYf00mzbmG2785BSKaPk
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CONTENT
Ag.ri.cul.ture (Meriam Websters)
Noun \ ‘a-gri-, kel-cher\
The science or occupation of farming
The science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising
livestock and varying degrees the preparation and marketing of the resulting
products.
Agriculture
Noun (Concise Encyclopedia)
The active production of useful plants or animals in ecosystems that have been
created by people. Agriculture may include cultivating the soil, growing and
harvesting crops, and raising livestock. Agriculture was independently developed
in many places, including the Middle East, East Asia, South Asia and Americas.
The earliest evidence for agriculture has been found in the Middle East and dates
to between 14,500 and 12,000 BP. Early cultivars include wild barely (Middle
East), millet (China), and squash (the Americas). The domestication of many
animals now considered to be livestock occurred during roughly the same period,
although dogs were domesticated considerably earlier. Slush-and-burn land-
clearing methods and crop rotation were early agricultural techniques. Steady
improvements in tools and methods over the centuries increased agricultural
output, as did mechanization, selective breeding and
Hybridization, and beginning in the 20th century, the use of herbicides and
insecticides.
(Meriam Websters: online: June 21, 2014 8:00pm)
Agriculture, also called farming or husbandry, is the cultivation of animals,

plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, biofuel, medicinal and other
products used to sustain and enhance human life (Wikipedia: June 21, 2014 8:40
pm).
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Agriculture” may be defined as: the art and science of growing plants and
other crops and the raising of animals for food, other human needs, or
economic gain. (Crop Agriculture review: June 21, 2014 9:00 pm)
AGRICULTURE IN CENTRAL ASIA
q=agriculture+in+central+asia&rlz=1C1GGRV_enPH859PH859&hl=en&sxsrf=ALeKk00e4qIu4U
zuKclRPuDHc9l-
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HZhLAQMQ_AUoAXoECA0QAw&biw=1366&bih=625#imgrc=bjxfcgJ3VNpm4M
Agricultural land in Central Asia is mostly desert and mountain pastures. ...

More than 80% of arable land in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
is irrigated, and only Kazakhstan, with its wheat-based crop production, irrigates only
7% of its arable land.
Agriculture in Central Asia - Wikipedia
Agriculture in Central Asia provides a brief regional overview of agriculture in

the five contiguous states of former Soviet Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Two other countries that are sometimes
classified as Central Asian – Afghanistan and Mongolia – are not included in this
because of their substantially different background.
The five Central Asian countries are highly agrarian, with 60% of the population
living in the rural areas and agriculture accounting for over 45% of total number
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of employed and nearly 25% of GDP on average. Kazakhstan, with its strong
energy sector, is less.
Agrarian than the average Central Asian country, with agriculture accounting for
only 8% of GDP (but still 33% of total employment). It is closer in this respect to
the core CIS countries of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, where agriculture
contributes around 10% of GDP and agricultural employment average 15%.
Agricultural land in Central Asia is mostly desert and mountain pastures. Arable
land suitable for crop production is around 20% of total agricultural land (and as
low as 4% in Turkmenistan). In Russia and Ukraine, on the other hand, arable
land is 60%-80% of agricultural land. As a result, pasture-based livestock
production is more prominent in Central Asia than in the core CIS countries.
By far the two most significant crops in Central Asia are cotton and wheat. Only
Kazakhstan does not cultivate significant amounts of cotton. Central Asia is
largely desert, and cotton production strongly relies on irrigation. More than 80%
of arable land of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is
irrigated, and only Kazakhstan, with its wheat-based crop production, irrigates
only 7% of its Arable land.
The emphasis on intensive cotton cultivation in the Amudarya and Syrdarya

basin countries has played a major role in the drying and polluting of the Aral
Sea because of the large amounts of water and fertilizer used in cotton
cultivation. Cotton mono-culture during the Soviet period exhausted the soil and
led to serious plant disease, which adversely affect cotton yields to this date.
The cultivation of wheat has also contributed to environmental issues, starting
with the Virgin Lands Campaign during the Soviet era. Because precautionary
measures taken to preserve soil quality when the campaign began were
insufficient, the soil eroded and its nutrients became degraded by excessive
mono-crop cultivation. This history continues to impact grain production today,
particularly in Kazakhstan.
Aside from these two primary crops, the region produces a wide variety of
products which include barely, corn, flax, grapes, potatoes, rice, sugar beets,
sunflowers, tobacco, apricots, pears, plums, apples, cherries, pomegranates,
melon, dates, figs, sesame, pistachios and nuts.
Animal husbandry constitutes a large part of Central Asian agriculture. Cattle,

sheep and poultry are the main animal species in agriculture, and breeding race
horses is the pride of Turkmenistan. Some famous local breeds include the
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Karakul sheep and the Akhal-Teke horse. Some regions also cultivate mulberry
trees and breed silkworms.
Cotton industry
One of the leaders of cotton production is the Turkmenistan. The country had in
the past criticized by rights groups for widespread use of child labor in gathering
cotton, but the country’s human rights record has improved since President
Saparmurat Niyazov, who died in December 2006, signed a decree banning child
labor. Jeans with a “made in Turkmenistan” label now sold in a variety of
Western supermarket chains, including US company WalMart. Since
Turkmenistan’s independence in 1991, more than $1.3 billion.
has been invested in building new and modernizing existing textile factories. This
includes $300 million in foreign investment. In his words, the share of raw cotton
processed domestically into cotton fiber has risen from 3 percent in 1991 to 51
percent today.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture in central Asia; June 22, 2014; 12:24 am
12 Things to Know About Asian Agriculture
Asian Agriculture: 12 Things to Know
 In most Asian countries, agriculture is the biggest user of water and can reach

up to 90% of total water consumption.
 In most Asian countries, agriculture is the biggest user of water and can reach
More items...
•
May 9, 2012
Asian Agriculture: 12 Things to Know | Asian Development Bank
Agriculture and natural resources; Water
With rising populations, increasing food prices and environmental

concerns, Asia’s agricultural sector faces a raft of challenges.
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1. More than 2.2 billion people in the region rely on agriculture for their
livelihoods.
Source: ADB, Building Climate Resilience in the Agriculture Sector of Asia
and the Pacific.
2. Rice is by far the most important crop throughout Asia – 90% of the world’s
production and consumption occurs in this region.
Source: ADB, Regional Trade Opportunities for Agriculture
3. With trends showing that rice consumption decreases as income rises, many
economists have claimed rice is an inferior good.
4. Despite forecasts of famine and starvation, most Asian countries became
food self-sufficient in the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to the Green revolution.
Source: ADB, Food Price Escalation in South Asia-A Serious and Growing
Concern
5. The stagnant and declining yields of major corps such as rice and wheat can
be ultimately linked to declining investments in agriculture. Public investments
in agriculture in India, for instance, have been generally the same since 2004.
Source: ADB, Food Price Escalation in South Asia-A Serious and Growing
Concern.
6. In 2011, it was estimated biotech crops were grown on 160 million hectares of
land – making it the fastest adopted crop technology.
Source: International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Application
Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2011
7. Three of the top ten countries planting biotech crops in 2011 were in Asia.
India grew more than 10.6 million hectares of cotton, papaya, popular, tomato
and sweet pepper while Pakistan farmed 2.6 million hectares of cotton.
Source: International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Application
Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2011
8. Asia and the Pacific accounts for 37% of the world’s total emission from
agricultural Production, and the People’s Republic of China alone accounts
for more than 18% of the total.
Source: ADB, Building Climate Resilience in the Agriculture Sector of Asia
and the Pacific.
9. In most Asian countries, agriculture is the biggest use of water and can reach
Source: ADB, Water Rights and Water Allocation: Issues and challenges for
Asia
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10. Food feed crop demand will nearly double in the coming 50 years. Producing
meat, milk, sugar, oils and vegetables typically requires more water than
producing cereals – and a different style of water management.
Source: International Water Management institute, water for food Water for
Life: A Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture
11. With 25% of the world’s populations and only 7%of the world’s arable and
land, the agrofood trade is a crucial sector of the People’s Republic of China’s
economy – projected imports of agrofood in the coming decades will having
significant implications within Asia.
12. ADB’s 2009 Operational Plan for Sustainable Food Security in Asia and the
Pacific puts emphasis on the integration of agricultural productivity, market
connectivity and resilience as necessary to achieve sustainable food security.
Source: In focus: Agriculture, Rural Development and Food security
http://www.adb.org/features/12-things-know-2012-asian-agriculture; June 22,
2014; 12:53 am
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MM.H. Del Pilar St. Brgy. Zone IV, City of Koronadal, South Cotabato, Philippines, 9506
Tel # +63 (083) 228-8756 / email: marvelous.college@yahoo.com
Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________

WRITTEN TEST
TEST I. FILL IN THE BLANK
DIRECTION: Supply the missing word to complete the sentences.
1. Agriculture may include_______________, growing and __________crops, and

raising livestock
2. _____________” may be defined as: the art and__________ of growing plants
and other crops and the raising of animals for food, other human needs, or
economic gain.
3. The cultivation of wheat has also contributed to environmental issues, starting
with the ________________during the _____________era.
4. More than ___________people in the region rely on agriculture for their
livelihoods.
5. The emphasis on intensive cotton cultivation in the _________________ and
_______________basin countries has played a major role in the drying and
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polluting of the ______________because of the large amounts of water and

fertilizer used in cotton cultivation.
TEST II. DISCUSSION:
DIRECTION: Explain or discuss the following:
1. What is Agriculture?
______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
2. Agriculture are also called farming or husbandry? Why?

__________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________

ASSIGNMENT
DIRECTION: Research any of following picture and give reflection about the farming
system that they used or practice.
1. Rice paddies by Mt. Cagua, Cagayan province

2. The town of Banaue, amid the Batad Rice Terracess
3. Farming on the island of Negros, with the Mount Kanlaon volcano in the
background.
4. Strawberries grown in the Philippines.
NOTE: TO BE PASS NEXT MEETING.
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LESSON 2
1. Explain the Facts and Data about Security in Asia and the Pacific Agriculture
and Natural Resources;
2. Discuss the Green growth economic growth with environmental protection;
and
3. Discuss the Agriculture in the Philippines by showing the different pictures.
Facts and Data about Food Security in Asia and the Pacific
Agriculture and natural resources
Two-thirds of the world’s one billion hungry reside in Asia and the Pacific. Rising
food prices and other global factors are adding to the current problems of food
shortages and under nutrition to millions more in the region.
CONTENT:
1. Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and
economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary
needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.
Source: declaration of the World Summit on Food Security
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2. According to the food and Agricultural Organization of the UN, more people
go hungry in the world today than at any time since 1970.
Source: “A Growing Hunger” Development Asia
3. Asia and the Pacific accounts for an astonishing 68% of the world’s
underweight children.
Source: Approaches to Combat Hunger in Asia and the Pacific
4. There has been gradual rise in food prices since 2004. A return to a
downtrend in world food prices experienced between the mid-1970s and the
first years of this century seems unlikely.
Source: ADG.org
5. Food insecurity reached global center stage in 2007 – 2008 when cereal
stockpiles fell to their lowest level in 30 years and prices of rice and wheat
rose dramatically, precipitating riots and unrest in more than 20 countries.
Source: Food Security and Climate Change in the Pacific: Rethinking the
Options.
6. Rice consumption has been on the decline since the 1990s due to more open
trade, the globalization of tastes, and a shift to more balanced diets in Asia.
Source: The Changing Role of Rice in Asia’s Food Security
7. Asia’s poor spend more than half of their income on food with nearly one-fifth
spending more than 70%.
Source: ADB Operational Plan for Sustainable Food Security In Asia and the
Pacific
8. With climate change forecasted to hit Asia’s farmers, many are already
adapting their agricultural practices, including changing crop and livestock
varieties, and improving water management.
Source: Food for All: Investing in Food Security in Asia and the Pacific issues,
innovations and practices.
9. By having small-scale farmers across Asia and the Pacific produce more
food, they can generate more income in a sustainable manner.
Source: Food for All: Investing in Food Security in Food Security in Asia and
the Pacific
10. With 60% of the region’s population estimated to be living in urban areas by
2025, massive investments in food distribution, storage and marketing
facilities will be needed.
Source: ADB.org
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11. The Pacific region is becoming increasingly food insecure as locals move
away from traditional agriculture and fishing practices towards eating more
imported food.
Source: Food Security and Climate change in the Pacific
12. ADB has committed $2 billion on sustainable food security annually between
2010 – 2012.
Source ADB.org
GREEN GROWTH: ECONOMIC GROWTH WITH

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Green Economy Strategy
The focus of green growth strategies is ensuring that natural assets can deliver

their full economic potential on a sustainable basis. That potential includes the
provision of critical life support services – clean air and water, and the resilient
biodiversity needed to support food production and human health.
What is green growth and how can it help deliver sustainable
One theme of Rio+20 are the green economy in the context of sustainable
development and poverty eradication. Green growth can be seen as a way to pursue
economic growth and development while preventing environmental degradation, and a
means to achieve a green economy. Here are 12 things to know about green growth.
1. Green growth is economic progress that fosters environmentally

sustainable low-carbon and socially inclusive development. Green growth
can help build a “green economy”, thought there is no “one-size-fits-all”
prescription for fostering greener growth.
Source: Towards Green Growth, 2012
2. Countries in the Asia and Pacific region are taking the lead in implementing
green growth by pursuing and investing in green strategies and policy
reform, and making policy statements in this.
Source: Green growth, Resources and Resilience: Environmental Sustainability
in Asia and the Pacific, 2012
3. As of 2005, the Asia and Pacific region required three times more
resources than the rest of the world to create one unit of Gross Domestic
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Product (GDP). Resource efficiency – using fewer resources per unit of gross
domestic product is a key factor in the region’s sustainable development.
Sources: Green growth, Resources and Resilience: Environmental Sustainability
4. Asia and Pacific countries are among those predicted to suffer most from
climate related threats. The region has seven of the top 10 countries at greatest
risk to natural disasters and climate-change. Three of the top 4 are small pacific
Island states.
Source: World Risk Report 2011; ADB Climate Resilience Program
5. About two-thirds of the $8 trillion needed for infrastructure investment in
Asia and the Pacific between 2010 and 2020 will be in the form of new
investments creating tremendous opportunities to design, finance and
manage green growth.
Source: Green growth, Resources and Resilience: Environmental Sustainability
6. Energy demand in the region is rising and is estimated at 2.4% annually
through 2030, compared with the global rate of 1.5% for the same period.
ADB supports energy efficiency measures and development of renewable energy
to decrease the rate of climate change and increase energy security in Asia and
the Pacific.
Source: ADB Clean Energy Program
7. ADB’s Sustainable Transport Initiative, approved in 2010, has refocused
ADB transport operations on sustainability, with 30% of transport lending
for urban transport and 25% for railways by 2020.
Source: ADB Sustainable Transport Initiative Operation Plan
8. For the last 35 years, global demand on natural capital has exceeded the
ability of many ecosystem services to regenerate. As a result, biodiversity
in the region is declining at a rate that is twice the global average.
Source: Ecological Footprint and Investment in Natural Capital in Asia and the
Pacific, 2012
9. It is estimated that every $1 spent on conservation would yields over $100
in the economic and social value of ecosystems. ADB is supporting
sustainable management of large-scale ecosystems throughout the Asia and
Pacific Region.
Source: Asia Pacific Ecological Footprint Report, 2012
10. Asian cities have a critical role in the transformation towards a green
economy as they account for more than 80% of the region’s GDP. The UN
estimates that 11 out of 20 mega-cities are in Asia and the Pacific.
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Source: Low Carbon Green Growth Roadmap for Asia and the Pacific, 2012;
ADB Urban Operational Plan.
11. The transformation to a greener economy could generate 15 to 60 million
additional jobs over the next two decades and left tens of millions of
workers out of poverty.
Source: Working towards sustainable development: Opportunities for decent
work and social inclusion in a green economy, 2012
12. The transition to green economy will require new indicators that go beyond
income poverty and GDP to boarder way of tracking economic, social and
environment progress and well-being. Bhutan’s “Gross National Happiness”
Source: Building an Inclusive Green Economy for All, Poverty and Environment
Partnership, 2012
http://www.adb.org/features/12-things-know-2012-green-growth ;
June 22, 2014; 1:02 pm.
AGRICULTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES
The country's main agricultural crops are rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane,

bananas, pineapple, coffee, mangoes, tobacco, and abaca (a banana-like plant).
Secondary crops include peanut, cassava, camote (a type of rootcrop), garlic, onion,
cabbage, eggplant, calamansi (a variety of lemon), rubber, and cotton.
Philippines Agriculture, Information about Agriculture
Agriculture in the Philippines employs 32% of the Filipino workforce as of 2013,

according to World Bank statistics. Agriculture accounts for 12% of Filipino GDP as of
2013, according to the World Bank.
Rice paddies by Mt. Cagua, Cagayan province
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The Town of Banaue, amid the Batad Rice Terraces.
Farming on the island of Negros, with the Mount Kanlaon volcano in the
background.
Strawberries grown in the Philippines.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT
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RICE
Further information: Rice production in the Philippines
The Philippine is the 8 th largest rice producer in the world, accounting for 2.8% of
global rice production. The Philippines was also the world’s largest rice importer
in 2010.
In 2010, nearly 15.7 million metric tons of palay (pre-husked rice) were produced.
In 2010, palay accounted for 21.86% of gross value added in agriculture and
2.37% of GNP.
Rice production in the Philippines has grown significantly since 1950s. Improved
varieties of rice developed during the Green Revolution, including at the
International Rice Research Institute based in the Philippines have improved
crop yields. Crop yields have also improved due to increased use of fertilizers.
Average productivity increased from 1.23 metric tons per hectare in 1961 to 3.59
metric tons per hectare in 2009.
SUGAR
Further information: Sugar industry in the Philippines
There are at least 19 provinces and 11 regions that produce sugarcane in the
Philippines. A range from 360,000 to 390,000 hectares is devoted to sugarcane
production. The largest sugarcane areas are found in Negros which accounts for
51% of sugarcane areas planted.
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This followed by Mindanao which accounts for 20%; Luzon, 17%; Panay Islands
7% and Eastern Visayas 4%. It is estimated that as of 2012, the industry
provides direct employment to 700,000 sugarcane workers spread across 19
sugar producing provinces.
Sugar growing in the Philippines pre-dates Spanish contract. Sugar became the
most important agricultural export of the Philippines between the late eighteenth
century and the mid-1970s. During the 1950s and 60s, more than 20 percent
income of Philippine exports came from the sugar industry.
Between 1913 and 1974, the Philippines sugar industry enjoyed favored terms of
trade with the US, with special access to protected and subsidized U.S. sugar
market.
COCONUTS
Further information: Coconut production in the Philippines
Coconuts play an important role in the national economy of the Philippines.

According to figures published in December 2009 by the Food and Agriculture
Organization and United Nations, it is the world’s largest producer of coconuts,
producing 19,500,000 tons in 2009. Production in the Philippines is generally
concentrated in medium-sized farms.
There are 3.5 million hectares dedicated to coconut production in Philippines,

which accounts 25 percent total agricultural land in the country. In 1989, it was
estimated that between 25 percent and 33 percent of the population was at least
partly independent on coconuts for their livelihood.
Historically, the Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions of Luzon and the Eastern
Visayas were the centers of coconut production. In the 1980s, Western
Mindanao and Southern Mindanao also became important coconut-growing
regions.
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FRUIT
The Philippines is the world’s largest producer of pineapples, producing 2,198

thousand metric tons in 2009. The Philippines was in the top three banana
producing countries in 2010, including India and China. Davao and Mindanao
contribute heavily to the total national banana crop.
Mangoes are the third most important fruit crop of the country based on export
volume and value next to banana and pineapples.
CORN
Corn is one of the most important staple crops in the Philippines. It ranks

second to rice in the utilization of agricultural resources. It is used not only for
human consumption but also for animal feeds and industrial uses, hence it is a
vital crop in the development of the livestock and manufacturing industries.
q=about+corn+production+in+the+philippines&oq=about+corn+production+in+the+philip
pines&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l7.23766j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
RUBBER
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There are estimated 38,000 families dependent upon cultivation of rubber trees.
Rubber is mainly planted in Mindanao, with some planting in Luzon and the
Visayas.
The natural rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is a native of South America

introduced to Southeast Asia during the 19th century. ... The young rubber
plants are raised in nurseries for 6 to 8 months and budded with bud scion from
identified source before transplanting in using population of 400 to 555 trees per
hectare
COFFEE PRODUCTION IN THE PHILIPPINES
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The production and export of coffee was once a major industry in the Philippines,
which 200 years ago was fourth largest coffee producing nation. Today, however,
the Philippines produces only 0.12% of the world’s coffee supply. Efforts are
being undertaken to revive the industry however, the majority of coffee produced
in the mountain areas of Batangas, Bukidnon, Benguet, Cavite, Kalinga, Apayao,
Davao and Claveria.
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Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________

WRITTEN TEST NO. 1
TEST I. DISCUSSION:
DIRECTION: Discuss and explain the following:
1. What is the significant of the rice production to the farmers?

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
2. Corn is considered as one of the most important staple crops in the Philippines?
Why?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
3. What is Green Economy?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
4. What is the role of coconut production in the Philippines in terms in our economy?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________

WRITTEN TEST NO. 2
DIRECTION: Give the meaning of the following ACRONYMS and explain each.
1. FFF-
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
2. SERCA-
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
3. ASEAN-
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
4. FFFCI-
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
5. GDP-
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
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Module 2
LESSON 1
1. Explain the federation of free farmers; and

2. Discus the importance of agriculture to Philippine economy;
FARMERS ASSOCIATION
Farmer organization is a group of farmers with special interests and concerns

with developed structure, formal membership, status and functions for its
members and with a set of byelaws and rules.
CONTENT
FEEDERATION OF FREE FARMERS
The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) was organized in 1953 and is one
of the largest organizations of rural workers in the Philippines with around
200,000 members from 50 provinces. Members are fisherman, agricultural
laborers, agricultural tenants, owners-cultivators and settlers.
The FFF is a socio-political movement organization by the peasants and

for the peasants. It strives to work towards the farmer dignity and socio-political-
economic status and well-being. It is for agrarian reform and rural development
program, participation of rural workers in government decision-making and
implementation.
It is also has the Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives, Inc. From

initiatives in Mindanao concerning self-financed and self-managed cooperative
projects in barrios, this led to the establishment of consumer store on their own.
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Affiliates get back 35% of the interest they pay on loan. FFFCI now has
the P18 million. Aside from this financing program, the FFFCI national office help
subsidize training and financial audit services. It also administers a life insurance
program for individual members. (last modified on 13 February 2014 at 10:05.)
Productivity Growth in the Philippines Agriculture
Recent studies suggest that despite performing relatively well in the

1960’s and 1970’s, Philippine agriculture faltered in the succeeding decades.
Sector growth decelerated and public investments for agriculture declined, and at
the turn of the century, Philippine agriculture was no longer considered as a
major contributor to the country’s aggregate economic growth, albeit, it remains a
key player in accelerating exclusive growth is considered a major constraint in
the sector’s development. Therefore, an examination of different scenarios for
the productivity growth was deemed essential to formulate an outlook on overall
state Philippine agriculture.
This project aims to examine the determinants of productivity change over

time and identify policy and investment levers relevant in formulating strategies
for agricultural growth by measuring and disaggregating its sources. Additionally,
a data collection systems and analytical approaches appropriate to Philippine
conditions will also be developed. Lastly, the project seeks to determine the
indicators for past performance and how they can influence future sources of
agricultural growth, as well as examine the determinants of productivity change
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overtime, both at the aggregate and sub-sector/commodity levels.
The Philippines is still primarily an agricultural country despite the plan to

make it an industrial economy by 2000. Most citizens live in rural areas and
support themselves through agriculture. The country’s agriculture sector is made
up of 4 sub–sectors: farming, fisheries, livestock and forestry (the latter 2 sectors
are very small), which together employ 39.8 percent of the labor force and
contribute 20% of GDP.
The country’s main agricultural crops are rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane,
bananas, pineapple, coffee, mangoes, tobacco and abaca (a banana-like plant).
Secondary crops include peanut, cassava, camote (a type of root crops), garlic,
onion, cabbage, eggplant, calamansi (a variety of lemon), rubber and cotton. The
year 1998 was a bad year for agriculture because of adverse weather conditions.
Sector output shrank by 8.3 percent, but it posted growth the following year. Yet,
hog farming and commercial fishing posted declines their gross revenues in
1999. The sector is burdened with low productivity for most of its crops.
The Philippines exports its agricultural products around the world,

including the United States, Japan, Europe and ASEAN countries (members of
the Association of Southeast Asia Nations). Major export products are coconut oil
and other coconut products, fruits and vegetables, bananas and prawns (a type
of shrimp). Other exports include the Cavendish banana, Cayenne pineapple,
tuna, seaweed and carrageenan. The value of coconut-product exports
amounted to US$989 million in 1995 but declined to US$569 million by 2000.
Imported agricultural products include unmilled wheat and meslin, oilcake and
other soybean residues, malt and malt flour, urea, flour, meals and pellets of fish,
soybeans and whey.
One of the most pressing concerns of the agricultural sector is the

rampant conversion of agricultural land into golf courses, residential subdivisions
and industrial parks or resorts. In 1993 the nation was losing irrigated rice lands
at a rate of 2,300 hectares per year small land-holders find it more profitable to
sell their land to developers in exchange for cash, especially since the lack
capital for seed, fertilizer, pesticides and wages for hiring workers to plant and
harvest the crops. Another concern is farmer’s continued reliance on chemical
based fertilizers or pesticides that have destroyed soil productivity over time. In
recent years however, farmers have been slowly turning to organic fertilizer, or at
least to a combination of chemical and organic inputs.
23 | P a g e
Environmental damage is another major concern. Coral-reef destruction,

pollution of costal and marine resources, mangrove forest destruction, and
siltation (the clogging of bodies of water with silt deposits) are significant
problems.
The agriculture sector has not received adequate resources for the
funding of critical programs or projects, such as the construction of efficient
irrigation systems. According to the World Bank, the share of irrigated crop land
in the Philippine average only about 19.5 percent in the mid-1990s, compared
with 37.5 percent for China, 24.8 percent for Thailand, and 30.8 percent for
Vietnam.
In the late 1990s, the government attempted to modernize the agriculture

sector with the Medium Term Agricultural Development Plan and The Agricultural
Fisheries Modernization Act.
The fisheries sector is divided into 3 sub-sectors: commercial, municipal

and aquaculture (cultivation of the natural produce of bodies of water). In 1995,
the Philippines contributed 2.2 million tons, or 2 percent of total world catch,
ranking it twelfth among the top 80 fishing-producing countries. In the same year,
the country also earned the distinction of being the fourth biggest producer of
seaweed and ninth biggest producer of the world aquaculture products.
In 1999 the fisheries sector contributed P80.4 billion at current prices, or

16 percent of gross value added in agriculture. Total production in 1999 reached
2.7 million tons. Aquaculture contributed the most, with 949,000 tons, followed
closely by commercial fishing with 948,000 tons and municipal fisheries with
910,000 tons. Domestic demand for fish is substantial, with average yearly fish
consumption at 36kg per person compared to a 12kg figure for consumption of
meat and other food products.
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Asia-and-the-Pacific-philippines-
AGRICULTURE.html: June 22, 2014; 11:50 am.
THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE TO THE
PHILIPPINE ECONOMY
24 | P a g e
The word agriculture comes from Latin word “ager cultura” which means
cultivation of the fields. Agriculture is a special type of production that generally
involves cultivating plants and raising animals. Its scope has since been
expanded to include fishery and forestry.
The discovery of agriculture in 6000 B.C. had made major impact on the
development of civilization.
Before the discovery of agriculture, people subsisted by foraging for food.

They hunted, fished and, gathered for food wherever they could easily find food.
As population increased, hunting, gathering and simple fishing became

more difficult. To ensure food supply for the family, the nomads had discovered
that they could cultivate crops and domesticate animals. They needed not to
move from place to place but set up a permanent community to cultivate a
permanent area. They no longer had to worry what to eat and where to find food.
These indeed their nomadic life and signaled the beginning of civilization.
The development of agriculture resulted in significant advancements in the

people’s knowledge and understanding of their lives. These eventually resulted
to the invention of different farming tools and method such as plow and
systematic irrigation. This is why it is often said that agriculture is the bases for
the development of societies.
The importance of agriculture to the economy
Agricultural sector plays an important role in the economic progress of a nation.
The materials needed and economic activities come from these.
1. Agricultural sector provides food. The Philippines soil is best suited for
crops such as rice, corn, sugarcane, potatoes and many others. Mangoes,
pineapples, coconuts and bananas also abound.
Agricultural sector also provides sea food for mineral and protein needs.
2. Agricultural sector provides raw materials needed to create other
products. Natural materials from forests, fields and seas can be made into
different variety of handy crop products.
3. Agricultural sector contributes to the economic progress through

export. Agricultural products that are exported to the other countries include
sugar, flower, fruits, seafood and many others. An important source of income
25 | P a g e
for the government is the exportation of the agricultural products. This is why
the government is primarily focused on developing the country’s capacity to
export more products.
4. Agricultural sector provides employment to a large number of Filipinos.

Those on the countryside depend on agriculture for their livelihood such as
farming, fishing, mining and raising livestock.
5. A progressive agricultural sector can support other sector of the

economy. Like manufacturing, trade and services by supplying the needed
raw materials. This is why when a country dream of industrialization, it needs
to expand and improve its agricultural production. But expanding production
alone is not enough to develop the agricultural sector.
We have to remember that makes up the substantial part of the country’s
population – people who are potential customers of other products and
services. Alongside effort to expand production, it is necessary to improve
people’s condition in order to strengthen their capacity as consumers.
Through this a more vibrant exchange between productive sectors will take
place and progress in both urban and rural areas in expected to follow.
Conclusion
Agriculture really plays a crucial role in the overall objective and effort to
achieve economic progress.
Many of today’s developed economies first strove to strengthen their

agricultural sectors. They still provide financial to their farmers, even scientist
and researcher who aim to enhance further their agricultural production.
http://pulse101.Hubpage.com/hub/the-importance-of -Agriculture-to-the-
Philippine-Economy: June 21, 2014 11:00 pm.

Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________

WRITTEN TEST
TEST I. ACRONYMS:
DIRECTION: Give the meaning of the following:
26 | P a g e
1. ASEAN –
2. FFF –
3. FFFCI –
4. GDF
5. SERCA –
TEST II. DISCUSSION:
DIRECTION: Discuss the following:
1. What is the importance of Agriculture in the Philippine Economy?

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. What is Farmer Association means?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________

ASSIGNMENT
INSTRUCTION: Study your module on page 40- 50 and prepare for a long quiz
next meeting
LESSON 2
1. Explain the Comparison of Farming; and

2. Know the Philippine Agriculture Trends and Challenges.
COMPARISON OF FARMING
Agricultural mechanization has been defined in a number of ways by different

people. Perhaps the most appropriate definition is that it is the process of
improving farm labour productivity through the use of agricultural machinery,
implements and tools.
27 | P a g e
CONTENT
MANILA, Philippines-Filipino farmers use the equivalent in power of a small

electric fan per hectare of farmland.
That’s because the Philippines has one of the lowest rates of mechanical
equipment used in Southeast Asia – at half a horsepower (.5hp) per hectare
(hp/ha), according to newly installed Philippine Center for postharvest
Development and mechanization (PhilMech) Executive director Rex Bingabing.
“In layman’s terms, that equivalent to one small electric fan,” said Bingabing in an
interview on Thursday.
Other agricultural countries in the region like Vietnam and Thailand-both of which
export rice-have much higher mechanization rate at .7hp/ha. Fully industrialized
Japan utilizes 7hp/ha, while South Korea recorded 4hp/ha.
This translates to more efficient work, higher productivity and greater yield for
their farms, Bingabing pointed out.
The PhilMech director said Filipino farmers rely heavily on manual labor in the
land preparation, planting and harvest stages. Drying and milling machines used
post-harvest are often inefficient, leading to huge rice losses, he said.
Bingabing said that 16 percent of the total rice output was lost due to inefficient
farming methods and equipment.
“If we can reduce that to single digits, we won’t have to import rice,” he said. “If
we do that, we can get net gain of 6 percent. That would be an additional yield
without changing much in production,” Bingabing said.
President Benigno Aquino wants the Philippines to be self-sufficient in rice by

2013. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that the government will not
import rice after that year. This year, the rice importation is only 500,000 MT.
Bingabing said many Filipino farmers did not have the money to buy hand
tractors and other small farm equipment. The Department of Agriculture, he said,
was addressing this lack with a credit facility for the farmers.
The farmers are also reluctant to mechanize because they fear losing work.
“They feel that they will be displaced. But if they look at the bigger picture, they
will realized that if they can do in half a day what they used do in a full day, they
can do other jobs,” Bingabing said.
28 | P a g e
Bingabing said Philmech, a DA-attached agency, aims to increase the use of

mechanical equipment on Filipino farms to match the rates of Thailand and
Vietnam.
PhilMech, he said, will focus on developing small-scale farm machinery that will
help farmers add value to their produce and avoid wasted at the same time. He
observed that many farmers allowed much produce to be wasted or to rot
because trades were not willing to pay better prices.
“I have observed that many corn farmers are left with harvests that they cannot
sell and these will deteriorate if not processed into value-added products like
flour. Also, tomato farmers who have excess production can process their unsold
harvests into tomato paste or dried tomatoes,’’ Bingabing said. As of April,
PhilMech was ahead of its schedule in distributing different farm equipment
farmers’ organization. It has given out 644 hand tractors, 33 four-wheel tractor,
270 palay threshers, 14 single-pass rice mill, 326 rice drum seeders and 90 rice
reapers.
http://global.inquirer.net/41193/philippine-farmers-among-least-mechanized-in-
southeast-asia June 22, 2014; 12:05am
PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE: STATUS, TRENDS &

CHALLENGES
Dr. Danilo C. Cardenas
Deputy Executive Director for R& D
DOST – PCARRD
STATE OF PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE
Majority of the Philippine farms remain basically engaged in small hold agriculture.
 From 1990-2004, agriculture’s share to GDP dropped from 21% to less than
15%. In 2004, 37% of total population still engaged in agriculture. From 1992-
2003, our annual growth rate in agriculture (value added) is posted at 2.5%.
 Philippine exports in tropical fruits like banana, pineapple, mango and papaya
are international benchmarks in global trade; The sector is also highly
competitive in the exports of fishery products, banana chips, coconut oil, sugar
and abaca as well as in hogs and poultry products. Production performances in
29 | P a g e
other commodities however are mixed and erratic such that we remained as a
net food importing country.
EMERGING TRENDS IN PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE
 Markets, not production, increasingly drive agricultural development.

 Value addition & product definition rather than producing more has become for
increasingly important to improving incomes, reducing malnutrition/poverty, & for
competing in the global market ; Managing rather than exploiting resources is a
key to sustainable gains.
 Former R&D clients are now becoming important partners.
 Technology users are becoming more central in innovation and technical change.
In the past, farmers, the private sector and LGUs were considered as merely
technology users but now, they are fast becoming major active partners in
agricultural development.
 Public RIDs are no longer the only source of information.
 Combining collective wisdom and knowledge of potential partners, with hands-on
experience is becoming a new way of generating innovations. What seems to be
emerging is a public-privates co-innovation partnership in which both parties
share R&D benefits/responsibilities and contribute to costs.
 Development potential of the agricultural sector is rapidly being defined in the
international arena.
 Production, trade & consumption conditions for agricultural products are growing
more dynamic and evolving in unpredictable ways.
 New fields of science such as biotechnology, value chain, indigenous knowledge
systems, and ICT are greatly influencing how agricultural RDE is being
conducted.
 Innovations are being generated thru networking, linkages and partnership
leading to a marked change in the knowledge structure of the aggie sector.
CHALLENGES
 The poor state of local infrastructure has dampened the positive effects of
increased agricultural productivity on agricultural commodity prices, kept
transport and post-harvest handling costs in exorbitantly high and inhibited
agricultural growth from further stimulating the progress of the non-aggie sector
as it did in most NICs.
 With our ever increasing population, the amount of arable land suited to
agriculture has declined, water availability becoming scarce, and the extent of
environmental degradation is on the rise.
30 | P a g e
 Other set of challenges are also emerging from a constantly shifting

development scenarios such as trade liberalization, IPR issues, climate
change, heightened interests on innovations systems/biofuels, rapid
urbanization associated with land
use conversion & changing food habits/lifestyles and the appearance of many
players in agricultural R&D are changing the pattern and nature of agriculture.
http://www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/home/joomla/resources/odedrd/Agricultural
%20Innovation%20Situationer.pdf 9:59 pm June 26, 2014.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
ISSUES IN THE PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE
Nicomedes D. Briones
University of the Philippines Los Banos, Philippines
Email: nicomedesbriones@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Farming and fishing are major sources of livelihood in rural households in the
Philippines.
Farming systems in the country are complex, multi-faceted, and geared to

promote efficient production and a steady of income. However these have also
wrought unwanted consequences on the environment, notably soil erosion, water
pollution, ground water depletion, loss of natural habitats and loss of biodiversity.
Farming systems are affected by exogenous environmental factors; in turn, the
farming systems also affect agricultural production resource bases. Initiative from
various sectors to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of farming systems
and to protect the agricultural production bases are in place in terms of policies,
programs and action projects.
BACKGROUND
The Philippines is predominantly an agriculture-dependent country; about one

third of the land area 30 million hectares (ha) is classified as agricultural lands.
Agriculture has contributed about 20% to the country’s gross domestic product
(GDP),24% to total export earnings , and 46% to total employment in the last 15
years [Bureau of Agricultural statistics (BAS) 2003]. Agriculture accounted for 19.6%
of the GDP in 2003.
31 | P a g e
The country’s 2004 population, on the other hand, was around 85 million, of
which about 32.15 million (39%) relied on agriculture – related industries [National
Statistics Office (NSO) 2000; Population resources Bureau (PRB) 2004]. About 21.7
million (67.3%) out of the total 31.3 million poor Filipinos depend onagriculture (Sana
2004).
With the high population growth rate (about 2.3% annually), it is estimated that by
year 2025, 5.24 million hectares more of frontier lands will be converted to
accommodate the needs of population [NSO, 2000; Environmental Management
Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) 2004].
Food crops, particularly rice and corn, continue to be the major contributors to
agriculture’s gross value added and have become major sources of growth.
However, the main sources of export earnings are banana, pineapple, coconut,
sugar, and mango (BAS 2004). While on-third of the country’s total land area, or 10
million ha, is actually farmed, only 58% (5.8 million ha) of agricultural lands are
suitable for crop production. Furthermore, only 2.5 million ha are considered to have
the potential to respond to intensive agriculture or can be cropped once a year (BAS
2004, DENR 2003).
Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, Vol. 2, NOS, 1&2 wastes from
poultry and swine farms may pollute water systems and thus pose health hazards.
Aquatic resources have been a most important part in the daily lives of Filipinos, who
are heavily dependent on both freshwater and seawater resources. Aquatic
ecosystems, especially the marine and coastal areas, provide many essential
environmental functions, including the recycling of nutrients, as habitat for many
organisms, and as recreation as well as livelihood for people. Vast costal seem to
reduce the significance of the country’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs; yet these fresh
water resources provide domestic and industrial water supplies, irrigation for
agriculture, fish supply for landlocked communities and transportation. The
Philippines is an archipelago of around 7,200 islands with a total coastline of about
18,000 kilometres. The country’s coastline area covers about 11,000 square
kilometres (km2) of land and 267,000 km2 of marine waters. Due to its archipelagic
configuration, about 70% water supplies, irrigation fish supply for landlocked
communities, and transportation. The Philippines is an archipelago of around 7,100
islands with a total coastline of about 18,000 kilometers. The country’s coastline
area covers about 11,000 square kilometers (km2) of land and 267,000 km2 of
marine waters. Due to its archipelagic configuration, about 70% of the 1,526
municipalities, including large cities are located within the land portion of the coastal
32 | P a g e
zone (Vergara 1999). About two-thirds of the country’s population live in the coasted
zone, and are thus directly influenced by the costal environment.
In terms of freshwater resources, the Philippines had 69 lakes and 421 principal
rivers. There are also seven major reservoirs ranging in size from 150 ha in Binga to
8,900 ha in Pantabangan. These mam-made reservoirs are multipurpose (e.g., for
hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, domestic water supply, and flood control).
Freshwater resources serve as a source of water for domestic, agricultural, and
industrial activities, and as fishing grounds (agriculture and open-access fishing).
With the constant pressure of a high population growth rate as well as the intense
competition in the word market, the Philippines are revitalizing its agricultural and
fishery sectors.
Under the Medium Term Philippines Development Plan for 2004-2010, two
million hectares of agribusiness land are to be developed as a source of livelihood
and to generate additional employment (NEDA 2004). Inevitably, however, as the
country accelerates the place of efforts to cope with the globalization initiatives and
ensure food security for the population, it cannot but increased initiatives and ensure
food security for the population, it cannot but increased agricultural production has
always been a priority in relation to environment protection in the Philippines.
Environment concern for the agricultural resource base has been heightened
starting in the 1990s due to such factors as the inappropriate use of modern farm
techniques, deforestation, conversion of prime agricultural land, cultivation of
marginal upland areas, and depletion of fishery resources.
Changing demands for foods have affected the country’s poultry and livestock
industry. As the population’s income rise, demand for meat and meat products also
tends to increase, and poultry provide protein sources (meat, milk, egg), manure,
draft power for land preparation and the transport of farm inputs and products, and
an income-savings scheme for small farmers. But there are concomitant
environmental issues that must be confronted alongside the intensified poultry and
livestock production.
Boosting livestock (cattle, carabao, swine, goat, horse) production may contribute to
the conversation of forest areas into over the years; the Philippines’ changes in
agricultural land use can be gleaned in relation to the changes in forest areas. The
forest cover in the country has been continually decreasing over the years, from
26% in 1970 to only 18% in 2000. This implies that forest land conversion into other
land uses such as agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial uses have
been very rapid in the last three decades.
33 | P a g e

Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________

WRITTEN TEST
TEST I. TRUE OR FALSE
DIRECTION: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if is not. Write your
answer on the space provided before each number.
__________1. Public RIDs are no longer the only source of information.
__________2. With our ever increasing population, the amount of arable land suited to
agriculture has declined, water availability becoming scarce, and the extent of
environmental degradation is on the rise.
_________3. Farming and fishing are major sources of livelihood in rural households in
the Philippines.
_________4. Agricultural mechanization has been defined in a number of ways by

different people.
_________5. Farming systems in the country are complex, multi-faceted, and geared to
promote efficient production and a steady of income.
_________6. The Philippines is not a predominantly an agriculture-dependent country;

about one third of the land area 30 million hectares (ha) is classified as agricultural
lands.
_________7. Farming systems are not affected by exogenous environmental factors; in

turn, the farming systems also affect agricultural production resource bases.
________8. In terms of freshwater resources, the Philippines had 69 lakes and 421
principal rivers.
_________9. Food crops, particularly rice and coconut, continue to be the major
contributors to agriculture’s gross value added and have become major sources of
growth.
_________10. Unchanging demands for foods have affected the country’s poultry and
livestock industry.
34 | P a g e
________11. The Philippines’ changes in agricultural land use can be gleaned in

relation to the changes in forest areas.
_________12. Freshwater resources serve as a source of water for domestic,

agricultural, and industrial activities, and as fishing grounds (agriculture and open-
access fishing).
_________13. Boosting livestock (cattle, carabao, swine, goat, horse) production may
contribute to the conversation of forest areas into over the years.
_________14. Markets, not production, increasingly drive agricultural development.
_________15. Production, trade & consumption conditions for agricultural products are
growing more dynamic and evolving in unpredictable way

Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________

ASSIGNMENT
DIRECTION: Give the meaning of the following:
1. Soil Erosion
2. Inorganic Fertilizer
3. Pesticides
4. Biodiversity
5. Grazing
6. Animal waste
7. Fisheries
8. Coastal
9. Aquaculture
10. Fresh water
LESSON 3
1. Define the Philippine Farming System; and

2. Discuss the major threats to Philippine costal resources.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF PHILIPPINE
FARMING SYSTEMS
35 | P a g e
The major concerns of the Philippine agricultural sector revolve around the
urgency for: (a) increased production to sustain the food needs of the growing
population (or food security), (b) employment generation to meet the 10-point
agenda of the government, and (c) greater global competitiveness. Along the
threat to the path to achieving these goals, however, the country must also
contend with the threat to the sustainability of the croplands and fishery
resources, agricultural intensification, for example, as practiced especially in
corporate, large-scale farms, has resolved certain problems of low production
but, at the same time, it has also created environmental and social problems.
CONTENT
The Philippines’ croplands are presently under severe environmental

stress: prime or productive agricultural lowlands and alluvial plains are rapidly
shrinking and the decreasing man-land ratio has led the landless to occupy and
cultivate ecologically unstable marginal lands. Such practice has resulted in the
severe degradation of the agricultural resource base, with the subsequent
problems of accelerated soil erosion, siltation of irrigation systems, intense
flooding, and water pollution.
SOIL EROSION
Soil Erosion problems in the Philippines are quite pronounced due to the
geographic and climatic conditions that are aggravated by improper cultivation
practices. Two-thirds of the country’s total land areas are hilly and mountainous,
making these susceptible to soil erosion (DENR 2003). Soil erosion inflicts on
agriculture a number of negative direct impacts and side-effects, namely: 70
Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, Vol. 2, Nos. 1&2 low crop
productivity, reduction of the capacity of water conveyance structures,
destruction of wild habitat, and destruction of standing crops.
36 | P a g e
About 9 million ha (out of the total land area of 30 million ha) are under
varying degrees of erosion, and approximately 1 million ha of agricultural lands
are very susceptible to soil erosion especially during the rainy season (EMB
2003). According to a 2003 study of the Bureau of Soil and Water Management
(BSWM), approximately 5.2 million ha of the country are classified as severely
eroded, 8.5 million ha of the country eroded, 8.8 million ha as slightly eroded.
The Philippine uplands are even more vulnerable to accelerated soil

erosion primarily due to inappropriate land uses. Over the years, the uplands
have been subjected to encroachment due to increasing human pressures. The
annual rate of deforestation in the 1970s and 1980s was about 130,000 ha per
year. There is also continuing population movement to the uplands where public
lands are considered as free-access resources. Shifting cultivation and
indiscriminate logging are the major causes of the soil erosion in the Philippine
uplands.
CHEMICAL POLUTION FROM FARMING PRACTICES
Farming systems in the Philippines during the past few years can be generally
characterized by the intensive farm production using inorganic fertilizers and
pesticides. While production inputs offer advantages in terms of increased crop
production and protection, there are certain negative externalities involved in
their use. Over-fertilization of these inputs decreases the soil’s humus content,
which adversely affects its infiltration and water-holding capacities. The loss of
these two vital characteristics, in turn, makes the soil loose and more susceptible
to erosion. There are other ecological and health problems associated with the
use of fertilizer and pesticides, as discussed below.
INORGANIC FERTILIZER
37 | P a g e
Following the introduction of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of rice in the

Philippines in the late 1960s, fertilizer consumption in the country has increased
steadily through the years. The government encouraged higher consumption of
the chemical fertilizers and pesticides by subsidizing farmers through a multitude
of crop improvement programs. Nitrogen became the most popular fertilizer
nutrient demanded by Filipino farmers; this is mostly used in rice, corn,
sugarcane, and other plantation crops. In fact, importation has been resorted to,
given the inability of local manufacturers to meet the demand of fertilizer.
There are ecological problems associated with chemical fertilizer use.

Excessive use of this input is known to cause acidification of the soil. For
example, in Loo Valley Benguet Province, the excessive use of chemical
fertilizers in vegetable garden has lowered the soil’s pH level to an average of 4.4
(Medina 1990). Acid soils are vulnerable to erosion because of the characteristic
low electrolyte levels in the soil solution. Acidity also depletes fertility through the
development of toxic levels of iron and by lowering the amount of most essential
nutrients in the soil. In addition, soil microbial, which are partly responsible for
nutrient release are adversely affected.
The use of chemical fertilizers also poses some health problems. The
contamination of drinking water with nitrate concentration greater than 45 parts
per million (ppm) can cause metheglobinemia, a disease which affect both
livestock and human infants (Rola 1990). Another health hazard results when
nitrates in the food or in the digestive system combine protein to form
nitrosoamines which are carcinogenic.
Nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients from fertilizers are washed down by

run-off water into fresh water bodies, thus creating eutrophication problems. One
glaring example is the much eutrophied Laguna Lake in Southern Luzon. Of the
3,600 mt of nitrogen that enter the lake that primarily cause the recurrent growth
38 | P a g e
of algal blooms, 77.2% is agricultural in origin [Laguna Lake Development

Authority (LLDA) 1998].
PESTICIDES
The emergence of pesticide industry in the Philippines in the early 1950s

coincided with the introduction of DDT, 2, 4-D, Endrin, and Malathion (Elazegui
1989). With the launching of the Green Revolution in 1965, the government
embarked on a program of crop protection based on chemicals. Since then, the
massive use of pesticides has become the norm in the various government
national food protection programs.
However, the use of pesticide as a crop protection agent has many

negative effects. One effect is the health hazards it poses to farmer-users.
Lovensohn’s (1987) study showed that the widespread use of pesticides by
farmers in Central Luzon was followed by a 27% increase in deaths among them
from causes other than physical injury. An average of 503 cases of pesticides
poisoning, of which 15% died every year, had been reported from 1980 to 1988.
Human milk in some towns of Laguna Province was found to contain DDT. The
widely used insecticides in the country are carbofuran, endrin, parathion and
monocrotophos, which are all classified by the World Health Organization as
extremely or highly hazardous (Macracken and Conway 1987). Another problem
with the continued reliance on chemical pesticide is its capacity to cause pest
buid-up. One documented case is that of the diamond back moth (plutella
xylostella, L.) Which exhibits multiple resistance to malathion, methyl parathion,
DDT, diazinon, meviaphos and carbaryl, and is developing resistance to newly
introduced insecticides (Barroga and rejesus 1981, cited in Alcantara 1988).
Rola (1989) attributed the continued use of pesticides by farmers to the lack of
knowledge of alternative pest controls that would give them the same level of
production and profit. Several studies have pointed out current pesticide
39 | P a g e
utilization by farmers are not efficient. For instance, Medina (1990) found out that
reduced spraying (4 times) has not significantly lowered the yield when
compared to the actual farmer’s practice which consists of nine sprayings.
Similarly, in the trials covering 105 farmers in in 1980-1983, only 50% yielded a
significant difference in yield between completely protected and untreated fields.
This was probably because of the use of resistance varieties and the presence of
natural enemies, implying inefficiency in the present level of pesticide usage
(Rola 1989).
Pesticide hazards in the country are compounded by the wide spread

ignorance of the hazard involved, poor labelling, inadequate supervision, and the
lack and/or difficulty of wearing protective clothing due to the prevailing hot from
conditions (Briones and Robles 2005).
Conversion of Prime Agricultural Lands into Other Land Uses
As an offshoot of the constant government urging to attract foreign

investments, to generate more employment opportunities, and to decongest
major population centers, thousands of hectares of agricultural lands across the
country have been, and are being converted into other land uses. In the process,
vast fertile agricultural lands go to waste as they are converted to non-agriculture
land uses, while environmentally critical, marginal areas have been opened up
for agricultural purposes. Landless farmers dislocated from low land communities
usually encroach on forestlands where they practice lowland agricultural
practices that further cause resources degradation. For example, in the provinces
of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Bulacan, there is an on-going massive
conversion of prime agricultural lands to housing, commercial establishments,
and industrial estates. About 20,000 ha of farmlands were converted every year
(from 1970 to 1980) to be used for other lands all over the country are targeted
for conversion in the next five years to give way to industrial, commercial,
residential and tourism uses (Cardenas 1998).
A study (BSWM 1991) estimated that irrigated rice lands were converted
to urban uses (settlements and industry) at an average of 2,267 ha/year. For the
period 1987-91, land use conversion in the country covered a total of 11,337 ha.
Translating this land conversion into production figures, it is estimated that a
hectares of rainfed areas and five hectares of ecologically fragile rolling upland
farms, deprived of their capacity to produce food staples. Apart from directly
altering the physical environment through clearing farmlands and building
40 | P a g e
industrial projects, land conversion lessen the coverage of the governments

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). The shift in the
land use has provided land owners (of rice, corn, sugarcane and coconut) with
another viable pretext for circumventing the redistribution of lands to the tenants-
farmers that have long tilled these lands. 72 Asian Journal of Agriculture and
Development, Vol. 2, Nos. 1&2
Loss of Genetic Diversity (Biodiversity)
Biological resources-genes, species and ecosystem that have actual or

potential value to people-are the physical manifestations of the earth’s biological
diversity or ‘biodiversity’. The Philippines is one of the countries with the highest
number of species of plants and animals per unit area [Protected Areas and
Wildlife Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (PAWB-
DENR) 1992]. The primary issue besetting the country’s biodiversity is related to
habitat alteration, which results from land use changes that reduce the area of
natural conditions. Wherever clearings, settlements and agricultural activities are
established, species are displaced and this has consequences on the ecological
balance. Although the country is home to an extraordinary variety of life forms, its
biodiversity is also faced with problems and threats. Forest cover has been
drastically reduced; only about 5% of coral reefs remain in excellent condition;
sea grass beds and mangroves areas have been lost. It has been estimated that
about 50% of national parks are no longer biologically important (PAWB 1996).
The present orientation of Philippine agriculture towards more extensive use of
monoculture and uniform strains erodes the genetic potential of local and
indigenous crops. Uniform strains and high-yielding varieties (HYVs) have now
replaced local varieties in most Philippine farms. While these HYVs are more
productive in terms of volume output, they are, however, also more disease-
prone and heavily reliant on intensive labor and chemical inputs. Thus, the use of
these improved varieties exposes the farmers to greater risks of pest and
disease-related crop failures. Furthermore, the potential to improve the crops
resistance to pest and disease is diminishing with the extinction of many of the
wild strains from which crops every year also favour’s the build-up of pests and
disease. Monoculture is not a serious problem but there are attendant
environmental problems associated with monoculture that can be addressed with
appropriate farming practices. Farmers are already concern.
In poultry and livestock, incessant cross-breeding and varietal manipulations

have reduced their genetic variability. The Food and Agricultural Organization
41 | P a g e
(FAO) notes, that 30% of the world’s breeds of cattle, sheep, hogs and chicken
are now threatened by extinction.
INTENSIFICATION OF LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY FARMING
Changes in the demand for food have also had their impact on poultry and
livestock farming. As incomes rise, the demand for meat and meat products also
tends to increase, triggering an intensified poultry and livestock farming. But
there are concomitant environmental issues that arise in the wake of intensified
poultry and livestock production.
ANIMAL WASTE MANAGEMENT
Intensification of animal production causes environmental problems. In the

disposal of manure produced by farm animals, a high proportion of mineral and
nutrient content is released, thereby increasing the risks of polluting the water
systems, by affecting river and costal fisheries and thereby posing a threat to the
supply of clean drinking water. The smells emanating from manure affect the
living and working environment of the local population and have had adverse
effects on recreation and tourism in the areas. The rearing of animals in artificial
conditions also creates the need to produce feeds, usually in the form of cereals
and fish meal concentrates, putting more pressure not only on agricultural
production but also on the fishing industry. In confined spaces, animals become
42 | P a g e
susceptible to the spread of disease, and feed is often supplemented by

medicines which persists in manure and water, and add to the problem of waste
disposal. A study conducted by Alcantara et al. (1996) indicates that the pollution
loading of the Laguna Lake from swine and poultry farms comprises 3,944 t/year
of nitrogen and 1,314 t/ year of phosphorus. These chemicals contribute to the
eutrophication of the Lake. Animal waste management in confined system can be

properly addressed by installing waste water treatment facilities. However, this
may be too costly for small livestock growers. 73 Nicomedes D. Briones
GRAZING
Philippine grasslands are rapidly expanding, which is the result of forest

degradation that gives rise to open lands where grass species establish and
dominate. Grasslands, an important resource for the livestock industry, can
support only one or two animals per hectare, which may lead to low meat
production. The Philippines has 900,000 ha of open grasslands in 2004 which
represents 3% of the country’s total land area. The dominant species is cogon
(Imperata cylindrical) which covers 30 to 80% of the natural grassland vegetation
in the Philippines (EMB 2003). Overstocking may result in overgrazing, the
disappearance of desirable range species, growth of weeds, and soil erosion.
The recommended ecologically sound stocking rate for Philippine grasslands in
one animal or cattle for every two hectares of land, mangroves, sea grass and
cora; reefs, is one of the focal points of study in sustainable development.
The major threats to Philippine costal resources are:
(1) Siltation due to deforestation and improper agricultural practices,

(2) settlements and coastal land development,
(3) nutrient enrichment due to agricultural fertilizer run-off and sea wage,
(4) industrial pollutants,
(5) destructive fishing methods,
(6) overfishing,
43 | P a g e
(7) storm and typhoons and
(8) others (aquarium fishing, mariculture , coral extraction , diseases such as
red tide, and tourist\driver damage).
Mangrove resources in the Philippines have been decreasing steadily. Among

the regions, Region 9 still has the highest percentage of mangrove areas left
as 45%, followed by region 4 at 24%, and region 10 at 16%. The swamp
forest reserves are found in Palawan, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines
Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro, Leyte, Cebu, Bohol,
Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidintal, Davao, Surigao del Norte, Suregao del
Sur and Zambaonga del Sur (EMB 2004).
The decimation of mangroves is largely due to human developmental

activities which fall into several major categories, namely: infrastructure,
industry, urban expansion, agricultural effects, the direct removal of
mangroves for firewood, and timber, and the onstruction of mariculture ponds.
The convertion of mangrove swamp into capital-intensives brackish-water
fishponds is considered the more controversial issue in mangrove ecosystem
management. Mangrove areas are still decreasing, although at a much slower
rate than in the 1980s. In the 1990s the rate of mangrove depletion was less
than 3000 ha/year or about 3%, while in the early 2000s, mangrove loss has
been minimal due mainly to legal prohibition of mangrove cutting. The total
mangrove areas of the country hovered around 100,000 ha in 2004 (DENR-
EMB 2004).
FISHERIES
Fisheries comprise a major component of agricultural sector, providing a main

source of food for the population, and contributing to the national income,
employment and export earnings. Close to 1.5 million workers were employed
in the fishery sector in 2003: 26% in aquaculture, 68% in municipal fishery,
and 6% in commercial fishery.
44 | P a g e
Aquatic Farming Systems: Coastal and freshwater (Including

Groundwater)
The water resources of the Philippines include inland freshwater (rivers, lakes
and groundwater), and marine (bay, coastal and oceanic waters). Overall,
there is sufficient water but not enough in highly populated areas, especially
during the dry season.
COASTAL
The coastal ecosystems of the Philippines are some of the most productive
and biologically diverse in the world. The interdependence between the
economic system and such coastal and marine resources as fisheries, 74
Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, Vol. 2, Nos. 1&2
Fishery-related livelihood includes fishery distribution and marketing, fish

processing (like fish canning), operation of ice plants and cold storages, and
other allied industries such as net making, boat building, and boat engine
motor sales and repairs. The fisheries sector is classified as municipal,
commercial and aquaculture.
ACQUACULTURE
Aquaculture fishery includes fishing operations involving all forms of farming

fish and other fishery species in fresh, brackish and marine water areas. For
example in mariculture, finfish, crustaceans, mollusks and seaweeds are
45 | P a g e
reared in the tidal and intertidal areas along the shorelines. Cages and pens
are stocked with groupers and sea bass. Wood and bamboos are used for the
attachment of spats and mussels and oysters. In seaweed culture, floating or
sinking nets and line used as culture attachments. Environmental problems
have also cropped up with aquaculture competes with catch fisheries, in
terms of space and obstructs water transportation. Pen cage culture obstructs
or slows down the free flow of currents, thus, promoting a rapid rate of
siltation. Unconsumed feeds in the pens and cages pollute the surroundings,
thus triggering eutrophication that ultimately results in fish kills.
FRESH WATER ECOSYSTEM
The main sources of pollution in the fresh water systems are domestic sea
wage, and garbage and wastes from industry, agriculture, mining and land
development projects. As mentioned above, chemical residues from
agricultural activities find their way to the river systems, thereby adversely
affecting the water ecology, which ultimately affects human health. When
heavy deposits of suspended sediments or silt flow into rivers and lakes, the
rate of shall owing is hastened. Sunlight may fail to reach deeper into the
water, to the detriment of photosynthezing aquatic flora, thus adversely
affecting the fishery productivity.
Groundwater is replenished or recharged by rain and seepage from rivers.

The recharge or extraction potential is estimated at 20,200 million cubic
meters (mcm) per year. Groundwater contributes 14% of the total water
resource potential of the Philippines. Region X has the lowest potential
source of groundwater compared to its surface water potential, while region I
and VII have the highest potential. Ground water is used for dinking any about
50% of the people in the country. A high percentage (86%) of piped-water
system uses groundwater as a source. Based on the water rights granted by
the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) since 2002, about 60% of the
groundwater extraction is without water-right permits, resulting in
46 | P a g e
indiscriminate withdrawal. In terms of sectorial demand, agriculture has a high

demand of 85%, while industry and domestic uses have combined demand of
only15%.
Pollution of groundwater may come from domestic wastewater, agricultural

runoffs, and industrial effluents. This occurs when contaminants reach the
aquifer or water table in the form of leachate. Domestic water is the main
contributor of bacterial contamination to the ground water supplies. The
presence of coliform bacteria in drinking water supplies can cause water-
borne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A and others.
Another problem is a saline water instruction, which caused by over-
exploitation or excessive withdrawal of groundwater. This reduces water
availability for domestic usage, including drinking and agricultural use.

Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________

WRITTEN TEST
TEST I.TRUE OR FALSE:
DIRECTION: Write TRUE if the statement is correct FASLSE if is incorrect. Write your
answer on the space provided before each number (2 points each).
_________1. The main sources of pollution in the fresh water systems are domestic sea
wage, and garbage and wastes from industry, agriculture, mining and land development
projects.
_________2. Aquaculture fishery includes fishing operations involving all forms of

farming fish and other fishery species in fresh, brackish and marine water areas.
_________3. Pollution of groundwater may come from domestic wastewater,

agricultural runoffs, and industrial effluents.
_________4. The coastal ecosystems of the Philippines are some of the most
productive and biologically diverse in the world.
________5. Pen cage culture obstructs or slows down the free flow of currents, thus,
promoting a slow rate of siltation.
47 | P a g e
________6. Philippine grasslands are rapidly expanding, which is the result of forest
degradation that gives rise to close lands where grass species establish and dominate.
________7. The consumed feeds in the pens and cages pollute the surroundings, thus
triggering eutrophication that ultimately results in fish kills. .
________8. Grasslands, an important resource for the livestock industry, can support
only one or two animals per hectare, which may lead to low milk production.
________9. In poultry and livestock, incessant line-breeding and varietal manipulations

have reduced their genetic variability.
________10. Potassium became the most popular fertilizer nutrient demanded by

Filipino farmers; this is mostly used in rice, corn, sugarcane, and other plantation crops.
TEST II. ACRONYM
DIRECTION: Give the meaning of the following ACRONYMS and explain (5 points
each).
1. DENR-
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
2. FAO –
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
3. CARP –
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
4. LLDA –
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
5. HYVs –
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
48 | P a g e
MODULE 3
LESSON 1
1. Explain the policy response to address environmental concerns in the

agriculture and fisheries sector.; and
2. Discuss t
3. he Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA)
POLICY RESPONS TO ADRESS ENVIRONMENTAL
CONCERNS IN THE AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES SECTOR
Environmental concerns are firmly based on the country’s political agenda and
are reflected in the changing policies of the government. The administration and
management of the environment and natural resources has been bureautically
centralized and vested to certain national government agencies.
CONTENT
Two lead agencies, the DENR and the Department of Agriculture (DA), have
been mandated to ensure the sustainable use of resources through proper
management, protection and rehabilitation of degraded encompass both
preventive and proactive approaches; it involves government and non-
government institutions as well as communities that support various ecological
and conservation restoration programs.
The formulation of a national plan of action for sustainability began as

early as 1989 with the adoption of the Philippine Strategy of Sustainable
Development. Taking into consideration global action plans in the UNCED’s
Agenda 21, the Philippine National Action Plan for Sustainable development was
formulated. This plan provides a framework for the action aimed towards
achieving the goal of sustainable development (Briones 1999).
The Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA)

of 1997
49 | P a g e
Is “an act prescribing urgent related measures to modernize the agriculture

and fisheries sectors of the country in order to enhance their profitability, and
prepare said sectors for the challenges of globalization through an adequate,
focused and rational delivery of necessary support services, appropriating funds
therefore and for the other purposes” (DA 1999). An outstanding feature of AFMA
in relation environmental sustainability is the identification and delineation of the
Network of protected Areas for Agriculture and Agro-Industrial Development
(NPAAAD) and the Strategic Agriculture and Fishery Development Zones
(SAFDZ). The NPAAAD and SAFDZ “shall serve as basis for the proper planning
and strategic agriculture and fishery development and in the identification of
suitable crops, livestock, and fishes that can be economically grown and
commercially developed for local and international markets, without irreversible
environmental and human health problems.”
AFMA requires that all lands suitable for the economic and commercial
development of agriculture ad fishery be identified, set aside and protected
from unwarranted future conversion from other competing uses. There are
four types of lands that need to be identified for agriculture and fishery
modernization and protected from unlawful land use conversion (DA 1999;
Elazegui 1999):
a) the Network of Protected Areas for Agriculture and Agro-Industrial

Development (NPAAAD)
- referring to privately-owned lands identified from the alienable and
disposal lands;
b) the Strategic Agriculture and Fishery Development Zone (SAFDZ);
c) the Model Farms – identified from SAFDZ; and
d) the Watershed Areas, identified in coordination with DENR.
AFMA is hoped to transform the Philippine agricultural landscape but as of now, its
meagre budget is inadequate for its full implementation. What can be considered a
concrete accomplishment though is that country has already put in place the legal
and administrative framework to insure environmental sustainability in relation to
agricultural practices.
The Fisheries Code of 1998 promotes an integrated and community-based

management approach to fisheries management. Its implementation requires
devolving to various local government units the production of individualize
ordinances for each municipality, which provide for the development, management
50 | P a g e
and conservation of the fisheries and aquatic resources and integrating aquatic
resources, and integrating all pertinent laws. The code significantly addresses the
“utilization” of fisheries and aquatic resources through the following state policies:
 Achieving food security as the overriding consideration of fisheries;

 Limiting access to fishery resources to citizens of the Philippines;
 Rationale and sustainable development of fishery resources;
 Protection of the rights of fisher folk and giving priority to municipal fisher folk in
the exploitation of municipal waters;
 Provision of support to the fisheries sector through research, financing,
infrastructure and marketing assistance;
 Granting the private sector the privilege of utilizing the fishery resources.
The code affirms the full jurisdiction of the local government units over waters up
to 15 kilometers from the shoreline as provided for by the Local Government
Code in 1991. It is these shorelines that the bulk of the marine resources lies; a
considerable faction of the country’s population relies on these resources for
livelihood. Biodiversity conservation in the Philippines is embodied in the National
Integrated Pro8tected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.
Most of the job of safeguarding the country’s biodiversity will be achieved by the
development of protected habitats selected to protect viable examples of all
major ecosystems and hence conserve populations of most of the country’s living
species.
The NIPAs law is focused on the declination and creation of protected areas.
However, protected area (PA) establishment raises concerns about ecosystem
representation, size, community participation and management effectiveness (World
Resources Institute 1994).
In the Philippine setting, the issue on PA is at times more a political rather than
an ecological concern. As such, community participation and management
effectiveness are at stake. The extent of the participation and involvement of the
community in the process of NIPAS implementation is yet unresolved. A more basic
issue is where the community is indeed given the avenue to express how they want
to manage the area.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
To respond to the urgent needs of burgeoning population, while tackling the

problems spawned by increasing poverty, fiscal deficits and globalization realities,
the Philippine agricultural sector practices. For most Filipino farmers (from the small-
scale rice farmers or ornamental plant growers, to the large-scale banana plantation
51 | P a g e
operators), the intensive use of chemical inputs and improved crop varieties has
become a common practice.
However, there is growing awareness on the unsustainability of existing agricultural

practices because of their invertible environmental costs that threaten the livelihood
source of these farmers.
Although there are policy initiatives (such as AFMA and the Fisheries Code) that
are being done to make Philippine agriculture more responsive to environmental
concerns, there are difficulties in operationalizing such policies on the ground. The
difficulty stems from the lack of resources and political will to implement the needed
charges, coupled with the basic orientation of communities the favour livelihood
activities over environmental protection. The transformation of the country’s farming
systems requires a land-or resources-use planning approach the formulation of
explicit goals for alternative land uses. Planning is also necessary to define
incentives for sustainable use, and to promote changes of attitude and values
toward improved land options. The constant pressure on forestry and fishery
resources in example of how weak policy planning implementation can lead to the
indiscriminate use of common-property natural resources. The framework within
which agricultural production can increase without leading to widespread
environmental damage should have at least four elements:
 Initiation of dynamic, community-based, and participatory land-use planning

process that identify and mitigate the risk of natural degradation and adverse
environmental impacts;
 Socioeconomic support to improve the capacity of farmers and fisher folk in
poorer areas to manage efficiency their resources through holistic management
system, hand in hand with the equitable distribution of productive resources,
access to capital, and employment opportunities;
 Greater investment in human capital and rural infrastructure, including the
improve use of information and communication technology, and training and
empowering municipal and agricultural workers to work with farmers and fisher
folk in applying environmentally sound production methods; and
 On-going assessment, monitoring and evaluation of environmental impacts in all
segments of the food production chain through information management,
decision-support systems, indicators of sustainability and geographic referencing
of information (especially by linking agro-ecological zone characteristics to district
and national planning units.)
52 | P a g e
All in all, what will really need is to have adequate safeguards to ensure that the
agricultural technology is applied in the least damaging, most environmentally
friendly technologies (e.g. integrated pest management, agroforestry). As such, a
responsive Philippine agriculture in the context of the emerging global
environment must be anchored on the following concerns: efficiency and growth,
for increased productivity and competitiveness; equity, where in the benefits of
growth must not be viewed only across income groups but also between
generations, and; environmental integrity, to insure that the production bases are
protected and managed.
Environmental integrity emphasizes that development should be promoted and

carried out in ways that are not destructive to the natural resource base. The
preservation of agricultural ecosystems must always be important consideration in
areas where fisheries and agricultural development are carried out. This is to
ensure the long-term sustainability of the Philippine agricultural sector, in
particular, and the environment, in general.
http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/165781/2/
AJAD_2005_2_1%262_6Briones.pdf; June 26, 2014; 10:45 pm

Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________

WRITTEN TEST
TEST I. ACRONYM
DIRECTION: Give the meaning of the following ACRONYMS and explain briefly.
1. AFMA –
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
2. NIPAS –
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
3. NPAAAD –
53 | P a g e
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
4. SAFDZ –
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
5. IPM –
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________

ASSIGNMENT
DIRECTION: Research and study the following:
1. Philippine Agriculture 2020
2. Conceptual Framework and Philosophy of PA 2020

3. Pillars of Modernization
NOTE: STUDY AND PREPARE FOR A LONG QUIZ NEXT MEETING.
LESSON 2
1. Define Philippine Agriculture 2020; and

2. DA prepares Filipino farmers for Asian integration.
PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE (PA) 2020
A Strategic Plan for Poverty Reduction, Food Security, Competitiveness,

Sustainability, and justice and peace National Academy of Science and Technology
Department of Science and Technology.
54 | P a g e
CONTENT
I. What is Philippine Agriculture 2020?

 A medium term strategic plan articulated by science community for the
modernization and development of the agriculture and natural resources sector.
 Outcome of series of consultations and workshops convened by the National
Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) involving scientists, farmers,
entrepreneurs, non-government workers, managers and industry stakeholders
 Robust and vibrant agricultural and natural resources production systems and
ecosystems services that improve and sustain human well-being in the
Philippines.
 Agricultural modernization as a significant contributor to national goals of

reducing poverty, attaining food security, achieving competitiveness and
sustainability and promoting justice and peace.
II. Conceptual Framework and Philosophy of PA 2020

 UN Millennium Ecosystems Assessment (MEA) posits a strong linkage
between ecosystems and human well-being.
 Ecosystems are dynamic complexes of plant, animal and microorganism
communities and the non-living environment interacting as functional units.
III. Conceptual Framework and Philosophy of PA 2020

IV. People are integral parts of ecosystems; human activities; ecosystems in turn
influence/determine human activities.
 Agriculture embedded in three (3) overlapping/interacting systems
 Agricultural systems
 Natural resources systems
 Social systems
Social Philosophy
 Multiple functions of agriculture

 Beyond its economic and material contributions it is connected to the
distribution of social and political power and to the culture and values that
animate society.
Pillars of Modernization
 Organizing and managing agriculture as a business
55 | P a g e
 Changing the social structure through asset reform

 Nurturing values respecting nature and community
IV. Philosophy, Pillars and Enabling Strategies

 Organizing and Managing Agriculture as a Business
 Transform small farmers into entrepreneurs
 Overcome problem scale through concentration in key production areas, through
industry-wide clustering, strengthening of cooperatives and farmers organizations
Changing the Social Structure through Asset Reform
 Poverty more severe in the countryside

 Empowerment of farmers and fishers who work the land, the forests and waters
of the country
 Asset reform – transfer of property or usufruct rights to assets to farmers and
fisheries
 Stimulate investments among owners/rights holders to make the assets
productive and sustainable
Nurturing Values respecting Nature Community
 Perspective of agriculture as a way of life

 Not only material improvement and power changes but also preserve what is
good in the culture
 Love for nature; enjoying the land and waters destroying them preserving for
future generations
 Bringing soul to agriculture (Fr. Francis Lucas, ANGOC, Catholic Media
Network)
 Investments
 Technology Development
 Governance
 Investments
 Physical infrastructure in countryside i.e. irrigation and drainage; farm-to-
market roads; postharvest facilities; transport system; information systems
 Rural credit and insurance
 Human capital
 Institutions
 Technology Development
 Innovations to raise yields, reduce costs, improve product quality, reduce
losses and conserve environment
56 | P a g e
 Specific technology modernization requirements treated at length in the 15

industry cluster strategic plans
 Technology Development (continuation)
 Primary production – variety development; multiple cropping and
diversification;
 IPM; soil nutrient management; sustainable agriculture; organic farming
 Agricultural mechanization and water resources management
Broad Enabling Strategies (3)
 Technology Development (continuation)

 Agricultural biotechnology
 Socio-economics research and policy and advocacy
 Governance
 “Binding force” among enabling strategies
 Laws, policies, rules and regulations to make public institutions work to
define space within which the private sector has to operate
 Broad participation and consent of stakeholders
 Grouping of key and support industries, infrastructure and institutions that
are inter-liked and interdependent
 Core industries- farmers/producers; assemblers/traders; primary and
secondary process
 Supplier industries – raw materials; processing supplies; packages;
machinery; equipment
All’s not well in agriculture
 Anemic growth rate, except fisheries
 Rural poverty still very high
 Increasing trade deficit in agriculture
 Declining competitiveness
 Continuing degradation of environment
 Water, soils, biodiversity losses
Poverty Incidence in the Incidence (%) Year
ASEAN Country
Malaysia 3.6 2007
Thailand 8.5 2008
Indonesia 14.2 2009
Vietnam 14.5 2008
57 | P a g e
Philippines 26.5 2009
Poverty Incidence in the Philippines (2006) Incidence (%)
Rural 37.84
Urban 14.32
National Average 26.40
GDP Growth Rate of ASEAN, 1970-2009 Growth (%)
(%) Country
Vietnam 6.78
Malaysia 6.40
Indonesia 6.03
Thailand 6.03
Philippines 3.79
Growth of GVA from Agriculture, 1989- 2009
Crops 2.42%
Livestock 3.22%
Fisheries 3.68%
Forestry Negative
GDP 3.61%
Share of Agriculture in Total 2005 2009
Trade Million US$ Item
Agric exports $2,691 $3,889
Agric imports $3,976 $7,685
Agric Deficit -$1,285 -$3,796
% of Agric Deficit to Total Trade 16% 50%
Deficit
58 | P a g e
But we have the natural resources, people, technology and institutions to do much
better
 Achievable growth rate of 6-7% p.a. vs current 3% p.a.

 Favourable climate; 2400 mm rainfall p.a.
 Public RDE institutions in place
 Enlightened policies and laws on agrarian reform; CBFMAs; ancestral domains;
environment – friendly laws
 Organized private sector and NGOs
V.
Greater part of the solution is the further but sustainable intensification of agriculture
 Higher inputs for higher yields

 Raising cropping intensity
 More irrigation systems
 Less postharvest losses
 Greater value adding/processing
 Sustainable technologies – pest resistant HYVs, IPM, INM, zero tillage
VI. Major Observations and Conclusions

Key land use targets
 Rehabilitation of 1.5 million ha irrigation system

 Construction of 500,000 ha new irrigation
 Establishment of 700,000 ha forest tree plantations
 1 million ha second growth forests under supervised sustainable forest
management
VII.
Key land use targets (continuation)
 Intensive management of existing fishponds (no further expansion)

 Expansion of seaweed production from 59,000 to 255,000 ha
 Establishment of more marine protected areas to replenish dwindling fish
folks
 Establishment of more marine parks
VIII.
Level of public appropriations for agriculture has ceased to be a key limiting
59 | P a g e
Factor
 P18-20 billion up to 2006

 P54 billion in 2009
 P38 billion in 2011
 Optimistic pronouncement from Pres. B. Aquino
 Recommend P50-60 billion p.a. DA budget
IX.
Major challenge is GOVERNANCE
Medium Term recommendation
 Comprehensive Land Use Planning

 Consolidation of Lands Administration functions into a Lands Administration
Authority under DENR
 Reform of the National Food Authority

 Strengthening of extension and its articulation with research
X.
Major challenge is GOVERNANCE (continuation)
 Reform of the National Irrigation Administration

 Convergence of DA, DAR, DENR and private sector initiatives
71
 Management of Department of Agriculture itself

Strengthen of agriculture extension extension and its articulation with research
 Resurrect old BAEx from ATI

 No to re-centralization of extension
 Instead, more LGU executive training, support to LGUs and resource sharing
 Creation and funding of dedicated RDE units in SUCs
Short
Management of the Department of Agriculture
 Emancipation of the bureaus (BPI, BAI, BSWM, BAS, BFAR)

 Provide adequate operating funds
 Follow model of PhilRice and Phil Carabao Center
 Resolve Fisheries governance issue
 Appoint USec for Fisheries
60 | P a g e
XI.
Management of the Department of Agriculture
 Align appropriations with added value and potential of subsectors

 Rice overfunded (18% of GVA but 50-60% budget)
 Coconut and fisheries grossly underfunded
 Phase out physical procurement and distribution of farm inputs;
Redirect to RDE, credit, insurance, rural infrastructure
Reform of the National Irrigation Administration
 Irrigation and drainage most valuable in put

 P10-12 billion p.a. investments (1/3 of DA budget)
 Huge upside potential – 1.6 million ha still to be developed (51% easily/irrigable
area) and poor irrigation efficiency
XII.
Reform of the National Irrigation Administration (continuation)
 Recommend External Program and Management Review NIA performance

 Devolve repair maintenance and collection and retention of water fees to
Irrigation Associations
 Amend NIA charter; conversion from government corporation to Bureau of

Irrigation development under DA
XIII.
Convergence of DA, DENR, DAR and private sector initiatives in countryside
 Convergence initiated by former DAR secretary Horacio Morales, on-going

 Professional management and technical support to cooperatives, ARCs, AIs,
farmer organization and NGOs.
XIV.
Convergence of DA, DENR, DAR and private sector initiatives in country side
(continuation)
 One Town-One Product platform of DTI

 E.g. Coffee Towns
- 30,000 tons imports
61 | P a g e
- 40 towns each with 1,000 ha of coffee

- LGU commitment
- Nestle buying stations
- Dedicated coffee research units in Cavite State, Benguet State, USM
XV.
Expand access to affordable credit and insurance to small farmers and fisheries
folks
 Share of bank lending to agriculture down to 2.5% from 9.5% in the 1970s
 Loans for primary production only 0.9%
 Only 24% of borrowing needs of small farmers met
Expand access to affordable credit and insurance to small farmers and fisher folks
 Reduce interest rates to single digits; bundle insurance with credit
 Creation a Small Farmers Fund with 1-2% interest; source from external
loans
and grants – e.g. yen loans
 Increase budget of PCIC to partly subsidize insurance premiums
XVI. .
 Full support and encouragement from former DA secretary Arthur Yap and
DOST Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro
 Major partners – NAST, PCARRD-DOST, PCAMRD-DOST, DA-BAR, ERDB-

DENR and STRIVE/SIKAP foundation, Inc.
Adss-Philippines Agriculture PA 2020-2012-aug-28.pdf
DA PREPARES FILIPINO FARMERS FOR ASEAN
INTEGRATION
Created on Wednesday, 18 June 2014
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala commended Filipino farmers who successfully

braved the Palayabangan 10-5 challenge, an initiative of the Department of Agriculture
to prepare them for the ASEAN free trade next year, during the contests awarding
62 | P a g e
ceremony held at the Philippine Rice Research Institute in the Science City of Munoz,
Nueva Ecija on July 16, 2014.
The palayabangan: 10-5 challenge was organized by DA-PhilRice to raise the standard
of yield to 10 tons per hectare at a P5-production cost for every kilogram
“If the Palyabangan challenge can be sustained and expended throughout the country,
that means the Filipino farmer can be globally competitive, “Alcala said. “The
Palayabangan is concrete example of how DA prepares local farmers for ASEAN
integration in 2015,” he added.
The Agri chief said that with the current efforts of the Filipino farmers as exemplified by
the winners of the current efforts of the Filipino farmers as exemplified by the winners of
the 10-5 challenge, rice production at a lower cost is realistic and attainable.
Alcala awarded the P 100,000 cash prize to – Syngenta Philippines, for attaining a yield
of 10.54 tons per hectare at Php 4.94 per kilo during the dry season 2014 challenge.
Syngenta’s Ronald de Guzman said that the company was able to achieve the feat by
applying appropriate technologies during the important stages in the development of the
rice plant: seedling, vegetative, reproductive and harvesting. He added that the
interventions provided by PhilRice such as proper cultural practices the assistance in
seed selection, land preparation, proper fertilization and water management, were also
helpful. For the 10-5 challenge, Syngenta used a variety called frontline Gold, which
thrives in Luzon during both wet and dry planting seasons and has maturity period of
105 to 110 days.
PhilRice-Isabela’s Station manager, Mr. Democrito B. Rebong II said syngenta’s branch

earned Php 127,214.19 in profits for the yield achieved from the Palayabangan 10-15
challenges.
Alcala also awarded consolation prizes for the Dry Season 2014 challenge to winners
from PhilRice’s Central Experiment Station (CES) – Pioneer Hi-Bred Phils. (10.23
tons/ha at P5.92/kg), SL-Agritech Corp. (9.63 tons/ha at 6.99/kg), Organic Resource
Biotic – Multipurpose Cooperative (7.99 tons/ha at P.24/kg). Consolation prize winners
from the PhilRice Isabela Station include the local government of San Mateo, Isabela
(9.72 tons/ha at P4.67/kg), farmer Mr. Rolando Terte (9.69 tons/ha at P5.67/kg), and
Jolo Sevilleja (7.45 tons/ha at Php5.28/kg).
PhilRice Executive Director Eufemio Rasco said that one of the issues confronting the
country’s farming sector is the impending free trade which will take effect in 2015.
63 | P a g e
As stated in the ASEAN Economic Community blueprint, free trade will establish a
single market and production base for the Southeast Asian region. This entails a free
flow of goods including rice, service, investment, capital and skilled labor among
ASEAN member countries.
Rasco added that under the ASEAN free trade, imported rice will become cheaper,
posing a great challenge to Filipino farmers.
“If our farmers achieve 10-5, they will continue to profit even if rice is priced at 10/kilo,”
he said.
Rasco stressed that Filipino farmers need lower production cost because “our
Southeast Asian counterparts are producing rice at P8/kilo while we spend P11 for the
same value.
The Palayabangan: 10-5 Challenge is a nationwide rice production competition open to

individual farmers, non-government organizations,academicians, government officials
seed and fertilizer companies.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
June 21, 2014: 10:50 pm

Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________

WRITTEN TEST
TEST I. ACRONYM
DIRECTION: Write the meaning of the ACRONYM and explain the function of each of
the following words.
1. ATI –
2. IPM-
3. BPI -
4. BAI -
5. BSWM -
6. BAS -
7. BFAR –
8. NAST -
64 | P a g e
9. MEA –
10. NGOs –
TEST II. DISCUSSION / EXPLAINATION:
1. Why we need to prepare our Filipino farmers for Asian Integrations?

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
2. What is Philippine Agriculture 2020?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________
ASSIGNMENT
DIRECTION: Discuss the following (5 points each).
1. What is organic agriculture?

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
2. What is the importance of Organic agriculture?

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
3. What benefits can we derived when we practice organic farming?

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
65 | P a g e
4. What is the significant when we consume an organic product?

________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
NOTE: STUDY THE NEXT TOPIC AND PREPARE FOR LONG QUIZ NEXT
MEETING.
LESSON 3
1. Explain the Philippine Agriculture to 2020: treats 2013 – and Global opportunities
from global trades;
2. Discuss organic agriculture.
PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE TO 2020: THREATS
2013- AND OPPORTUNITIES FROM GLOBAL TRADE
Briones, Roehlano M.
Agriculture confronts several challenges over the decade, i.e.,meeting burgeoning food
requirements with limited farm land, and balancing the need to import with the provision
of livelihoods. The current policy regime leans heavily toward import substitution, with
supply side interventions to boost production, combined with protectionism toward
sensitive products (particularly rice). The study conducts a scenario: Agricultural growth
continuous with dramatic increase for rice production in the offing. Likewise per capita
consumption of most food items would continue increasing. Import growth is curtailed,
with substantial price increase for meat products and rice.
CONTENT
The alternative scenario involves liberalization and re-allocation of expenditure support

toward export-oriented agricultural subsector. Under this scenario, imports of rice yellow
maize and poultry increase, with faster increases in per capita consumption than under
business-as-usual, and lower retail prices. While consumers gain, producers of import-
competing products face harsher competition and cut back on their production. Deepest
cuts are expected for rice. Export-oriented commodities experience a production and
export boost, with brightest prospects for other crops, banana, aquaculture products,
and even coconut. This study recommends the outward-oriented policy, with
66 | P a g e
concomitant measures to compensate losers, ease the burden of adjustment, and

facilitate the transaction toward a more diversified dynamic agricultural sector.
(Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
ORGANIC FARMING: THE FUTURE OF PHILIPPINE
AGRICULTURE
Tuesday, 08 May 2012 09:00
As the trend towards healthier lifestyle continues to grow, the interest in

organic farming in the Philippines is also expeditiously gaining ground
In fact, the government has mandated the Department of Agriculture to allot at least
PHP1 billion (US$23.70 million) this year to exclusively promote the organic agriculture
programs in the country. President Benigno Aquino III believes that believes that
organic agriculture is the way of the future not only to address hunger but also to
sustain health and environment.
According to the local Organic producers The Association (OPTA), the risk of
consuming non-organic food is becoming more perilous to human health as high-
yielding agri-produce or the so-called “green revolution crops” developed in the province
of Los Banos-one of the country’s major agricultural research hubs-have been identified
as one of the causes of brain damage particularly resulting to impaired intellect to
people in poor or third world countries.
According to OPTA, these crops that are produce under modern agriculture techniques
that large doses of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers are decreasing brain size, thus
slowing down one’s intelligence capabilities. OPTA also tells that international studies
have likewise shown that chemical-infused crops have resulted in cancer, hormone
disruption, neurological disorders and other life-threatening illness.
As chemical farming destroys the environment, OPTA says beneficial micronutrients in

the soil that are needed by a human body are also killed such as calcium, magnesium,
iron, zinc, copper, selenium, manganese and many others. The absence of these
essential health elements in the planting grounds may cause malnutrition as the soil can
no longer produce foods that are adequately supplied with important nutrients.
67 | P a g e
On the other hand, OPTA reveals that livestock and aquaculture grown in chemical-
industrial animal farming systems are also huge health hazards. These animals are fed
and injected with synthetic chemicals to force them to grow fast and survive the
pathogenic microorganism such as antibiotics, growth hormones, steroids, synthetic
vitamins and minerals. The danger of these chemicals has been proven to be so grave
that it compelled the European Union to ban the use of antibiotics and growth hormones
in their livestock. Although the Philippines has not resorted to completely ban the use of
synthetic chemicals in animal farming, the country is set to go all natural in agriculture
through Republic Act 10068 that aims to strengthen the state’s policy to promote,
propagate, develop further and implement the practice of organic agriculture. Through
the law, the farming community are hoped to ensure and cumulatively condition and
enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, reduce pollution and destruction
of the environment, prevent depletion of natural resources and protect the health of the
farmers and of the general public. Moreover, going organic agriculture is an
opportunity for the country for the organically grown commodities in the world market
which would cost US$40 billion in 2012.
The “birth pains” of organic
Amid all the wonderful advantages, pundits say the local farming community is yet to
totally embrace organic agriculture. The tedious task of producing them plus its high
production costs have discouraged farmers to shift into organic farming. While the use
of chemical inputs in farming guarantees sure harvests, there isn’t much economic
inducement for farmers to organic. According to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala,
while organically grown food commodities are making a sweep in more developed
countries, these are yet to catch on Filipinos as cost is one factor as organic food items
are more expensive than those grown with commercial chemically formulated fertilizers.
The only way to lower production costs is for farmers to learn to process their own
organic fertilizers.
An organic farmer admitted that the change from traditional to non-chemical farming
was totally difficult as what was once his 15 kilos of okra has been significantly reduced
to 7 kilos each scheduled harvest. Not to mention the invasion of insects that begun to
swarm in his farm when he stopped the use of pesticides. According to the website Eco-
Philippines, going organic will totally be analysed rehabilitation to determine the exact
nutrients needed and other recommendations for the soil.
Second, land preparation should eliminate the use of herbicides and instead using
grass cutter or manual pruning to plow pulverize the soil and prevent grass from
growing.
68 | P a g e
Third, is reconditioning the soil by using vermicasts or composts using earthworms to let
the garden “rest” for at least a month from the chemicals. After the “rest” period, the
garden is ready to be planted and the introduction of seedlings should be totally free of
synthetic inputs.
Likewise, organic farmers should ensure that their seeds and other inputs are totally
free from chemicals and these should be checked by certifying bodies.
Private think tank La Liga Policy Institute recommends that for people to totally go into
organic, it should raise consumer awareness which is marketing. La Liga says there is
much to be gained in enhancing the labelling, standards and certification of organic
products and by products to sustain agriculture. La Liga managing director Roland
Cabigas said that a concrete labelling system with clear government check mechanism
for the validity of labels, the promotion of organic products and by products would boost
trading system that would benefit more consumers and producers. This means
developing labels and standards that range from organic, semi-organic, organically
grown, naturally farmed, pesticide free or less chemicals.
Cabigas also said the appropriate labels will provide the consumers the appropriate
food information and proper guidance. Likewise, certification process should be attuned
to the interest of the small farmers to make it more economical to go into organic
farming. If these measures are immediately done, Cabigas said organic supply would
surely increase and these would drive down prices that would encourage people to buy.
It also would be reasonable to expect consumers to wean themselves from “steroid-
laced” meat, fish, fruit and vegetables.
While organic farms are sprouting like mushrooms in the country, experts cautions that
the farms should be entirely free from chemicals and that farmers should be educated
and knowledgeable enough to operate an organic farm. Organic farming, they say, is
easier said than done and although organic agriculture seems to be trend in the next
five years, its goal addressing the food security and health benefits should be taken into
consideration foremost. With the booming population and increasing health perils,
organic farming may seem to be one of the keys in addressing the poverty of the third
world countries such as the Philippines.
1http://www.fareasternagriculture.com/crop/agriculture/organic-farming-the-future-of-
philippine-agriculture June 26, 2014; 10:19pm
69 | P a g e

Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________
WRITTEN TEST
TEST I. DISCUSSION:
DIRECTION: Discuss the following question ( 10 points each).
1. What is Organic Farming?

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
2. The “birth pains” of organic what is the implication of this quote?
Explain briefly.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
___
3. What is the implication of the organic farming is the future of the
Philippines? And why?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
70 | P a g e
REFERENCE:
BOOK:
SURALLAH NATIONAL SCHOOL MODULE ( SUNAS)
WEBSITE:
1. https://www.google.com/search?
q=IMAGE+OF+FRESH+WATER+ECOSYSTEM&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjY0oH2-
OXqAhWTAZQKHYzgAN8Q2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=IMAGE+OF+FRESH+WATER+ECOSYSTEM&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA
zoECCMQJzoCCAA6BAgAEB5QszBYwJ0BYLGlAWgAcAB4AYAB-
RCIAeObAZIBEzAuMi44LjQuMy44LjcuMi4wLjGYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABA
Q&sclient=img&ei=btsaX9jjFJOD0ASMwYP4DQ&bih=591&biw=1350
q=IMAGE+OF+AQUACULTURE&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjY0oH2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=IMAGE+OF+AQUACULTURE&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzICCAA6BAgjE
Cc6BggAEAgQHjoECAAQGDoGCAAQChAYUJ4KWNSOAWCamAFoBHAAeACAAYICi
AGHH5IBBjAuMTYuNZgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=btsaX
9jjFJOD0ASMwYP4DQ&bih=591&biw=1350
q=IMAGE+OF+FISHERIES&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjY0oH2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=IMAGE+OF+FISHERIES&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIECAAQHjoECCMQ
JzoCCAA6BggAEAUQHjoGCAAQCBAeUL86WJ1pYLx1aABwAHgAgAHVBIgB-
huSAQswLjUuMS4xLjEuM5gBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=bt
saX9jjFJOD0ASMwYP4DQ&bih=591&biw=1350#imgrc=Nw2lq5k3XS5XvM
q=IMAGE+OF+GRAZING&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjY0oH2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=IMAGE+OF+GRAZING&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIECCMQJzIGCAAQC
BAeMgYIABAIEB46AggAUIUUWIVzYKp9aAFwAHgAgAGqAogBmSKSAQYwLjE3LjWY
AQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=btsaX9jjFJOD0ASMwYP4DQ&
bih=591&biw=1350
q=IMAGE+OF+Animal+waste+management&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjY0oH2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=IMAGE+OF+Animal+waste+management&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoE
CCMQJzoCCABQq54RWNrWEWD84xFoAHAAeAGAAZkDiAGSGZIBCTAuNS44LjAuM
ZgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=btsaX9jjFJOD0ASMwYP4D
Q&bih=591&biw=1350
71 | P a g e
q=IMAGE+OF+Intensification+of+livestock+and+Poultry+farming&tbm=isch&ved=2ahU
KEwjL3ZfS9uXqAhWpxIsBHfFpDpYQ2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=IMAGE+OF+Intensification+of+livestock+and+Poultry+farming&gs_lc
p=CgNpbWcQAzoECCMQJzoCCAA6BggAEAoQGFCNDFj8W2DtaGgAcAB4AIABygKIA
YAakgEHMC44LjUuMpgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=CtkaX
8uwFKmJr7wP8dO5sAk&bih=591&biw=1350#imgrc=jOgvSIhhOlAQkM
7. www.fao.org › exact › energy-management › mechanizati
Agriculture Industry Trends & Overview | Vault.com
8. www.vault.com › industries-professions › industries › a
9. www.slideshare.net › rpratap11 › farmer-organisations
72 | P a g e

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PHILIPPINE & ASIAN AGRICULTURE

Reviewing the status of Philippine agriculture, issues and concerns or even

At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:

1. Define what is Agriculture;

Agriculture, known also as husbandry or farming, is the science of

Ag.ri.cul.ture (Meriam Websters)

Noun \ ‘a-gri-, kel-cher\

The science or occupation of farming

Noun (Concise Encyclopedia)

(Meriam Websters: online: June 21, 2014 8:00pm)

Agriculture, also called farming or husbandry, is the cultivation of animals,

AGRICULTURE IN CENTRAL ASIA

Agricultural land in Central Asia is mostly desert and mountain pastures. ...

Agriculture in Central Asia - Wikipedia

Agriculture in Central Asia provides a brief regional overview of agriculture in

The emphasis on intensive cotton cultivation in the Amudarya and Syrdarya

Animal husbandry constitutes a large part of Central Asian agriculture. Cattle,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture in central Asia; June 22, 2014; 12:24 am

12 Things to Know About Asian Agriculture

Asian Agriculture: 12 Things to Know

 In most Asian countries, agriculture is the biggest user of water and can reach

Asian Agriculture: 12 Things to Know | Asian Development Bank

Agriculture and natural resources; Water

With rising populations, increasing food prices and environmental

Source: ADB, Regional Trade Opportunities for Agriculture

Marvelous College of Technology, Inc.

Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________

TEST I. FILL IN THE BLANK

DIRECTION: Supply the missing word to complete the sentences.

1. Agriculture may include_______________, growing and __________crops, and

polluting of the ______________because of the large amounts of water and

DIRECTION: Explain or discuss the following:

2. Agriculture are also called farming or husbandry? Why?

Marvelous College of Technology, Inc.

Name: ______________________ Yr. & Sec: ____________ Date: ___________

system that they used or practice.

1. Rice paddies by Mt. Cagua, Cagayan province

NOTE: TO BE PASS NEXT MEETING.

At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:

Source: declaration of the World Summit on Food Security

GREEN GROWTH: ECONOMIC GROWTH WITH

Green Economy Strategy

The focus of green growth strategies is ensuring that natural assets can deliver

What is green growth and how can it help deliver sustainable

1. Green growth is economic progress that fosters environmentally

AGRICULTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES

The country's main agricultural crops are rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane,

Philippines Agriculture, Information about Agriculture

Agriculture in the Philippines employs 32% of the Filipino workforce as of 2013,

Rice paddies by Mt. Cagua, Cagayan province

The Town of Banaue, amid the Batad Rice Terraces.

Strawberries grown in the Philippines.

Further information: Rice production in the Philippines

Further information: Sugar industry in the Philippines

Further information: Coconut production in the Philippines

Coconuts play an important role in the national economy of the Philippines.

There are 3.5 million hectares dedicated to coconut production in Philippines,

The Philippines is the world’s largest producer of pineapples, producing 2,198

Corn is one of the most important staple crops in the Philippines. It ranks

The natural rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is a native of South America

COFFEE PRODUCTION IN THE PHILIPPINES

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Name: ____________ Yr. & Sec: Date: _

1. Agriculture may include_____, growing and crops, and

Name: ____________ Yr. & Sec: Date: _

Name: ____________ Yr. & Sec: Date: _

Name: ____________ Yr. & Sec: Date: _

Name: ____________ Yr. & Sec: Date: _

Name: ____________ Yr. & Sec: Date: _

Name: ____________ Yr. & Sec: Date: _