Soil degradation has increasingly become a concern. It is brought about by topsoil erosion caused by the heavy tillage to address heavy tillage one of the perceived solutions is the introduction of crop varieties that does not require heavy tillage like the herbicide-tolerant crops. However, these herbicides can kill not only the targeted weeds but have also been reported to affect non-target organisms. The heavy use of these chemicals has brought about more soil degradation problems.
Organic farming is seen as one of the possible solutions. But how can actually organic farming partake actively in solving the crisis of soil degradation?
What is Organic Farming
Organic farming is an agricultural practice that uses ecologically based pest controls and biological fertilizers derived largely from animal and plant wastes and nitrogen-fixing cover crops.
Organic farming uses fewer pesticides, reduces soil erosion, decreases nitrate leaching into groundwater and surface water, and regulates animal wastes back into the farm. However, many farmers are adamant about using practices of organic farming since it has been found that yields are 25–50% lower than conventionally grown crops.
Policy on Organic Farming
Republic Act №10068 enacted by Congress in 2009 declared that it is the policy of the State to promote, propagate, and further implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines. This Act promotes organic production systems that enhance biological diversity within the system, increase soil biological activity, maintain long—term soil fertility, recycle farm wastes, rely on renewable resources in locally organized agricultural systems, promote the healthy use of soil, water, and air as well as minimize all forms of pollution.
There are already several farmers that use organic farming as a form of farming practice. They are reported to have so many benefits on it, however, it is not adopted by the majority primarily because of several reasons that are being catered by the conventional farming practices.
Organic farming can be a great move to improve our soil degradation problem, but I believe that it can be one of the tools, we cannot rely on it as the only tool. Yes, it works but in order to supply the growing food needs of the world, a more sustainable method of soil utilization can be used or is to be discovered or implemented.
Challenges in Organic Farming
The rise of the utilization of organic farming was in response to the environmental damages brought about by the heavy use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers that are proven to alter many ecological processes. However much obstacle is to be addressed to continual and increased patronage of organic farming practices.
The challenge for future organic agriculture will be to maintain its environmental benefits, increase yields, and reduce prices while meeting the increasing demand for increasing population and changes in climate. I hope that in one way or another, we seek ways to solve soil degradation.
