The Ilocos Sur Organic Farming Program

Abstract

Tho frequent application of commercial inorganic fertilizers in our field has brought a tremendous depletion and degradation of the soils fertility and quality. Barrera in his book, 'The Soil Around Us" claimed that Sahara Desert, once a fertile land in the early days, served to be the source of the food stuff of the Romans, but the inhabitants and owners were unable to preserve and conserve the productiveness of their land that led to its present status as the widest desert in the universe. Aware of the detrimental effect of the continuous application of chemically manufactured inorganic fertilizers, the Governor then, Hon. Mariano "Marianing" M. Tajon initiated the launching of the llocos Sur Organic Farming Program on March 14, 1991. This program aimed to restore the organic matter content of our soils improving its texture and structure making it more porous and friable for increased fertility and water-holding capacity. This step was intended for greater productivity.