Church officials vow support for sustainable agriculture

Sustainable agriculture amid climate change topped the agenda of discussions at a multi-sectoral meet participated in by religious groups, government and farmers’ representatives in Bukidnon province. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the meet was held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. “It is not enough to express the Church’s support for agrarian reform as it is fitting and proper to support initiatives to increase agricultural productivity through sustainable agriculture," CBCP-National Secretariat of Social Action, Justice and Peace executive secretary Fr. Edu Gariguez said, according to an article on the CBCP news site. Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma pushed responsible stewardship of what he called God’s gifts. Ledesma added people and government should be able to protect the watersheds and rivers and basin areas. “What is needed is responsible stewardship which simply means use, not abuse our natural resources…," he said. He lamented some of the gradual, cumulative adverse effects from environmental degradation and the loss of bio-diversity and the extinction of wildlife species are already being felt. Agriculture Undersecretary for Special Concerns Bernadette Puyat underscored the importance of the Philippine Organic Act. Puyat said the law’s purpose is to promote, propagate, develop and implement organic agriculture in the Philippines as it recognizes the adoption of organic farming practices will increase farm productivity; reduce pollution and arrest destructive practices against the environment; and prevent the depletion of natural resources and protect and promote farmers’ health, consumers and the general public. The law intends to save on imported farm inputs and adopt a comprehensive program that promotes organic systems in the community as a viable alternative farming scheme. “One of the salient provisions of the bill is the creation of a National Organic Agriculture Program which includes the promotion and commercialization of organic agriculture farming practices and cultivation and adoption of production and processing methods," she said. She added continuing research and the upgrading of the capacity of farmers and consumers’ education would be assured. The government will extend assistance to local government units, people’s organizations, non-government organizations and other stakeholders as provided for in the law, she added. — LBG, GMANews.TV