Organic Farming Ecotourism
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Philippines is a considered as a fast growing industrial country but is still predominantly dependent on agricultural production. However, agricultural production has been on the decline due to continuous conversion of agricultural land into residential, industrial, leisure and commercial lands. Moreover, the continued dependence on synthetic commercial chemicals has led to the loss of fertility and productivity of the soil. Over the years, however, there has been an increase in the swing from conventional to organic agriculture. Organic agriculture, seen as a niche agriculture sector, is promoted as an effective and sustainable approach to food security, farmer’s profit instigation, and resource management. Aside from organic farming, the Department of Agriculture welcomed agricultural activities that encouraged active in the preservation of the environment, such as agriculture tourism and ecotourism as an additional initiative for agricultural development. Locally, the La Top Organic Farmers’ Multipurpose Cooperative (La Trinidad Organic Practitioners MPC) has been a recipient of different assistance to promote organic farming as a viable agricultural production practice. With the development assistances, La Top was able to be a successful model for organically produced goods and evolved into a trainer, consolidator, marketing arm and as a standard for authentic organic vegetables in the province of Benguet. Despite all these successes and recognition, information on the benefits of organic farming has not been widespread. Conventional farmers are still hesitant to shift their farming production techniques. Objectives and Methodology As an alternative means to promote organic agriculture, tourism was identified as a pro-poor initiated system that can highlight the potential economic opportunities of organic farming. Recognizing the opportunities of tourism, the project “Replicating La Top Success through Capacity Building and Alternative
The Philippines is a considered as a fast growing industrial country but is still predominantly dependent on agricultural production. However, agricultural production has been on the decline due to continuous conversion of agricultural land into residential, industrial, leisure and commercial lands. Moreover, the continued dependence on synthetic commercial chemicals has led to the loss of fertility and productivity of the soil. Over the years, however, there has been an increase in the swing from conventional to organic agriculture. Organic agriculture, seen as a niche agriculture sector, is promoted as an effective and sustainable approach to food security, farmer’s profit instigation, and resource management. Aside from organic farming, the Department of Agriculture welcomed agricultural activities that encouraged active in the preservation of the environment, such as agriculture tourism and ecotourism as an additional initiative for agricultural development. Locally, the La Top Organic Farmers’ Multipurpose Cooperative (La Trinidad Organic Practitioners MPC) has been a recipient of different assistance to promote organic farming as a viable agricultural production practice. With the development assistances, La Top was able to be a successful model for organically produced goods and evolved into a trainer, consolidator, marketing arm and as a standard for authentic organic vegetables in the province of Benguet. Despite all these successes and recognition, information on the benefits of organic farming has not been widespread. Conventional farmers are still hesitant to shift their farming production techniques. Objectives and Methodology As an alternative means to promote organic agriculture, tourism was identified as a pro-poor initiated system that can highlight the potential economic opportunities of organic farming. Recognizing the opportunities of tourism, the project “Replicating La Top Success through Capacity Building and Alternative
References: ANNEXES Sample Interview Questionnaire (Organic Farm Owner) REPLICATING LATOP SUCCESS THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL TOURISM Date of Interview: December 5, 2011 Name of Respondent: Ms