6 Philippines
A recent report of what probably can be considered the largest
study undertaken on sustainable agriculture in Asia focuses on
the benefits of organic production in rice-based small-scale
farming systems. The study which analyzes the work of
MASIPAG, a network of small-scale farmers, farmers’ organizations,
scientists, and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), includes data from hundreds of organic, partially
organic, and non-organic farmers from across the country.
The study compares findings from 280 full organic farmers,280 in conversion to organic agriculture, and 280 conventional
farmers to act as a reference group. The analysis focuses on
food security, income and livelihood, yields and productivity,
environmental outcomes, and farmer knowledge and
empowerment. The results turn out to be very positive for
the farmer-led sustainable agriculture approaches promoted
by MASIPAG across the range of variables used in the comparison
(Bachmann et al. 2009).
Researchers found that food security is significantly
higher for organic farmers. Full organic farmers eat a more
diverse, nutritious, and secure diet. Reported health outcomes
are also substantially better for the organic group.
The study reveals that the full organic farmers have considerably
higher on-farm diversity, growing on average 50%
more crops than conventional farmers, better soil fertility,
less soil erosion, increased tolerance of crops to pests and
diseases, and better farm management skills. The group also
has, on average, higher net incomes that have increased
since 2000 in contrast to stagnant or declining incomes for
the reference group of conventional farmers. Per hectare net
incomes of the full organic farmers are one and a half times
Fig. 3
6 Philippines
A recent report of what probably can be considered the largest
study undertaken on sustainable agriculture in Asia focuses on
the benefits of organic production in rice-based small-scale
farming systems. The study which analyzes the work of
MASIPAG, a network of small-scale farmers, farmers’ organizations,
scientists, and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), includes data from hundreds of organic, partially
organic, and non-organic farmers from across the country.
The study compares findings from 280 full organic farmers,280 in conversion to organic agriculture, and 280 conventional
farmers to act as a reference group. The analysis focuses on
food security, income and livelihood, yields and productivity,
environmental outcomes, and farmer knowledge and
empowerment. The results turn out to be very positive for
the farmer-led sustainable agriculture approaches promoted
by MASIPAG across the range of variables used in the comparison
(Bachmann et al. 2009).
Researchers found that food security is significantly
higher for organic farmers. Full organic farmers eat a more
diverse, nutritious, and secure diet. Reported health outcomes
are also substantially better for the organic group.
The study reveals that the full organic farmers have considerably
higher on-farm diversity, growing on average 50%
more crops than conventional farmers, better soil fertility,
less soil erosion, increased tolerance of crops to pests and
diseases, and better farm management skills. The group also
has, on average, higher net incomes that have increased
since 2000 in contrast to stagnant or declining incomes for
the reference group of conventional farmers. Per hectare net
incomes of the full organic farmers are one and a half times
Fig. 3
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