Some farmers in Oriental Negros said they are hesitant to adopt the full organic farming system despite the government's promotion for them to switch to the organic system.

Rice farmer from Tanjay City, Danny Rosales admitted he cannot immediately adopt the 100 percent organic farming because, just like diesel, organic system is cheap but its growth effect is slow; and a farmer cannot achieve the two croppings every year; and the supply of organic fertilizer in the market cannot cope with the supply and demand. Rosales said they have tried using organic fertilizer but it showed a slow growth effect on the ricefield. At present, farmers are using the rice variety that can be harvested within 95 to 105 days or within three months, he added.

But with the government's promotion of organic farming, Rosales said he is now slowly adopting organic farming, but on a 50-50 ratio.

He said that, during the first 10 days after planting, he uses organic fertilizer made out of rice hay and cow's waste and the organic green-base fertilizer.

He will be using the inorganic fertilizer on the other remaining fertilizer requirement of the rice.

He clarified, though, that organic farming is a good method, considering the advantages to the farm produce. Besides, using organic will mean huge savings for farmers who will no longer buy very expensive inorganic fertilizer and pesticides.

Rosales suggested that organic farming be introduced and implemented in farms in a step-by-step process. This will give farmers sufficient time to adjust and adopt the system, he added.*MA

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