Characterizing smallholder organic vegetable farming practices in a Mountainous Area in the Philippines

J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 32 | Cabrera and Waguey RE RERE RESEARCH SEARCHSEARCH SEARCH PAPER PAPERPAPER PAPER OPEN ACCESS OPEN ACCESSOPEN ACCESS OPEN ACCESS Characterizing smallholder organic vegetable farming practices in a Mountainous Area in the Philippines Necitas M. Cabrera * , Diego A . Waguey Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Agoo, La Union, Philippines Article published on August 05, 2023 Key words: Small - hold farming, Organic vegetable, Production practices, Production constraints, Mountainous terrain Abstract The research described the attributes of smallholder organic vegetable farmers, their production practices and problems and best practices as bases for policy directions to ensure the sustainability of small-hold organic vegetable farming in the CAR. Survey, using a researcher-made questionnaire was the primary data gathering technique. Thirty one (31) farmers were personally interviewed and an ocular inspection of their organic farms to observe their production practices was undertaken. Telephone inquiries or short messaging system (SMS) were also utilized when some information were missed out during the interview and to verify vague and incomplete information. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and means/averages were used to qualify and summarize data. Although farming is typically a man’s world, more women and more professionals are increasingly been involved in smallholder farming and in organic agriculture, in general. The average age of 46 indicates that the farmers just recently shifted to organic farming or have had careers prior to farming. The farmers cultivate an average area of not more than 600 square meters deriving an average annual net income of P98,387.39. Production is described as a system where different kinds or varieties of vegetables are raised in complement with or intercropped with the others to maximize the production area. Natural calamities, pest management, production inputs, lack of capital, plant management, lack of manpower and irrigation are major production constraints. Despite these constraints, best practices had been documented that could sustain smallholder organic vegetable production in the CAR. * Corresponding Author: Necitas M. Cabrera  [email protected] Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online) Vol. 23, No. 2, p. 32-46, 2023 http://www.innspub.net J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 33 | Cabrera and Waguey Introduction Organic agriculture (OA) is a form of farming which relies on natural processes rather than synthetic inputs to enhance crop production. These natural processes include crop rotation, green manures and composting techniques which enhance soil productivity and control pests and diseases. Organic farming is promoted because of its impact on the environment by reducing pollution, conserving water, reducing soil erosion, increasing soil fertility and using less energy. In organic farming, there is reduced dependence on chemical inputs making it more environmentally sustainable than conventional farming. These all contribute in strengthening biodiversity in the environment. A thriving biodiversity increases ecosystem productivity and allows the growth and maintenance of various species. The Philippines, because it possesses diverse ecological zones, is an ideal ground for organic farming. Organic farming has been successfully implemented in the country and supported by the government with the enactment of the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 (Republic Act No. 10068) as amended by Republic Act No. 11511 in 2021. Under these Acts, it is the State’s policy to “promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of organic agriculture.” This is in order to increase farm productivity and farmers’ incomes, encourage the participation of indigenous organic farmers in promoting their sustainable practices, and protect the health of farmers, consumers and the public, among others. Furthermore, the State also recognizes and supports the role of farmers, indigenous peoples and other stakeholders who are at the grassroots of this program. RA No. 11511 specifically enhances the role of community-based organic agriculture systems to promote organic agriculture. The country has a long history of organic agriculture where traditional Filipino farmers have always relied on organic methods to raise rice, corn, vegetables and even fruits. However, modern agricultural practices have made most of them turn from these traditions to rely on synthetic inputs like chemicals fertilizer and pesticides (Lapniten, 2020). With the enactment of the OA Acts of 2010 and 2021, the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) was crafted which contains strategic plans to promote organic agriculture in the country. It is referred to as the blueprint of the Department of Agriculture, the implementing agency of OA. As of December 2016, NOAP data on OA show that 4.86% of the country’s agricultural land was converted to organic farmland. The Regions, particularly Region 13, 3, 12, 11 and CAR have reached 100% of their 5% target of organic area. Total volume of production was 525,863 metric tons distributed across 86 domestic and 20 export markets. Farmer-beneficiaries was registered at 116,558 representing 63 certified farmers and establishments, with 88 pending applications. By the end of 2023, NOAP aims to increase the area covered for OA to 501,887.09 hectares from 349,041, increase the number of certified operators to 340, bring the number of total organic practitioners to 233,100 and increase total production volume to 756,300 metric tons, distributed across national and international channels (NOAP, 2018). The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is among the first regions in the Philippines to engage in organic agriculture and one of the biggest supplier of organic vegetables in the market. Based on 2016 data, CAR has a total of 26, 128.71 hectares of organic production area with over 2,000 organic practitioners and 51 duly recognized associations. Organic farms in the Philippines are typically small-scale and familyrun, which is basically true in the CAR. Due to its topography, which is mountainous with towering peaks, plateaus and intermittent patches of valley where 71% of its land area has slopes of 30 degrees and above (PSA, 2020), the availability of arable land is limited. Thus, majority of the organic producers till only a small parcel of land often referred to as gardens. These are areas outside of buffer zones of farms utilized for conventional production of vegetables and other products. They are usually located in sloping terrains or in patches of flat lands terraced, ploughed and cleared to be utilized for small-hold organic farming. J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 34 | Cabrera and Waguey This research generally aimed to characterize the attributes of smallholder organic vegetable farmers, their production practices and problems and document best practices as bases for policy directions to ensure the sustainability of small-holder organic farming in the country. Materials and methods Project Sites and Respondents The study was conducted in the CAR, specifically in the province of Benguet. The Region consists of the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province and the highly urbanized city of Baguio With an elevation of 2,928 meters above sea level, the CAR is the only land-locked region in the Philippines. It produces 65% to 80% of the Philippines’ supply of temperate-clime vegetables mainly potato, cabbage, beans and carrots (Gimenez & Bagyan, 2004). The study’s respondents consisted of 31 certified organic vegetable producers who were all members of the La Trinidad Organic Practitioners (La Top) MultiPurpose Cooperative. La Top (henceforth referred to as the Cooperative) is a certified organic vegetable producer certified by the Organic Certification Center of the Philippines. La Top is one of numerous multipurpose cooperatives and peoples organizations in the CAR organized mainly for the marketing of products like Arabica coffee, heirloom rice and vegetables. The 31 respondents consisted of the 20 originally certified members and 11 members who were in the process certification. At the time of the study, the Cooperative has 55 members, 20 were certified and 35 in the process of certification. The study was delimited to this number. The study intended to involve all the 55 members but due to time limitation as well as the accessibility of the organic farms, only 31 farmers were included. Data Collection and Analysis Survey method through the use of a researcher-made questionnaire was the primary data gathering technique. The survey was done by personal interviews and ocular inspection of the organic farms for a first hand observation of the farm practices. Telephone inquiries or short messaging system (SMS) were also utilized when some information were missed out during the interview and to verify vague and incomplete information. To supplement data gathered, archival research and benchmarking were done. Existing literature available on line were accessed. Other unpublished materials like flyers, pamphlets and other IEC materials deemed related to the present study were also considered as sources of benchmark data. The PCARRD Information Bulletin Series for Vegetable Production found online was also used as reference. Descriptive statistics was used to qualify and summarize descriptive data. The descriptive part defined and assessed the organic vegetable production and systems. Tools used in descriptive analysis included frequency counts, percentages and means/averages. Findings are presented using tables, graphs and figs. Results and discussion Basic Attributes of Organic Vegetable Farmers The succeeding tables present and describe the sociodemographic characteristics of the vegetable producers and the trainings they have attended. Thirty one (31) organic producers were interviewed in the CAR who was all members of the La Trinidad Organic Practitioners (La Top) Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. Of this number, 20 were the first farmers originally certified by the OCCP. Under the star rank classification of the Internal Control System of the Cooperative, 19 percent are 1-3 star and 81 percent are 4-6 star farm-owners. Ranks are indicative of how long and how intense one had been practicing organic farming. Farming is still typically a man’s work as almost 65 percent of the respondents are males. Noteworthy, however, is the increasing proportion of women who are now engaged in farming in general, and in organic production, in particular. The mean age of organic farmers in the CAR is 46 but about 39 percent are already over 55 years old. J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 35 | Cabrera and Waguey Eighty (80) percent are married, with three (3) children, on the average. In terms of educational attainment, more and more professionals are engaged in organic farming as seen by the number of respondents who are college graduates or higher which is more than 32 percent. Almost all have undergone basic trainings on organic farming and have continued to undergo more advanced trainings in this area. Table 1a. Demographic attributes of organic farmers. Attribute Farm Rank Total 1 - 3 Star 4 - 6 Star N % Age 35 and below 36-40 41-45 46-50 51-55 56 and above Total Mean Age: 46.06≈46 2 3 1 6 3 3 2 6 6 5 25 5 6 2 6 7 5 31 16.13 19.35 6.45 19.35 22.58 16.13 100.00 Gender Male Female Total 2 4 6 18 7 25 20 11 31 64.52 35.48 100.00 Civil Status Single Married Widow/er Total 1 5 6 3 20 2 25 4 25 2 31 12.90 80.65 6.45 100.00 No. of Children None 1 – 3 4 – 6 7 and more Total Ave.# of Children: 3 4 1 5 3 8 7 4 22 3 12 8 4 27 11.11 44.44 29.63 14.81 100.00 Highest Educational Attainment Elementary Graduate High School Undergrad High School Graduate College Undergraduate College Graduate Vocational/Technical Doctorate Total 1 2 1 2 6 1 5 6 9 3 1 25 1 1 7 7 9 5 1 31 3.23 3.23 22.58 22.58 29.03 16.13 3.23 100.00 Attended Organic Farming Trainings? Yes No Total 6 6 24 1 25 30 1 31 96.77 3.23 100.00 The socio-economic characteristics of the organic producers are presented in Table 1b. With an average farm area of only more than 600 square meters, organic farming in the CAR is characterized as small-hold with farmers cultivating only a small parcel of land. Table 1b. Socio-economic attributes of organic producers. Attribute Farm Rank Total 1 - 3 Stars 4 - 6 Stars N % Farm Area (m2) 250 and below 251-500 501-750 751-1000 1001 and above Total Ave. Farm Area: 654m 2 3 1 2 6 2 11 1 11 25 2 14 1 1 13 31 6.45 45.16 3.23 3.23 41.94 100.00 Tenure Owner Owner+Caretaker Owner+ Tenant Owner+Leasee Caretaker Leasee Total 5 1 6 21 1 1 1 1 25 26 1 1 1 1 1 31 83.87 3.23 3.23 3.23 3.23 3.23 100.00 Years Engaged in Organic Farming 5 years & below 6 – 10 1115 16 – 20 21 & above Total Ave. No. of Years in OA: 8 years 5 1 6 5 17 1 1 1 25 10 18 1 1 1 31 32.26 58.06 3.23 3.23 3.23 100.00 Farming as Only Source of Income Yes No Total 1 5 6 11 14 25 12 19 31 38.71 61.29 100.00 Other Sources of Income Employment Pension Barangay Kagawad/Tanod Marketing Manufacturing Agribusiness/Food Processing/Beekeeping Laborer Forest Ranger Freelance Insurance Agent Total 1 3 1 5 2 2 2 1 1 5 1 14 2 2 2 1 1 6 3 1 1 19 10.53 10.53 10.53 5.26 5.26 31.58 15.79 5.26 5.26 100.00 Annual Net Income from Farming 50,000 and below 50,001 – 100,000 100,001 – 150,000 150,001 – 200,000 200,001 – 250,000 250,001 – 300,000 300,001 and above Total Average Annual Net Income from Farming: Php 98,387.39 4 2 6 11 6 2 2 1 1 2 25 15 8 2 2 1 1 2 31 48.39 25.81 6.45 6.45 3.23 3.23 6.45 100.00 Annual Income from Other Sources 50,000 and below 50,001 – 100,000 100,001 – 150,000 150,001 – 200,000 200,001 – 250,000 250,001 – 300,000 300,001 and above Total Average Annual Income from other Sources: Php: 109,210.82 4 1 5 6 1 1 4 2 14 10 2 1 4 2 19 52.63 10.53 5.26 21.05 10.53 100.00 About 42 percent of the producers, however, own more than 1,000 square meters of farm. More than 83 J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 36 | Cabrera and Waguey percent own the land they till while the rest are caretakers, tenants or leasers in combination with being owners. More than half of the organic farmers have been engaged in the trade for 6-10 years. On the average, they have been practicing organic farming for eight (8) years, long before the enactment of the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010. Only about 39 percent depend solely on farming as a source of income. Of those who have other sources of livelihood outside farming, majority derive income from farming-related activities like agribusiness, food processing or beekeeping. Others are regular office employees while some have their own businesses. The average annual net income derived from organic farming is almost one hundred thousand pesos (P98,387.39). However, almost half of the organic farmers learn much lesser than fifty thousand pesos. Of those who do not depend solely on farming as livelihood, the average annual income they earn is quite higher than what they earn from farming (Php109,210.82). Table 1c presents the organic and non-organic farming-related trainings, seminars or workshops attended by the farmers. Table 1c. Trainings, Seminars, or Workshops Attended. Name of Training, Seminar or Workshop Frequency Percent Basic Organic Agriculture - Practical organic agriculture - Organic farming techniques - Compost preparation, vermiculture and vermicomposting - Mulching - Bio-organic pesticide - Preparation/fermentation of biological pesticides - Certificate course for practitioners of organic agriculture - Organic agriculture appreciation - Organic materials for pesticides and fertilizers - Basic organic farming/gardening 33 47.83 Advanced organic agriculture - Awareness on judicious use of pesticides - Bio-dynamic organic farming - Sustainable agriculture 5 7.25 Other organic agriculture related seminar - Internal control system and orientation on organic farming/ Internal control system for organic group certification - International certification - Farm inspector training - Pest clinic - Training on enhancement of organic inspection and certification/national and local organic certification accreditation - Organic-based vegetable production course - Agri-tourism organic farmers training - Philippine National Standards for organic agriculture 13 18.84 Other non - organic agriculture - related seminars/trainings - Beekeeping - Farm business planning training - Farmer’s field school - Komamoto (Japanese Piggery Technology) - Packaging and labelling - Cooperative pre-membership seminar - Good agriculture practices (GMP) 18 26.09 Total 69 100.00 Sponsoring Agency Cooperative Government organizations - Academe (Benguet State University) - Department of Agriculture-CAR - Agricultural Training Institute - Department of Science and Technology - Food and Agriculture Organization-United Nations Non-Government Organization (Jaime Ongpin Foundation ) Others (Private individuals) J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 37 | Cabrera and Waguey The farmer-respondents have attended basic as well as advanced training, seminars, short courses and workshops on OA and other related or non-related fields. Almost one-half have trainings on the basic principles of OA under topics like Practical Organic Agriculture, Basic Organic Farming/Gardening, Organic Agriculture Appreciation, Organic Farming Techniques and Certificate Course for Practitioners of Organic Agriculture. More than seven (7) percent have advanced training on OA which included Awareness on Judicious Use of Pesticides, Bio-Dynamic Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture. With the development of new technologies on organic farming, it is important for farmers to enhance their knowledge and improve their practices. Almost 19 percent have undergone orientation and enhancement training on Internal Control System and Certification as well as on farm inspection. They have also training or orientations on National and International Standards for certification. Other training related to OA which they have attended included Pest Clinic, Organic-based Vegetable Production Course and Agri-Tourism Organic Farmers Training. More than 26 percent have acquired knowledge and skills on areas outside OA which prepared them to become agri-entreprenuers. These are in the areas of beekeeping, farm business planning, Komamoto (Japanese Piggery Technology), packaging and labelling and good manufacturing practices (GMP). Various government and non-government agencies have been tasked to provide avenues for the continuous acquisition of knowledge and skills by this sector of society. Aside from the Cooperative, the Benguet State University, which pioneered organic agriculture in the CAR, in collaboration with the Regional Offices of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), provide farmers with trainings to enhance their know-how. The Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, a non-government organization, takes an active part in the promotion of OA in the country by providing technical and financial assistance to farmers. Private individuals also share their knowledge and expertise on the basics of organic farming by mentoring fellow farmers. Production Practices and Systems Crops Raised The organic production of vegetables is generally described as a system where different kinds and/or varieties of vegetables are found and raised in complement with or intercropped with the other to maximize the production area. Aside from vegetables, there are also herbs, spices, rootcrops, fruit trees and ornamentals. This research focused on the analysis of 11 different kinds and/or varieties of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, snap bean and French bean varieties), broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), carrots (Daucus carota subsp. Sativus), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), cucumber (Cucumis sativus, native and Japanese cucumber varieties), lettuce (Lactuca sativa, fancy varieties), pechay (Brassica rapa subsp. oleifera and Brassica rapa subsp. chinesis), potato (Solanum tuberosum), spinach (Spinacia oleracea New Zealand and Japanese spinach varieties) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum big and cherry tomato varieties). At one given time, depending on the area available, the farmers plant at most 18 and at least three (3) different crops. Lettuce, broccoli, snap beans and New Zealand spinach, carrots and small (cherry) tomato, Japanese spinach, French beans, flowering pechay, cabbage, other cucumber variety, potato, cauliflower, Japanese cucumber and large tomato are most frequently planted. Lettuce is always the main crop of organic farmers in the CAR due to its high demand in the market. In addition to this, lettuce has a short production period ranging from a month to one and a half months. Land area planted Since organic farmers are required to practice production techniques like crop rotation, intercropping, relay cropping and multi-story cropping, the actual area planted to a particular crop can only be estimated. J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 38 | Cabrera and Waguey These techniques are useful to avoid mono-culture system, to improve farm productivity, and to ensure high quality produce. It is estimated that at any given production period, the farmer plants, on the average, less than one-fifth (about 256 square meters) of his land area with vegetables. About 185 square meters is planted with other organic crops. The rest of the area is left unproductive as a source of compost materials. The estimated aggregate production area is apportioned with the selected vegetables as follows (Fig. 1). Fig. 1. Percentage of production area planted with selected vegetables. Of the estimated aggregate area that the farmer plants with the selected vegetables, only three products account for at least 10 percent of the total. These are lettuce (13%), snap beans (12%) and broccoli (11%). All the rest account for only less than 10 percent of the area with cauliflower and large tomato having the least areas at one (1) percent each. Production Schedule A little more than 87 percent of the farmers plan their production schedule. The rest who do not plan say they just practice bio-intensive farming which means maximizing the production capacity of the land while at the same time practicing crop rotation or parallel cropping but also taking market needs as consideration. Of those who plan their production schedule, planning is based on the considerations presented in Fig. 2. Fig. 2. Basis for crop production schedule. Production season is still the primary basis for scheduling when a crop is planted by almost half (48%) of the farmers. This is followed by market forecast or demand (24%). This indicates that a significant number of producers are driven by market demand in the production of a particular crop. Crop rotation is also a consideration in planning production. The farmers avoid monoculture in order to produce better quality harvest. Other bases in planning production schedule are season/weather (5%) and La Top programming (5%). Some farmers time their production schedule to avoid excessive rainfall or changes in climatic conditions while there are also those who just follow a programming schedule given them by the Cooperative. Multiple cropping is also a basis in planning production. This is indicated by almost three (3%) of the producers. Table 2. Average area devoted for organic vegetable production. Indicators Average Percent Average area planted with selected organic vegetables (m2) 256 18.00 Average area planted with other organic crops (m2)) 185 13.00 Average area intended for other purposes 984 69.00 Crop Programming In crop programming, the farmers are often guided by the concept of “heavy-giver, heavyeater”. As long as this practice is followed, there is no need for them to follow a rigid schedule of what crop to produce and when to produce a sequence of the crops to rise. Table 3 enumerates the different crop programming practices of the farmers in the CAR. J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 39 | Cabrera and Waguey Table 3. Crop programming practices. Crop Programming brassicas - legumes - leafy leafy - leafy - fruiting leafy - legumes - root crops root crops - leafy - leafy - legumes leafy - brassicas - root crops brassicas - leafy legumes - leafy legumes - leafy - root crops - fruiting root crops - leafy - legumes leafy - legume leafy - legumes - legumes - root crops brassicas - leafy - legumes legumes - leafy - fruiting leafy - legumes - fruiting leafy - legumes - leafy leafy - leafy - legumes root crops - leafy - brassicas The farmer-members of the Cooperative practice at most 17 types of crop programming schedules involving two (2) to four (4) crops or five (5) different families that include leafy vegetables, legumes, root crops, brassicas and fruiting vegetables. These are done to maintain soil quality and to prevent the occurrence of pests and diseases. Table 4. Production season for selected vegetables. Season of cultivation Vegetable type Year-round Lettuce (romaine variety), tomato (cherry), flowering pechay, French beans, New Zealand spinach Cooler months Lettuce (iceberg & looseleaf varieties), carrots, broccoli, cabbage, potato, pechay (pakchoi & chingkang varieties), snap beans, Japanese spinach, cauliflower, cucumber In terms of cultivation time of the selected vegetables, some are cultivated year-round while others thrive only during cooler months of the year. Though looseleaf and iceberg lettuce varieties are cultivated only during cooler months, the romaine variety could be cultivated year round in the presence of a greenhouse. Cherry tomato is raised throughout the year but other tomato varieties are planted during summer to avoid excessive rain, when there is no greenhouse. The cultivation of carrots and broccoli is also timed during cooler months if there are no greenhouses. The production season of the other vegetables, seen in Table 4. Production Inputs and Sources Organic vegetables production is characterized by limited supply of inputs particularly direct materials used for production such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Seeds are either produced in the farm or bought. Seeds produced in the farm are pechay, cherry tomato, snap beans, French beans, New Zealand spinach and Japanese spinach. The farmers also practice barter of seeds if their produce is more than enough for their use. Seeds are bought either from farm supply stores, local seed companies or seed dealers. Seeds purchased are broccoli, cucumber, carrots, cabbage, lettuce and cauliflower. The unavailability of organically produced or certified seeds is a seeming constraint of the industry in the CAR. Farmers cannot claim to be 100 percent organic producers because the seeds they use were not raised organically. Compost fertilizers and botanical pesticides are available from farm supply stores but are expensive and limited in quantity. Thus, the farmers produce their own fertilizers using farm by-products. With the introduction of technologies learned from their attendance to trainings and seminars, they produce inputs using microbial preparations and earthworms. The farmers do not only produce traditional compost but also vermicompost/vermicast and products using “Mokusako” or wood vinegar technology. As shown in Fig. 3, almost three-fourths of the farmers still practice traditional composting technology to produce fertilizers. About 40 percent have infused Mokusako technology in their traditional composting technique while 16 percent produce vermicompost or vermicast using earthworms given them free by the DA. Since the farmers are encouraged to prepare their own inputs using waste by-products in the farm, they allocate a portion of their farm for sources of raw materials used for composting. Aside from grasses, weeds and leaves found in the farm or garden, the most commonly utilized plants found in abundance in the farm are sunflower (Helianthus), commonly referred to as “marapait” napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum), J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 20 23 40 | Cabrera and Waguey banana (Musa balbisiana Colla cv.) stalk and locally referred to plants like “alnus”, “caliandra”, and “alunit”. Sometimes, fresh or carbonized rice hull are also used. To hasten the decomposition of these plants or improve their nutrient contents, molasses, effective microorganism (EMO), fish amino acid (fish emulsion), fermented plant juice (FPJ) or manure from their free-range chickens or carabao are added. Fig. 3. Kinds of fertilizer used. The farmers also use bio-organic fertilizers to enhance production. With the addition of activators and enhancers like EMO and FPJ to compost and vermicompost, compost tea and vermitea are produced. These are applied to crops as basal or foliar fertilizer. Byproducts from the use of “Mokusako” technology are used as bio-fertilizer. The farmers had also experimented on and found effective uses for natural and kitchen waste materials as sources of nutrients. This includes rice washing, rice wine, fish emulsion, yeast and lime. The extensive use of molasses from sugar cane, fruits and vegetables, is noted. Raw materials are bought (79%), obtained free (16%) or produced in the farm (5%). The Cooperative also sells molasses, EMOs and FPJs to farmers. The need for raw materials has produced a few enterprising farmers who procure fresh rice hull, molasses and cow manure from established sources outside the Region and sell them to their fellow farmers. The DA provides free materials to farmers like vermicast, earthworms (African night crawlers), molasses or FPJs and EMOs when farmers attend agencysponsored trainings or seminars. Farmers who have large areas to cultivate plant sugar cane as source for molasses. Their excess is given to fellow farmers for free (Fig. 4). Fig. 4. Sources of raw materials for fertilizer. The control of pests and insects is primarily done by intercropping attractant or repellent crops. Some farmers literally get rid of pests and insects by killing them manually by hand or feet. Others spray their own concoction which is a combination of fermented chili, ginger, garlic and gin which have been proven effective in eliminating pests and insects. The farmers continue to experiment on natural materials found within the garden as pesticides and insecticides. Other supplies used indirectly in production include farm machineries and those used in the construction of greenhouses. Shredders, chopping machines and grass cutters are used in the preparation of compost. More than half (58%) of the farmers have their own shredder. Almost one fourth own a chopping machine while 12 percent have a grass cutter. Nine (9) percent of the farmers have neither of these machineries so shredding is done manually. The Cooperative offers farmers these machineries on instalment basis or rent-to-own scheme. One enterprising farmer fabricates shredders for commercial purposes. Most common farm structures are greenhouses and nurseries but most greenhouses also serve as nurseries. Greenhouses are made of steel or bamboo posts with UV-treated plastic as covering. Bamboo poles are also used as trellises or anchors for climbing beans and cucumbers. Labor Organic farming in the CAR is basically a family enterprise involving 1-3 family members performing the whole cycle of farm work up to the disposal of the produce. This is presented in Fig. 5.