Status of Farmland Conversion to Organic Farming in Selected Municipalities in Lanao Del Norte, Philippines: Issues and Challenges

Abstract

Republic Act (RA) 10068 (as amended) is a legal guidepost to spearhead the implementation of organic agriculture in the Philippines. The law mandated that all agricultural systems promote a sustainable practice using the lens of ecologically sound, socially acceptable, economically viable, and technically feasible production of farm-to-table food. Studies show that program implementers are not gaining enough inroads in their efforts to promote farmland conversion to organic agriculture in the country. This study investigates the status of farm conversion of Lanao del Norte farmers to organic farming and the reasons behind their decision to adopt the system, the issues and concerns they face and recommendations for its successful implementation. This is a qualitative study which covers 12 out of 22 municipalities of Lanao del Norte. The primary sources of data were 36 organic farmers and 23 program implementers as key informants.