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Villar Advocates Organic Farming For High Value Crop Production
Senator Cynthia Villar. Senate PH File
Senator Cynthia A. Villar has called for the promotion of high-value crop production through organic farming, as the country's agricultural sector still faces limited diversity, low productivity, and a few successful high-value agribusinesses.
Villar noted that since the implementation of Republic Act No. 7900 or the "High-Value Crops Development Act of 1995," the country has yet to achieve its goals in this area.
Speaking during the 28th Anniversary of the High Value Crops implementation, Villar said the law was passed to give an opportunity to diversify crop production and promote the development of agribusiness value chain.
"High-value crops refer to crops that have defined regular or niche market or has potential domestic and/or export markets, or command high prices, whether in fresh or processed form," Villar, the chairperson of the Senate agriculture and food committee said.
"High-value crops provide higher net returns per hectare or crops that have competitive returns on investments," she added
Villar lamented that after 28 years since the implementation of Republic Act No.7900, the country is yet to fully achieve high-value crops or non-traditional crops.
To manage waste and bring down input cost, she emphasized the importance of organic farming.
The senator shared that she has 89 composting facilities in Las Piñas through their Villar Sipag Foundation and 50 nationwide through their company, Vista Land. Each facility produces a ton of compost a month or a total of 139 tons which are given for free to farmers and gardeners nationwide.
She also revealed that the National High Value Crops Program has been distributing shredders and composting machines to farmers to process their kitchen, garden, and farm waste to improve soil fertility and correct the degradation of soils.
Before the pandemic, Villar has been promoting Home and School Vegetable Gardening in Las Piñas.
"During the pandemic until now, I do it nationwide. Vegetables are efficient to generate cash even from a small plot of land in a short period of time and help farmers to improve their livelihood. In urban areas I have been encouraging Community gardens," she said.
Villar noted that since the implementation of Republic Act No. 7900 or the "High-Value Crops Development Act of 1995," the country has yet to achieve its goals in this area.
Speaking during the 28th Anniversary of the High Value Crops implementation, Villar said the law was passed to give an opportunity to diversify crop production and promote the development of agribusiness value chain.
"High-value crops refer to crops that have defined regular or niche market or has potential domestic and/or export markets, or command high prices, whether in fresh or processed form," Villar, the chairperson of the Senate agriculture and food committee said.
"High-value crops provide higher net returns per hectare or crops that have competitive returns on investments," she added
Villar lamented that after 28 years since the implementation of Republic Act No.7900, the country is yet to fully achieve high-value crops or non-traditional crops.
To manage waste and bring down input cost, she emphasized the importance of organic farming.
The senator shared that she has 89 composting facilities in Las Piñas through their Villar Sipag Foundation and 50 nationwide through their company, Vista Land. Each facility produces a ton of compost a month or a total of 139 tons which are given for free to farmers and gardeners nationwide.
She also revealed that the National High Value Crops Program has been distributing shredders and composting machines to farmers to process their kitchen, garden, and farm waste to improve soil fertility and correct the degradation of soils.
Before the pandemic, Villar has been promoting Home and School Vegetable Gardening in Las Piñas.
"During the pandemic until now, I do it nationwide. Vegetables are efficient to generate cash even from a small plot of land in a short period of time and help farmers to improve their livelihood. In urban areas I have been encouraging Community gardens," she said.
Apr 20, 2023
