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Saturday, June 25, 2005
Cebu farmers ‘still use harmful pesticides’
Big, fresh vegetables sold in the market are not necessarily pesticide-free.
Department of Land Reform Information and Education Division Chief Carmelita Morales said that despite strong advocacy against using commercial pesticides in farming, many farmers still choose to spray their vegetables with pesticides for bigger products and increased production.
Vegetables may seem fresh and healthy from the outside, but pesticides have already seeped through the skin and into the inner portion.
Morales cited farmers from Dalaguete town as among those who use commercial pesticides, instead of the natural pesticides the agency is promoting.
Also, many of those from Dalaguete use commercial pesticides that are banned in other countries but are accepted here in the Philippines, Morales said.
Pesticides sold commercially are known to cause terminal illnesses, particularly cancer.
Pesticides such as Endrin, Phosdrin and Malathyon are commonly used by farmers.
Frustration
Morales admitted it is frustrating on their part that farmers still refuse to heed their call not to use pesticides, and that some government agencies sell these pesticides for huge profits.
To address this, Morales said they recently visited Dalaguete to train farmers on natural farming.
As a beneficiary of the Feed the Children Philippines Inc., DLR received vegetable seeds from Illinois to be planted in Philippine soil.
Farmers are then required to be trained on natural farming before they will be given the seeds.
Refusal
However, the farmers reportedly refused to undergo training, saying they would rather observe first the production in neighboring municipalities.
Morales said they briefly discussed the training to the farmers last April. Some of the municipalities that were also beneficiaries of the seeds have already produced and harvested the vegetables since then.
But until now, Morales said they have yet to hear from the farmers in Dalaguete.
Morales believes that one of the reasons for the farmers’ refusal is the laborious natural farming method that will have to be applied.
“It takes time to make your own pesticides. But it is cheaper and it does not have the irritating smell of commercial pesticides harmful to the people,” she explained.
Natural pesticides are made with “bahaw,” vegetable peelings or any kitchen waste mixed with molasses.
A tablespoon of the mixture will be added with a liter of water that could already be sprayed.
Organic fertilizers such as boiled tobacco, atis seeds, ashes, eggshells and powedred detergent mixed with kerosene are also helpful for vegetable farming.
But Morales said all these organic fertilizers also take time so farmers prefer commercial fertilizers.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has expressed support for “One Town One Product Program” of the Department of Trade and Industry for fishermen and farmers.
Catalyst
Aiming to boost farmers’ income and reduce poverty incidence in the rural sector, the DA Regional Field Unit 7 will prioritize the implementation of programs and projects that are viewed as catalysts towards generating jobs.
Agriculture Communication Chief Perla Gomez said they aim to develop 34,420 hectares of new and existing agricultural areas. The lots will be developed for intercropping with high value crops and raising livestock, poultry and fish.
Together with the Department of Agriculture are the Land Bank of the Philippines and Quedancor in providing small-medium enterprise loan to agricultural sector. (LLV/With STC Intern Mae Angelie Sabac)
(June 25, 2005 issue)
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