Pangasinan fourth district Representative Christopher de Venecia called on all farmers in the fourth district of Pangasinan to now shift to organic farming which is far better than the conventional method of farming that uses chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides which are harmful for the body and also to the soil, making them toxic and less fertile in the long run.
He made the call in a dialogue with members of the San Fabian Agri-preneurs Association in Barangay Lipit Tomeeng led by Barangay Chairman Jacobo Disu at the farm house of Mrs. Rosemary Glenn, a U.S. citizen who returned to her native San Fabian to farm.
He said he will soon bring experts to San Fabian to teach vermiculture to farmers so that they can learn to produce their own organic fertilizer.
Organic farming is an advocacy of Ms.Glenn, owner of the first pittaya (dragon fruit) plantation in both barangays Bigbiga and Lipit Tomeeng, San Fabian which she wants to share with her fellow farmers in the town and the fourth district as she uses only organic fertilizer personally prepared by her to her plants.
In-between the now fruiting pittaya plants are cacao which Mrs. Glenn said is a good anti-oxidant which is good for the body, also fertilized by organic matters, such as composted leaves and manure..
She also raises organic chicken and goats and is in fact the one formulating home-made feeds for them..
Some of her pittaya plants are now bearing fruits and which she sells to a supermarket in Manila that prefers buying her fruits more than those produced in other places, being juicer and sweeter considering that she uses 100 percent organic fertilizers to all her plants.
"I'm too happy to share my experience in organic farmers to my fellow farmers," said Glenn as she lauded De Venecia for his passion to farming like his parents although they are a political family.
Admitting his mother Gina did not breast feed her when he was a baby that is why he is sickly up to this time, De Venecia said he wants to shift to organic food from the traditional, that is why he is advocating for organic farming to ensure more healthier foods to the Filipinos.
Meanwhile, De Venecia proposed to develop a seed nursery in Barangay Bigbiga with thge help of various government agencies to be maintained by the San Fabian Agri-preneurs Association.
He said the association can be developed into a modern farm to showcase modern farm practices to fellow farmers and students who may be visiting soon.
De Venecia said farmers should not rely only on their incomes from their products, but should try to take on the benefits that would be derived from farm tourism if their farm can become a demonstration farm.
NIkka Rivera, a staff of De Venecia, said in farm tourism farmers earn additional incomes aside from the money they get from their products, citing the Sun Flower Maze in Tayug which earned an instant fame nationwide when it was visited by tourists.
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