Bio-organic farming for sustained crop production in the Ilocos [Philippines]

The study was conducted to determine the sustainability of a bio-organic farm in their respective locality. Likewise, an experimental bio-organic farm was established to investigate its sustainability vis-a-vis the conventional farms. In 2000 cropping season, rice yields in the experimental farms showed that the half-organic farm registered the highest yield of 5.35 t/ha compared to the bio-organic (4.03 t/ha) and the conventional (4.41 t/ha) farm. This was a significant increase from its 1999 cropping season yield of only 3.42 t/ha. Likewise, the bio-organic farm showed remarkable increase from its 1999 yield of only 3.72 t/ha to 4.03 t/ha in 2000. The conventional farms' yield slightly decreased from 4.6 t/ha in 1999 to 4.41 t/ha in 2000. Although it was still higher than the yields of bio-organic farm, the trend was more promising with the bio-organic than with the conventional farm. The increase of soil nutrient content in all of the experimental farms were presented. Soil nutrient content (OM, P, K) substantially increased in the bio-organic farm, compared to the half-inorganic and conventional farms. Results of the study showed that the bio-organic farm generally had lower population of insect pests of rice (bugs, plant hoppers, leafhoppers) compared to the other experimental farms. On the survey conducted to assess the potentials of bio-organic farming in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, majority of 454 farmer-respondents used organic fertilizer (82%) and green manure (59%) in their farms. However, less farmers used biological fertilizers (21%) and biological pest control (44%). Most of them cited inadequate knowledge as their main constraint in using bio-organic farming technologies. Other reasons cited were: not convenient to use, not commercially available, and lower yields. The different bio-organic farming technologies used by farmers in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur were presented. On organic fertilizers the most preferred type was self-prepared compost in Ilocos Norte and animal manure in Ilocos Sur. Leguminous crops were the most preferred green manure in both provinces. Both provinces also preferred azolla and kakawate as biological fertilizer and biological pest control, respectively. Most of the farmer-respondents cited lower farm expenses, better quality crops, and improved soil condition as their primary reasons for utilizing the different bio-organic farming technologies/strategies. Most of the respondents wanted to learn and gain more knowledge on the utilization and application of biological fertilizer and biological pest control among the different bio-organic farming technologies being used in the study areas