Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The Philippines: Agriculture Going Greener

BY CHARLES COLON

Oxford Business Group


The Philippines is looking to encourage the development of organic farming, seen as a niche agriculture sector ripe with opportunity for the country. With the proper support, organic farming could work to boost high-value agricultural exports as well as incomes in the agriculture sector, which currently employs more than 30% of the nation’s labor force.

On Nov. 8, President Benigno S. C. Aquino III announced that he had instructed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to direct 2% of its annual funding allocation to support programs and policies covering organic agriculture. With the department in line to receive $1.2 billion in the 2012 budget, organic food production is set to benefit to the tune of $24 million next year, local media has reported.

 
“I expect the DA to exert double efforts to craft and implement policies and programs to hasten the development of organic farming in the country under its National Organic Agriculture Program,” he said.

 
A deeper commitment to organic farming would help improve food security in the Philippines, as well as answer concerns over environmental damage and climate mitigation, Mr. Aquino said during an address at a conference on organic agriculture in Tarlac.
Government agencies and local government units are also expected to back organic production ventures so that the country can meet its domestic food requirements, as well as tap into the growing international market for chemical-free food commodities, the President told a local newspaper.

 
According to the secretary of agriculture, Proceso Alcala, while organic products currently cost more than their non-organic rivals, the current spread is in part due to economies of scale. Once a larger volume of organic foods comes onto the market, prices will fall to a more competitive level, he told a press briefing on Nov. 8.
“This is the future of Philippine agriculture,” Mr. Alcala said.
Although organic production may be seen as having significant developmental potential in the Philippines, efforts have thus far been moving somewhat slowly. While the Philippines already has legislation setting out the terms and conditions to assist organic farming, signed into law by Mr. Aquino’s predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in April last year, the final steps required to activate the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 have yet to be taken.
However, President Aquino has recently stated that the final rules needed to implement the legislation have been drafted, and that the law, along with the incentives it provides to stimulate organic farm production, would soon come into force.
The stated objective of the new law is to promote, commercialize and cultivate organic farming methods through the education of farmers and consumers, and to provide assistance to local government units, community bodies, nongovernmental organizations, and other parties involved in the agriculture sector.

 
The legislation also provides for incentives to be given to organic producers, including a seven-year income tax holiday for organic farmers. Additionally, the law allows for subsidies for certification fees and other support services to facilitate organic accreditation, as well as duty-free importation of agricultural equipment, machinery and implements, and support from the Land Bank of the Philippines.
The DA’s Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards will be charged with giving accreditation to organic-certifying bodies in various regions, and will also be responsible for employing them with the necessary accreditation rules and procedures. The department has already been active in supporting organic agriculture, though the new program should feature a more coordinated and focused effort than before.

 
The DA has also been funding training schemes for farmers in a number of regions, with four-week courses focusing on organic fertilizer production, as well as the planting and nurturing of organic rice. Additionally, informational seminars across the country are being held to raise awareness of the benefits of organic farming.
Among the issues that the DA is currently tackling are the potential cost savings associated with organic production. Climbing hydrocarbon prices have pushed up the cost of most chemical-based fertilizers, most of which are imported, as are many of the pesticides used by Filipino farmers.

 
While organic farming methods have traditionally been associated with higher prices, if hydrocarbons continue their ascent, producers could in fact reduce overhead by employing organic methods, especially as the sector begins to benefit from economies of scale.
The aim of achieving self-sufficiency in many agricultural products, particularly rice, may mean the industry’s focus will remain on cheaper methods intended for higher yields, if not higher quality, at least for the time being. However, by supporting efforts to develop both the production and demand side of organic agriculture, the Philippines may, in time, be able to have both quality and quantity.

 
Charles Colon is the Oxford Business Group’s editorial manager in the Philippines.

SOURCE:
Business World Online
http://www.bworldonline.com/

3 of the Best Ways for Retailers to Go Green

As sent in by Sachin

Retailers that do adopt practice with a commitment to sustainability not
only please and attract customers they also tend to benefit from monetary
savings and increased efficiency. There are many great ways that retailers can
become green and here we look at three of these.

As much as anyone else, retailers should realise the importance of ‘going green’ and taking steps to minimise the environmental impact of their business. There are many reasons for this but, first and foremost, a significant number of customers expect and even demand that the businesses with which they engage maintain a commitment to sustainability and environmental protection.


A green attitude is a fundamental aspect of the lifestyle of many people. Shoppers value businesses that have a parallel approach and make purposeful choices about who they will and will not do business with, based on the ways that they manage their environmental responsibilities.
Retailers that do adopt practice with a commitment to sustainability not only please and attract customers, they also tend to benefit from monetary savings and increased efficiency. There are many great ways that retailers can become green and here we look at three of these.

#1: Shopping bags
The promotional bags that are provided by retailers are one of the most obvious and significant ways they can demonstrate their dedicated commitment to the environment. Reusable shopping bags are of course popular and promotional bags offer an effective way for a business to market itself and increase its market share.
The retail bags that are provided can also be stylish and attractive to customers. Many retailers provide bags featuring contemporary designs and the opportunity to prominently feature business details. Green bags are a great alternative when it comes to shopping bags and are selected by many retailers because of their potential for recycling, strength and appearance.
Even when a business opts to use plastic bags, it is possible to use biodegradable plastic bags that have a reduced environmental impact without sacrificing quality and the extent to which the bag is fit for purpose.

#2: Recycle, reduce and reuse
There are many resources and ways that retailers can recycle, reduce and reuse items. These include:
  • Reuse of the packaging that comes into the business, such as cardboard boxes
  • Commit to the use of double-sided printing whenever possible
  • Ensure that items such as: ink cartridges, paper, plastic and aluminium are recycled
  • Use digital technology to complete many business processes, such as: invoicing, ordering, banking and paying bills
  • Use Energy Star rated equipment, such as: computers and printers. Energy Star rated pieces of equipment are considerably more Eco-friendly and energy efficient.
  • Use cleaning products that are environmentally friendly.


#3: Market yourself as ‘green’
With a genuine commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, retailers should ensure that their approach is successfully communicated to actual and potential customers. Retailers need to be upfront and show that they are in fact proud of the environmentally and socially responsible choices that they make.
A ‘green’ commitment is tremendously important for retailers and business owners of all descriptions. Primarily through the packaging and shopping bags that are provided, retailers have a great opportunity to demonstrate their environmental commitment and sustainable practice.
Retailers that do ‘go green’ frequently attract new customers and retain existing ones because customers expect and even demand that retailers will adopt environmentally responsible practices and operate with sustainability as a definite priority.

SOURCE:
Pinoy Academy
http://pinoygreenacademy.typepad.com/