organic

Data from the NOAP, an agency attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA), reveals that from 2011 to 2017, total organic agriculture area has hit 349,041.28 hectares, about 4.86 percent of the total agricultural area of 7,165,815.61 hectares.

LAC received its certification in 2009, a year earlier than the formal establishment of the NOAP and the NOAB through the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.

Roger Kerr, chief executive of OF&G, said: "Continued growth of consumer demand for high-welfare and environmentally friendly produce has seen organic sales increase steadily in the last seven years, which has in turn triggered an increase in organic farm conversions.

And with policy signals from Government, farmers are looking at their options, including organic." He said there continues to be high rewards on offer for organic producers, particularly organic cereals.

The average price for a gallon of organic milk $4.76 is 88 percent higher than the $2.53 shoppers pay for a gallon of regular milk.

Parents buying organic baby food, on the other hand, pay just 3 percent more than they would for conventional baby food.

Sibulan was considered to be declared an organic zone since there are established farmers' associations in the area that are producing organic vegetables and bananas.

"They (Barangay Sibulan officials) are willing to become an organic zone because there are already a number of existing organic farms in Sibulan," said Chinkie Pelino-Golle during the weekly Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao.