A Multi-commodity organic farm located in Naidi Hills in Basco, Batanes was established in 2018. Governor Marilou H. Cayco initiated the project with the Provincial Agriculture Office of Batanes. The project is part of the Sustainable Food Sufficiency Program of the Province. According to the Facebook Page of the Provincial Government of Batanes, the project aims to strengthen the food sufficiency of Batanes through organic farming and based on the farming system of the Ivatan people. The Multi-commodity Organic Farm has produced more than 20 tons of organic agriculture products including sweet potato, corn, watermelon and a variety of vegetables.

The organic farm also serves as a demonstration farm that will showcase the traditional farming systems of the Ivatan People. It also showcased different agricultural technologies applicable in Batanes Province. The Provincial Government of Batanes will use the organic farm as an agro-tourism site soon.

Organic farming is defined by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs as “a method of crop and livestock production that involves much more than choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics and growth hormones.”. Farming, as part of agriculture, is considered as a nutrition-sensitive intervention that ensures food availability and access. It also serves as a vital component of food security of a population. Food security is a vital part of good nutrition as it will ensure that healthy, nutritious and safe foods are always on the table, especially of the marginalized group, and families with malnourished children.

The organic farm of Batanes province highlights the importance of food security to serve the Ivatan People and the preservation of the Ivatan Farming Systems. -EMArcinue