CAN ORGANIC FERTILIZERS WIN OVER CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS?

CAN ORGANIC FERTILIZERS WIN OVER CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS?

I have often heard it said that organic fertilizers can never be as good as chemical fertilizers. The argument is usually simple: organic is less “potent,” while chemical fertilizers deliver fast, visible results. Another common argument is that organic farming is costlier—that is why organically grown fruits and vegetables usually fetch higher prices in the market.

But I have always wondered about the economics of this comparison. Why should something that could be produced cheaply and locally, like organic fertilizers from farm waste, be measured against imported chemical fertilizers that are not only expensive but also heavily subsidized by the government?

And now comes a farmer from India, Ramesh Khangoudar, who has provided proof of concept that organic farming can actually be more profitable than chemical-dependent farming. Faced with fertilizer bills crossing ₹1 lakh (around ₱67,000) per year, Ramesh shifted to organic farming. But he did not stop there—he trained more than 10,000 other farmers, showing them that they too could farm profitably without being trapped in the cycle of costly chemical inputs.

With the support of the SELCO Foundation and the Karnataka State Agriculture Department, Ramesh even brought AI-powered robots into small farms—machines that monitor soil health, help with precision planting, and reduce labor burdens. Add to that renewable energy, mobile sales units, and closed-loop systems, and you have a self-sustaining ecosystem that links clean energy, dignified livelihoods, and affordable food.

This is not just farming. This is systems thinking in action.

What About the Philippines?

Skeptics might say, “Well, that’s India. Could this happen here?” The truth is: it already has.

In Pangasinan, the Teraoka Family Farm has built a name around indigenous crops and certified organic vegetables. By reviving nearly-forgotten local produce like sineguelas, duhat, kamias, and santol, they have proven that biodiversity and profitability can go hand in hand.

In Davao del Sur, Green Farm, founded by Glenn Ferrer, started as a backyard garden but has since grown into a full ecosystem—fishponds, mushrooms, bees, and poultry—all run on integrated organic farming methods. They even teach others how to make organic soil amendments and concoctions from local materials.

And then there’s MASIPAG, a nationwide farmer-led network that promotes seed sovereignty and agroecology. For decades now, they have empowered farmers to save and exchange their own seeds, breaking free from dependence on corporate seed and chemical suppliers.

These are not isolated stories. They are models of resilience and self-sufficiency, quietly flourishing across the country.

The Real Economics

Now let us return to economics. Chemical fertilizers are energy-intensive to produce, imported, and priced according to global supply shocks. When the Russia-Ukraine war disrupted fertilizer supply chains, Filipino farmers immediately felt the pinch, as urea prices more than doubled. In contrast, organic fertilizers—whether made from compost, animal manure, or crop residues—can be produced locally with minimal cash outlay.

Yes, organic fertilizers may deliver nutrients more slowly than chemicals. But they also improve soil health, water retention, and biodiversity in the long term. Chemicals may give an instant boost, but overuse leads to soil degradation, declining yields, and greater dependence on ever-higher doses. In other words, chemicals mortgage the future; organics invest in it.

As for consumer prices, yes, organic produce is currently more expensive. But as more farms transition to organic, economies of scale will bring costs down. If India can show proof of concept, so can we. The Department of Agriculture and LGUs should seriously invest in farmer training, subsidies for organic inputs, and support for direct-to-consumer sales to make organic more affordable.

Beyond Economics: Health and Longevity

Of course, the greater benefit of organic food is not just its market price—it is our health. By reducing exposure to pesticide residues, synthetic additives, and degraded soils, organic food supports long-term wellness. What good is cheap rice, cheap chicken, or cheap vegetables if they slowly erode our health over time?

Food security, after all, should not just mean that food is available and cheap. It should mean that food is safe, nutritious, and sustainable. That is why organic fertilizers—and the farming systems they support—should be seen not as an alternative curiosity, but as a foundation for national food sovereignty.

Final Thoughts

So, can organic fertilizers win over chemical fertilizers? My answer is yes—not overnight, not without challenges, but steadily and surely. The proof is already out there—in India, in Pangasinan, in Davao, and across MASIPAG communities nationwide.

This is not a passing trend. It is a pathway toward healthier soil, healthier people, and longer lives. If we truly want food security—not just in terms of quantity, but quality—then investing in organic is not optional. It is essential.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com 

12-29-2025

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