WHY GOOD SOIL AND WATER MANAGEMENT IS THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL ORGANIC FARMING

WHY GOOD SOIL AND WATER MANAGEMENT IS THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL ORGANIC FARMING

Food is supposed to give us life, and not kill us.

As stewards of God’s creation, we are supposed to protect the earth in general and the land that we cultivate in particular. And that includes the soil upon which we grow our food.

Using our God-given common sense, we should know that we must keep the soil alive. If the soil dies, how can we continue growing the food that keeps us alive?

Unfortunately, we seem to be doing the opposite.

It is ironic that we use chemicals to kill insects that feed on our crops, and then continue eating those crops. It is equally ironic that we apply excessive chemical fertilizers to increase production while neglecting the biological life of the soil that actually helps plants grow.

The grand irony is this: we are poisoning the soil that gives us food, and then worrying about the quality of the food produced from that soil.

This is why I find the work of the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) particularly interesting. BSWM itself describes soil as a finite resource and warns that unprotected soil can be lost through erosion much faster than it can be formed.

More importantly, BSWM is now pursuing a National Soil Health Program that takes a systematic approach to soil health, productivity and farmers’ income. 

A very practical example is happening in Cebu City.

On June 18, 2026, DA-BSWM, through DA-Central Visayas, turned over eight Composting Facilities for Biodegradable Waste worth ₱7.4816 million to Cebu City. The facilities include rotary composters and biomass shredders designed to convert biodegradable market waste into organic fertilizer.

Mayor Nestor Archival has said he plans to provide one unit to every barangay.

This is where the connection between waste management, soil management and food security becomes very clear.

Farm waste, market waste and even kitchen waste can be shredded and composted. The compost can then be processed with African Night Crawlers, producing vermicast that can be returned to the soil.

I am particularly interested in the cooperation involving BSWM, RU Foundry and Machinery, Inc. (RUFMI), headed by Ramon Uy, Sr., together with LGUs and pioneering state universities. This is a good example of a public-private-academic-local government partnership.

What could be better?

We recycle waste, reduce the burden on landfills, produce organic fertilizer, improve the soil and help farmers reduce dependence on expensive commercial fertilizers.

But we should remember that organic farming is not simply about replacing chemical fertilizer with compost.

It is about rebuilding the entire biological system of the farm.

Healthy soil contains microorganisms, fungi, earthworms and other organisms that help cycle nutrients. BSWM itself is conducting research comparing soil health and microbial diversity under organic, low-external-input and conventional farming systems. 

And then there is water.

Good soil without good water management is incomplete. BSWM's Water Resources Management Division specifically works on rainwater harvesting, runoff management, water conservation and soil-and-water conservation structures. 

Perhaps we should therefore adopt a simple principle:

Feed the soil, conserve the water, and let nature help feed the farmer.

The government already recognizes the importance of recycling farm wastes, maintaining soil fertility and protecting soil, water and air under the Organic Agriculture Act and its amendments.

The question is: Why aren't we doing much more of it?

If BSWM, RUFMI, LGUs, SUCs and farmers can demonstrate this approach successfully, why not replicate it nationwide?

If anyone is interested in replicating this program in your LGU, please contact me and I can help connect you with BSWM and RUFMI.

After all, good soil is not merely a farming issue.

It is a food-security issue. It is a livelihood issue. And ultimately, it is a matter of life itself.

RAMON IKE V. SENERES

www.facebook.com/ike.seneres  iseneres@yahoo.com  senseneres.blogspot.com  09088877282/08-29-2027

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