FARMERS IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

The Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka para sa Likas-Kayang Sakahan (Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Agriculture in Nueva Ecija) or KALIKASAN-NE was established in 1993 to demonstrate and advocate various sustainable agriculture models in rice production.

It envisions a progressive future where farmers’ livelihoods are improved and protected through sustainable agriculture.

Towards this end, KALIKASAN-NE is continuously conducting researches, training, and community organizing to promote and develop sustainable agriculture technologies that will improve the quality of lives of the farmers.

Its stated organizational goals are: (1) to develop appropriate and acceptable technologies; (2) to conduct training on various sustainable agriculture technologies; (3) to initiate a systematic documentation of practitioners; (4) to form organic farmers’ associations that practice sustainable agriculture in Nueva Ecija; (5) to increase farmers’ income through sustainable agriculture; and (6) to campaign for the adoption of sustainable agriculture.

KALIKASAN-NE is currently implementing projects on the formation and strengthening of farmers’ organizations, participatory technology development for sustainable agriculture, production of organically grown rice seeds, carbonized rice hull production, diversified integrated farming technology, promotion of the system of rice intensification or SRI, social enterprise development through the Sustainable Cooperative of Nueva Ecija or KOOL NE, and policy advocacy.

For its trailblazing work in sustainable agriculture, KALIKASAN-NE has receive several recognitions namely the Sen. Manuel P. Manahan Lifetime Achievement Award from PRRM, a citation from the United Nations Development Program as one of the Ten Best Practices in the Implementation of Philippine Agenda 21, and a grand prize from the Canadian International Development Agency during the first ever World Bank-sponsored Development Innovation Marketplace.

KALIKASAN-NE can be contacted through the following:

MR. JOSELITO A. TAMBALO (Chairperson)

+63 906 3818569

tolitstambalo@ymail.com

MS. REBECCA B. MIRANDA (Secretary General)

+63 919 8051940

rebs_105711@yahoo.com

PRRM Compound, Bukang Liwayway Bantug

Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines (3119)

(This article was contributed by ANDREA MARIZ B. ALVAREZ, a senior Development Communication student from Central Luzon State University. The photos used were provided by the PRRM Library in Nueva Ecija).