Magsaysay farmers rise with organic rice

What can farmers get by producing organic rice?

A high-end niche market willing to pay a higher price just to be assured of food safety and quality.  

This has been the experience of the two cooperatives: Kilolog Multi-Purpose Farmers Cooperative (KIMFACO) and the Magsaysay Multipurpose Cooperative, both in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur. 

While conventionally produced rice is sold at P23-26 a kilo, the two cooperatives are selling their organically produced rice at P35 per kilo or at 35 percent premium.

The idea of producing organic rice was hatched in 2002 as one of the flagship projects of Magsaysay’s sustainable agriculture program. The program was an initiative of the local government in partnership with the Don Bosco Diocesan Youth Center .   

Following the Biodynamic Calendar and the Korean natural farming, rice farmers use indigenous materials in preparing their own fertilizers and pesticides. These include milk and honey spray, detoxified rice seeds, crystal quartz, compost and herbs. 

The milk and honey spray is used to attract beneficial insects or the natural enemies of harmful insects. It also maintains and improves the plant’s vigor, natural aroma and good eating quality. It is also believed to increase the weight of the grains.

The herbs, on the other hand, heal and prevent the spread of pests and diseases. 

The farmers produce their own organic fertilizers using agricultural waste such as rice stalks and manure from chicken, horses, carabaos, cows, including fish intestines. Composting of these organic wastes is done right in the farm for four to six months. 

To ensure that rice farmers adhere to prescribed standards of organic crop management, an internal quality control system (IQCS) was installed from the ranks of the clustered farmer-partners in the community. 

The yield of organic rice yield is comparable to the conventionally produced rice in the area. Its yield stands at three to 4.5 tons per hectare for first timers while those who have been into organic farming for quite sometime can achieve a yield of five to 5.5 tons per hectare.

Such yield may seem unimpressive compared with high-input methods which boasts of yields in the vicinity of 12 to 15 tons. However, considering the fact that an organic farmer can realize big savings by producing his own fertilizers and avoiding the purchase of expensive chemical pesticides and weedicides, he may actually end up with a bottom line that is not too far behind or maybe even equal to what his high-input counterparts are earning.

Importantly too, farmers can also enjoy far reaching benefits as organic farming helps in preserving their farmlands’ natural environment.  

While many people are now aware of the benefits of organic products, they seem to be slow in accepting the fact that one has to pay a premium for a quality product like organic rice.

To expand the market for their produce, the cooperative intensified its promotion and marketing activities. In line with this, MagRice was   packaged with appropriate branding and attractive labeling.

The brand “MagRice” is short for Magsaysay Rice, to identify it closely with its origin. During trade fairs and other marketing promotions, emphasis was given on consumer safety, high-quality, and organic rice’s nutritional value.

“MagRice is pure because it is not adulterated with other varieties. It is safe because it is toxin-free as no pesticides nor synthetic fertilizers were used during production. We maintain the product as regular milled rice to preserve its important nutrients. Try MagRice and savor the real taste of life,” says one of its promotional materials. 

Their efforts to improve market strategies are starting to pay off. According to municipal agriculture officer Eugenio Tumuran, the demand for MagRice continues to increase. The supermarkets of leading malls in Davao City and General Santos City now serve as one of the product’s sales outlets. Other outlets were also established in Digos City and as far as Cebu and Metro Manila. MagRice is packed and sold in two, five, 25, and 50 kilograms at P35 per kilo. Through direct trading conduits with these distribution outlets middlemen were eliminated so the price is regulated and farmers earn more profit.

“Through these new outlets, MagRice sales have increased up to 100 percent. At the NCCC Mall in Davao City alone, initial volume delivered was 700 kilograms in one week. They are now delivering 1,400 kilograms per week,” Tumuran said.   

There were also reports that a number of foreign buyers who have heard about the MagRice had been asking how they can regularly order this organic rice in big volumes.  

In a recent visit to Magsaysay town, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap expressed open admiration of how the farmers were able to succeed in rice farming. He even told Mayor Jess Lumanog to send sample of their products to be displayed at the Agribusiness Center in DA central office to attract more buyers. Yap said that while crop shifting from rice to other high value crops had been increasing, the rice industry is challenged to find ways that could  make rice farming more economically viable for farmers.

With MagRice, Magsaysay farmers have risen up to the challenge and proved that with innovativeness and resourcefulness, rice farming can still be a profitable business.