Ensuring food security amidst pandemic and calamities thru collective farming, SRI and Organic Farming

Food is essential to man. Being physically and mentally fit is an investment in any individual's daily work. Adequate food security is needed to achieve this. However, it was a challenge for most when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out across the country. It has caused significant damage to the economy and livelihood of the people. Hunger is what it brings for most.

This situation holds true for the people of Sitio Palacpac, Brgy. San Isidro, Bantay, Ilocos Sur. Farmers, who do not have enough capital, are acquiring debt at an increasing rate—resulting in increasing poverty. Their losses due to a series of disasters and current pandemics resulted in threats to food security daily.

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) project wants to resolve through Organic Farming. It aims to increase the yield of farmers to ensure their food security. SRI is an alternative farming method that relies primarily on organic farming. SRI strives to reduce or eliminate reliance on commercial farm inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and hybrid seeds while enjoying traditional roots and organic farming methods.

This project also aims to increase their income by increasing their production and ensuring quality and safe harvest through organic farming.

It is hoped that the completion of this project will also raise community cohesion through the implementation of SRI and organic farming even in the face of challenges such as disasters and pandemics.