Organic Gardening:
An Approach towards a
Sustainable Rural
Development
By: Sheila Marie S. Pedregosa
BSCHE1-B
Introduction:
Over the years, the agriculture productivity of the Philippines has started to increase as
with the utilization of various agricultural practices. One of these practices which are used to
increase crop yields is the application of chemical fertilizers. Chemical fertilizers is extensively
used in inorganic farming that aids in growing and nurturing plants, which increases crop
production and supplies the demand of agricultural commodities.
However, according to a study, an intensive or repeated application and inappropriate
use of chemical fertilizers can eventually lead to soil contamination, which eradicates the soil
fertility or organic matter, and can cause to land degradation in rural areas associated with this
method of crop production (Massah & Azadegan, 2016). Thus, in order to obtain the right
balance of fertilizer applications, it is essential to consider the utilization of organic materials to
maintain and restore the soil nutrient exchange capacity.
Hence, this project aims to promote the implementation of "Organic Gardening" to
provide sustainability and an environmentally-safe method to produce healthy crops that are
essential for the human nutritional needs. Organic Gardening is a basic method of growing
crops by making its nutrient source derived organically from nature, which helps protect and
enrich the soil. By this means, it can reduce the risk of consuming harmful elements in the form
of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers. With this, it gives a better access to safer and healthy
organically-grown crops. It is also a cost effective method of gardening as it eliminates the use
of artificial or synthetic fertilizers and insecticides. In addition, anyone can perform this kind of
gardening in their own spaces, making it accessible and adaptive to any areas.
By implementing Organic Gardening on our homes, it does not only help a family to
produce healthier crops, but also provides great opportunities for every member of the family
to connect with the nature, as well as it creates a sense of unity inside the household through
the cooperation that every member renders to achieve the task. And as a youth, Organic
Gardening can help me to acquire certain skills that can better prepare me for work and life,
such as the creativity to prepare the garden and the skill of contributing to a team as it
revitalize teamwork inside the household.
Overall, Organic Gardening reach up for the betterment of the environment and the
personal health of people, which help to develop the community's capacity which includes
improved access to food and nutrition, increased of the community's productivity and
improved social and physical health of its citizens.
Objectives:
This project aims to produce organically-grown crops at home by applying the various
method of Organic Gardening. It specifically seeks to attain the following goals of implementing
Organic Gardening:
1.
2.
3.
4.
To reduce the risk of soil contamination.
To improve the household’s productivity.
To produce a safer and healthier crops.
To provide a sustainable way in improving the community and rural development.