Economic miracle still possible, say
FOOD security is the economic miracle that can be achieved through catch basins and AMO farming technology.
This was asserted by Atty. Eric Acuña, in an ambush interview after the “Usapang Kapayapaan” forum for congressional candidates in Pangasinan held at the Star Ocean-Star Plaza Hotel, Dagupan City last April 26.
Acuña, a former congressman and seeking to return to his old post in the 3rd District, pointed out that Philippines has an overflowing supply of rainwater during rainy season that go directly into the seas, and none of it is saved for the dry season.
“Common sense dictates that we only need to catch the rainwater, so that we don’t experience El Niño,” he said.
The secret of developed countries as Taiwan and China is not found in industrialization, but in agriculture through the application of catch basins, he added.
He said he filed a bill 25 years ago, during his term, for the creation of an Integrated Water Catch Basin Authority, but it did not get any support because no one understood.
“Twenty-five years ago, I was telling everybody we will have a major problem on food production and this is El Niño,” he said but nobody listened.
Meanwhile, his AMO (which stands for “Ako’y Magsasakang Organiko”) is farming technique that promotes organic agriculture that costs less and increases yields and revenues of farmers.
Acuña said AMO has been in implementation in his district and has resulted in 80% reduction in costs of production and doubled volume of production, as high as 260 sacks per hectare.
He noted that the remedy resorted to by government, importation of rice from Thailand, Vietnam, and China, is not sustainable, particularly now that country is affected by El Niño triggered by climate change.
Acuña said, “This is becoming a global problem so unless we address this problem now, we will have massive poverty and starvation,” citing the Kidapawan incident as an example.
“I believe food security is our national security. There is no peace when there is no food on our table,” he intoned. (Johanne R. Macob)
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