The municipality of Jaro in the province of Leyte is home to the Campagal Bangon Producers and Agri-Tourism Association (CBPATA), a community where farmers are demonstrating that agriculture can take a different path. Through CBPATA, local farmers are embracing agroecology and natural farming practices as a way to build healthier farms, strengthen livelihoods, and protect the environment.
Led by its president, Danilo Lagano, CBPATA is committed to reducing farmers’ dependence on commercially produced chemical inputs and making greater use of resources available within their own farms.
“Our association practices natural farming. We no longer use inorganic fertilizer. Instead, we use manure from our livestock as an alternative to enrich our crops,” Lagano explained.
By turning livestock manure into a valuable farm input, farmers can reduce their dependence on expensive external inputs while recycling nutrients within the farm. For CBPATA members, natural farming has helped them reduce production expenses while supporting food security and environmental conservation.
“Rather than purchasing expensive chemicals, we create our own solutions. This approach reduces our production cost and ensures access to fresh and uncontaminated vegetables and crops,” Lagano said.
Reducing the use of chemical inputs also helps minimize pollution and protects the surrounding environment. At the same time, farmers can produce food using resources that are readily available within their communities.
The shift toward agroecology has also opened opportunities for members to increase their income through collective farming activities. By working together, CBPATA members are able to strengthen their production, share knowledge and resources, and explore opportunities for more sustainable agricultural enterprises.
Lagano takes particular pride in the important roles played by women and young people in advancing agroecological practices within the association. Their participation has helped strengthen CBPATA’s efforts to promote sustainable farming and encourage greater community involvement.
For CBPATA, natural farming is more than an alternative production method, it is an investment in the future of farmers, communities, and the environment.
“I encourage other individuals and farm organizations to adapt natural farming practices. Doing so will help preserve our environment and contribute to more secure food production for everyone,” he said.
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