Native Chickens and Food Security in the Philippines - Landscapes Episode 3

Summary

This video highlights the importance of food security and the role of organic farming in fostering self-sufficiency. Moses, a passionate organic farmer, shares his journey from college to creating a sustainable food security system in his backyard. Through growing Filipino vegetables, spices, and using natural fertilizers, he empowers local communities and heals the land. The chef creates a farm-to-table dish using fresh, organic ingredients, illustrating the connection between food production and consumption. The video emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable agriculture to address malnutrition and inspire future generations to embrace farming.

Takeaways

• 😀 Food security is a critical responsibility that starts at the family level, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency in food production.
• 😀 Natural disasters and calamities are exacerbated when communities lack food security systems, highlighting the importance of growing food locally.
• 😀 Many people are disconnected from food production, making it challenging for them to grow their own food or understand the natural processes behind it.
• 😀 Moses, an organic farmer, began farming in college out of fear of losing his allowance, later transitioning to full-time farming after realizing his passion for organic agriculture.
• 😀 Organic farming not only focuses on producing chemical-free food but also on healing the land and reconnecting tribal communities with their agricultural roots.
• 😀 Moses’s farm includes two areas: one for growing Filipino vegetables for daily consumption and another for producing agro-industrial crops like cayenne, turmeric, and ginger for income generation.
• 😀 Organic fertilizers, such as fermented cow manure, are used to enrich the soil, improve its structure, and support symbiotic relationships with microorganisms and insects.
• 😀 Moses believes in a spiritual connection to the land and feels a deep sense of satisfaction from practicing organic farming, seeing it as a way to be a good steward of the Earth.
• 😀 The floods caused by Typhoon Sendong highlighted the need for sustainable farming practices, such as maintaining tree cover, to prevent siltation and mitigate flooding.
• 😀 Moses encourages people to start small, even in their own front yards, to create food security systems, offering them the chance to reconnect with nature and understand the energy behind food production.
• 😀 The narrative stresses the alarming statistic that 13.5% of the population is undernourished, making food security a crucial issue that requires collective action from both farmers and non-farmers alike.
• 😀 There is a call for empowerment of younger generations to engage in farming, as the average age of local farmers is 57, and a lack of new entrants could worsen the nation’s food security crisis.

Q & A

Why does the narrator believe food security is important for individuals and families?

The narrator emphasizes that food security is a crucial responsibility for individuals and families, particularly in the face of natural disasters and calamities. By having their own food security systems, families can mitigate the adverse effects of such events and ensure a stable food source.

What motivated Moses to start farming despite studying political science?

Moses was initially studying political science with the intention of becoming a lawyer like his father. However, he developed a passion for organic farming, driven by his concerns about the widespread use of chemicals in agriculture and his desire to produce natural, chemical-free food.

How did Moses' approach to farming differ from conventional practices?

Moses chose to focus on organic farming, using natural methods like composting and avoiding the use of chemicals such as pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. He also worked to restore the land of local tribal communities that had been damaged by years of chemical farming.

What is the significance of the family food security system Moses set up?

Moses' family food security system involves growing a variety of Filipino vegetables and spices in his backyard, ensuring that his family has access to fresh, local, and organic food. It also serves as a model for other families, showing how they can implement similar systems to secure their own food sources.

How does Moses use cow manure in his farming process?

Moses uses cow manure as a key component in creating organic compost. The manure is fermented in a drum for 14 days, after which it is applied to the soil to enrich it with nutrients and improve its structure, helping to support healthy plant growth.

What role do trees play in preventing natural disasters like floods?

Trees play a crucial role in preventing floods by reducing siltation in rivers and streams. They help to maintain the water holding capacity of riverbeds, which is essential during heavy rains. Moses suggests that if more trees had been present during the Sendong flood, the disaster's effects might have been less severe.

Why does Moses believe people should reconnect with farming?

Moses believes that reconnecting with farming allows people to experience the energy and effort behind food production. It also fosters a deeper connection with nature and helps break the barriers created by modern, industrialized food systems.

What is the significance of the chicken in Moses' farming system?

The chicken plays an important role in Moses' farming system by providing manure, which is then used to create compost for the plants. The chickens also contribute to the overall cycle of sustainability on the farm, highlighting the interconnectedness of animals and plants in the ecosystem.

What challenges does Moses face as a farmer, and how does he overcome them?

Moses faces challenges such as dealing with the effects of chemical farming practices on local soil, the need for sustainable practices, and promoting organic farming. He overcomes these by focusing on education, community involvement, and using natural, organic farming methods that restore and enhance the soil's health.

Why is food security seen as an essential issue for society in the script?

Food security is presented as an essential issue because it directly affects people's health and survival. With a significant portion of the population undernourished, addressing food security is critical to prevent a broader crisis. The script highlights the need for younger generations to take an active role in farming to sustain future food production.