By HENRY EMPEÑO | August 31, 2025 [Second of Two Parts] IBA, Zambales — With mechanization and use of certified seeds becoming the norm in Philippine agriculture, poor soil fertility, pest and disease problems, and water shortages remain the leading causes of low agricultural productivity—all of which require substantial costs to manage and control. Philippine… Read More Back to Basics: Natural farming provides farmers cheap, effective, accessible agri inputs

By HENRY EMPEÑO | August 30, 2025 [First of Two Parts]                IBA, Zambales — A growing number of rice farmers in this capital town of Zambales are switching back to farming methods without chemical use following the introduction here last year of the Palay Partnership Program (PPP) by BCV Farms. The program, which focuses on… Read More Back to Basics: Homegrown palay program draws growers back to chemical-free farming