ENVIRONMENTAL group Greenpeace on Friday said its latest
study showed that the rampant use of agrochemicals on farmlands has severely
polluted water sources in the country, with water toxicity measurements going
beyond set international safety standards.
The group appealed to government to immediately implement
fertilizer use reduction programs to prevent further harm to the country’s water
sources.
Greenpeace said its study titled "Agrochemical use in the
Philippines and its Consequences to the Environment" discovered that between
1961 and 2005, fertilizer applications in the Philippines increased by 1000
percent but yields of rice and maize increased only by 200 to 280 percent.
The study also said pesticide use between 1977 and 1987
increased by 325 percent but rice yield increased by only 30 percent.
The soil and water meanwhile have been degraded by massive
agrochemical applications during all those years, Greenpeace campaigner Danilo
Ocampo told reporters.
The report said water pollution from chemical runoff is more
widespread than previously thought. It said 30 percent of artesian wells tested
in Benguet and Bulacan have nitrates level way beyond the safety limit set by
the World Health Organization for drinking water. High nitrate levels were also
found in sweet pepper farms in Mangu-ang, Ilocos Norte.
Researchers at the Benguet State University also found
pesticide residues of organophosphates, organochlorines and pyrethoids in the
soil and vegetables grown in certain towns in Ilocos Norte.
Ocampo said government should phase out subsidies for
agrochemicals and focus on assisting farmers in converting to ecological and
sustainable farming methods.
"Dapat ang gobyerno, imbes na na suportahan ang GMO (genetically-modified
organism), hybrid, fertilizers o pesticides ay suportahan ang organic
agriculture. Di lang organic kundi sustainable agricultural farming practices na
kung saan ang ini-encourage mo mataas na ani, mababang paggamit ng chemical
inputs, and for the benefit of the farmers," Ocampo said. – Job T.
Realubit
