One advocacy of GABBY is to promote a livelihood for poor farmers through organic farming. Unlike other methods of farming which heavily uses chemical fertilizers and insecticides, organic farming was introduced by Mr. Renato Yumul during the early part of this year. The project is managed by Ms. Rea P. Potenciano who previously worked as a community organizer under a WMSU-ROOF, non-government organization arm, ZABIDA from 2009-2010 promoting organic farming. Rea is also a COLE scholar who graduated last 2009, with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business from Western Mindanao State University.
Organic farming is an environmental friendly method to plant crops. Aside from this, it reduces health hazards from the exposure to chemicals. It is also cost saving since farmers are taught how to make their own organic fertilizers.
The project was launched in Sinubong on the 20th of June 2011 with four farmer beneficiaries who attended a 3-week orientation/training seminar. After training, COLE through its social action arm GABBY, supplies the farmers with farming tools and seeds.
After the crops cycle, the farmers are expected to plant again, utilizing proceeds from their harvest. Proper monitoring is conducted to ensure that farmers continue with the program in organic farming.
The aim of COLE in spearheading this project is to educate farmers on the benefits of organic farming and provide them with livelihood.