Almost two decades after the introduction of modern industrialized chemical farming in the Philippines, via the Green Revolution technologies, the unsustainability of the, so-called, miracle high yielding rice varieties has become apparent. Farmers had to buy expensive farm inputs, and then experienced low prices for their farm products, mounting unpaid loans, increasing pests and diseases, cultural debasement, insecurity and an uncertain future. There was also degradation of their immediate environment that supports their lives and livelihood.

When MASIPAG was established in 1986, rice improvement through breeding was on the forefront of its program aims, and grounded this approach as a strategy of both rural development and resistance.

When MASIPAG started its People’s Organization-led rice breeding program, MASIPAG opted for simple and convenient method of handling the variable progenies – the modified bulk method.

Read the whole article at IFOAM's monthly magazine Ecology and Farming at IFOAM's website.