by PAMELA G FERNANDEZ

Based on ‘Organic Seed: Implications For Sustainable Agriculture,’ SEARCA Professorial Chair Lecture, July 11 2001, Department of Agronomy, UP Los Banos, College, Laguna, 162 pp. The original manuscript was designed as a sourcebook on organic seed and sustainable agriculture.
Professor, Department of Agronomy-Crop Science Cluster, College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Banos, College, Laguna 4031, The Philippines.

The demand for organic products in the global market reached US$ 20B in 2001. In Europe, there is a very strong formal initiative for organic seed. Organic seed is a requirement in organic agriculture, according to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and other international as well as local organic initiatives. An organic movement in the Philippines has launched an organic standard for certification this year.

For both local and international use, the criteria for organic seed currently are, and should be at the minimum, based on the principles set for organic production systems, ranging from organic plant breeding (for variety development) to seed utilization (for crop production and eventually processing and marketing). The paper expands the list of criteria to include pre-plant breeding steps, ie, genetic conservation especially by the informal sector. Biodynamic farming principles provide much of the basis of the organic agriculture criteria, while the use (as well as products) of genetic engineering is banned in varietal development, farm inputs and processing. Tissue culture and Fi hybrid development especially through cytoplasmic male sterility are highly restricted in the production of organic seed.

Organic systems provide overwhelming advantages over non-organic systems. Benefits derived from and constraints related to organic seed and farming are given. Differences between opposite systems (ie, chemical or non-organic vs organic farming given the different forms) are presented in terms of effect on soil health/quality, product yield and quality (storability, losses, nutritional value, animal health, and vital energy). Three techniques (crystallography, chromatography and photon emission) which are well used in biodynamic agriculture, provide graphic comparisons of the products of two opposite systems (organic and chemical
farming).

Mechanisms or biochemical/physical bases for better storability of organic products are further explored; the result points to the realm of the relatively new concept of ‘glass’. Water in glass state and other natural substances (such as sugars) that enhance the glass state, can be contributory factors to the longer shelf-life of organic seed, other crop produce and processed food products. The current use of formally produced/bred organic seed in the Philippines is low but if the contributions of indigenous and local seeds/breeds are included, the number improves considerably. The prospect of organic seed partly depends on the success of organic certification in the country, the demand abroad for organic seed and products, and the presence of local companies who will go into this business. A large part of this success, however, will be determined by how successful local initiatives will be in community seedbanking/genetic conservation, and by improved general awareness and willingness of consumers to pay for organic produce.

You can download the whole article in PDF here:
https://www.cabi.org/gara/FullTextPDF/2009/20093019285.pdf

In one of the subjects that I teach students prepare some video to relate to the course and to their own talent and interest.

Here is one that Zeta Sanchez produced with her groupmates  Desiree Orence and Astrud Cabuscabus. Each student and the collective/group pose as a seed of change, the seed being the actual seed (as the class is on Seed Technology), or the person/s as agent/s of change. The Filipinized lyric is as follows:

Kulay ng Hangin
(Filipino-Tagalog translation of Pocahontas’ Theme Song: Colors of the Wind)
Translated by Zeta Sanchez
Inspired by the video “Home”

Akala mo’y sa ’yo ang lahat ng bagay
Mundo’y masasabi mo ng patay
Mga ilog, dagat dati’y kay linis
At ngayon, kay itim na at dumi

Kalbong bundok ngayon ang makikita
Na dati’y luntian at kay ganda
Mga hayop ngayon ay wala na
Di ba nga tayo rin ang may gawa?

Naririnig mo ba’ng pagtangis ng bituin sa gabi
Kasabay ng kalungkutan ng buwan
Hinanaing ng bawat isa sa ami’y pakinggan
Sa hangin ibubulong itong hiling
Na’ng ang dasal sa langit ay makarating

Ulan man o lupa’y ating karamay
Mga isda’t ibon ay kaibigan
Bawat buhay sa mundo ay may ugnayan
Sa isa’t-isa na di mapuputol nino man

Ang ‘yong mata ay imulat na
Kumilos ka’t baguhin ang ‘yong sarili

At hindi na liligalig ang bituin at buwan
Mga dasal nati’y pinakinggan
Baguhin ang sarili’t buksan ang isipan
Sa hangin ibinulong itong hiling
Na ang tao’y alisin sa silid na madilim
Upang masagip ng tao ang mundo

Offering a synthesis solution to our fears, perceived weakness and vulnerability: raised consciousness.

The nature of conscience energy will defeat the NWO. Part 3 starts at the 46:25 mark if you don’t have the attention span for an hour, at least watch this part of the documentary.

An independently produced documentary from Max Igan, covering controversial topics and important issues facing humanity. Max Igan (Pen Name) is an Australian researcher/ activist/ author.

From the Author Max Igan:
In this film I have attempted to explain to you, the real structure of this reality, the nature of energy and of the light and sound that make up this entire universe and everyone and everything contained within it. I have attempted to show you that this understanding is supported both by ancient traditions and also by modern science.

I will say to you again now that all that actually exists within this or any other reality is pure conscious energy. That is truly all there is and the stuff this energy is made from is pure unconditional love.

I bring this message to you now because it is important that you receive it. The Earth and all that live upon it are about to undergo some very significant changes but these changes are nothing to be feared for once you have gained a clear understanding of what this reality truly is; once you have gained knowledge of how the true stuff of the universe actually works; Once you have realized your connection to all people and to all things and follow the path of the one universal law, then what is there to fear? What is there to hate? What is there to judge?

Understand that the life we are experiencing within this reality is a game of free will being played out by a single consciousness of which we are all merely frequencies.

Tune into that space behind your eyes.

Realize that to make it through the coming changes, all you really need do is to move into your heart; to realize that all that actually exists within this reality is energy consisting of nothing more than pure and unconditional love. Embrace it, become it, for it is what you are made of.

Here is something wonderful from the network. The heart, its resonance with world processes, the Field.