Soilless Agricultural Production Act

Senalt effice of the terracp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 AUG 13 P1:07 SENAUE S.B. No. 117 RECEIVED BY: Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT PROMOTING THE USE OF AEROPONICS, HYDROPONICS AND AQUAPONICS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH VALUE FISH, CROPS AND VEGETABLES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Constitution provides that the State shall provide support to agriculture through appropriate technology and research, and adequate financial, production, marketing, and other support services. According to the World Bank, agriculture doesn't just feed people, it is also one of the most powerful tools to end extreme poverty and boost economies. Growth in agriculture remains 2-3 times more effective at reducing poverty than an equivalent amount of growth generated in other sectors, and the effects are largest for the poorest in society. The food system produces millions of on-farm jobs and has the potential to generate millions more across the supply chain. Good nutrition makes people healthier and more productive, empowers entrepreneurs, and represents a critical long-term economic investment. However, despite advances in modern agriculture, which include high-tech farm mechanization, modern irrigation system, and advanced controlled environment agriculture, food production remains at the mercy of nature and is subject to various destructive elements of the changing climate. In addition, the Philippines is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, with an average of 20 tropical cyclones or storms entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) each year. In addition to these storms, the country regularly experiences climate phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña, which significantly affect local weather patterns and result in adverse impacts such as heavy rainfall, flashfloods, and landslides.

One of the main causes cited for the extremely high prices of certain vegetables like onions are due to extreme weather events that occur in the country. For these reasons, there is now massive importation of crops and vegetables, and even fish, in the country to augment local supply and tame their increasing and erratic prices in the market. However, there have been news reports warning the public against the consumption of imported fish because it contains harmful substances and are unsafe - round scad (galunggong) tainted with formalin, mackerel, and cream dory and milk fish (bangus) that are double dead. In view of the foregoing, and with the ever-increasing population and therefore huge demand in food supply, we must utilize advanced systems to grow more food while conserving the Earth's limited resources. The country must devote more research and development to the use of state-of-the-art technologies aimed at improving agricultural production and ensuring food security and safety. Fortunately, new trends and innovative methods in fish and vegetable farming have evolved and is being used now locally and abroad. Specifically, the adoption of soilless agriculture technologies such as aeroponics, hydroponics, and aquaponics are widely perceived as innovative measures to increase agricultural productivity. Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment without the use of soil or an aggregate medium. Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants by placing the roots in liquid nutrient solutions rather than in soil. Lastly, Aquaponics combines aquaculture and hydroponic plant production in a closed- loop water system that simultaneously grows both plants and fish. This proposed measure seeks to promote the use of aeroponics, hydroponics, and aquaponics technology in agricultural production of high value fish, crops and vegetable to further increase volume of agricultural production and ensure food security and safety. In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested. IMEE R. MARCOS

Seline Offer of the scrap TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) AUG 13 P1:07 S.B. No. SENATE RECEIVED BY: Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT PROMOTING THE USE OF AEROPONICS, HYDROPONICS AND AQUAPONICS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH VALUE FISH, CROPS AND VEGETABLES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Soilless Agricultural

Production Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared to be the policy of the

State to reaffirm the fundamental right of every person to food security. The attainment of self-sufficiency in the field of food production is therefore adopted as a primary State policy. For this purpose, key reforms for the advancement of, and support to agricultural advancement in technology adaptation are hereby promoted in order to ensure the food security of the country. Furthermore, the State commits itself to the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies and the active development of modern, appropriate and cost-effective, and environmentally safe agricultural technology in order to ensure and provide food security and safety.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall

mean or be understood as follows: "Aeroponics" shall refer to the process of growing vegetation in an air or mist environment without the use of soil or an aggregate medium. Aeroponic growing is considered to be safe and ecologically friendly for producing natural and healthy plants and crop. "Hydroponics" shall refer to the method of growing plants in a water based, nutrient rich solution. The basic premise behind hydroponics is to allow the plant roots

to come in direct contact with the nutrient solution, while also having access to oxygen, which is essential for proper growth. "Aquaponics" shall refer to the integration of aquaculture and hydroponic plant production in a closed-loop water system that simultaneously grows both plants and fish. In a symbiotic relationship, the waste that is produced by fish in water tanks, which could become toxic for the fish if not cleaned, is used directly or converted by bacteria into useful nutrients for plants.

Sec. 4. Use of Aeroponics, Hydroponics, and Aquaponics Technologies. - The

Department of Agriculture (DA) is hereby mandated to promote the use of aeroponics, hydroponics, and aquaponics technologies as instruments to further improve the production of high value fish, crops and vegetables in the country and address food security concerns. Idle government lands owned by either national or local governments or available land resources in state universities and colleges shall be considered for fish fanning and growing crops and vegetables using aeroponics, hydroponics, or aquaponics technology, whichever is applicable.

Sec. 5. Comprehensive Research on Aeroponics, Hydroponics, and Aquaponics

Technologies Applied in Agricultural Production. - For purposes of this Act, the Secretary of the DA is hereby mandated to conduct a comprehensive research and information drive on aeroponics, hydroponics, and aquaponics technologies applied in agricultural production. The DA is further enjoined to support research activities aimed at expanding the knowledge and understanding of aeroponics, hydroponics, and aquaponics technologies and to invest in advance technology research in order to adopt state-of- the-art technologies to promote agricultural production of high value fish, crops and vegetables.

Sec. 6. Inclusion of Aeroponics, Hydroponics and Aquaponics Technologies in

Agricultural Training. - Aeroponics, Hydroponics, and Aquaponics technologies, as used in agricultural production, shall be integrated in the academic curriculum for secondary and tertiary level students of both public and private academic institutions, who are studying courses on Agriculture, Practical Arts, Home Economics and/or other subjects related to agriculture. The Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this section within ninety (90) days from the date of effectivity hereof.

Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within ninety (90) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the DA, in consultation with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or

other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of

this Act shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the DA, DepEd, and Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. Approved,