Filipino farmers push agroecology before COP30 ^{CEFR B2}

Filipino farmers and agroecology advocates intensified grassroots work ahead of COP30, holding fairs, workshops, cooking sessions, petitions and assemblies. MASIPAG, a network comprising more than 500 people's organizations, organised a national agroecology workshop and fair in the capital region in October. The fair showcased local farmer products and included a solidarity cooking session; Earth Island Institute-Asia-Pacific organised an outdoor kitchen, and campaign coordinator Robert Ray Medrano explained that the live cooking tied everyday food to broader struggles over food, land and environmental protection.

MASIPAG submitted formal objections to a proposed local ordinance that would favour genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The group warned the measure would deepen farmers' dependence on imported seeds and chemical inputs, reduce agricultural biodiversity and erode traditional farming practices. It presented a petition noting that more than 50 local farming associations opposed the ordinance and filed a position letter signed by more than 3,000 individuals from two districts of Negros. The petition also highlighted agroecology and said zero-tillage practices can work without GMOs or destructive chemical inputs.

In Binalbagan, around 65 farmer leaders met for a community consultation on the health impacts of GMOs and discussed risks to local ecosystems; Negros is recognised nationally as a centre of organic farming. MASIPAG held a study session on Genuine Agrarian Reform and Sustainable Agriculture (GARSA), which stresses two linked pillars:

• redistribution and protection of land for smallholder farmers, and
• promotion of agroecological practices to secure ecological balance, food security and climate resilience.

The GARSA discussions focused on women’s rights, calling out a culture described as “macho feudal”, valuing reproductive work, eliminating gender discrimination, and recognising women who keep seeds and produce food as rights-holders and decision-makers. Two strong typhoons damaged parts of Negros during MASIPAG’s activities, underscoring the group’s argument for land reform and climate justice. MASIPAG said it will connect outcomes from COP30 with grassroots work, release an op-ed video linking COP30 discussions to lessons from the national workshop and fair, and share its views from the Philippines to Brazil during COP30 while continuing to promote traditional, community-led farming and environmental protection.