Organic rice production systems is not an entirely new concept in the Philippines. The enactment of the Organic Agriculture Act of 2004 created a policy environment to move the industry forward. In this study, the term organic farming practitioners refer to practitioners of organic including those that are not yet certified. This consideration is made because the focus is not on the marketability of the produce but rather on the health and environmental impact of the organic production system as compared to chemical based agriculture or conventional rice farming system. Through this study, it was revealed that both organic farmers and conventional farmers perceive organic rice production system as a much safer alternative to conventional means. Both classification of farmers also attributed positive health and environmental effects to organic rice production systems. However, rice farmers, in general, find it difficult to quantify or put monetary equivalents to these positive health and environmental effects. An interdisciplinary approach in assessing these positive externalities is highly recommended for an in-depth socio-economic valuation in the future.
