Philippines: A greener view
![Jul Yap now has a flourishing coconut crop thanks to training from CAFOD's partner JPIP [Annie Bungeroth]](/var/storage/images/about-cafod/where-we-work/philippines/images/jul-yap-gathering-coconuts/50806-3-eng-GB/jul-yap-gathering-coconuts_medium.jpg)
Weather patterns in the Philippines are changing and local farmers can no longer rely on regular rainfall. They must adapt to survive
Jul Yap is a farmer and young father of two who is changing the way his family lives, with help from a CAFOD-funded project.
Jul has switched to organic farming - it’s more productive, cheap and eco-friendly.
When he used chemical fertilisers and pesticides, this damaged local fauna and destroyed nutrients in the soil.
Organic farming
We use totally organic farming methods and grow enough to feed the family. The soil has really recovered… it’s full of earthworms!
Now he uses natural fertilisers and grows all kinds of healthy fruit, vegetables, rice and nuts.
He says: “We use totally organic farming methods and grow enough to feed the family. The soil has really recovered… it’s full of earthworms!”
He has also improved his irrigation methods which helps him to be less dependent on rainfall patterns, and has even installed a solar panel so the family has electricity.
Things are much better for his family – and the environment – than five years ago, as Jul says: “My children couldn’t have this kind of life without CAFOD.”
