LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – In partnership with the City Agriculturist of the city government of Laoag, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Ilocos Norte carried out a training on organic fertilizer and vermicomposting to a farmers association of Barangay Pila in this city.

The training was divided into two parts: lecture part and the hands-on part. In the morning session, Dr. Floramante Pastor from Mariano Marcos State University discussed the step-by-step technique for generating compost fertilizer, vermicomposting, and liquid organic fertilizer.

Pastor provided information on organic fertilizer, waste reduction awareness, raising recycling levels, minimizing organic waste in landfills, and improving soil fertility with excellent compost.

In the afternoon, the farmers applied their knowledge and went hands-on by producing compost fertilizer and beds for the African night crawlers.

Moreover, the resource speaker distributed start-up materials, including 20 bags of vermicomposting products and a bag of African night crawlers. These worms are used for organic vermicomposting since they consume and decompose more organic matter than other compost worms.

Vermicomposting is an efficient waste management approach since it improves soil quality and nutrient content while lowering waste output and taking up less space and other waste processes.

Pastor hopes the farmers would continue producing fertilizer with the shared knowledge to decrease chemical fertilizer usage and reduce agricultural waste.

“I’m grateful to DOST and Office of the City Agriculturist for providing this training to our association and allowing us to learn and use this technology to boost our farming,” said Edgar Guerrero, president of the association. (JCR/MJTAB PIA Ilocos Norte)