QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- “As we make our rice production sustainable today and, in the future, we should balance it also with our objective of making it environment-friendly.”

The Department of Agriculture is promoting the use of balanced fertilization to a sustainable increase in rice growth and production in the Philippines. This involves the combined use of organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer, and biofertilizer.

“Mayroon tayong organic, inorganic or synthetic fertilizer at itong biofertilizer. ‘Yung organic yun yung compose gaya ng chicken manure. Mayroon tayong inorganic, ito yung urea, 14-14-14. Ang biofertlizer naman ay mga mikrobyo na galing din sa lupa na ina-isolate pagkatapos kinu-culture para pwede syang ibalik na mas maganda at mabubuhay siya,” he said.

During a press briefing on May 12, DA Undersecretary Leocadio S. Sebastian explains that in order to produce a good harvest we must employ sustainable measures in terms of farming, for one, with the use of good fertilizers.

He also emphasizes that the use of biofertilizers will not only ensure production growth but also enhance the soil condition. Aside from being more sustainable, it is also environment-friendly.

“Green technology ito. Kapag tuloy-tuloy yan baka tuluyuan ding mabawasan ang ating paggamit ng urea o inorganic fertilizers,” he said.

In connection, the agri department issued the Memorandum Order No. 32 Series of 2023 Implementing Guidelines on the Distribution and Use of Biofertilizer to guide the DA regional offices on how to select and distribute these biological fertilizers to increase yield and promote growth in rice production.

These guidelines are issued to safeguard the procurement in the field offices as well as set criteria to ensure the cost-effectiveness, efficacy, and effectiveness of that product in that location/region. It also aims to guarantee that the biofertilizers that will be supplied are locally produced.

Moreover, it shall also guarantee that the provider will not only supply these biofertilizers but also train our farmers on the proper and effective use of them.

The Agri Department has already included in their 2024 budget proposal the P1.9 billion to fund this Biofertilizer Program for farmers.

Agriculture development is one of the priority agendas of the current administration and having a sufficient rice supply addresses the goal to eliminate hunger in the country and ensure food security. (KSAA – PIA CPSD)