QUEZON CITY -- The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and the Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) convened to discuss inter-agency initiatives on the implementation of the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) Program.

To address problems on land degradation and decline in soil fertility, and to aid in the fertilizer price increase through adjustments in the cropping and management systems in farming, the Department of Agriculture (DA) agencies, in tandem with State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) will implement the BFS Program.

The BFS pushes for the use of combined organic and inorganic inputs and other forms of strategy (i.e. cover cropping, individual farmer soil fertility map, improve cropping system etc.) to attain the maximum potential of farmlands while maintaining soil fertility and promoting balanced fertilization. According to Deputy Executive Director for Fertilizer, Dr. Myer G. Mula, the strategy is also a climate-smart adaptation taking into consideration the concept of 4 Rs: Right Nutrient, Right Quantity, Right Method, and Right Time. The concept of balanced fertilization is the key to enhancing the efficient use of nutrients for soil and crop productivity by maintaining soil health and fertility.

Each agency presented their action plans on the implementation of the BFS, with ATI on the Integrated Nutrient Management presented by Ms. Nemielynn Pangilinan, BSWM’s Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Management Program for Sustainable Rice Production discussed by Assistant Director Gina Nilo, and FPA’s initiatives and BFS meeting related updates presented by Ms. Maribel Querijero. Likewise, possible collaborations between said agencies are anticipated.

The primary Balanced Fertilization Strategy – Technical Working Committee (BFS-TWC) will be formed and composed by DA concerned agencies and SUCs with expertise in agriculture as members and collaborators for the successful implementation of the program.

The BFS-TWC will be spearheaded by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) as Chair and the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) as Co-Chair. Members of the TWC will come from concerned institutions and agencies performing specific functions:

·         State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) for capacity building on research and extension related to soil science, crop production, farming systems

·         FPA for information on registered and regulated fertilizer products with details on 4Rs on nutrient management

·         ATI for education and training initiatives on balanced fertilizer use strategy

·         Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) for research on balanced fertilizer strategy

·         Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) for the design and inspection of machinery and manufacturing plants for local fertilizer, and farm systems

·         Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) for the standards and organic fertilizer products/organic agriculture

·         Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) for concerns on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Food Safety

·         BSWM for BFS application, soil fertility mapping by region and per beneficiary, and soil testing and

·         Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) for animal wastes for fertilizer production/manufacture

Through the BSWM, a road map for BFS Program should be prepared by consolidating all bureaus and institutes functions to come up with one operation manual. The online meeting was held on January 12, 2022, via Zoom.

With the creation of the BFS-TWC, the focus on initiatives in the seamless implementation of the program will be prioritized by each agency and partner through the creation of their own Technical Working Group (TWG). Setting and recommendations of standards, policy options relative to fertilizer watch system, quality and quantity assurance of fertilizers use, access, and market price, and educational campaign emphasizing the value of BFS are in the pipeline of BFS activities. (RCReyes / DA-PFA)