LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY | June 27, 2022 – FPA Bicol lectured to 117 farmers from different barangays in Legaspi on the safe and judicious use of agricultural inputs and promoted the use of Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) during ATI’s (Agricultural Training Institute) five-day training on Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice, Seed Certification, and Farm Mechanization.

The training, of which FPA was a resource person, was held on June 24, 2022 at Good Grass Farm, Happy Homes Subdivision, Brgy. Pawa, Legaspi City.

Regional Officer (RO) Gabriel Atole started off his discussion with topics on soil health, fertilizer application and plant growth. He then emphasized the need for soil analysis if soil health is to be maintained. On the question of the price spike in fertilizer and dependency on inorganic fertilizer, Mr. Atole recommended the application of BFS.

BFS refers to a recognized site-specific nutrient management to improve fertilizer use efficiency and refers to the application of plant nutrients in optimum quantities in the right proportion through appropriate methods at the time suited for a specific crop and agro-climatic condition that leads to soil health building (BSWM, 2020).

Provincial Officer (PO) of Albay Winsor Nueva discussed the general information of pesticide, proper pesticide labeling, safe handling, possible chemical hazards, and first aid management.  He emphasized the importance of reading the pesticide label before buying, mixing, applying/spraying, storing and disposing of it due to the inherent risk in the use of pesticides.

Meanwhile, Sorsogon Provincial Officer Engr. Ardon Ryan Nee-Estuye explained the major issues impacting the soil, and plant growth, and how the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) can address these issues.  He also reminded the farmer-participants to buy only FPA registered agricultural inputs from licensed-FPA dealers.

The training was organized by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) together with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as part of the Rice Extension Services Program (RESP) under the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

RESP aims to provide and improve the knowledge, attitude, skills, and practices of the RCEF beneficiaries in producing more rice and reduce production cost through training. ###