Lanao del Norte | August 02, 2022 – Provincial Officer (PO) Lorna R. Sajol discussed the safe handling of pesticides and BFS during the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training for the Local Farmer Technicians (LFTs) last July 22, 2022, at Bebeth’s Casserole, Baroy, Lanao del Norte.

PO Sajol enumerated the following tips on how to handle the pesticides when in transit safely: 

• Do not carry pesticides with damaged containers. Leaky containers will cause contamination
• Load carefully. Pesticide products should be well-secured inside the vehicle
• Keep pesticides away from passengers and livestock
• Pesticides should never be transported in the same loading space as foodstuffs, animal feeds, or other goods intended for human consumption or use
• Unload pesticides with care

Moreover, the BFS program was introduced to the participants as an alternative solution to the increasing prices of fertilizers. 

BFS aims to institutionalize organic and inorganic fertilizers and other strategies (i.e. green manuring or cover cropping, individual farm soil fertility maps, diversifying and improving cropping system, etc.) to attain the maximum potential of farmlands while maintaining soil structure and fertility.

The said strategy applies the 4Rs in fertilization: Right Source, Right Placement, Right Amount, and Right Rate to help enhance soil health and productivity, prevent declining soil fertility, and improve fertilizer availability and costs.

The LFTs are the model farmers in farming communities tapped by the Department of Agriculture to complement local agricultural extension workers (AEWs) in providing technical assistance to farmers.

The training was requested by the Various Support Services (VSS) of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 and was attended by 15 LFTs from Lanao Del Norte. ###