ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE | April 5, 2022 – In cooperation with the Department of Agriculture (DA) Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD), the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Deputy Executive Director for Fertilizer Myer Mula visited different commodity projects in the municipalities of Piñan and Mutia on April 04, 2022.

Along with FPA Zamboanga Peninsula ‘s team, Dr. Mula heard out the insights shared by the farmers regarding the volatility of fertilizer prices and the effects of it to their current lives.

In response, Dr. Mula informed them of the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS), a current program of the Department of Agriculture, which involves the application of inorganic and organic fertilizer in the soil depending on the nutrients the soil needs. He further explained that BFS caters to specific crops, maintaining healthy soil and farm produce, which will result in lesser dependency and usage of imported fertilizer.

The FPA team lectured on the safe and effective use of fertilizer and pesticides. They also informed the attendees that a training workshop will be scheduled soon. The workshop shall focus on the responsible use of crop protection products and a step-by-step guide on BFS. The FPA Zamboanga Team was composed of Regional Officer Alex Paalisbo and Provincial Officers, Mark Bohol and Charlie Limbag.

Also present during the activity were Reynaldo Campomanes, the Chief of Field Operation Division of DA Region 9, George Vallente from APCO, Dave Gramatica, the SAAD Provincial Coordinator, and other SAAD Area Coordinators and Technical Staff, Local Municipal Agricultures Office Personnel and Staff, Social Workers and various members of the different Associations.