ILOILO | July 7, 2022 – FPA Provincial Officer (PO) Ryan Gelladula presented the reasons behind the high fertilizer prices during the Consultation Workshop for the Updating of Cost Structure of Rice Production in Iloilo last June 23, 2022.

Thirty (30) farmer-technicians, farmer-leaders, and agricultural extension workers (AEW) attended the activity organized by the Department of Agriculture-RFO 6 (Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division and the Regional Rice Program).

PO Gelladula discussed that the price hike is due to the following reasons: 1) COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on travel and shipping; 2) High fuel price in the global market; 3) prioritization of fertilizer-producing countries for local distribution; 4) the Russian-Ukraine War; etc.

He introduced the application of Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) as countermeasure to the hiking fertilizer prices.

BFS is the application of 4Rs in fertilization: Right Source, Right Placement, Right Amount, and Right Rate. This method will help maintain and enhance the soil health and productivity, and ensure the quality of produce while reducing production cost.

One of the attendees shared that they were already mixing inorganic and organic fertilizers as a way to save money and resources, especially with the skyrocketing fertilizer prices.

BFS was further explained by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).