LEYTE | July 22, 2022 – Provincial Officer (PO) Eric Castañas explained the reasons behind the fertilizer price increase and the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) during the Local Farmers Technicians (LFT) on Integrated Nutrient Management with the emphasis on Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) in rice farming organized by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) last July 19, 2022, at Villaconzoilo Farm, Jaro, Leyte. 

PO Castañas discussed that 90% of inorganic fertilizers are imported from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Qatar, Canada, Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Belarus. Only 10% were taken from the country’s local manufacturers.  

Moreover, he presented the reasons for the skyrocketing prices of fertilizer. In his presentation, he highlighted that the global fertilizer crisis is due to the rising costs of fuel, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Department of Agriculture implemented the BFS program as an alternative solution to address the issue. PO Castañas explained that BFS pushes for the use of combined organic and inorganic inputs and other forms of strategy to attain the maximum potential of farmlands while promoting balanced fertilization in maintaining soil fertility. 

He also emphasized the 4Rs in fertilization: Right Source, Right Placement, Right Amount, and Right Rate to help enhance soil health and productivity, prevent the decline in soil fertility, and improve fertilizer availability and costs.

A total of 31 LFTs from the province of Leyte attended the training. ###