LIGAO CITY, ALBAY | October 11, 2022 – Regional Officer (RO) Gabriel B. Atole attended Lakbay Palay: Bukid Tipid Tips, Subukan! on October 11, 2022, at the Department of Agriculture Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) branch station, Batang, Ligao City.

During the activity, RO Atole provided updates on the ongoing fertilizer situation. He explained the reasons for its rising prices, such as the world fertilizer market situation, China curtailing fertilizer export, the price increase of fertilizer grades, increased cost of raw materials, and increased transport and logistical expenses from importation to retail.

RO Atole then reiterated the efforts of the government to lessen the impact of fertilizer price hikes and encourage the farmers to do their part not to burn their rice straw but to let it decompose to the soil, which will serve as an additional source of fertilizer nutrients.

“We should go back to basic and enriched our soil to efficiently and effectively utilize the fertilizers and lessen our input cost,” he said.

In line with this, he informed that FPA, PhilRice, BSWM, and DA were partners in promoting the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) and Abonong Swak. BFS is an alternative way to lessen the dependency on commonly used chemical fertilizers and give enough balanced nutrients for plant growth.

DA-PhilRice organized the event, and 392 farmers from the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Sorsogon, and Northern Samar were in attendance.

Every year, DA conducts the event to showcase cost-reducing and yield-enhancing rice and rice-based production technologies and provide avenues to discuss it with farmers and extension workers. Through its Bukid Tipid Tips Tekno Klinik Sessions, the farmer gathered information on Inbred and Hybrid Rice Varieties and Characteristics, Abonong Swak, and Pest Management.

In addition, DA Regional Field Office 5 presented the different programs of the Department of Agriculture that will alleviate the farm productivity and income of the farmers. They also promoted different banner programs and projects such as seed distribution, fertilizer discount vouchers, financial assistance, fuel subsidy, and provision of farm machinery throughout the activity. ###