MAGARAO, CAMARINES SUR | March 8, 2023 – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Bicol Region promoted the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) during the Training of Trainers (TOT) for New Local Farmer Technicians (LFT): Specialized Training Course on Rice Production Technology and Extension Delivery System with GAD Concepts on March 8, 2023, at Sonrisa Farm, Magarao, Camarines Sur.

Serving as resource person, FPA Regional Officer (RO) Atole explained the factors that influence trend in fertilizer prices, which includes the inflation cost of fertilizer raw materials and transport costs. Recognizing the global crisis, adopting BFS was called for as an alternative solution to lessen cost of farm production.

The Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) defines BFS as a site-specific nutrient management strategy that improves fertilizer use efficiency by applying plant nutrients in optimum quantities and proportions through the appropriate methods at the time suited for a specific crop and agro-climatic condition, resulting in soil health building.

RO Atole further emphasized that adopting the said strategy could reduce reliance on inorganic fertilizer by combining inorganic fertilizers and organic materials available in farms without sacrificing yield while enriching the soil. He also presented alternative registered fertilizers and other sources of fertilizer nutrients found on their farms.

In addition, he mentioned “Abonong Swak” and the Fertilizer Discount Voucher (FDV) program as other efforts of the government to lessen the impact of fertilizer price hikes in rice production.

The training was initiated by Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Bicol conducted the training and attended by 20 LFTs from the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon. ###