FPA orients Bicol farmers on BFS during AgriFiesta 2022

Written by Wendycharlene B. Almasen, Senior Administrative Officer I, Gabriel Atole, Supervising Agriculturist of FPA Bicol Region  l  Published: 20 May 2022

NAGA CITY | May 17, 2022 – Ninety-five (95) farmers benefited from FPA Bicol Region’s lecture on the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) Program last May 16, 2022. This event was part of the Department of Agriculture’s AgriFiesta 2022.

Senior Research Specialist of Regional Soils Laboratory Jennis Reblando discussed the importance of soil sampling. He emphasized that soil sampling helps in determining the right nutrients needed by the soil and crop to be planted.

Aileen Babelonia, the Agriculturist II of Regional Soils Laboratory, elaborated on fertilizer recommendations. She focused on proper fertilizer application and its effect on the crop and the soil. She emphasized the 4Rs of applying fertilizer – right amount, right source, the right placement, and right rate.

FPA Provincial Officer Engr. Christopher Nunez talked about BFS. He explained that BFS is one of OneDA’s program to address the rising prices of fertilizer. The fertilizer price hike is attributed to various factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, supply constraints in the international market, fuel hike, and the recent Ukraine-Russia conflict. Engr. Nunez reiterated that the program would help improve soil health and lessen dependency on inorganic fertilizer.

Seven (7) fertilizer companies who partnered with DA and FPA for the event were also given time to share their opinion on BFS. They were Aldiz Omc., Bioprime Agri Industries Inc, Far Agro, Grandia Agromarketing Corp, MT Bustarga Agri-Supply, Vast Agro Solutions Inc., and Yara International.

In her speech, Regional Technical Director Luz Marcelino emphasized that “The BFS Program is part of OneDA initiatives. The goal of BFS is to mitigate the effect of rising fertilizer prices. It is a new approach to reduce production cost while maintaining high yields.”

The orientation ended with awarding a certificate of appreciation to the speakers and a raffle of freebies and prizes from the partner fertilizer companies. ###