44 AFBs in Tuba and Tublay, Benguet complete ASD training

Written by Rowena F. Billig, Provincial Officer of Benguet and Baguio City  l  Published: 04 July 2022

BENGUET | June 28, 2022 – Forty-four (44) agrarian reform beneficiaries (AFBs) from the municipalities of Togoy, Baayan, Tublay, Benguet successfully completed the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training and as such, they will now be the new partners of FPA in the province in ensuring the safe and judicious use of fertilizer and pesticide products.

Of the 44 AFBs, 18 were from Balayan Farmers Credit Cooperative (BFCC), while 26 participants were from Togoy Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (TFMPC).

Requested by the Department of Agrarian Reform-Benguet Office, the training was facilitated by FPA-CAR Regional Officer Rogelio Tanguid and Benguet Provincial Officer Rowena Billig on June 22-23, 2022.  The FPA rules and regulations and good agricultural practices were introduced. They also discussed the importance of soil analysis for the growth of plants and application of proper fertilizer. Added to the discussion is the promotion on the application of the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS).

BFS is a program initiated by the Department of Agriculture, FPA and other attached agencies in response to the rising fertilizer prices. It is the maximum utilization of fertilizer by applying the right amount of the appropriate nutrient needed by the soil.

Additionally, FPA informed the participants that proper labelling and packing of pesticide containers should be maintained to avoid accidental leakage or transport hazards. Storage of pesticide products should be in optimum conditions, regularly checked and maintained, and activities concerning the product should be recorded. ###

Sources:

Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority. (2020). Pesticide Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines. https://fpa.da.gov.ph/NW/index.php/about-us/manual/green-book

Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority. (2020). Accredited Safety Dispenser of Fertilizer and Pesticide Training Manual. https://fpa.da.gov.ph/NW/index.php/about-us/manual/asd-manual

(May 1977). Presidential Decree No. 1144: Creating the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority and Abolishing the Fertilizer Industry Authority. https://fpa.da.gov.ph/NW/index.php/about-us/presidential-decree-no-1144