FPA pushes for more registered fertilizer options, launches Balanced Fertilization Strategy handbook

Written by Camille-Mai Valles, Administrative Officer IV  l  Published: 07 July 2022

QUEZON CITY | July 06, 2022 – In pursuit of protecting the agro-ecosystem and advancing long-term solutions for fertilizer price and supply, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) has released the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) handbook on its role on the program.

BFS is a program that includes not only the FPA but also other DA agencies involved in farming. The idea of the program is to institutionalize the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers and other forms of strategies (i.e. green manuring or cover cropping, individual farm soil fertility maps, diversifying and improving cropping system, etc.) to attain the maximum potential of farmlands while maintaining soil structure and fertility.

The said strategy applies the concept of 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.

“FPA, as the head of the BFS Committee, is hoping that this project will result in more creative and innovative ways of increasing crop production while reducing dependency on imported fertilizer and improving soil health. This handbook details the legal basis of the BFS, the reasons behind its implementation, the processes and agencies involved, the matrix of specific fertilizer formulas to target crops, and other recommendations,” Exec. Dir. Roldan said.

“To this date onwards, we are aiming to implement widely the concepts of the program and likewise improve or enhance its policies and guidelines that are tantamount to the present times. Moreover, we are looking forward to the objective of working with our stakeholders, clients, academe, and most especially our farmers,” Dr. Mula added.

FPA’s role in promoting BFS has been intensified, as evident with the constant visitation and meet-ups with local farmers in different regions by Dr. Mula and the FPA Regional Units (RFUs).

The handbook can be accessed through this link: https://fpa.da.gov.ph/NW/images/FPAfiles/DATA/BFS-Handbook/BFS-ProgramHandbook.pdf ###

Source: Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority. Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) Program The FPA Commitment in the OneDA Approach.