BANAYBANAY, DAVAO ORIENTAL | September 27, 2022 – Thirty (30) environmental workers of a mining company in Davao Oriental attended the seminar on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) at the Mining Resettlement Activity Area in Brgy. Pintatagan, Banaybanay, Davao Oriental last September 22, 2022.

The seminar conducted by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) aimed to train these workers to be responsible for the proper usage of fertilizers and pesticides following the government’s order to the mining company to comply and provide forest rehabilitation programs such as tree planting.

Regional Officer (RO) Marrisa Napalit walked them through the Presidential Decree 1144, which states the creation and the rules governing FPA and GAP. GAP refers “to the practices that address environmental, economic and social sustainability for on-farm processes, and which result in safe and quality food and nonfood agricultural products” (Republic Act No. 10611).

Further, Provincial Officer (PO) Junette A. Cano discussed the safe and judicious use of agricultural inputs, proper handling and storage, and application of crop protection products and fertilizers as well as the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS).

BFS is a program that includes the FPA and 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 4Rs in fertilization: Right Source, Right Placement, Right Amount, and Right Rate to help enhance soil health and productivity, prevent declining soil fertility and improve fertilizer availability and costs.

Aside from FPA, other regulatory government agencies were also present and discussed other pertinent information about the regulations in the mining industry. These efforts were essential to preserve and protect the environment. ###