LIGAO CITY, ALBAY | October 11, 2022 – Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Bicol Region attended the PhilRice Bicol Farmer’s Field Day to address the concerns of the farmers on the increasing prices of fertilizers at the PhilRice Bicol Station, Batang, Ligao City on October 7, 2022.

FPA Regional Officer (RO) Gabriel B. Atole explained the factors influencing the global fertilizer situation price trend as follows: 1) the world fertilizer market situation, 2) China curtailing of fertilizer export, 3) the price increase of fertilizer grades, 4) the Philippines as a net importer of fertilizers, 3) strengthened global fertilizer demand, 4) increased cost of raw materials, and 5) increased transport and logistical expenses from importation to retail.

He also highlighted the different interventions of DA & FPA to mitigate the impact of fertilizer price hikes on farmers and crop production. These included the distribution of fertilizer discount vouchers to farmers and the adoption of the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS).

BFS is recognized site-specific nutrient management to improve fertilizer use efficiency and refers to the application of plant nutrients in optimum quantities in the right proportion through the appropriate methods at the time suited for a specific crop and agro-climatic condition that leads to soil health building (BSWM, 2020).

In addition, he informed them that adapting the balanced fertilization using combined inorganic fertilizers and organic materials readily available in the farms could reduce the dependence on inorganic fertilizer and decrease fertilizer costs without sacrificing the yield and, at the same time, enriching the soil.

The said activity was facilitated by the Rice Specialists’ Training Course (RSTC) participants and also attended by different partner agencies such as the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), and Bureau of Plant Industry – National Seed Quality Control Services (BPI-NSQCS). Furthermore, before the end of the program, the facilitators provided an open forum, “Palaytalakayan,” to address the concerns of farmer participants..

The farmers in attendance were from the barangays of Sta. Cruz, Binanowan, Bongoran, Ligao City and Balogo, Oas, Albay. ###