Over 400 farmers, fisherfolk in Surigao Norte gain insights on compost production from Bureau of Soils and Water Management
By Kelvin Kennt R.
Generalo
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan
del Sur --- The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Soils and Water
Management (DA-BSWM) provided valuable insights to more than 400 farmers and fisherfolk
in Surigao del Norte on the implementation of compost production programs
during the Information Caravan cum Post-SONA Forum at the Surigao City
gymnasium on November 28.
This event, organized by the Department of Agriculture - Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (DA-AFID), in partnership with the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA), carried the theme "Masaganang Agrikultura Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas."
Julio T. Turaja
Jr., agriculturist II of the Soil and Water Access Team and alternate regional
focal of the DA- BSWM, emphasized that farmers should first assess the
condition of their land to effectively apply the knowledge they gained from the
said activity. Additionally, he discussed the state of agricultural lands in
the Philippines, particularly in the country's rice-growing areas.
“Based on the data
from the DA-BSWM soil health assessment – national soil sampling and testing
project (CY 2021), it shows that 82 percent of the total paddy rice areas,
equivalent to about 2.2 million hectares, have low to moderate low soil
fertility. This has significant implications for the country’s agricultural
productivity and food security,” he said.
"We must take
action to restore soil fertility, focusing on its chemical and microbial
properties, which are essential for healthy plant growth in farming," he
added.
He also shared
methods to restore essential nutrients in the soil, ensuring plants receive the
proper nourishment needed for optimal growth. One such method is composting, a
controlled decomposition process of organic matter by microorganisms, primarily
bacteria and fungi, transforming it into humus-like products.
Farmers can utilize
organic waste, such as the 52 percent or 32,084 tons of biodegradable waste
estimated from the 61,000 tons of solid waste generated daily in the
Philippines, according to the National Solid Waste Management Commission
(NSWMC). Additionally, they are encouraged to use agricultural waste to
maximize resources available on their farms.
The use of organic
waste in farming is further supported by various laws, including Republic Act
(R.A.) No. 10068 of 2010, the Organic Agriculture Act (as amended by R.A. No.
11511), R.A. 9003 of 2000, the Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management
Act, the National Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization and Industrialization
Plan (NAFMIP) 2021-2030, and the Eight Paradigms to Level Up Agriculture.
“These laws not
only enhance the agricultural sector but also allocate budgets for establishing
facilities to accelerate organic or compost production,” said Turaja.
“All government
agencies, along with farmer cooperatives, play a role in implementing
facilities such as those outlined in R.A. 9003, which promote organic waste
utilization,” he added.
Turaja introduced
easy and effective ways to accelerate the decomposition of organic fertilizer
while ensuring its quality. Technologies like the Small-Scale Composting
Facility (SSCF) and the Composting Facility for Biodegradable Waste (CFBW) can
reduce the composting process to just seven days. These innovations help
farmers lower production costs while improving harvest yields and
rehabilitating soil nutrients, which are crucial for sustainable farming.
“Our office cannot
achieve the mission of soil restoration on our own. We need the partnership of
farmers, who are on the ground. Our role is to provide guidance and share the
knowledge gathered by the Department of Agriculture to make farming more
sustainable,” he emphasized.
“Through this
initiative, we aim to help the next generation sustain food security without
relying heavily on synthetic or inorganic fertilizers,” he added.
Turaja encouraged the farmers to visit their office to know the programs and services of BSWM and appreciate the benefits of using organic fertilizers for sustainable farming practices. (KKRG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
