'Organikong Pagsasaka' for food sufficiency
The Department of Agriculture's "Organikong Pagsasaka" program takes the lead in intensifying promotion for use of organic fertilizers and non-chemical dependent technologies in farming.
This is part of the Arroyo administration's centerpiece program called FIELDS, for food sufficiency through higher farm productivity.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has signed a special order creating a task force to this effect, to ensure that the agency's agenda on organic agriculture will be included in every aspect of the FIELDS program.
FIELDS stands for fertilizer, irrigation and other rural infrastructures, research and extension work, loans, dryers and other postharvest facilities, and seeds.
The task force, other than agriculture officials, will be composed of representatives from government and non-government organizations, the academe, and local government units.
Yap said DA's "Organikong Pagsasaka" program has an allocation of P500 million this year as part of the FIELDS initiative.
He said weaning away farmers from the use of chemical inputs will help trim down production costs amid rocketing prices of petroleum-based fertilizers.
Under the program, the DA has already introduced the Modified Rapid Composting technology and the use of tamang abono in 16 regions, mostly among underprivileged but competitive farmer-cooperators.
Bureau of Soils and Water Management Director Silvino Tejada said farmers who have participated in the program have reported an increase of 20 percent in terms of yields, 30-40 percent increase in profits and a 30-50 percent reduction in expenses for farm inputs.
Tejada also said that farmers who applied the technology and used organic fertilizers, have reported improvements in soil quality, and better water retention of the land, which has reduced the frequency of irrigation by as much as 50 percent. (PIA 6/ESS)