Author: ICTSadmin

DAVAO DE ORO | March 28, 2022 – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) coordinated with the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) to advertise the implementation of Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) last March 22-24 at the municipalities of Nabunturan, Monkayo, and Lanak, Davao de Oro.

The activity was led by FPA’s Deputy Executive Director (DED) for Fertilizer, Dr. Myer Mula with Regional Officer (RO) Marrisa Napalit and Provincial Officers Cheery Agrade and Rustom Tanduyan, and the SAAD Team headed by RO Naomi Lamata.

The 3-day activity included visitation to fertilizer plant and facilities and consultation with stakeholders. They also explained to the farmers the fertilizer price hike and encouraged them to practice the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS).  Farmers were advised to utilize organic fertilizers by using their farm wastes such as chicken manure and leguminous crops to help improve and enhance soil fertility and structure. 

Dr. Mula informed the farmers of proper and scientific fertilization technologies. He emphasized considering the nutrients needed by the crop, the type of crops fit to the soil, the climatic conditions of the area, and the right formulation of fertilizer required by the crops vis-a-vis soil type. 

The team also visited the fertilizer plant and discussed the major concerns about the status of fertilizer production, movement, and the accuracy of the monitored fertilizer inventories. Dr. Mula initiated that the number reported per week by the fertilizer in the region (in terms of its inventories) might not be as realistic as it seems since some of the reports submitted (from importers, distributors, and down to the dealer’s level) might be counted double and that these numbers may affect the realization of what is really happening on the ground. He also mentioned that the FPA as a regulatory agency should create a digital system of real-time reports of inventories of fertilizers at the importer’s level only, and counting the inventories from distributors and dealers level might not be necessary since this is where the double-counting of fertilizer stocks take place from one handler to another. 

Dr. Mula realized somehow that majority of today’s farmers do not actually know the efficient way of applying fertilizers in the field, and applying too much fertilizers doesn’t mean it will be totally absorbed by the plant (law of the minimum), and the rest of the excess fertilizers will just be eroded which is a big loss considering cost-benefit analysis. He mentioned that applying fertilizer is not just about broadcasting the granules directly to the soil and by the plant, but it is the consideration of what soil nutrient is already present, the types of crops to be grown, the climatic conditions of the area, and the right formulation of fertilizer (customized fertilizer) that is really needed by the plant and by the soil. 

He suggested that even if the government provides the necessary subsidies to address the high cost of inputs, for as long as these farmers don’t know how to apply these technologies scientifically, the services provided by the government will not make any sense at all.

Ms. Napalit also gave information about pesticides and safe handling. The team advised the farmers not to patronize fertilizer and pesticide products offered by peddlers. Instead, they encouraged the farmers to always purchase agricultural inputs from FPA licensed Dealers.

To address the issue, Dr. Mula programmed a plan in coordination with the stakeholders to help inform and spread proper and scientific fertilization technologies to our farmers through IEC campaigns and educate the farmers about the Balanced Fertilization System (BFS). 

SULTAN KUDARAT | March 24, 2022 – The FPA SOCCSKSARGEN headed by Regional Officer (RO) Alita C. Bornea together with the Provincial Officers (POs’) Cherubin M. Alonzo, Jennie M. Basilio, Maricel P. Tabigue, and Joey B. Pascua conducted the clean-up drive to ensure that fertilizer and pesticide handlers comply with FPA rules and regulations on March 15-17, 2022. A clean-up drive operation is to strengthen the monitoring and inspection of handlers, products and warehouses, and enforcement of regulatory practices.

Twelve establishments out of 25 were found selling without a license, selling under expired license, selling with no Accredited Safety Dispensers (ASD), and selling repacked fertilizers without a license during the cleanup-drive operation in the municipalities of Kalamansig, Lebak, Isulan, and Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, and Upi, Maguindanao. The erring handlers were immediately issued notice of violations (NoVs) and directed them to attend the ASD training in April 2022.

Meanwhile, 133 fertilizer and pesticide products were inspected. One hundred fifteen were found compliant with the FPA standards and 18 were found expired. FPA RFU XII will coordinate with FRD and PRD for registration confirmation and proper labeling of products.

In addition, RO Bornea encouraged handlers to assist their farmer-clients in practicing Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) to lessen the burden of increasing fertilizer prices. BFS 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 (DA-MC No. 20, S. 2020). This strategy will lessen dependency to imported fertilizer and maintains soil health. ###

Sources:

Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority. (2022).  Operations Manual.

Department of Agriculture. (2020). Memorandum Circular No. 20 series of 2020. Adoption of the Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Management for Enhanced Crop Production and increased income for Rice Farmers.

QUEZON CITY | March 18, 2022 – Deputy Executive Director (DED) for Pesticide Eric Divinagracia presented FPA’s 2023 Plan and Budget proposal amounting to Php 346.7 million during the Internal Budget Hearing of the Department of Agriculture.

Table 1. FY 2023 Proposed Budget

As shown in the Table 1, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) provided Php 146,373,000 (Tier 1) which is 6% lower than the 2022 General Appropriation Act (GAA) of Php 156,208,000. For the second phase of construction of the new laboratory building, the implementation of Balanced Fertilization Strategy and other major projects, the FPA requested for an additional Php 200,284,00 (Tier 2 proposals).

The FY 2023 proposed budget is divided into five parts.

First, personnel services have been allocated Php 103,657,000 or 29.9%. The personnel services include the filling up of vacant positions and the allocation for Magna Carta Benefits for newly certified Laboratory Services Division (LSD) personnel.

Second, the overhead cost, which includes the maintenance and other operating expenses of the General and Administrative Support Services, is Php 148,197,000 or 42.75%.  The higher overhead cost was due to the 2nd phase construction of the laboratory building with an allocated budget of PhP 81.9 million. To date, 85.30% of Phase 1 has been accomplished and due to be finished by June 22, 2022.  Moreover, a Php 6.3M is allotted to the Medium-Term Information and Communications Technology Harmonization Initiative which is focused on the new applications and gadgets on monitoring and database of fertilizer and pesticide handlers and products.

Third, regulatory items have a total budget cost Php 91,803,000 or 26.4%. The budget will include maintenance and other operating expenses of quality control and inspection, and registration and licensing.

Lastly, projects/programs have a budget of Php 3,000 or 0.87%. This pertains to the implementation of the fortified organic fertilizer development project.

For FY 2023, DED Divinagracia also emphasized that FPA will continually aim to improve fertilizer and pesticide monitoring and enforcement, widen public awareness with proper handling of fertilizer and pesticide products, align activities and processes with international standards, and ensure transparency and accountability with clients, partners, and other stakeholders.

Table 2. Key Interventions for Masaganang Ani

For FY2023, FPA shall target 21,600 visits to fertilizer and pesticide handlers, 118,800 product inspection, and 160 trainings (Table 2).

DED Divinagracia also presented the accomplishments of FPA for 2021. There are 20,577 regulatory documents issued, 21,750 fertilizer and pesticide handlers visited, 80,858 fertilizer and pesticide products monitored, and 415 notice of violations issued for the FY 2021. FPA also conducted 149 online trainings and symposia, and ran 1,160 fertilizer and pesticide laboratory tests.

Most notable of these accomplishments were the recognitions FPA received such as the following: a Central Office-wide ISO 9001:2015 certification from TUV Rheinland, an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation from the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) for laboratory services, a certification of (Freedom of Information) FOI compliance from the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), FPA as book publisher, a commendation from the Department of Finance for Tradenet onboarding, and FPA’s qualification for Performance-Based Bonus (PBB).

Source:

Budget Hearing in the Department of Agriculture on March 18, 2022.