Category: Articles

MINANGA, IGUIG, CAGAYAN | March 23, 2023 – FPA Cagayan Valley discussed the guidelines on pesticide application using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or Remote Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) during the technical briefing on drone operations of rice production cum calibration for the project, “Assessment of Drone Application on Rice Production in Region II: Direct Seeding, Fertilizer Broadcasting, Pesticide Spraying” on March 23, 2023, at DA-Southern Cagayan Research Center, Minanga, Iguig, Cagayan.

Provincial Officer (PO) Arwin Cardenas presented the Memorandum Circular 28 series of 2018 and explained the safety procedures in pesticide spraying, safety in handling of pesticides, and post application pesticide safety.

The training was conducted in preparation for the conduct of their research regarding the effectiveness of drone spraying in rice farming for both direct seeding and transplanted rice plants.

A total of 15 DA-RFO 02 researchers and operators attended the said training. ###

NUEVA VIZCAYA & CAGAYAN | March 22-24, 2023 – FPA Region II conducted trainings for vegetable and rice farmers on the responsible use of agricultural pesticides from March 22-24, 2023, in the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Cagayan.

Two separate training was conducted in the Municipality of Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya, in Brgy. Besong and Kayapa Proper from March 22 to 23. The third batch was conducted in Libertad, Abulug, Cagayan on March 24.

The said training aimed to educate the farmers on the safe and judicious use of agricultural pesticides before, during, and after application to crops. This also served as a venue for product stewardship from the participating chemical companies.

“This activity is a continuous effort from the LGU and FPA together with the other government agencies and private companies to minimize the agricultural chemical inputs in the food system and the environment,” Mr. Leo Bangad, FPA Regional Officer said.

A total of 282 rice and vegetable farmers attended the training. ###

MALITA, DAVAO OCCIDENTAL | March 21, 2023 – Three (3) out of ten (10) fertilizer and pesticide (f/p) handlers received Notice of Violations (NoVs) as the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) RFU XI continued its monitoring activities in Brgy. Demoloc and Brgy. Lagumit, Malita, Davao Occidental last March 16-17, 2023.

During the operation, field officers issued NoVs to three (3) handlers for selling (f/p) products without license and Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD).

The FPA Field Officers advised them to attend the ASD training scheduled on March 24, 2023, in Digos City, Davao del Sur.

In addition, one (1) handler was given a Stop Use, Move, Sale (SUMS) order for selling unregistered fertilizer products.

The Field officers also emphasized the importance of registration of products since it assures the public of safe agricultural inputs and avoids the inherent risks of dealing with fake and ineffective products.

Further, the team visited the Municipal Agriculture Office in Malita and distributed IEC posters and other FPA manuals. ###

The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority OIC Executive Director Julieta Lansangan unveiled the plans for F.Y. 2024 during the Department of Agriculture (DA) Internal Budget Hearing held at Hacienda Gracia Resort and Hotel, Lubao, Pampanga on March 13-16, 2023, proposing a total of Php 394,445,000 for continuous regulatory services and upgrades.

The total budget proposal mainly focused on quality control and inspection through intensifying regulatory functions, promoting the Balance Fertilization Strategy (BFS), upgrading fertilizer and pesticide regulatory programs and services, and policy reforms through updating the Fertilizer and Pesticide guidelines.

These programs were aligned with the 1st and 4th Strategic Agenda of the Department of Agriculture for boosting local production and strengthening institutions to enhance efficiency and accelerate the modernization of the sector.

Moreover, OIC Lansangan emphasized the need to increase expenditures on the establishment of Border Control Management to address the root cause of the irregularities in the distribution and the proliferation of “off-specification” agricultural inputs in the market.

Through this, FPA plans to strengthen the inspection of imported fertilizers as early as their entry into ports and intensify the Regional Field Unit monitoring activities in remote areas. With this in mind, the budget proposal for F.Y. 2024 was directed to protect the farmers against fraudulent products that are unregistered, tampered with, counterfeit, off-specification, and mislabeled.

Other plans and activities were also presented, such as the amendment of Presidential Decree No. 1144 and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), the development of a fertilizer and pesticide online system for product registration and licensing, strengthening the enforcement and conduct of entrapment (Buy Bust) operations, expansion of the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Laboratory Recognition Program, and a comprehensive information caravan on the safe and judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides.

ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY | March 13-14, 2023 – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Region IX discussed the Presidential Decree 1144 to more than 100 rice farmers during the Rice Information Caravan under the Rice Banner Program on March 13-14, 2023, in Tungawan and Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Regional Officer (RO) Alex Paalisbo, Provincial Officers (PO) Paulyne Kim Alfuente, and Charlie Limbag elaborated on the different functions and services of the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA). They also taught the farmers the proper and effective use of pesticide products to minimize their possible hazards while maximizing their potential for a good harvest.

During the open forum, the team explained the reasons for the increasing prices of fertilizers. They explained that the global fertilizer crisis was due to the increasing prices of fuel, the Ukraine-Russian conflict, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, most fertilizer exporting countries prioritize their local distribution over exportation.

The Information Caravan was organized by DA-RFO IX, which aimed to update programs that rice farmers could benefit from. Other agencies such as DA Soils Laboratory, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and the National Food Authority (NFA) attended the activity as well. ###

MAGARAO, CAMARINES SUR | March 8, 2023 – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Bicol Region promoted the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) during the Training of Trainers (TOT) for New Local Farmer Technicians (LFT): Specialized Training Course on Rice Production Technology and Extension Delivery System with GAD Concepts on March 8, 2023, at Sonrisa Farm, Magarao, Camarines Sur.

Serving as resource person, FPA Regional Officer (RO) Atole explained the factors that influence trend in fertilizer prices, which includes the inflation cost of fertilizer raw materials and transport costs. Recognizing the global crisis, adopting BFS was called for as an alternative solution to lessen cost of farm production.

The Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) defines BFS as a site-specific nutrient management strategy that improves fertilizer use efficiency by applying plant nutrients in optimum quantities and proportions through the appropriate methods at the time suited for a specific crop and agro-climatic condition, resulting in soil health building.

RO Atole further emphasized that adopting the said strategy could reduce reliance on inorganic fertilizer by combining inorganic fertilizers and organic materials available in farms without sacrificing yield while enriching the soil. He also presented alternative registered fertilizers and other sources of fertilizer nutrients found on their farms.

In addition, he mentioned “Abonong Swak” and the Fertilizer Discount Voucher (FDV) program as other efforts of the government to lessen the impact of fertilizer price hikes in rice production.

The training was initiated by Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Bicol conducted the training and attended by 20 LFTs from the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon. ###

DIPOLOG CITY | March 2, 2023 – Twenty (20) owners and storekeepers in Region IX joined the recently concluded 2-day Accreditation Safety Dispenser (ASD) training for fertilizer and pesticide in Top Plaza Hotel, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte last February 27-28, 2023.

The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Region IX, headed by Regional Officer (RO) Alex Paalisbo, introduced the FPA mandates and regulations for fertilizer and pesticides and prepared various topics for the entire course.

To enhance the participants’ understanding of fertilizer, Provincial Officer (PO) Michael Tuico discussed the soil conditions and plant growth, while PO Kim Alfuente trained them on the proper handling and storage.

The team also promoted the Balance Fertilization Strategy (BFS) to lessen the dependency on imported inorganic fertilizer amidst the price hike. This strategy uses the 4Rs in Fertilization – Right Source, Right Placement, Right Amount, and Right Rate – to enhance soil health and productivity, prevent declining soil fertility, and improve fertilizer availability and costs.

In addition, PO Charlie Limbag and Mark Bohol highlighted the importance of product labels and proper dispensing of pesticides to avoid dangerous implications in mishandling the products.

All exercises were designed to enable storekeepers and owners when assisting customers in the safe use of these agricultural inputs. ###

IGUIG, CAGAYAN | March 2, 2023 – 45 individuals attended the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training conducted by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Cagayan Valley last March 1-2, 2023, at DA-SCRC, Minanga, Iguig, Cagayan.

The participants were dealers caught selling fertilizer and pesticide (F/P) products without accreditation during inspections and other aspiring individuals who wanted to venture into F/P dealerships from different municipalities of Cagayan, Quirino, and Isabela.

As a prerequisite in securing a license to operate, the ASD training focuses on safe handling, general information on F/P products, poisoning, first aid management, and regulations administered by FPA.

“I want to emphasize that this training will serve as a tool for you to educate our farmers. You are our partners, our frontliners in helping the farmers,” said Regional Officer (RO) Leonardo Bangad during his opening message.

Provincial Officer (PO) Henry Cayaban, Jr. emphasized the importance of reading the pesticide labels and awareness of knowing the expiry date of pesticide products. He taught them to look for the manufacturing date if the expiry date is not imprinted on the label.

Moreover, a representative from Corteva Agriscience discussed the pesticide mode of action and insect resistance management with the participants.

Participants then raised concerns about fake and unregistered F/P products. As a response, PO Roselle Anne Jose informed that the agency is closely monitoring the establishments, but they may report suspicious products circulating in the market.

After the discussion, an examination was given to the participants for their certificate of attendance. The results of the exam will be posted in the coming days. ###

CAMARINES SUR | February 28, 2023 – Five (5) out of 53 fertilizer and pesticide dealers were issued with Notice of Violations (NoVs) during the Clean-Up Drive (CUD) operation on February 21-23, 2023, in the province of Camarines Sur.

FPA Bicol Region required the violators to attend the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training this coming March as a pre-requisite to secure a License to Operate (LTO).

Meanwhile, compliant dealers were commended and warned not to purchase products from companies with suspension orders.

In addition, the team conducted an inspection and random weighing of the Accredited Merchants for the Fertilizer Discount Voucher (FDV) program of the Department of Agriculture – National Rice Program to ensure the quality of fertilizers being distributed. FDV program covers subsidies for eligible beneficiaries to ensure quality rice production and food security.

The team is closely coordinating with the DA-RFO5 Rice Program for the implementation of FDV.

Regional Officer (RO) Gabriel B. Atole led the inspection together with Provincial Officers (PO) Christopher Nuñez, Cris Legaspi, Winsor Nueva, Rodny Conda, and Ardon RyanNee-Estuye. ###