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QUEZON PROVINCE | July 11, 2022 – Thirty-two (32) participants completed the in-house Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training conducted on July 6-7, 2022 in Sariaya, Quezon. The training was requested by Sunrise Dragon Jade Agri Corporation (SDJAC).

During his opening remarks, SDJAC President Nilo Bornolla said, “ASD training is important for fertilizer and pesticide dealers to maintain and provide the highest quality of goods and services to our clients. It also helps in ensuring that our handlers are safe when dealing with agricultural chemicals.”

FPA RFU 4 discussed the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) fertilizer and pesticide industry regulator. The FPA was created under the virtue of the Presidential Decree 1144 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. on 1977. However, with the FPA Memorandum Circular No. 1 series of 1986, the fertilizer industry was liberalized, allowing private companies to take control over their fertilizer procurement (Operations Manual, 2022).

They also explained what soil is and its composition. They discussed the nutrients needed by plants and how to supply them through soil fertilization.

They also provided general information on pesticides. They explained what pesticide is, the purpose of registering these products to FPA, and types of registration, among others. They also shared how to effectively carry out a pest control program through:

• Identifying the pest problem to be able to know the proper solution
• Getting information on pesticides to the know dose rates, dilutions, timing and frequency of application, method of application, precautions to be taken, and cost per unit area
• Buying the correct product and purchasing only the amount enough for the particular job
• Reading the label before buying, transporting, mixing or application of the product; after using and before storing/disposal; and in cases where there is poisoning, spillage, or contamination

Afterward, they discussed the safe handling, transport, and storage of pesticide products. The FPA team described the different ways of getting exposed to the harmful chemicals of pesticides and what protective measures should be applied for each. They emphasized wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling pesticide products, including goggles, respirator, long-sleeved shirt, rubber gloves, wide-brimmed hat, overalls, and rubber boots. 

The team explained first aid applications for pesticide poisoning. If over-exposure to pesticides is suspected, the team advised to give first aid immediately. Then, seek medical advice as soon as possible. Make sure to provide the doctor medical history and the label indicated on the pesticide product (ASD Training Manual, 2020).

For her exit remarks, Regional Officer (RO) Suzettie Alcaide emphasized that dealers should only obtain their fertilizer and pesticide products from licensed distributors to ensure the quality of the products to be sold.

Likewise, she reminded the distributors to distribute to licensed dealers only. She said, “Dealers and distributor, including their personnel, should be partners of FPA in ensuring the safety of farmers and the consuming public as far as fertilizer and pesticide products are concerned.”

FPA Regional Field Unit facilitated the activity (RFU) 4 headed by the RO Alcaide, along with Provincial Officers Edmar Bundalian, Mark Nicky Larga, Allan Jade Rojo, Georlene Orbista, Froilan Bañaga, and Dexter Leynes. ###

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR | July 8, 2022 – To ensure that fertilizer and pesticide handlers are following the FPA protocols, Provincial Officer (PO) Michael Tuico inspected a Distributor with warehouses and 3 Dealers in Molave and Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur last July 5 and 6.

Based on the monitoring activities conducted, there were no violations detected and the establishments are compliant to the provisions of PD 1144 and its IRR.

The activity is anchored to the Agency’s mandate to “assure adequate supplies of fertilizer and pesticide at reasonable prices” (Presidential Decree 1144).

“It is important that the handlers adhere to FPA standards and guidelines especially on good housekeeping and proper product storage. This will ensure that our farmers will get high quality fertilizers and pesticides in an affordable price,” PO Tuico said. ###

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE | July 8, 2022 – Provincial Officer (PO) Dionn Mark Bohol discussed the Balanced Fertilization Strategy with 20 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and farmers during the Sorghum Production Training in Dipolog City last July 6, 2022.

PO Bohol emphasized the importance of soil analysis in BFS. Soil analysis determines the type of soil and the nutrients it needs. Once the required nutrients and target crops are realized, the appropriate fertilization strategy will be applied.

He also introduced other sources of Plant Nutrients registered in FPA. This might lessen the burden of buying high prices of fertilizers in the market, and ensure that the soil is healthy and the crops planted are of high quality.

Afterward, he also discussed the safe and responsible handling and usage of pesticides. He reminded the participants to wear their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when mitigating and controlling pests invading their farms.

Other speakers from private companies discussed about the sorghum production and management from land preparation, proper planting, pests and diseases of sorghum, and ratooning techniques.

Regional Corn Coordinator, Ms. Lorelie Lee Estrevillo, added that sorghum is in demand as feed for animals. She announced that several interventions for the said programs are currently undergoing.

The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office IX under the Corn Banner Program initiated the activity in cooperation with related agencies and corporations. ###

ILOILO | July 7, 2022 – FPA Provincial Officer (PO) Ryan Gelladula presented the reasons behind the high fertilizer prices during the Consultation Workshop for the Updating of Cost Structure of Rice Production in Iloilo last June 23, 2022.

Thirty (30) farmer-technicians, farmer-leaders, and agricultural extension workers (AEW) attended the activity organized by the Department of Agriculture-RFO 6 (Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division and the Regional Rice Program).

PO Gelladula discussed that the price hike is due to the following reasons: 1) COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on travel and shipping; 2) High fuel price in the global market; 3) prioritization of fertilizer-producing countries for local distribution; 4) the Russian-Ukraine War; etc.

He introduced the application of Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) as countermeasure to the hiking fertilizer prices.

BFS is the application of 4Rs in fertilization: Right Source, Right Placement, Right Amount, and Right Rate. This method will help maintain and enhance the soil health and productivity, and ensure the quality of produce while reducing production cost.

One of the attendees shared that they were already mixing inorganic and organic fertilizers as a way to save money and resources, especially with the skyrocketing fertilizer prices.

BFS was further explained by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

NORTHERN SAMAR | July 5, 2022 – On July 4, 2022, Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Mr. Gary De La Cruz, Provincial Officer of Eastern Samar, and John Mar Nosura, Provincial Officer of Northern Samar, were invited as resource speakers for the Rice Specialist Training Course anchored by Phil Rice Bicol held at the Farmers Training Center, UEP Compound, Catarman, Nothern Samar.

Thirty (30) people attended the training, including farm school owners, agricultural technologists, and DA-RFO8 personnel.

Provincial Officer (PO) De La Cruz discussed the proper use and handling of pesticides and sprayer calibration. His main points are how pesticide products are labeled and classified based on toxicity and risk. In addition, he went through the dos and don’ts of pesticide usage and the precautions to take in the event of an emergency. Another topic that was discussed was spray calibration. PO De La Cruz explained how to calibrate a sprayer properly to avoid chemical underdosing or overdosing.

On the other hand, PO Nosura discussed the concept of the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS). BFS is a current program of the Department of Agriculture, which involves the application of both inorganic and organic fertilizer depending on the nutrients needed by the soil. It is also one of the long-term solutions to address the rising prices of fertilizer globally.

RFU VIII continues to partner with other attached agencies of the Department of Agriculture to continuously educate the farmers on the proper use of fertilizer and pesticides. ###

QUEZON CITY | July 06, 2022 – In pursuit of protecting the agro-ecosystem and advancing long-term solutions for fertilizer price and supply, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) has released the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) handbook on its role on the program.

BFS is a program that includes not only the FPA but also other DA agencies involved in farming. The idea of the program is to institutionalize the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers and other forms of strategies (i.e. green manuring or cover cropping, individual farm soil fertility maps, diversifying and improving cropping system, etc.) to attain the maximum potential of farmlands while maintaining soil structure and fertility.

The said strategy applies the concept of 4Rs in fertilization: Right Source, Right Placement, Right Amount, and Right Rate to help enhance soil health and productivity, prevent the decline in soil fertility, and improve fertilizer availability and costs.

“FPA, as the head of the BFS Committee, is hoping that this project will result in more creative and innovative ways of increasing crop production while reducing dependency on imported fertilizer and improving soil health. This handbook details the legal basis of the BFS, the reasons behind its implementation, the processes and agencies involved, the matrix of specific fertilizer formulas to target crops, and other recommendations,” Exec. Dir. Roldan said.

“To this date onwards, we are aiming to implement widely the concepts of the program and likewise improve or enhance its policies and guidelines that are tantamount to the present times. Moreover, we are looking forward to the objective of working with our stakeholders, clients, academe, and most especially our farmers,” Dr. Mula added.

FPA’s role in promoting BFS has been intensified, as evident with the constant visitation and meet-ups with local farmers in different regions by Dr. Mula and the FPA Regional Units (RFUs).

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL | June 29, 2022 – Deputy Executive Director (DED) for Fertilizer Dr. Myer Mula together with FPA Regional Field Unit (RFU) 6, visited Universal Robina Corporation – La Carlota Distillery at Brgy. Nagasi, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental last June 22, 2022, for compliance monitoring.

The distillery was found compliant with FPA standards. The company was proven to be in good standing after the first year of its validity, hence, they are qualified for a 3-year valid certification.

Under the Department of Agriculture Administrative Order (AO) No. 11 series of 2019, re-use of wastewater for fertilization would only be allowed after securing a Certification of Safe Wastewater Re-use from FPA.

The certification would consider:

• Location and access – including topographic, characteristics, and soil condition
• Characteristics of wastewater – including the concentration of macronutrients, micronutrients, heavy metals, pH level and electrical conductivity, and presence of pathogens
• Plan on the re-use of wastewater – which area are to be fertilized, proposed crop/s, method of application, quantity of wastewater, schedule of application, nutrient management plan, and storage management

Plant Manager Noli Segovia and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Manager Shiela Lou Amor presented the process flow on how the wastewater was produced. They also showed the actual application in sugarcane farms.

The recommended large-scale application of liquid fertilizer to increase sugar yield is 200 m3/ha of liquid fertilizer within 1-6 months after planting sugarcane.

As donation, the wastewater was safe for re-use as fertilizer with the nutrient content of:

• Nitrogen (N) = 0.03%
• Potassium (K) = 0.30%
• Phosphorus (P) = 0.31%
• pH level = 7.81

The company has donated wastewater fertilizer to sugarcane farms in the areas since 2021 and has received positive feedback from its farmer beneficiaries. The farmers boasted of having saved 60% of production cost from reduced use of inorganic fertilizer.

Universal Robina Corporation – La Carlota Distillery would need to apply for the renewal of safe re-use of wastewater before September 14 to keep donating their wastewaters to farms. Dr. Mula recommended the company to apply for a Certificate for Product Registration (CPR) to FPA’s Fertilizer Regulations Division (FRD) if they want to sell their wastewater fertilizer to the market. ###

Sources:

Department of Agriculture. (2019). Department of Agriculture Administrative Order No. 11 series 2019: Revised Guidelines on the Procedures and Technical Requirements for the Issuance of a Certification Allowing the Safe Re-use of Wastewater for Purposes of Irrigation and Other Agricultural Uses, Pursuant to Section 22.C of R.A. 9275 Otherwise Known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004. http://bswm.da.gov.ph/download/da-ao-no-11-s-2019/

Migo, V. Management of Sugar Industry Wastewaters as Fertilizer and Irrigation Water.

NORTH ILOILO | July 6, 2022 – FPA Regional Field Unit (RFU) VI inspected one dealer, two area distributors and three warehouses, 30 fertilizer products and 90 pesticide products during their Clean-Up Drive (CUD) Operations last June 28-30, 2022.

Bacphil Planters Products, Model Agro Sales, RZ JR Agri Trading, and 3A Agricultural and Poultry Supply were found compliant with the FPA standards and have valid registrations and licenses with FPA.

FPA advised the said handlers to improve their operations by acquiring new weighing scales and reporting any discrepancies to FPA. They were also asked to revise their inventory list to include the product registration number.

FPA Team also reminded the store clerks and warehouse managers of the importance of FPA registration. They explained that the registration will ensure the quality of the products and its effectiveness in targeted crops (Blue Book, 2020).

To make sure that the handlers and end-users are availing FPA-registered agricultural products, the team also taught the handlers how to navigate around the FPA website where a list of FPA-registered products and accredited handlers are posted.

The CUD Operation was initiated by Regional Officer (RO) Noel Negre, along with Provincial Officers (PO) Raymond Alfor, Ryan Gelladula, and Emanuel Barrida. ###

Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat | June 30, 2022 – Deputy Executive Director for Fertilizer, Dr. Myer Mula, and FPA SOCCKSARGEN visited Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat last June 27-29, 2022, to promote the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS). The activity was in collaboration with the Special Area for Agricultural Development Program (SAAD).

Regional Officer (RO) Alita C. Bornea discussed the FPA mandates and promoted the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) to 44 farmers at Tupi, South Cotabato, last June 27, 2022. BFS is a program established by the Department of Agriculture which pushes for the use of combined organic and inorganic inputs and other forms of strategy to attain the maximum potential of farmlands while promoting balanced fertilization in maintaining soil fertility. It is an alternative way to lessen the dependence on imported and inorganic fertilizers. 

On June 28, 2022, Provincial Officers (PO) Cherubin Alonzo and Joey Pascua talked about the mandates of the Agency and explained the importance of BFS to the 24 indigenous members of the Blat Farmers Association. The activity was conducted at B’lat Sampipit, Maasim, Sarangani. Further, PO Alonzo encouraged the farmers to use their farm foliage, such as corn stalks and husk, as organic fertilizers. In that way, farmers can lessen their expenses in buying inorganic fertilizers.  

On June 29, 2022, the team visited different farmers associations to wit:

• Baluan Farmers Association, with 40 members
• Baluan Manobo Dulangan Mongnagen Association, with 20 members
• Medul-Langdo Irrigators Association, with 47 members

PO Pascua discussed the FPA mandates to the farmers and encouraged them to venture into the agricultural supply business through the help of their associations. 

While, PO Alonzo introduced to the farmers the importance of the BFS in decreasing the reliance on inorganic inputs to cut down their production costs. Furthermore, various alternative fertilizers and cultivation strategies were introduced to address the rising costs of agricultural inputs.

“By providing interventions, let us monitor and guide them. Let us not leave them behind,” Dir. Mula stated as a closing to his visit to the region. ###

LEYTE | June 29, 2022 – Provincial Officer (PO) of Leyte Eric Castañas helped 19 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) design temporary waste disposal and pesticide containers and storage system using a plastic ormini drums during the Training of Trainers (TOT) on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) – Anchored in Corn Production last June 28, 2022, at Baybay, Leyte.

The designing of the container was part of the lecture on the safe and judicious use of pesticides.

PO Castañas first addressed the importance of safety in handling pesticides and why the farmers should be aware of proper labelling and its toxicity levels to avoid accidents such as poisoning.

“Pesticide exposure can be occupational, spray drift, environmental, by accident or intentional. Poisoning can be through dermal exposure, oral ingestion, or respiratory exposure. So I remind all of you to always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times when you are handling pesticides,” he said.

Castanas emphasized on the proper storage and disposal of pesticides as a component of good agricultural practice. Afterwards, he briefly discussed sprayer calibration and demonstrated to the participants how to calculate pesticide rates per hectare. “This is to avoid overdosing or underdosing that may possible pest resistance and contaminants to the environment, he added.

Apart from the discussion on pesticide management, he also shared alternative ways of fertilizing the soil. With the spiking market prices of fertilizers due to the rising prices of fuel, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and the COVID-19 pandemic. PO Castañas promoted the application of the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS).

BFS is a combination of organic and inorganic forms of fertilizer according to the soil and crop requirement. Wastes such as chicken manure and leguminous crops that are readily available on their farms can be used as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers.

The training was organized by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Regional Training Center (RTC) Eastern Visayas. ###