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Archives
October 1-31, 2007
DA implements program to abate use of chemical fertilizers
by Rita T. dela Cruz
The Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) is implementing the Organic-based Agriculture “Agri-Kalikasan” Development Program to abate the dependence of small farmers on chemical-based fertilizers which are not only expensive but are also risky to the their health and the environment. This, reported by BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar during a brief presentation during the “Bio-organic Fertilizer Production Project Orientation” held on 2 October 2007 at the 2/F RDMIC Bldg., Visayas Ave., Diliman, Quezon City.
The presentation was made in complementation with an on-going project funded and supported by BAR on bio-organic fertilizer and in cooperation with a private institution, the Agro-Forestry Crop Systems, Inc. (AFCSI). The project is implemented in 18 pilot experimental sites of the Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Centers (RIARCs).
In the presentation, Dir. Eleazar stressed that the Agri-Kalikasan program is a science-based back-to-basic sustainable agricultural and rural development program that promotes organic-based farming guided by scientific principles.
Initially, the program implements two types of technologies: Modified Rapid Composting (MRC) and Tipid Abono (TA). MRC promotes farm wastes recycling and composting, which is an alternative technology suitable in poverty stricken areas, with farmers having limited capital to sustain production. Meanwhile, TA technology is an alternative to help farmers cope with high input costs which promotes the judicious use and proper mixtures of oil-based chemical fertilizers and recycled home and farm wastes, animal manures, chicken dung, guano, and other forms and natural sources of soil ameliorates and organic fertilizers in areas where input costs are too high for farmers.
The Japanese Government, under the RP-Japan Increased Food Production or the KR2 program, in cooperation with the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAFC) has approved the three-year financial assistance amounting to PhP 246.0 million as a start-up fund for its nationwide implementation.
Dir. Eleazar said that the promotion of biofertlizer production technology is hoped to generate income not only for the farmer-cooperators but ultimately to improve the economic activities in the regions. Through this project, resource utilization are optimized while at the same time protecting the environment through proper disposal and use of farm and agro wastes.
Attending the project orientation were RIARC managers and key staff from the Regional Coordination Division (RCD) of BAR. 
October 2007 Articles:
:: Yap promotes abundant & nutritious agri food products
:: World Food Day highlights “Right to Food”
:: 72-kilogram squash aces as “Pinaka-BEST” People's Choice
:: BAR awards 16 outstanding researches in agri & fisheries
:: Locally-developed ND vaccine wins PSAS Award
:: BAR conducts bio-organic fertilizer orientation
:: Eleazar receives distinguished alumni award from UPLBAA
:: UPLB celebrates Loyalty Day; Velasco highlights DA support
:: Nutritious malunggay-based recipe wins 2007 Agri-Cookfest
:: Food company eyes the potential of malunggay for biofortification
:: Beverage from malunggay
:: BAR promotes nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals derived from food crops
:: BAR introduces potential product lines from Philippine oregano
:: A fresh look at siling labuyo
:: Operating the onion industry with OPREMS
:: Empowering upland communities through Dampalit watershed project
:: Agricultural Cooperatives: Catalyst for profitability and answer to globalization
:: DA adopts IPM scheme against Brontispa
:: DA implements program to abate use of chemical fertilizers
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