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Is the Balanced Fertilization Program working? by Ma. Lizbeth J. Baroña

July-September 2003 Volume 5 No. 3

When the Balanced Fertilization Program (BFP) was introduced to corn growers in some areas of the Bicol region under the MAKAMASA Corn Program, it was aimed to provide a location-specific fertilizer technology to help increase farmers' productivity and income.
Has the technology delivered?

The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit (DA-RFU) in Bicol conducted a study to quantify the benefits and changes created by the program. Specifically, an economic viability analysis, or EVA, was conducted to measure the socio-economic impact of the program, and assess whether the program made a difference in the income level of the corn farmers.

The Balanced Fertilization Program (BFP)
The Department of Agriculture adapted the Balanced Fertilization Program in support of the Gintong Ani Program. This intervention provides a location-specific fertilizer recommendation of organic and inorganic fertilizers. It aims to minimize the effects of wide variations of soil and climate type.

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The program gave guidelines for a strategic distribution of fertilizers to small farmers, ensure increase in crop yield, and provide a venue for cooperative efforts of fertilizer distributors. It was implemented in 15 corn clusters in Camarines Sur, Albay, and Masbate, during the1999-2000 wet and dry planting seasons. These areas are characterized by the four major corn production environments: acidic soil, calcareous soil, volcanic-affected soil, and fertile upland.

BFP vs. farmers' practice
The study used two treatments, the BFP and the standard farmers' practice in fertilization. The BFP included 300 kg of organic fertilizer, with 14-14-14 (complete) and two bags of 16-20-0 basal fertilizer, and 3 bags of 46-0-0 as top dress . The standard farmer practice had no inorganic, organic, or basal fertilizers, but it had two bags (14-14-14) for top dressing and 1 bag 46-0-0. These treatments were replicated in the fields with 10 farmers per cluster.

To ensure the proper implementation of the program, a corn-cluster technician from the local government unit (LGU) supervised all project activities.

During the wet season cropping of 1999 (WS-1999), a total of eight techno-demonstration trials participated in by 24 farmers were conducted in three major corn environments. During the dry season cropping between 1999 and 2000 (DS 1999/2000), techno demonstrations were done in all 10 clusters in four major corn production environments.

Survey forms prepared by the DA staff were used to gather data for the economic viability analysis of the study. Fifty-three farmers were interviewed about the BFP program. Economic viability measures like the net income, return on investment (ROI), marginal-benefit-cost ratio (MBCR), and break-even yield were employed in order to quantify the benefits and higher order effects of the program.

Technology communicated
As for the wet season cropping, net income of farmers after employing the BFP increased by a significant amount. Results in Pili, Camarines Sur showed an estimated net income of more than P10,000 after using the technology. Farmers using the old practice struggled with a negative P899.00. Among the three sites, Pili, Buhi, Guinobatan Buhi gave the best results, establishing an ROI of 111.34%, way above the 74.35% and 29.77% of Pili and Guinobatan, respectively.

As far as the results in the dry season cropping are concerned, Guinobatan in Albay gave the best performance using the BFP. It registered an ROI of 138.83%, followed by Pili with 118.37%, Ocampo with 110.52%, Tabaco with 106.19%,Tigaon with (87.16%, and Cataingan with 46%.

The farmer's practice in Albay showed a higher ROI than that using the BFP (190.38% vs. 106.19%). This was attributed to the biophysical condition of the area where intense rainfall was recorded during the cropping period.

The study showed that the BFP performed best in Pili and Buhi in Camarines Sur. Both sites ensured better corn yield and profit. In general, the technology gave higher ROI than the standard farmer's practice, implying significant income increase, except for Tabaco, Albay.

Source: Economic assessment of the Balanced Fertilization Program for corn in the Bicol Region by Hector M. Sales, Romulo C. Cambaya, Margarita E. Fortuno; Pedro F. Oliver. Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit No.5, Bicol Integrated Agriculture Research Center, San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur.

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