SOWING SELF-RELIANCE Manobo farmers in Andap Valley, Surigao del Sur province, have adopted scientific sustainable agriculture technology, which includes methods for the formulation of organic fertilizers and pesticides, reducing their dependence on commercial farm inputs. —Photos by Kenneth Cadiang/contributor
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has said the government will soon introduce the use of biofertilizer to Filipino farmers to lessen their dependence on expensive, imported, petroleum-based fertilizers.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Wednesday, Marcos made the remark after a briefing with officials from the Department of Agriculture and other agencies on Tuesday.
“We are totally dependent on petroleum-based fertilizer – now, we are going to introduce biofertilizer to our farmers and teach them how to use it. And hopefully, this will ease our concerns when it comes to the supply of fertilizer. And we can fully control the availability of biofertilizer,” the President said, as quoted by the PCO.
“Now, there will still be a mix. Hindi lang – hindi mawawala ‘yung urea, hindi mawawala ‘yung mga non-organic. But, we will lessen our dependence on importation when it comes to fertilizer supply,” he added.
(There will be a mix. Non-organic fertilizers will still be there but we will lessen our dependence on importation when it comes to fertilizer supply.)
Marcos said the use of biofertilizer was brought up because of the high price of fertilizer, as well as concerns with availability and supply.
He said the DA conducted trials on biofertilizers, which, he said, yielded promising results.
However, Marcos said that biofertilizers, which can be produced in the Philippines, can be a little costly but the price can still be brought down.
“Kayang-kaya daw dito i-produce sa Pilipinas ‘yan,” the President said in a separate Facebook post.
(Biofertilizers can be produced in the Philippines.)
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“Furthermore, there are many technologies from UPLB, from the other SUCs, the agricultural colleges, marami silang na-research, na-develop na technologies diyan sa biofertilizer,” Marcos pointed out.
(They have researched and developed many technologies on biofertilizer.)
During his state visit to China in January, Marcos secured business agreements with Chinese producers to lower the prices of fertilizer.
Two Chinese fertilizer manufacturing companies signed a cooperation agreement with the Philippine International Trading Corp., which was seen to ensure a sustainable supply of much-needed fertilizers at reasonable prices.