DA hosts training on soil rehabilitation, fertilization
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO-- The Department of Agricultures (DA), through its Bureau of Soils and Water Management-Water Resources Management Division (DA-BSWM-WRMD), facilitated a blended Training of Trainers (ToT) for selected participants from BSWM, Regional Focal Persons, Regional Project Development Officers, Regional Community Development Officers and Local Government Unit (LGU) on Soil Rehabilitation and Balanced Fertilization.
The activity was conducted to educate farming communities, specifically Small Water Irrigation System Associations (SWISAs) on balanced fertilization management to reduce production cost and dependency on inorganic fertilizers, prevent soil fertility loss, and restore soil quality.
DA-BSWM Assistant Director and the National Focal for the Implementation of National Soil Health Program (NSHP) Dr. Gina P. Nilo stated in her message that “we are celebrating the silver anniversary of Proclamation No. 1071 series of 1997 - Adoption of the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) and this BFS training will guide us to have a costefficient and proper combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers to sustain the increases in rice pr oduct i vi t y.”
In addition, the training provided participants with necessary training to enable them to serve as part of scaling-up the balanced rice fertilization to mitigate the impacts of rising fertilizer cost and to maintain healthy soils. Participants also had the opportunity to provide feedback on BFS.
“With the Balanced Fertilization Strategy, we can contribute to lessen carbon footprint and we really help our environment on facing climate change
and our farmers can save around P2,000 per hectare,” Dr. Nilo added. The Role of the SWISAs in the implementation of Balanced Fertilization Strategy, Soil Nutrient Management One- DA Balanced Fertilization Strategy Protocol, Organic Production and How to use Soil Test Kit (STK) were the highlights of the said training.