Farmers’ groups in Pampanga start bio fertilizer production project

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Oct. 23 — The provincial government has turned over the initial 12 units of shredders to various farmers’ organizations in different towns of the province to signal the start of its bio fertilizer production project.

In simple ceremonies held in this city last Thursday, Governor Eddie T. Panlilio signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with chairmen of the farmers’ organizations effecting the implementation of the bio fertilizer production project through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).

Acting Provincial Agriculturist Crispin Guintu said seven more units of shredders, costing P368,000 each, will be distributed to other farmers’ organizations in the province.

Guintu said the use of shredders reduces the process of composting agricultural wastes through traditional methods from four to eight months to only three weeks.

Under the agreement, the OPA is committed to conduct technology trainings on bio-organic fertilizer production for farmers, in coordination with the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA) and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM).

The OPA will also be conducting monitoring, impact evaluation and assessment of the project implementation.

The project’s beneficiaries, on the other hand, are committed to maintain a covered shed of not less than 100 square meters with concrete flooring, water source and electricity which shall be used as storage room for the organic fertilizer produced.

The farmers’ organizations are also obliged to provide for the other necessary equipment in composting such as weighing scales, wheel barrows, square shovels, portable sieves and water hose; take charge of collecting farm, household or organic wastes as raw materials; shoulder all other costs related to the production of organic fertilizer; secure the necessary license and permit from appropriate agencies and abide by the rules and regulations on product packaging and labeling.

Records of production and sales of finished products will also be kept by the project’s beneficiaries and shall produce in favor of the provincial government a total of 300 bags, each weighing 50 kilograms of organic fertilizer.

Guintu said that the development of organic agriculture as a farming scheme enhances global competitiveness, ensures environmental integrity, promotes food security and safety, increases productivity and alleviates poverty.

He said the various stakeholders of the project have recognized the potentials of certified organic farming as a way to utilize local raw materials, conserve non-renewable resources, mainstream into high-value markets and improve farm income as well. (PNA)

LAP/zst/ps

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