President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has expressed perception that the usage of biofertilizers will ease the priority of the agriculture sector relating to the provision of fertilizers.
In a gathering with Agriculture officers on Tuesday, Marcos mentioned the usage of biofertilizers would reduce dependence on the dearer and imported petroleum-based fertilizers.
“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,” Marcos mentioned.
“And hopefully, this will ease our concerns when it comes to the supply of fertilizer. And we can fully control the availability of biofertilizer.”
Marcos, who additionally sits as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, mentioned the usage of biofertilizer was “brought to the fore not only because of the high price of fertilizer but also concerns with availability and supply.”
“Now, there will still be a mix. Hindi lang – hindi mawawala ‘yung urea, hindi mawawala ‘yung mga non-organic [Urea and those non-organic will still be available]. But we will lessen our dependence on importation when it comes to fertilizer supply,” Marcos said.
Marcos said there were promising results from early tests on the use of biofertilizers. He said although its use entails some cost, it could still be brought down especially if it is going to be produced locally.
“Kayang-kaya daw dito i-produce sa Pilipinas ‘yan. And moreover, there are lots of applied sciences from UPLB (UP Los Baños), from the opposite SUCs (state universities and faculties), the agricultural faculties, marami silang na-research, na-develop na applied sciences diyan sa biofertilizer,” he said.
(This can be produced in the Philippines. And furthermore, there are many technologies from UPLB, from the other SUCs, the agricultural colleges, they already made researches and developed technologies when it comes to biofertilizers.)
In March of last year, the DA, under the leadership of former chief William Dar, forged a memorandum of understanding with the UPLB-Biotech “to develop the analysis and improvement, capability constructing, and upscaling of Bio N and different bio fertilizers, stimulants and applied sciences.”
During his state go to to China in January, Marcos secured business agreements with Chinese producers to decrease the costs of fertilizer, which is a crucial a part of his administration’s bid to assist native farmers and guarantee meals safety. —KBK, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
