Yap launches Tipid Abono program

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap announced last week that the targeted 14.2 million metric tons (MT) yield in palay this year may be realized and may even reach 14.4 million MT due to the continuous implementation of the Hybrid Rice Commercialization Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA). Yap said this year’s projected yield is almost one million MT higher than last year’s 13.5 million MT. However, the sector is challenged by weather abnormalities and the increasing price of fertilizers.

DA, in a bid to protect the farmers’ income, launched the Tipid Abono Fertilization Program with its battlecry. "Bawas Gastos, Saganang Ani" to sustain the increase in farmer’s income and savings obtained from the use by hybrids and certified seeds.

The program also aims to reduce the cost of production despite the increase in fertilization cost which affects the farmers in starting off with their operations. It will also guide farmers particularly the hybrid and certified rice producers for using the right mixtures of fertilizers and the timely selection of the most appropriate soil type and amoung of fertilizer grades.

Through the program, only three to four bags of chemical fertilizers are recommended per hectare compared to current practice of six to nine bags per hectare mixed with five bags of organic fertilizers. It also reduces the cost of production of rice and corn by as much as P2,200 to P4,130 per hectare or an aggregated savings of P1.1 billion to P2.27 billion if the entire 500,000 hectares covered by the GMA-Rice program are considered.

Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) director Rogelio Concepcion said the program will serve as a tool to help farmers choose the right type of fertilizers to be used from a list that will be distributed by the BSWM. Tipid Abono program which is a reformulated balanced fertilization strategy will ensure optimum crop yields and better income without causing decline in soil fertility.

Aside from reduced fertilizer recommendations and proper timing of application, farmers will be able to save on cost of production through the use of technologies such as the Leaf Color Chart (LCC) developed by PhilRice and the Soil Testing Kits (STK) of the BSWM. LCC is a tool used to periodically monitor the plants’ condition and determine the specific time to apply the Urea or Ammo-sulfate fertilizers while the STK is used for the quick determination of pH, Nitrogen, Phosporous and Potassium. – DA-AFIS