The Department of Agriculture today encouraged the continuous production and use of organic fertilizers as it makes farmers more self-reliant according to studies by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said organic fertilizers too are more affordable than inorganic fertilizers.
“We will be able to increase yield and minimize the harmful effect of the improper use of inorganic fertilizers to soil and water resources,” Alcala said.
“We strongly support organic-based agriculture as embodied in Rep. Act No. 10068, or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010,” he added.
According to the Secretary, organic fertilizers improve soil tilth and structure. They also increase the water-holding capacity of the soil and are also known to improve soil aeration.
The use of organic fertilizers is consistent with responsible land stewardship and ensures its productivity for many generations.
Under Alcala’s term, organic production area has increased by 516 percent, from 2011 to 2014.
Under the law, the Department allocates two percent of its budget for organic farming. DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) Director Silvino Tejada said, the organic fertilizers’ source of nutrients are biological materials such as animal byproducts and excreta, green manure, crop residues, household organic wastes or products processed from materials such as compost. # Source - (DA-OSEC)
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