The government will soon introduce the use of biofertilizer to Filipino farmers to lessen dependence on expensive, imported, petroleum-based fertilizers, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Tuesday.
“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. And hopefully, this will ease our concerns when it comes to the supply of fertilizer. And we can fully control the availability of biofertilizer,” President Marcos said after a briefing with agriculture and other officials from different agencies.
“Now, there will still be a mix. Hindi lang – hindi mawawala ‘yung urea, hindi mawawala ‘yung mga non-organic. But, we will lessen our dependence on importation when it comes to fertilizer supply,” the chief executive said.
The use of biofertilizer was brought to the fore not only because of the high price of fertilizer but also concerns with availability and supply, the President said.
The country, Marcos said, has been dependent on non-organic and petroleum-based fertilizers essentially urea, and that’s the reason why the DA conducted trials on biofertilizer, which can be produced in the Philippines.
According to the chief executive, there were promising results from early tests although biofertilizer use entails some cost, but it could be brought down especially if it is going to be produced locally.
“Kayang-kaya daw dito i-produce sa Pilipinas ‘yan. And furthermore, there are many technologies from UPLB, from the other SUCs, the agricultural colleges, marami silang na-research, na-develop na technologies diyan sa biofertilizer,” Marcos pointed out.
During his state visit to China last month, President Marcos secured business agreements with Chinese producers to lower the prices of fertilizer, a vital part of his administration’s bid to help farmers and ensure food security.
Two Chinese fertilizer manufacturing companies signed a cooperation agreement with the Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC), which was seen to ensure a sustainable supply of much-needed fertilizers at reasonable prices. (PND)
