FOLLOWING the goal of sustaining biodiversity in the country, an event was conducted in Valencia City, Bukidnon to promote the use of chemical-free and organic implements in an effort to improve plant growth production.
The event dubbed Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) on Biofertilizer and Biopesticide presented various technologies which are acceptable under the organic agriculture program, which can contribute to the sustainability of the country’s biodiversity.
The technologies, called biofertilizers and biopesticides, used beneficial bacteria and microorganisms which can help promote plant growth and development.
The featured technologies are funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and its Consortia in Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, Caraga, Central Visayas, and Ilocos regions.
“PCAARRD has invested more than ₱46 million in R&D to develop biofertilizers and biopesticides,” said PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora.
“With these gains, we hope to empower our fellow farmers with information on the technologies, as well as offer to interested parties, technologies that are ready for commercialization,” Ebora added.
Research initiatives on organic agriculture started since the declaration of Republic Act 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.
The law mandates the promotion, propagation, and development of the practice of organic agriculture in the country.
It says that organic agriculture will “cumulatively condition and enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, reduce pollution and destruction of the environment, prevent the depletion of natural resources, further protect the health of farmers, consumers and the general public, and save on imported farm inputs.”
The FIESTA, which is conceptualized by PCAARRD, aims to show the complete sphere of Research and Development (R&D) as it treats with equal importance the whole agricultural value chain from production to processing to technology mainstreaming.
It brings forward the best in agri-aqua technologies, products, and services, and makes these known to the public through this event.
Exhibits, technology pitching, business forum, and field visits to two farms were the activities conducted during the Biofertilizer and Biopesticide FIESTA.
Since its implementation in 2011, FIESTA gathers various players of agricultural R&D – the technology generators; farmers; and micro, small, and medium enterprises.
It showcases regional technologies, innovations, products, and services in the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources (AANR) sector.
The Biofertilizer and Biopesticide FIESTA was organized by five Consortia of PCAARRD, with the Northern Mindanao Consortium for the Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development as the lead.
Other consortia involved included: Caraga Consortium for the Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium; Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium; Central Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium; and the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium.
Based on the findings of the World Health Organization, pesticides kill 18,000 farm workers annually.
With this alarming information, there is a need to enforce environmental safety and improve human health measures in the country. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
