THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is planning to establish composting facilities, with the aim of reducing farmer dependence on expensive fertilizer.
“This is one method to minimize groundwater pollution and restore soil fertility, thereby reducing the vulnerability of marginal farmers to the high cost of chemical fertilizers,” the DA said in Memorandum Circular No. 31.
“With regular applications, farms and households would be less dependent on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, significantly decreasing production costs and increasing returns on investment,” the department said.
The project will be implemented via the Bureau of Soils and Water Management and DA Regional Field Offices.
The DA said composting packages include one rotary composter and a biomass shredder with a maximum capacity of one ton per load.
“The machine has a larger capacity to produce a mass volume of compost fertilizer, making it ideal for larger scale composting needs and promoting more sustainable production practices,” the DA said.
Recipients of the technology are those participating in the National Rice Program, National Corn Program, National Organic Agriculture Program, and High-Value Crops Development Program.
Recipients can be local government units, registered civil service organizations, state universities and colleges, learning sites and farm schools, and DA research stations or bureaus and agencies.
Qualified recipients are required to file regular production reports. — Adrian H. Halili
