Optimum fertilization strategy for corn production in relation to improvement of soil health highlighted the Field Day led by DA-Cagayan Valley and DA-Nueva Vizcaya Experiment Station (NVES) conducted in Bintawan Norte, Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya on 20 February 2024.
Attended by 78 farmers and representatives from the provincial to barangay local government, the activity was held as part of the project, Use of Optimum Fertilization Strategy to Increase Productivity of Corn in Various Ecosystems in Cagayan Valley, funded by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) under the Corn Program.
Science research technician Melanie B. Lay-o of DA-NVES presented the technology interventions introduced through the project. These are the use of the following: 1) soil analysis as basis for the application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (140-10-0); 2) Carrageenan to promote growth and enhance the yield; 3) organic fertilizers to improve soil structure and balance the soil ecosystem; 4) BioN — microbial based fertilizer — to enhance shoot growth and root development; and 5) biological control agents such as earwig and Beauveria bassiana to manage pests and diseases.
Double row planting technology, with planting distance of 80 by 30 centimeters between rows and 20 cm between hills, using a jabber planter was also introduced through the project.
Nehemias D. Baysa, farmer cooperator, expressed his gratitude toward DA-Cagayan Valley for the technology interventions introduced which improved the quality of his produce and production, as well as reduced his production cost.
While, another farmer cooperator, Mary Joy L. Ortiz, vividly shared her experiences on using the technology interventions and how it compares to the farmer’s practice. She also noted that, “Natutunan ko na ‘yong infestation dapat agapan natin agad. Huwag nang hintayin na lumalala pa ‘yong infestion bago ka gumawa ng intervention— the earlier na maagapan, much better. Natutunan ko rin na ‘yong pag-spray pala ng pesticides para sa fall armyworm kailangan pala early in the morning or late in the afternoon para ‘yong mga uod nandoon talaga sa mga dahon.”
Ortiz added, “Salamat sa mga kaalaman, sa mga experience na aming natutunan. Bilang farmer, magagamit ko po ‘yon para lalong mapabuti ‘yong yield. ‘Yong project na ito napakaganda, talagang effective ‘yong technology na ginamit.”
Lay-o further explained how the use of synthetic fertilizers degrade the soil health, which in the long run would require farmers to use more fertilizer to replenish the depleted nutrients — hence, entailing additional production cost. She emphasized the importance of using optimum fertilization strategy to improve productivity and yield and at the same time to ensure that the soil remains healthy and viable for a long time.
“Isa sa mga importante ring bigyan natin ng pansin ay ‘yong lupa. Isa rin sa mga tinututukan ng proyektong ito ang paggamit ng tamang dami at tamang klase ng pag-aabono. Sana po ay naaalagaan din ang lupa…Kung panay kemikal ang nandyan, kung ‘yon at ‘yon ang nilalagay natin, darating ‘yong panahon na imbis na ma-reach niya ‘yong potential na yield nito ay bumababa na ito,” stressed DA-BAR Cagayan Valley regional coordinator Juan Nikolas A. Paller.
Paller also encouraged the farmers to keep an open mind in adopting new technologies that would be beneficial for their farms.
Meanwhile, senior science research specialist Edita F. Sunio of DA-Cagayan Valley-Research Division encouraged the corn farmers to continue using the technology interventions introduced even after the project has completed and assistance and free inputs are no longer given.
“The hard work that we do today, haan met nga ti gobyerno tayo ti ag benefit. This is only one among the many accomplishments of [DA]. And of course, haan nga ag benefit iti LGU. Ngamin haan met dakami ti kumita, no di ket siyako ti kumita. It is you and your family, and most especially the children, isu ti mangtawid ti hard work nga araramiden yo tatta,” reminded Villaverde mayor Ronelie U. Valtoribio as relayed by his secretary Dawn Ranee V. Algura.
(It is not the government who will benefit from the hard work that we do today. This is only one among the many accomplishments of DA. The LGU will not also benefit from it as it is you who are earning from it. You and your family will be the ones who will continue whatever has been started through this project.)
Representatives from various partner agencies — Agricultural Training Institute, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Agricultural Credit Policy Council, DA-Cagayan Valley-Regional Crop Protection Center — also presented the various services that corn farmers can avail of. They reminded the farmers to register to the Registry System for the Basic Sectors in Agriculture and be part of a farmers cooperative or association to ensure that they will be able to avail of services provided by DA.