Inspired by the success in other crops, DA-Bicol Region, in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), is currently implementing a project aimed to improve the queen pineapple productivity and quality by adapting the Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) technology.
The experience with corn, bolstered by studies on fertilization as a way of improving crop productivity, shows that SSNM technology has already proven its effectiveness and efficiency in closing the yield gaps of several crops such as rice, wheat, corn, and cassava particularly in Asia.
The SSNM is considered an optimal crop nutrient management because it takes into consideration the factors affecting yield, such as soil fertility, crop management practices (particularly crop variety, crop residue management, crop rotation, and organic nutrient inputs), climate, water availability, fertilizer source, and price.
DA-Bicol Region believes that the SSNM practice for pineapple production, like in other crops, can provide optimum profit and sustainable production to pineapple growers.
As a starting point, the establishment of baseline information for SSNM in pineapple is very important for them to ensure that the technology to be shared to the farmers is correct and accurate to boost production of pineapple and thereby increase profit of the growers.
To monitor the progress of the SSNM project, DA-BAR conducted an onsite monitoring of nine on-farm and on-site demonstration farms on 9-13 January 2023. The project is being implemented in 17 different sites in Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Masbate, and Catanduanes.
Commended for its good implementation of the project activities, the DA-BAR team underscored the importance of proper data collection and analyses, hence, all results should be documented and presented in the pre-completion Review scheduled on 1 March 2023.