Wednesday, February 28, 2007 DA 6 puts up 41 'Tipid Abono' sites
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas has established 41 Tipid Abono sites in the whole region to enhance rice productivity and generate additional jobs in the countryside.
According to OIC-Regional Executive Director Larry Nacionales, the Tipid-Abono Fertilization Program (TAFP) is a cost reduction strategy through judicious and optimum use of fertilizer thus guiding the farmers particularly the hybrid and certified rice producers the right mixtures and application of fertilizers in their farms.
"Farmers were also taught how to use Leaf Color Chart (LCC) in order to determine proper timing and amount of nitrogen application in their respective farms." Nacionales said.
The TAFP recommended fertilizer inputs was based on fertilizer groupings such as for Negros Occidental (per hectare): five bags organic fertilizer, one bag 16-20-0, one bag 18-46-0, and ten kilograms Zinc Sulfate
The TAFP areas were distributed in the following provinces; for Iloilo - 15 sites, Capiz - eight sites, Negros Occidental - six sites, Aklan and Antique five sites each, and Guimaras - two sites.
Helen Maquiling, regional soils laboratory chief said as part of TAFP monitoring, the DA has conducted soil analysis through Soil Test Kit (STK), Rapid Soil Test (RST), and laboratory analysis in order to confirm and determine the soil nutrient status and plant nutrient uptake through plant tissue samples.
She added that the program has supported the small scale organic fertilizer industry in the region and created job opportunities for about 6,000 persons per cropping season.
TAFP sites are located in areas undisturbed by siltation, excavation, and fillings and approximately 50 meters away from the shades, possible overflow from irrigation and other disturbances.
The farmer cooperators include the best farmers in the locality who have consistently shown high yield, possess leadership and ability to influence and share his knowledge to other farmers, show interest and recognize the importance of the techno-demo trial, follow the requirements of the techno-demo, provided free labor and the use of a portion of his field for the duration of the techno-demo, and a good innovator and accepts newly introduced technology.
Rice varieties used depended on the adaptability to the sites and prevailing cropping season, with good eating quality and of desired maturity, resistant or tolerant to major pest, diseases and salinity problems.
The TAFP is implemented with the collaboration of the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), PhilRice, Local Government Units (LGUs), Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), QUEDANCOR. National Agriculture and Fishery Council (NAFC), Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA), and Farmer-Cooperators. (Press release)
