Monday, May 29, 2006
Small farmers earn more with nature farming tech
MOST small-scale rice farmers complain about big production expenses mostly directed to chemical-based pesticides and fertilizers.
According to the research conducted by Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Rice Program, the monthly production costs range from P25,591 per hectare for certified seeds, and P27,341 for hybrid seeds.
Based on the program, net income would range from P15,829 (certified seeds) to P31,559 (hybrid seeds).
Although the net income is considerably big enough, the practice of using commercial pesticides and fertilizers may prove to be a handicap in the long run.
The price of fertilizers is continually increasing, and could eventually render the soil barren.
However, a system called Nature Farming Technology, being advocated by Tacdrup through its Sustainable Agriculture Program, has helped many small farmers learn more with less production costs.
Tacdrup has been transferring a technology called Nature Farmer System to 2,737 farmer beneficiaries in Davao City, Davao del Sur and North Cotabato, since 2002.
Diosdado Eugenio, 66, is a farmer for 37 longs years. He lives with his family in Sitio Namangkelan, Patindiguen, North Cotabato.
He farms a 2.6-hectare of land with diversified crops such as vegetables, fruits and rice.
As an NFS Adopter, Eugenio, uses organic fertilizers and pesticides. He harvests around 70-80 sacks of rice using the system, but still earns more, because he spends less in chemical fertilizers, only around P5,000 per hectare.
"NFTS has opened many opportunities for small farmers like me, to change our economic situation. Since I used the system, my harvest has been steady and my production inputs have lowered," Eugenio shared.
He added that if the prices of organic products become competitive in the market, than they would be able to earn more and improve their economic state further.
Tacdrup is offering NFTS training to interested groups through its training center in Inawayan, Toril.
For inquires, please call Dolly Antipuesto, Administrative Officer at (082) 297-8245/297-2215 or visit www.tacdrup.org
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (May 29, 2006 issue)
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