FARM waste from the cultivation of corn is now being processed as main ingredient for the production of feed formulations for farm livestock effectively helping eliminate environmental problems caused by the burning of corn waste.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that at least three cooperatives have been given the initial package of P5 million each for the all the equipment and machineries needed for corn silage production.
DA regional director Crispulo Bautista, Jr. said that the initial packages were given to cooperatives who are engaged in corn and livestock production in Lupao, Nueva Ecija; Pampanga; and Camiling, Tarlac. This means that the initial production of the silage will be for in-house consumption as the DA is still looking at developing the market for commercial silage production.
The program is implemented with the Philippine Carabao Center with research undertaken by the Bureau of Agriculture Research. The package includes tractors for the production of corn; choppers for the processing of corn waste; and other equipment and the technology needed for the production of silage.
The program takes advantage of the strong corn productivity in Central Luzon. Corn productivity, which is mainly Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn, has a productivity of 6.3 tons per hectare which translates to more yield and income for farmers. And in a region where corn production is particularly strong and with virtually untapped market for silage production, the DA is optimistic that farmers could earn more.
DA Central Luzon Regional Corn Coordinator Edwin Paningbatan said that the robust acceptance of Bt corn has driven good sales and the ever growing poultry and livestock industry in Central Luzon that has grown dependent on local Bt corn as material for poultry feeds.
Corn waste, like cobs, stalks and stubbles, is usually burned by farmers to make way for new corps. The burning has serious risks on the environment and the health of farmers. The burning of farm waste causes severe pollution of land and water as gases like methane; nitrogen oxide; and ammonia are released into the atmosphere.
The DA added that burning of corn waste, along with rice hay and other organic farm wastes contribute indirectly to the increased ozone pollution and can cause serious health problems like asthma, chronic bronchitis and decrease lung function.
According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, at least 14 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come directly from the farm sector.
Paningbatan said that it is about time that farmers learn technologies that reduce carbon footprint and the impact of agricultural practices on the environment.
He added that looking at how each crop could be used in ways that benefit both farmer and the environment is the most effective approach. He added that the corn silage production program will educate farmers on the need to help protect the environment and at the same time help farmers earn more.
Paningbatan said that the regional office here is in the process of bidding the machine needed to slice and dice corn waste into silage materials. Initially, the cooperatives that would enter into the program will be given training courses on silage production, corn waste processing and marketing.
Corn silage
Corn silage is a mixture of fermented high-moisture feed. Corn silage is forage for ruminant animals because it is high in energy and digestibility and the corn silage from the Philippines was particularly noted for its quality.
Corn silage is usually fermented in containers mixed with essential microorganisms and molasses. The fermentation renders the material suitable to be fed to cattle, sheep and other such ruminants (cud-chewing animals), and it has been proven to be a good source of energy and protein for carabaos.
Paningbatan said that Region 3 can jump start a commercial production of corn silage due to the strong production of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn in the region. Bt corn accounts for so much of the industry production since 65 percent of all yellow corn produced in the country is in fact Bt corn.
In 2015 alone, some 1.04 million hectares was devoted to Bt corn production. In recent years, there has been a tremendous shift to Bt corn production.
Bt corn is a perfect source of corn silage material, according to Paningbatan. A mature corn stalk usually produces 1 kilogram of corn waste.
“Currently, corn waste is being bought by a handful of corn silage producers. But the strong demand for silage could barely be satisfied,” Paningbatan said, adding that local corn silage producers usually produce the corn feed only for their in-house livestock.
“There are people, those who raise cows, sheep and carabaos, who would like to buy corn silage but there is no supply available,” Paningbatan.
Corn waste fetches some P1 to P1.40 per kilo. This means that a farmer could earn as much as P7, 000 from a hectare of corn waste. But this could triple, if the farmers would process and produce the corn silage themselves.
The DA said that corn silage is preferred specifically when fresh grass is unavailable and hard to come by. The summer and the rainy months in the country are a particular challenge for livestock raisers of cow and sheep.
“There is a very big demand for beef and sheep meat. But local supply could not actually meet local demands for silage,” Paningbatan said, adding that corn silage could in fact boost local livestock production.
Corn silage production as an enterprise
Corn silage from the Philippines has already been exported to South Korea since 2013. Taiwan, for one, uses corn primarily as component for poultry and livestock feeds while Malaysia needs 2.5 million metric tons of corn annually to sustain its local market needs.
Factoring that fact that there are 2.88 million heads of carabao as of July 2017, according to the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, corn silage production can in fact rake in serious revenues for farmers.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology said that a farmer engaged in dairy carabao production needs about 25 to 30 kilograms of feeds in 24 hours for a carabao weighing from 400 to 500 kilogram.
Paningbatan also said that farmers can also venture into small scale livestock production. Each farm could be self-sufficient in a way that farm waste would no longer be discarded but used as feed material for farm livestock.
Paningbatan said that turning farm waste from corn into an enterprise is the best approach to help farmers and at the same time contribute in reducing harmful farming practices.
“The incentive is that farmers can earn more and at the same time they help protect the environment,” Paningbatan said.