Subsidy plan sought for organic fertilizers

Organic fertilizer producers are asking the Department of Agriculture (DA) to put in place a subsidy program that will allow farmers to enjoy the advantages of organic farming.

In line with this, Ofermana and the Organic Producers and Trade Association (OPTA) have committed an initial 500,000 bags of commercial organic fertilizer to counter the high cost of chemical inputs.

Rosalina Tan, chairman-emeritus of OPTA and PRO of Ofermana, said their group is asking that the subsidy program be implemented continuously for at least six cropping seasons so farmers can realize the effects of organic fertilizer in their farms.

Industry leaders are also asking Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap to uplift the status of accredited organic fertilizer producers and urged the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) to conduct strict monitoring activities so the industry will not be taken over by fly-by-night operators producing low quality compost.

Tan said the improper use of garbage compost in food pro-duction might contaminate the food chain. She said the only proper way of processing gar-bage is through vermiculture, wherein earthworms will elimi-nate any toxic material that may be present in the waste material.

Recycling wastes into quality organic fertilizer is no easy feat, Tan said, adding that it takes 30 to 60 days to complete the recycling process.

“With the support of the DA, I can see a bright future for our agriculture sector to finally see the solution to soil depletion, high yield, an increased income for farmers as well as pump-prime a sunshine organic fertilizer industry that will generate more jobs and create a clean environment with all the recycling activities,” Tan said.