Sibalom field day promotes composting

By Arlene Edna V. La Vega
RACG Representative
FITS OPA Antique

To help increase production and income of rice farmers through the use of chemical fertilizers in combination with organic fertilizers and compost from farm and home wastes, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) recently held the Field Day for Modified Rapid Composting (MRC) Technology in Odiong, Sibalom in Antique.

Led by Sibalom LGU and the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, the field day Themed “Rice Composting and Nutrient Recycling: Balik-Pataba sa Bukirin” highlighted the importance of adopting the Modified Rapid Composting Technology Production Farms (MRCTPF).

The field day also sought to showcase the results of the technology demo farms adopting modified rapid composting (MRC) and to promote to farmers how this technology can help increase their production. Some 200 farmers from Odiong and neighboring barangays in Sibalom attended. Apolinario Tagle, a farmer cooperator, shared that practicing the MRC not only decreases fertilizer usage but ensures increased sustainability of farm nutrients thus increased in production.

Present in the event’s opening rites were Antique Governor Salvacion Perez, provincial board members Dante Beriong and Fernando Corvera, Provincial Agriculturist Nicolasito Calawag, DA Soils Laboratory Chief Helen Maquiling, Sibalom ABC President Eric Lotilla, Regional Soils & Water Coordinator Leo Retamar.

Governor Perez urged the farmers to go organic farming because it is good for the health. DA Soils Laboratory Chief Helen Maquiling stressed that the program must be sustained thru the support of the BSWM and OPA. Maquiling said the zero fertilizer must be achieved to preserve the farm nutrients, which are the basic needs of plants.