82 Farmer Cooperators in Tapaz, Capiz briefed on Adaptive Balance Fertilization

A total of 82 farmer cooperators participated in the Technical Briefing and Capacity Building for Stakeholders and Farmer Cooperators under the Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Strategy (ABFS) for Corn, held on May 7, 2025, at the Tapaz Civic Center, Poblacion Tapaz, Capiz.

The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), the lead agency implementing the National Soil Health Program (NSHP), organized the activity which sought to raise awareness on the ABFS technology and how it can enhance crop productivity, improve soil fertility and health, and promote efficient fertilizer use among corn farmers.

Karen S. Bautista, Division Chief of the BSWM Soil and Water Resources Research Division and Soil and Water Area Coordinator for Region 6, highlighted that the ABFS Corn Project is anchored on integrated nutrient management. Its primary goals include improving soil health, increasing farm income by reducing production costs, and boosting crop yield.

She also outlined the key roles of the bureau under the NHSP–Accelerating Balanced Fertilization Strategy initiative. These responsibilities include conducting technical briefings and orientations to ensure adherence to the ABFS protocol, as well as providing seeds and fertilizers aligned with ABFS recommendations.

BSWM is also tasked with carrying out agro-socio-economic surveys to establish baseline data, conducting regular monitoring and data collection in techno-demo sites, and consolidating demonstration results to provide policy inputs to the DA. Also, the bureau is responsible for preparing reports and other necessary documentation for submission to the DA and relevant stakeholders.

The training also included discussion on pest and disease management n corn production, led by Cherry Tayson, chief of the DA Western Visayas Regional Crop Protection Center.

Renan Palomo, DA Western Visayas’ Corn Program Coordinator, thanked the participating farmer cooperators for their active involvement. He encouraged them to keep an open mind and embrace new technologies like ABFS to attain better production and yield in corn.

“Let us embrace and try the technology showcased, especially the improved fertilizer application methods,” Palomo said, assuring farmers of continued support throughout the project’s implementation. ### Text and Photos by Je Erryl Shayne Esmao/DA-RAFIS