Farmers in Banate, Iloilo, train on organic fertilizer, botanical pesticide preparation

To strengthen the promotion of sustainable and climate-resilient rice production practices in Banate, Iloilo, rice farmers from various organizations underwent training on Organic Fertilizer and Botanical Pesticide Preparation on October 28-29, 2025, in Brgy. Bariga. The training is part of the ongoing implementation of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) by the Department of Agriculture of Agriculture in Western Visayas, as part of its initiatives in organic agriculture.

The two-day activity aimed to enhance the technical knowledge and practical skills of farmer cooperators in organic farming practices that support soil health restoration and reduce dependence on chemical inputs.

DA Western Visayas’ Organic Agriculture Program Agriculturist I Anthony Faulan discussed the overview of organic agriculture, vermicompost production and utilization, and bokashi, a composting process that transforms organic waste into a soil amendment, enriching nutrients and improving soil structure.

The activity was participated in by various farmer associations in Banate, including the Merced Farmers Association, Bariga Magdalo Farmers Association, Abante Banate AMIA Village Farmers Association, Masipag dela Paz Irrigators Association, Libertad Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and Merced Carmelo Irrigators Association.

Aside from the lectures, the participants engaged in a hands-on demonstration on preparing organic concoctions made from bananas and molasses, as well as on the proper production of bokashi fertilizer. The practical sessions provided farmers with step-by-step guidance on producing and applying these organic inputs on their farms.

Ian Calibara, Agriculturist II of the DA Western Visayas’ Rice Program, emphasized that the training is part of the agency‘s broader SRI initiative, which advocates the use of organic and sustainable approaches in rice cultivation.

“DA supports not only training but also provides several inputs. So I hope that this intervention continues,” he said, stressing that proper implementation of such activity can significantly benefit the farmers and improve their productivity.

Farmer participants expressed their appreciation for the initiative, noting its practical benefits and potential for reducing farming costs. Arthur Vargas Jr., President of Abante Banate AMIA Village Farmers Association, shared that the training provided valuable insights into cost-effective and environmentally friendly farming methods.

“Dako mabulig sini kay kung organic farming ipractice mo, waay sang hilo ang gina kaon mo, wala sang kemikal. Kag kung inputs mo sa pagpanguma gamay lang, makapahagan-hagan gid sang gastos,” Vargas said, adding that organic farming not only minimizes chemical use but also enhances soil fertility and pest resistance.

Through activities like this, DA Western Visayas continues to empower local farmers to adopt sustainable, organic, and climate-resilient farming practices that contribute to food security and environmental preservation in the region.### Text and Photos by Je Erryl Shayne Esmao/DA-RAFIS 6