By
Reynaldo E. Andres
Contributor
Batac CITY—The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) is increasing
the production of bio-organic fertilizers to cope with the increasing demand by
farmers in Ilocos Norte and nearby provinces.
Records
showed that from 1,191 bags of organic fertilizer that was produced in 2012 and
sold at P297,750, the production went up to 1,363 bags last year which
generated a substantial income of P340,750. One bag weighs 50 kilos
and its price is pegged at P250. As of June this year, there are now again 687
bags ready for this year’s planting season.
Started
in 2008, the heaping area for active composting and curing process at the back
of the University Library, which is headed by Dr. Floramante Pastor, has
continuously been flooded with rising demand for organic fertilizer from
farmers in the province especially those involved in organic farming for rice,
corn and other high value commercial crops.
Pastor
said the university’s bio-organic fertilizer production project has been
producing high-quality compost for the past seven years and is part of the long
range plan of the university to convert all farm residues that found elsewhere
into organic farm input.
Aside
from the leaves and other farm residues, the university if also producing
vermicast fertilizers from earthworms and is providing free vermiworms to those
who may want to venture into vermiculture project. So far, there were 45 kilos
of earthworms that were given to selected clientele.
The
return of investment of producing organic fertilizer is high, according to Dr.
Pastor, which posted 35.92% last year. This is because the project has only a
break-even yield of 368 bags, which means that it only needs this volume to
recover all the amount spent for a one-year production.
Thus,
for last year’s 1,363 bags of organic fertilizers that were produced, a net
income of about P247,750 was realized from the 995 bags. Also, the break-even
price for one bag is only about P183.
Nutrient
components of the MMSU organic fertilizer is also high according to the
analysis done by the Bureau of Soils and water Management (BSWM). Its nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium components reached 2.15, 3.55, and 1.45 percent,
respectively.
Meanwhile,
there are a lot of advantages in using the MMSU organic fertilizer over the
inorganic. Most of its components contain elements that increase physical and
biological properties in soils, thus, mitigating the risks of
over-fertilization.
Organic
fertilizers also emphasize the role of humus and other organic components of
soil, which are believed to play several important roles such as mobilizing the
existing soil nutrients so that good growth of plants is achieved while
spending less.
On
the other hand, inorganic or chemical fertilizers are only good for the rapid
growth of plants but not for their health. If used in excess, these chemicals
make the soil saline and infertile. Even the chemicals may seep in nearby water
resources and enter the food chain, thus, posing health hazard.
Organic
fertilizers, however, take longer time than inorganic fertilizers in bringing
soil fertility but they are effective for long term basis.
Comments
Post a Comment