SOIL REVITALIZATION. At the Department of Agriculture’s central office in Quezon City, Undersecretary Roger Navarro spoke at the World Soil Day event on December 5, 2024, emphasizing the critical need for soil rejuvenation to increase agricultural productivity. He advocated for the Regenerative and Balanced Fertilization Program to improve soil health across the nation. (Photo by Stephanie Sevillano/PNA)
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has highlighted the pressing need to revitalize the country’s soil to enhance agricultural productivity.
During an impromptu interview at the World Soil Day celebration, DA Undersecretary Roger Navarro emphasized the importance of ongoing support and education for farmers through the Regenerative and Balanced Fertilization Program.
“We must act now; it’s been over a century and we haven’t done enough,” Navarro stated, urging immediate action.
The program aims to assist farmers in managing soil properly, counteracting the decline in soil quality caused by excessive use of inorganic fertilizers.
“The result of this overuse is increased greenhouse gas emissions due to our heavy reliance on inorganic fertilizers,” Navarro explained, noting that about 80% of the country’s land has experienced a decline in productivity.
“We must increase our use of organic fertilizers, soil conditioners, and bio-fertilizers to restore and rejuvenate our soil,” he added.
The Regenerative and Balanced Fertilization Program targets regions such as Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Northern Mindanao, and Soccsksargen.
Navarro also stressed the need for more funding to focus on low-yield areas, including Western Visayas, specifically Iloilo.
The DA plans to expand the program to at least 100 hectares to evaluate its effectiveness on a larger scale, having already implemented it on plots ranging from 500 square meters to one hectare. (PNA)