Friday, May 16, 2008

Entrepreneurial Farmer


Ambrosio R. Villorente

Compost Fertilizer Is Safe And Cheap
Organic farming is fast becoming popular in Aklan. The town of Numancia, Aklan itself has adopted organic farming as its "One Town One Product" (OTOP) project now being assisted by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Some interested persons/families had organized themselves into a Vermicast Multi-purpose cooperative to produce organic compost fertilizer for their own farm use and the surplus for sale. The members are now collecting farm manures, rice straw, garbage and other waste for decomposition and conversion into organic fertilizer.
To enhance decomposition, the members of the cooperative had provided themselves with portable shredder machine manufactured and distributed by E. I. Templonuevo & Associates.
At the moment, burning of rice straw and other farm waste has stopped.
There is now a competition in the collection of horse, carabao and cow manure for sale to cooperative members. It has generated limited employment among Numanciahanons.
In view of organic compost fertilizer production and utilization, fruits and vegetables production in Numancia are becoming organic with products less toxic in high demand. Farmers who are using organic compost fertilizer for rice product, in effect, are reducing their cost of production as they are reducing the use of inorganic or commercial fertilizer.
One bag of 16-20-0 fertilizer now costs P1,750.00 in Kalibo. Moreover, the continued use of inorganic fertilizer will render the farm land barren. On the other hand, the cost of organic compost fertilizer is very cheap. One bag of it costs P350.00. There is no overdose. Since it is rich of organic matter, organic compost fertilizer will maintain the fertility and productivity of the land.

Kakawate Ipil ipil Acacia

Not only from animal and farm waste, organic fertilizer can also be sourced from kakawate, ipil-ipil and acacia trees.
In the study of Dr. Clyde G. Abayon and others at Aklan State University and Capiz State University, they found out that kakawate, ipil ipil and acacia leaves are also excellent sources of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF).
Abayon found that nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) and pH are comparable among LOF prepared with various indigenous materials. At 30 days of decomposition, organic mater and pH contents of the LOF increased. pH refers to the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. Soil is acidic if the pH value of the soil is above 7 and it is alkaline if the soil pH value is below 6.

Strange

I find it strange why the Sangguniang Pan-lalawigan of Aklan is still discussing Resolution No. 2008-33 regarding the application of Petroterminal Corporation to construct, install, operate and maintain petroleum storage facility in Dumaguit, New Washington, Aklan. It was discussed during its 17th regular session on May 15, 2008 for approval.
The said terminal was blessed and inaugurated about two (2) weeks ago. /MP

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