TABUK CITY, Kalinga – At least eight farmers’ associations (FA) in the city underwent capacity-building on the Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Strategy (ABFS) Project, facilitated through the National Soil Health Program of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), under the Department of Agriculture.
ABFS is a farming method that focuses on the proper combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers improve soil properties, while inorganic fertilizers are the primary source of nutrients for plant growth. The proper use of both helps restore soil health, improve agricultural productivity, and minimize impact on the environment.
The strategy will be conducted through the establishment of 100-hectare technology demonstration farms using the recommended ABFS for corn in selected regions of the country. Mallong Farmers’ Organization of Brgy. Cudal was selected as the first cooperator for ABFS-Corn in the city.
Cudal’s FA will receive hybrid corn seeds, at least 1000 bags of organic fertilizers, and 900 bags of ammonium phosphate, 276 bags of urea, and 300 bags of muriate of potash.
The use of proper combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers addresses concerns on soil fertility and plant nutrition. “Dapat po may pahinga ang ating lupa kasi ang sobrang paggamit ng inorganic fertilizer ay nakakasama,” said Visitacion Castillo, Alternate Focal Soil and Water Access Coordinator of the BSWM.
She also urged farmers to stop the practice of burning crop residues. “Bawal na bawal na po ang pagsusunog. Pera o abono rin po ang inyong sinusunog,” she added.
The capacitation-building activity held on May 7, 2025, marked the first step of the ABFS demonstration. It will be followed by implementation, harvesting, and data evaluation.
According to Castillo, a Technical Briefing on ABFS will also be conducted for Mallong Farmers’ Organization on May 8, 2025.
Meanwhile, Castillo mentioned Brgy. Bulo’s Tanggal Small Impounding Dam Association, Inc., as the city’s first cooperator in 2023 for ABFS-Rice, and their intervention was considered successful, as the barangay was recognized as one of the four nationwide awardees for having the Highest-Yielding ABFS technology demonstration site.
“Yong vice president ng association sa Bulo, sobrang umangat ‘yong yield. Isa siya sa nagpanalo sa association nila,” she said.
“Pag maganda rin po ang epekto ng ABFS-Corn sa Cudal, ikakaunlad din ng bawat farmers ng Tabuk,” Castillo added, highlighting the importance of the success of the strategy to their current cooperator, to secure the continuity of their intervention and will potentially support more farmers in the city. By Rio Bassong
