As prices of inorganic or chemical fertilizer soar sky high beyond the reach of ordinary Filipino farmers, the best option left for government now is to boost the production of natural fertilizers, especially seaweeds.
There are commercial seaweed-based fertilizers in the market now, one of the most popular is AMO produced by a group led by former Congressman Eric Acuña of Pangasinan.
A deeper research into the development of the Seaweed-based fertilizer, however, needs to be funded and supported by government to avoid a slump in our crop production, especially rice as prices of fertilizers increase two-fold, from P900 per bag to over P2,000 now.
Government must now work on the establishment of Village-Level Processing Facilities to turn Mindanao’s Seaweed Industry into a major source of Organic Fertilizer and poultry and livestock additive.
This program will add value to the seaweeds produced by poor fisherfolks which currently are bought from as high as P15 to as low as P5 per kilo.
In the Philippines, Seaweeds have mainly been used for Carrageenan production, the price of which is dependent on world market dictates.
Seaweeds-based Organic Fertilizer has been found to increase rice, vegetable and fruit production by huge amounts while at the same time protecting the natural nutritional balance of the soil.
A research conducted by the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), showed that “fertilizer derived from the drippings of Kappaphycus alvarezii, a species of red alga, which is 100% organic, has proven to increase the yield of rice, baby corn, soybean, mungbean, sweet pepper, cauliflower, mango, pechay, and orchid.”
The report which quoted Graciella Caballero of SPAMAST said that “A kilo of Kappaphycus seaweed can yield up to 650ml liquid fertilizer. It contains nutrients that contribute to soil fertility, including nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, iron and manganese.”
“Drippings of the Kappaphycus seaweed contain nutrients that contribute to soil fertility, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, iron, and manganese. Foliar fertilizers are directly applied on the plant’s leaves, which absorb nutrients through its stomata and epidermis.
“With a kilo of seaweed, a large plastic bag, and direct sunlight, a fisherfolk can generate 650ml of liquid fertilizer, which can be sold for P75 a liter,” Caballero added.
The use of seaweeds as animal feeds is not new as this was done centuries ago in Ancient Greece and the Icelandic Region where forage was scarce during the winter season, according to literatures on Seaweeds uses.
The aim of the program is to capacitate seaweeds-growing communities to process their produce into high-value commodities like Foliar Fertilizer, Animal Feed Additives and Pro-Biotics.
Using the Complete Value Chain Principle, Mindanao’s Seaweeds Industry could lift many fisherfolk families out of poverty and trigger the growth of the region’s economy.
It could also prove to be the best option for our farmers as prices of inorganic fertilizer now make rice, corn and vegetable production a losing endeavour.
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#SailingTheSeasToDiscover!
#NecessityMotherOfInvention!
(This file video was taken in Olutanga island, Zamboanga Sibugay early this year by the media team of the Mindanao Development Authority.)
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