Department of Agriculture (DA) Usec. Leocadio Sebastian defended the initiative to use biofertilizers in the Philippines.
Sebastian insisted on Friday, May 19, that biofertilizer will help improve the quality of the soil through nitrogen fixing, phosphorus solubilization, and decomposition of residues.
"Kailangan na natin talaga. Yung ating lupa ay bugbog na," Sebastian said during DZRH's Magandang Umaga Pilipinas.
Sebastian also clarified that the department pushes for balanced fertilization, or the use of both inorganic and organic fertilizers.
"Kung minsan ay hindi naman sapat yung nitrogen na na-produce, na content ng organic," the DA executive explained
"Kapag panay na inorganic naman tayo ay yung ating lupa ay talagang nahirapan na i-provide yung ibang micro-nutrients," he added.
The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) earlier criticized the issuance of DA memorandum order no. 32, which sets the guidelines for the distribution and use of biofertilizers.
SINAG chairperson Rosendo So fears that the move could lead to another fertilizer scam.
So also questioned the claim that using biofertilizers will result in Php 2,000 per hectare worth of savings.
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'Kailangan na natin talaga' DA exec defends push for biofertilizer use