The Department of Agriculture (DA) is testing a new, lower-cost fertilizer approach to help rice farmers cope with rising input prices.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. joined over 100 farmers at a harvest festival on April 8 to showcase the pilot project, which covers 10 hectares in one of the country’s top rice-producing provinces.
The program aims to reduce farmers’ reliance on expensive urea, whose prices have surged due to global oil and gas fluctuations and tensions in the Middle East.
Under the new method, farmers use a mix of fertilizers applied at different growth stages. These include ammonium sulfate during seedbed preparation, high-nitrogen fertilizer early on, balanced nutrients for root development, and potassium-rich inputs later to improve grain quality.
A key feature is the use of homemade fish amino acid, an organic supplement applied multiple times throughout the crop cycle. It helps provide nitrogen, improve soil health, and support plant growth.
The DA said the combined use of chemical and organic inputs can lower costs without reducing yields.
Officials added that the pilot is part of a broader push for cost-efficient and climate-resilient farming. If expanded nationwide, the approach could help stabilize farm expenses, improve incomes, and reduce the impact of global price shocks.
Rising fertilizer costs have been worsened by energy supply issues, including disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, which have increased production costs and contributed to higher food prices.
