(File photo) MANILA - Composting and the use of organic fertilizers are better agriculture practices for the protection of the soil, Senator Cynthia Villar said on Monday. Villar pointed out that bad practices reduce nutrients in the soil, resulting in at least 38-percent degradation. In a video message during the 71st anniversary of the Bureau of Soils and Waste Management (BSWM), Villar underscored the need to produce organic fertilizer from agricultural residues like rice straw, corn stover, animal manure, among others, to replace inorganic, synthetic or chemical fertilizers. It is important that the soil be taken care of to have a productive harvest and lower hunger, and food insecurity in the country, she added. "You are one with us in actively promoting organic farming methods, especially producing organic fertilizer," Villar, chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, told the BSWM. Villar said biodegradable items, like kitchen and garden wastes, can be transforme
SEALED. Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Baladna Qatar Public Shareholding Company independent board member Aidan Tynan, and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (from left) sign a deal in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Feb. 11, 2022 for a USD500-million dairy facility. Officials of the Qatar firm will visit the Philippines soon to check the five proposed sites. (Photo courtesy of DA) MANILA - The country is looking at a USD500-million worth of integrated dairy facility after sealing a partnership with Baladna Qatar Public Shareholding Company (QPSC). The project can increase local milk production by 120 million liters from the current 26.71 million liters to address local demand and decrease imports, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday. "The investments will be able to generate 2,000 new jobs during the initial phase of its first full year of operations, providing significant opportunities for domestic employment," Secretary William Dar said in a statement. DA
Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar (File photo) MANILA - The Department of Agriculture (DA) had its share of challenges in 2021, including calamity-related damage and the African swine fever (ASF), but it remained focused on projects that will strengthen food security levels and improve the quality of agricultural produce. Secretary William Dar said the agency will continue to pour in maximum contribution to help in the economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. "The pandemic continues to limit any semblance of normalcy for people already fed up with quarantine lockdowns and mobility restrictions. In agriculture, the African swine fever, the series of calamities, and the global hike in prices of inputs, like corn, soybeans, fertilizer, and petroleum, have aggravated the situation. Our job is far from over," he said in a statement. All DA heads of office have been directed to realign unutilized 2021 funds toward priority focus areas, as well as in the rehabilit
Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar (File photo) MANILA - The Department of Agriculture (DA) had its share of challenges in 2021, including calamity-related damage and the African swine fever (ASF), but it remained focused on projects that will strengthen food security levels and improve the quality of agricultural produce. Secretary William Dar said the agency will continue to pour in maximum contribution to help in the economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. "The pandemic continues to limit any semblance of normalcy for people already fed up with quarantine lockdowns and mobility restrictions. In agriculture, the African swine fever, the series of calamities, and the global hike in prices of inputs, like corn, soybeans, fertilizer, and petroleum, have aggravated the situation. Our job is far from over," he said in a statement. All DA heads of office have been directed to realign unutilized 2021 funds toward priority focus areas, as well as in the rehabilit
Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar (PNA photo by Che Palicte) PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte - The Department of Agriculture (DA) has pushed for a PHP40-billion additional budget for next year to jumpstart and unleash the potential of the sector especially during the time of the pandemic. The DA is seeking more funds after its proposed budget for 2022 was reduced to PHP91 billion from P231 billion. "That's a basic minimum. We can do a lot (projects and programs) if the budget is higher. If they add another PHP40 billion, we will be more than happy," DA Secretary William Dar said in a press briefing here Saturday. The budget, however, is still 1 percent higher than the department's 2021 budget of PHP90.06 billion, he said. Meanwhile, Dar cited measures to be taken to arrest the rising prices of fertilizer and farm inputs which are being asked by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. "I just want to stress that this is a global phenomenon. All over the world, the