By By Julio P. Yap Jr.
Different people with different professions in the country have started to venture in agriculture. After all, the Philippines is an agricultural country and there is so much to tap to boost the local agricultural sector.
Most of those we have encountered who shifted from their profession as engineers to venture in farming have already succeeded, probably because they have an open mind to apply modern approaches or farming technologies.
In fact, a civil engineer from a highland town in Bukidnon has already prospered in farming by using the right inputs and believing in his instincts.
One particular engineer who tried using the proper input is from a town in Nueva Ecija who managed to increase his harvest.
According to Engineer Jose Mateo of Barangay Bunol in Guimba town, Nueva Ecija, he was able to increase his yield by around 30 percent by applying Amino Plus Foliar Fertilizer (APFF) in his rice farm which measures four hectares.
Mateo says he was able to harvest at least 12 metric tons (MT) per hectare during the last harvest season after mixing Amino Plus Foliar Fertilizer with inorganic fertilizers on the hybrid SL-7 rice variety.
This amounts to around 30 percent more from his previous harvest of just eight metric tons per hectare.
Mateo says he realized the potential of the APFF in raising his yield mainly due to the improvement in his rice plantation.
He particularly cited the revitalized roots of his plants after applying the input together with the traditional fertilizers he has been using before.
He says more farmers should be encouraged to try using APFF mixed with their traditional farming practices in order to increase their yield.
This is because APFF is made from fish, and contains different compounds which promote plant growth.
It does not contain toxic or carcinogenic materials, thus a good source of fertilizer.
Unlike other fertilizers derived from fish or other natural sources, APFF does not involve heating. Fish is liquefied at low temperature which prevents denaturation of proteins and retains valuable amino acids, vitamins, and natural oils.
It makes use of natural enzyme from fish to produce essential amino acids and fatty acids that are easily absorbed by plants.
APFF does not use harmful preservatives and makes use of organic acids produced by lactic acid bacteria (lactobacillus p.) for preservation.
Mateo also noted that APFF increased the tolerance of his rice plants to disease-causing microorganisms. Thus, he was able to save on the purchase of additional inputs.
Because APFF contains effective microorganisms consisting mostly of lactic acid bacteria, nitrogen fixing bacteria and yeast that act as bio-fertilizers for plants.
After all, fish contains compounds for promoting plant growth and does not contain toxic or carcinogenic materials making it a valuable resource for bio-fertilization.
They give long-term beneficial effects on the physical, chemical and biological aspects of the soil.
The improvement on the yield of Mateo can be attributed to the use of hybrid rice seeds and the right inputs which he used.
He says the use of high yielding rice varieties, technical support from qualified farm technicians, and the proper choice of inputs like the APFF resulted in the increase of his harvest.
Mateo says choosing the rice variety to plant, and applying the right inputs is crucial to attain the desired output.
He also reminded other farmers that cultural management strategies must be observed, and the land should be well-prepared before planting the crops of their choice.
Incidentally, APFF is certified as organic by the Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP), and was found to effectively adhere to the plant’s surface.
APFF also provides quick supplementation which increases the yield and growth of the plants, while increasing the crop’s resistance against drought that is being experienced in many parts of the country due to climate change.
APFF is manufactured in the country by Global Green Organic Fertilizer, Inc., which is located in Riverside Canduman, Mandaue City, Cebu.
The company vows to constantly produce and innovate more products from valuable natural sources to promote plant and animal growth, and eventually help propel the country’s agricultural sector.
For more information about APFF, visit Global Green.
This appeared in Agriculture Monthly’s September 2018 issue.Â
