The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) through the Agricultural Land Management and Evaluation Division (ALMED), successfully launched its Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Strategy (ABFS) Harvest Festival for Rice, held last November 6, 2024, at Barangay Covered Court of San Vicente East Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. This activity brought together local farmers, officials, and agricultural leaders for a day of celebration and learning.

Together with the Mannalon Ti, and San Vicente East and West Association as host-beneficiaries, the event marked the successful yield from the 50-hectare techno demo site for wet cropping season, with a total of 139 participants. This highlighted the hard work of farmers and the positive impact of community support in agriculture.

One of the festival’s key attractions was the farm tour which showcased a live field harvest on the first plot. The harvest yielded six (6) tons per hectare of fresh ‘palay’, showing the results of ABFS. The event also offered a glimpse into how farmers can improve their productivity through better methods and resources.

In addition, the initiative aimed to provide vital financial help to farmers. By offering support from BSWM, the ABFS program allows farmers to cover their expenses and reinvest in their crops without the added strain of debt. This is essential in providing aid for local farmers to thrive.

As the day wrapped up, there was a sense of optimism and unity – representatives from different local & national government offices, including the Barangay and City Local Government Units, Heads of the City Committee in Agriculture, pledged to provide continuous support not only to ABFS, but all projects of BSWM. The event concluded with the participants having stronger commitment to working together for a more sustainable future.

It was a reminder that, with the right support, agriculture can continue to grow and prosper.

Key Participants:

Hon. Franco San Juan del Prado – Acting City Vice Mayor

Hon. Warren Dela Cruz Andrada – Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Urdaneta, Pangasinan

Hon. Rio R. Esteves – Vice Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,Urdaneta Pangasinan

Mr. Alexander J. Mateo- OIC, City Agriculturist

Ms. Rizalina Delizo – NIA, Representative

Mr. Antonino P. Perez – Brgy. Captain

ABFS Farmers Beneficiaries

BSWM-ALMED ABFS Implementation Team:

Mr. Edgar D. Natividad – BSWM-ABFS Focal, Region 1

Ms. May F. Taladucon

Ms. May Caryl D. Corbito

Mr. Rogerick Asug

Mr. Warren Del Rosario

Ms. Ronalyn V. Castro

Ms. Roxanne P. Rovelo

Mr. Joseph Villanueva (LSD)

(Michaela Encisa, ALMED)

#DA#BSWM#BagongPilipinas#ParaSaMasaganangBagongPilipinas#NSHP#ABFS