The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), in partnership with the Ministry of  Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM), conducted various strengthening efforts to enhance soil health through the National Soil Health Program (NSHP) – Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Strategy (ABFS) from February 3 – 6, 2025.

On February 3, 2025, the DA-BSWM representatives led by BSWM Soil and Water Access Team (SWAT) Alternate Leader for BARMM Mr. Michael Alexis T. Nota had a meeting with Mr. Ismael A. Guiamel, Director General for Agriculture Services of MAFAR-BARMM, to discuss the continued implementation of the NSHP-ABFS across key areas in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte. Director General Guiamel emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in ensuring that farmers receive the necessary technical support, proper fertilization guidance, and access to soil analysis services. He stressed that improving soil health and fertilizer application should be complemented by optimized farming processes, from land preparation to post-harvest management, to increase farmers’ income while ensuring sustainable agriculture. Mr. Nota presented the establishment of the 2024 ABFS techno-demo and outlined plans for 2025, including expanding the ABFS technology demonstration to more areas, upgrading the MAFAR Regional Soils Laboratory and deploying a Mobile Soils Laboratory (MSL) to enhance on-site soil analysis and fertilizer recommendations.

On February 4, 2025, more than 100 farmers, local government officials, and representatives from DA-BSWM, MAFAR-BARMM, MAFAR-Maguindanao, and MAFAR-Shariff Saydona Mustapha gathered in Brgy. Datu Bakal to participate in the Farmers’ Field Day for rice production under the ABFS technology demonstration.

The event highlighted sustainable soil management practices, focusing on the balanced application of organic and inorganic fertilizers to improve soil health and increase rice yields. Technical experts from BSWM guided farmers through proper fertilization techniques, ensuring they understood how a balanced combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers through the ABFS protocol and recommendation can enhance soil health and crop yield. 

During the event, Mr. Akmad Budi, Barangay Kagawad of Brgy. Datu Bakal welcomed the guests and participants, emphasizing that this was the first technology demonstration in their barangay, sparking excitement among farmers, especially during harvest season.

Mr. Suharto Sansaluna, a representative from the Local Government of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, thanked DA-BSWM for introducing ABFS to their municipality and pledged support for future agricultural initiatives.

Meanwhile, Adan B. Esmael, Municipal MAFAR Officer, noted that ABFS provided a structured farming strategy that significantly boosted rice harvests, making a positive impact on farmers’ livelihoods.

Several participating farmers shared their experiences, reporting substantial increases in their rice yields after adopting ABFS:

  • Kundiao B. Ampatuan (Brgy. Datu Kilay): “Before, I applied fertilizers without proper guidance. Through ABFS, I learned the importance of ‘EAT’—Element, Amount, and Timing. Now, our rice grains are fuller, and each sack is noticeably heavier.”
  • Madz Kalon (Brgy. Datu Bakal): Increased his harvest from 40 to 81 sacks on a 0.8-hectare farm.
  • Samon E. Gogo (Brgy. Duguengen): Increased his yield from 42 to 87 sacks on a 0.75-hectare farm.
  • Saga Munib (Brgy. Datu Bakal) Shared that with higher yields, they were able to pay off debts from previous farming seasons while securing enough funds for the next cropping cycle.

With 96 farmer-cooperators benefiting from the 100-hectare techno-demo, the Farmers’ Field Day highlighted the importance of adopting science-based soil management practices.

Furthermore, following the success of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, another Farmers’ Field Day was conducted focusing on ABFS for corn production under the ABFS techno-demo. The event was attended by 30 local farmers along with agricultural stakeholders.

The participants were welcomed by Brgy. Captain and ABC President Abdul Moen Ampatuan (Tuayan Mother) and shared his positive observations on the program’s impact on local corn farmers. 

Municipal Councilor Datu Pandag Ampatuan, Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, emphasized the crucial role of government support in providing farmers with science-based technologies and sustainable strategies to improve agricultural productivity. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between DA-BSWM and MAFAR in elevating the status of agriculture in their municipality.

Farmers who participated in the ABFS techno-demo for corn shared their experiences:

  • Janny Ampatuan – Reiterated the ABFS protocol and recommendations, expressing optimism that harvests will increase based on visible improvements in corn growth and grain development.
  • Norman Omar – Noticed a significant improvement in grain quality and weight. His harvest increased from 155 sacks in the previous cropping season to 197 sacks after applying ABFS interventions.

The ABFS techno-demo in Datu Hoffer covered 15 hectares and was implemented by 10 participating farmers during the October 2024 to January 2025 cropping season.

During these Farmers’ Field Day, DA-BSWM, MAFAR-BARMM and MAFAR Maguindanao representatives encouraged the farmers to adopt Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Strategies, stressing that ABFS ensures both improved yields and long-term soil health.

Mr. Saudi D. Mangindra, Assistant Provincial Director of MAFAR-Maguindanao, reaffirmed his support for the National Soil Health Program, emphasizing that ABFS plays a key role in ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture, especially in Maguindanao.

Mr. Paisal Paglala, Chief of Integrated Laboratory Division (MAFAR-BARMM), reiterated the government’s continued commitment to equipping farmers with scientific knowledge, resources, and technology, promoting both productivity and environmental sustainability. “This program is a step forward in making our agricultural sector more resilient,” he stated.

Mr. Michael Alexis T. Nota underscored the importance of proper soil nutrition: “Applying the correct fertilizer, in the right amount, at the right time —plays a crucial role in ensuring long-term farm productivity and restoring soil health.”

Mr. Andrew B. Flores, Team Leader, BSWM Soil and Water Access Team for BARMM, highlighted BSWM’s ongoing efforts to empower farmers through science-based agricultural practices, ensuring that more farmers benefit from ABFS technology across BARMM. He then reaffirmed BSWM’s commitment to providing science-based decision support technologies to farmers, in line with the National Soil Health Programs goal.

With the successful implementation of the Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Strategy in both Shariff Saydona Mustapha and Datu Hoffer, BSWM and MAFAR-BARMM are set to expand technology demonstrations to more areas in BARMM.

The Farmers’ Field Day events were successfully facilitated by BSWM personnel:

  • Farley Conde & Roger Principe (Geomatics and Soil Information Technology Division)
  • Engr. Kristine Castillo & Alwin Rafael (Project Management Office – National Soil Health Program)
  • Ameril Jossein Dawi & Nurul Anna Macapodi (Project Staff Assigned in BARMM)

With the leadership of Director Gina Parde-Nilo and Assistant Director Denise A Solano, the DA-BSWM continues to support BARMM to improve rice and corn yields, long long-term productivity and helps farmers to increase income and food security by expanding the ABFS Areas. With continued collaboration between DA-BSWM, MAFAR-BARMM, local government units, and farmers, the National Soil Health Program is paving the way for a more sustainable future in BARMM’s agriculture. 

#DA #BSWM #MasaganangAgrikultura #MaunladNaEkonomiya #BagongPilipinas #ParaSaMasaganangBagongPilipinas

(Michael Alexis Nota, GSITD)