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BFS is a science-based farming method which focuses on the use of cost-efficient and proper combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers to sustain increase in rice productivity.

BFS addresses concerns on soil fertility and plant nutrition to reduce production cost, increase yields and maintain healthy soils.

The proper application of the right element and right element amount of fertilizers and right timing can save on fertilizers costs and greatly improve nutrient use efficiency.

  • Proclamation No. 1071 series of 1997 (Pres. Fidel Ramos) “Adoption of the Balanced Fertilization Strategy under the Gintong Ani Program of the Department of Agriculture.”
  • DA Memorandum Circular No. 20 Series of 2020 “Adoption of Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Management to Enhance Crop Productivity and Increase Income of Rice Farmers.”
  • DA Memorandum Order No. 74 Series of 2021 “Sustaining farm productivity, scaling balanced fertilization using fertilizer more effectively, applying cost-reducing practices and diversifying to increase income.”
  • DA Memorandum dated March 14, 2022: Scaling-up of the Balanced Rice Fertilization to Mitigate the Impacts of Rising Fertilizer Cost through Information Campaigns and Technology Demonstration.

1. The combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer can greatly reduce production cost through nutrient recycling and reducing application of inorganic fertilizer.

2. The use of organic fertilizer can improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil while the inorganic fertilizer serves as the primary source of nutrients for plant growth.

3. The combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizer can restore soil health, increase agricultural productivity, cost-efficient while minimizing impact to the environment.

1. Serve as Chairperson of the Nutrient Management Campaign's Technical Working Committee (TWG);

2.Conduct needed analysis in collaboration with ATI, LGUs, and partners;

3. Plan, implement, and allocate funds for the conduct of technology demonstrations;

4. Organize, promote, and implement the project with partners;

5. Provide Subject Matter Specialists (SMS), when necessary;

6. Collate, process, and respond to feedback and queries from farmers;

7. Conduct and package the results of the impact evaluation research of the Nutrient Management Campaign in collaboration with DA-AFID and DA Regional Offices (RFOS):

8. Allocate funds for the production of campaign materials.

1. Allocate a hectare of rice area for the techno-demo for two seasons in area where there is no RCEF Palaysikatan/MOET site;

2. Allocate funds in the establishment of technology demonstration;

3. Allocate funds for the needed inputs and labor based on the detailed budget breakdown and keep all receipts corresponding to payments made related to techno-demo implementation;

4. Establish the techno-demo based on the approved protocol of BSWM, in coordination with the municipal, provincial/city LGUs;

5. Secure the techno-demo from intrusion, theft, damage, and pilferage;

6. Assist BSWM, PhilRice, ATI, and AFID in the gathering of data and other relevant information and in the monitoring/ implementation of the techno-demo:

7. Involve AFID units of the Regional Office in the planning and implementation of the campaign, including the localization of information material;

8. Submit Liquidation Report to the BSWM; and

9. Mobilize farmers to participate in the campaign.

Provide support in the activities of NSHP BFS Technology Demonstration such as;

a. Creates BFS Focal or teams for the Region and submit names to the BSWM for the creation of Special Order.

b. Provide a venue for one day technical briefing/orientation for DA Officials and LGUs.

c. Assists in the venue selection and negotiation to LGU for the capacity building of farmer beneficiaries (SWISA)-one day.

d. Assists in the procurement of catering services to be served during the Capacity Building and Field Day.

e. Assists in the delivery and inspection of all agricultural supplies.

f. Assists in the establishment, monitoring and data gathering of BFS TD.

g. In the absence of BSWM staff, conduct visits to the TD site and implement activities, if necessary.

h. Travel expenses of DA-RFO staff shall be charged against their agency fund.

Other BSWM/NSHP activities that need DA-RFO's support

1. Regional Soil Laboratories (RSLs)

2. Establishment of National Soil Data Banking System (BSWM-DA-RSLs).

3. CFBW related activities.

All regions in the country (Regions I-XIII, CAR and BARMM) are included in the BFS Program.
The parcellary map of the 100ha will be the basis of farm selection. Those farms near the irrigation system (with water supply) will be prioritized. Explain thoroughly to farmers (by conducting a briefing) about the issue on water supply during the dry season to avoid miscommunication between the BFS Implementation Team and the farmers.

It is also very important to check if the water supply can sustain the 67ha during the dry season and plan well the distribution in the area .

Those farmers who will not be able to join during the dry season can opt to plant another crop (crop diversification) to prevent the land from becoming idle.

For BFS Recommendation, add at least 5 tons of rice straw. If the supply of rice straw is insufficient, add other nutrient sources which can be recycled (manure, organic fertilizers, agricultural waste) before or during land preparation.
Perform immediate coordination with the concerned regions and explain the problem encountered during the procurement of agricultural supplies. Get the opinion of the beneficiaries if they are willing to adjust their scheduled field operations and wait for the delivery of inputs or they will proceed to their scheduled operations and participate in the next season (dry season) instead.

In case of 2 failed biddings, the BSWM will shift to Small Value Procurement in the respective region.

Get only 1 kilo then give the remaining harvest to the farmers/ beneficiaries.
The BFS recommendation for the dry season has higher nutrient inputs and is suitable for hybrid seeds. The Combo 2 is also suitable for hybrid seeds. Experts from PhilRice, Regional Directors and Assistant Directors were present during the technical workshop for the development of BFS Protocol. We have also conducted trials on the use of Combo 2 in some regions and the target yield was attained.

Record any observation such as yellowing during monitoring. It will help us refine our protocol in the future. We should also check if the observed yellowing is due to nutrient deficiency or caused by pests. Through this BFS implementation, we can gather all data from all regions so that we can come up with more site-specific recommendations. eg. What BFS combo is more suitable in what areas; in what regions hybrid seeds are not applicable and/or in what type of soil, etc.

To add keywords in the presentation for use during the lecture at the Regions (RFOs, MAOs, PAOs, technicians)

To prepare a tagalog powerpoint presentation for farmers which focuses on BFS Protocol and recommendations (Combo 2, 3, 4).

To have a meeting re the preparation of a detailed workplan and discuss all related activities re the implementation of the program.

•List of Identified Beneficiaries

•Soil Health Card

•Agro-Socio Economic Survey

•Post-harvest Data Sheet (tiller count, biomass, crop cut yield, crop cut yield at 14% MC and actual yield)

•Protocol for all data to be gathered

•Protocol for soil sample collection ( stratified-composite soil sampling)

- Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM)

- Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)

- Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)

- DA-Regional Field Offices (DA-RFOs)

- Regional Soil Laboratories (RSLs)

- DA-AFID

- SWISA

- Other Stakeholders (LGUs, NGOs, Farmers Association, Local Institutions among others).

The implementation team will provide the protocol and monitoring forms for all data to be gathered. The Regional Focal/implementation team will perform the data gathering and soil sample collection.
A brochure & a video demonstrating how to use & apply the biofertilizers will be provided.
The use of inbred seeds for both seasons is the initial BFS recommendation. However, the DA recommended the use of hybrid seeds during the dry season, so we opted to follow their recommendation. But in the case of Regions 9 and 12 where the use of hybrid seeds is not applicable, we cannot impose the use of hybrid seeds. Since we are following the DA recommendation in majority of areas, I believe we will not be questioned with the use of inbred-inbred in some regions.
Teach the beneficiaries to get their parcel's coordinate (centroid). We can also include the total area of every parcel. Coordinate with the president of cooperators re list of their farmer beneficiaries to get information of their area.
The Regional Focal/ BFS Implementation Team will assist the beneficiary in filling-out the Soil Health Card. The personal identifier part and farm coordinates will be provided by the beneficiary. Upon completion, submit the SHC to the Regional Soil Laboratory together with the collected soil samples and plant tissues. The remaining portion will be filled out by the respective RSL.
No. They have to strictly follow the prescribed protocol assigned in the TD area. Modifications can only be done in areas not included in the BFS TD. The use of additional organic inputs such as green manure and manure/compost, agricultural wastes are allowed only before or during land preparation and all additional inputs should also be recorded.
No. The BFS Recommendation during wet season is Combo 2 and Combo 4 while the BFS Recommendation during dry season is Combo 3 and Combo 4. A higher combo recommendation is assigned during the dry season because it is expected to have better harvest due to lesser environmental constraints such as typhoons.
BSWM will only provide the seeds and fertilizers. The farmers will shoulder the cost of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, etc.

The implementation team should encourage farmers to avail of crop insurance (eg. Phil Crop Insurance Corp.) to protect the beneficiaries from losses due to natural disasters, pests and diseases.

The different rice varieties have their own potential yield. Having different seed varieties will not be a problem since we will check if the BFS recommendation can attain the potential yield of each variety. Also, we will be able to see the response of BFS recommendations in different varieties
Several trials were conducted in different regions. The yields obtained were more than the targets.
The recommended rate to treat Zinc deficiency ranges from 10-25 kgs/ha, whereas the 1-2 kg Zinc Sulfate to be applied in ABFS is solely for the immediate Zn needed by the rice. It was also suggested to check the drainage condition of the TD areas.
Use Combo 2 instead of Combo 3 for regions that will use inbred seeds for the dry season. If water supply is available and enough for the dry season, you can proceed to 100ha instead of 67ha.
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ADAPTIVE BALANCED FERTILIZATION STRATEGY

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