Stakeholders from the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) of Davao del Norte, Municipal Agricultre Office of Kapalong, and BALMAR Fruits, Vegetables, and Crops Association members graced the Corn Harvest Festival on January 7, 2026, at Kapalong, Davao del Norte. This event was spearheaded by the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) Soil and Water Access Team (SWAT)—Region 11.

The celebration began with a ceremonial harvesting that symbolized the bountiful yield from the 90-hectare Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Strategy (ABFS) Techno Demo, which adopted the combo 2 fertilizer recommendation.

Mr. Ronel Pangantihon, an ABFS beneficiary, said, “Kaniadto ga mais ko ubos gyud akong abot…lahi ra gyud karon nga nasulayan nako ang ABFS ni dako akong abot. Akong area nga 1.1-hectare ni abot ug 8,490 kilos nga uga. Kay gi sunod gyud nako ang advice sa taga BSWM.” (My corn production before was very low, unlike with the ABFS that I yielded high. My 1.1-hectare produced 8,490 kilos of dry kernels. Because I followed the advice of BSWM personnel.)

 “Ang ABFS gwapo nga Programa sa gobyerno…Maong nag pasalamat ako sa Programa sa gobyerno kay atong yuta ni balik sa pagka tambok ug ni taas atong production.” (The ABFS is a good Program of the government. This is why, I am very thankful to this program of the government because our soil has rejuvenated its fertility and increased our production.) Mr. Mayolito Estorio, an ABFS beneficiary, added.

The scaling up of the Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Strategy (ABFS), which promotes the use of organic fertilizer to improve soil health, is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to farming for a higher return on investment without sacrificing the soil’s vigor.