Local government units (LGUs) in Ilocos Sur and La Union are reinforcing their support for the Minus-One Element Technique (MOET)-based fertilizer recommendations to help rice farmers achieve higher yields while reducing production costs.
By using fertilizers tailored to soil texture and nutrient deficiencies, farmers can optimize their resources effectively. Santa and Tagudin in Ilocos Sur, along with Sto. Tomas in La Union, have passed resolutions endorsing these fertilizer guidelines.
Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, has also enacted a no-burning ordinance for rice straw, promoting its use as organic fertilizer.
Eugene B. Borje, chair of the Agriculture Committee in Santa, Ilocos Sur, emphasized that the resolution will guide the Municipal Agriculture Office in promoting MOET-generated recommendations to local farmers. These guidelines are also influencing fertilizer procurement in Candon and Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, and Bacnotan, La Union.
To raise awareness, the municipalities of Bantay, Quirino, San Juan, and Sta. Cruz in Ilocos Sur, along with Tubao and Caba in La Union, have held briefings for farmers. MOET recommendations, derived from soil samples collected by the RCEF Seed Program, address specific nutrient deficiencies.
Bethzaida M. Catudan, RCEF Coordinator of DA-PhilRice Batac, noted that the project aims to increase yields and cut fertilizer costs through balanced fertilization, also known as the Right EAT method (Element, Amount, Timing).
The RCEF-Seed Program, a component of Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law, allocates P10 billion annually to support rice farmers. Sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Villar, the six-year initiative is designed to improve farmers’ competitiveness, with PhilRice leading its implementation in partnership with LGUs and lawmakers.
