![](https://www.philrice.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_2731.jpg)
The use of Minus-One Element Technique (MOET), a farmer-friendly and quick soil analysis kit, added 20 cavans (62kg/cavan) to the harvest of a farmer in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
Ryan F. Alvar usually harvests 35 cavans (62kg/cavan) from his 0.8-ha field. When he applied his learnings on the use of MOET from the PalaySikatan, a technology demonstration farm established by DA-PhilRice Agusan under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program, his harvest went up to 55 cavans (36%).
“I have been a farmer for a very long time. I was born into a family of farmers but I have only realized now that my practices in terms of fertilizer management need to change. Before, I would automatically apply ammonium in my field whenever I notice problems with my plants,” Alvar said.
While he believed that applying the right type of fertilizer is very important, he had a hard time determining the specific fertilizers he needed to apply in his field.
![](https://www.philrice.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Ryan-Alvar_resized-1.jpg)
With his new learnings, he started using MOET in his field for the 2022 dry season. Based on the MOET app’s recommendations, Alvar used two bags of ammonium phosphate (16-20-0) and one bag of Complete (14-14-14) fertilizer.
“I am grateful that I learned how to use this tool. Now, I will not struggle in determining the fertilizers that my plants need,” he said.
MOET is developed by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice).
The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Seed Program, created under the RA 11203 also known as the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) and implemented by the DA-PhilRice Agusan, pursues to establish more MOET set-ups in other areas of Northern Mindanao, Caraga Region, and Davao Region to further promote cost-reducing and yield-enhancing technologies.