ATI Learning Site Cooperator Arlene Lopez from Isabela urges more farming communities to adopt the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers in rice farming. (photo by ATI Region 2)
DILIMAN, Quezon City – Serving as a testament to the benefits of integrated nutrient management (INM) system, a woman farmer from Isabela urges more farming communities to adopt the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers.
In the latest episode of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and DZRH’s Agri Asenso, Arlene Lopez of Lopez Integrated Farm in Gamu, Isabela, emphasized the need to go into INM.
“INM is the practice of using a balanced combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers,” she said during the interview with DZRH broadcaster Henry Uri and ATI-OIC Assistant Director Antonieta Arceo.
Lopez explained that farmers need to learn this system “to restore soil fertility, avoid plant nutrient deficiency, and pest infestation in farms.”
She added, “Most of all, INM allows for lower production cost for farmers, especially now that the prices of fertilizers are high.”
When asked on how to employ INM in rice farming, the guest expert shared three considerations. These are the right amount, right element, and right timing, which can be determined based on the soil analysis result and Rice Crop Manager recommendations.
Similarly, the use of some digital agri applications and other farming tools, such as the minus-one element technique (MOET) and Leaf Color Chart (LCC), is necessary.
She also talked about the proportional application of fertilizers, which is 40% organic and 60% synthetic. According to her, organic fertilizers are only applied during land preparation and seed sowing.
In terms of yield and profit, Lopez said that she has experienced a 40-50% increase since she started practicing INM.
Presently, she is actively assisting other farmers in adopting the INM system as a Learning Site for Agriculture cooperator of ATI and a Farm School owner under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.
At the end of the interview, she advised her fellow women farmers to “Manage time wisely, and make farming a leisure to enjoy and not a burden to carry.”
This episode was aired last March 12 at DZRH 666 kHz and livestreamed at the ATI and DZRH Facebook pages.