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The Department of Agriculture (DA) – Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) turned-over 20 units of Composting Facility for Biodegradable Wastes (CFBW) on March 25 at the Naliyagan Grounds, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
The recipients of the CFBW included Farmers Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs), Learning Sites, and Barangay Local Government Units from the province of Agusan del Sur. Of the 20 recipients, 10 are from Bayugan City, three from Bunawan, two from Esperanza, two from San Francisco, Rosario, and one each from the municipalities of Sibagat, Rosario, and Trento.
The 20 units of composting facility amounted to P19 million and is funded by the DA – Masagana Rice Industry Development Program with the DA-BSWM as program implementer in coordination with the Local Government Units.
Each CFBW has five components which include one-unit rotary composter, one unit shredding machine, one unit compost presser, one unit compost brewer, and one unit compost sieving machine.
The provision of the CFBW is in line with the priority thrust of the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) and complements and supports DA plans and programs to increase crop productivity through sustainable agriculture.
DA Caraga Regional Technical Director Rebecca R. Atega said that composting is aimed at reducing wastes, promoting organic farming, and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Moreover, Jodie Rico, Head of the Property Management Unit of the BSWM, said that composting will enhance the quality of the soil or farmland. The composting facility will help to accelerate the production of organic fertilizer through conversion of biodegradable wastes.
On the other hand, one of the recipients, Charlito F. Bagasbas, the Farm Manager of ZEKAI Agricultural Farm, a learning site in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, said that the composting facility will be a big help to them. “With this composting facility, we can now make our own organic fertilizers and save up on our expenses, so we are thankful to the DA-BSWM for this intervention,”Bagasbas said.
After the turn-over ceremony, training on the operation of the facility for the beneficiaries was also conducted. The training aims to ensure that the beneficiaries of the facility are equipped with the knowledge and skills on the use and operation of the facility so that it can be put to good use and will serve its purpose. (VPSanchez, DA-Caraga RAFIS)
