PILI, CAMARINES SUR – To promote sustainable and cost-efficient rice production practices, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 5 (DA RFO 5), through its Rice Program headed by Earl Vincent Vegas, Regional Rice Program Focal Person, conducted the Biofertilizer and Ameliorant Techno Demo Field Day and Distribution of Agri Inputs on May 30, 2025.
The field day was participated by over 200 farmer members from various groups of Farmer Cooperative and Associations (FCAs) from Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Sorsogon; Municipal Agriculturists (MAOs); Rice Technicians; and 19 private agricultural companies specializing in biofertilizer and ameliorant technologies.
The event began with a farm walk in a 4.6-hectare rice field at the Rice Production Area of DA RFO 5 Central Bicol Experiment Station (CBES), allowing participants to observe firsthand the actual performance of 21 biofertilizers and 10 ameliorant products applied to the rice field, and to see their potential impact on soil health and rice productivity. This was followed by a technical briefing, where company representatives introduced and discussed their respective innovations.
During the program, Farmer Regional Executive Director Claudia Esmeralda Honrado highlighted that the activity reflects the Department’s unwavering commitment to exploring new technologies and science-based solutions in agriculture. She emphasized that all efforts being undertaken are geared toward one ultimate goal: helping farmers increase their yield to achieve higher income.
One of the key highlights of the event was the distribution of agricultural inputs under the Rice Program to participating FCAs and rice clusters.
Also present during the event were Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) of Camarines Sur Marcial Bustarga; Alternate Regional Rice Program Focal Person Arra Nicole Cruzat; and National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program Focal Person Marilene Dimaculangan.
This techno demo field day affirms DA Bicol’s continuous efforts to lead innovation in the rice industry particularly in the Bicol region— “Para sa mas masaganang ani, mas mataas na kita.” (Emie Jane B. Malonzo – DA RAFIS 5)
(Photo Credit: R. Adversario, Z. Abogado – DA RAFIS 5)