Organic agri gab tackles vermi, biogas technology
Apparently, despite expertise among organic farmers it seems that they still possess a vision and an insatiable thirst for new knowledge in this noble vocation of farming.
This surfaced during the Organic Agriculture (OA) seminar last Thursday at the Panda Tea and Garden, Dao, this city when the members of the Kapunungan sa Bol-anong Organikong Mag-uuma (KaBoOM), Bohol Native Chicken Growers Association (BONACGA), Provincial Agri-Fishery Council (PAFC), Bohol Association of Natural Livestock Growers (BANaLiG), Gawad Kalinga, and Matabao Organic Farmers Association (MOFA) actively participating the half-day lectures on Vermi Production and Biogas Technology.
Felipe T. Apale, OA, Focal Person, Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) 7 talked about vermi production.
Apale said vermi composting is the process of producing organic fertilizer from biodegradable materials through the action of earthworms (vermin compost). It is an environment-friendly method of recycling organic materials in the farm and household such as plant residues and animal manures.
He emphasized that human waste not to be incorporated in the vermi culture and the vermi compost should not be exposed to sunlight.
Apale introduced different types of vermi beds of which some are expensive and economical such as vermi culture in layered crates, in a drum, in cemented plots, in a pigpen, vermi bin (the most practical), and vermisery.
Apale said vermi compost improves soil textures and enhances water-holding capacity of the soils. It may be low in Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium but it contains essential nutrient (e.g. calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron and zinc) not found in inorganic fertilizers.
Moreover, it has microbial activities that promote plant health and pest/disease resistance. With the abundant source of materials in farm, vermi composting can help protect the environment, promote and sustain soil productivity and generate livelihood opportunities for rural families, Apale added.
Fulgencio Ugay, staff, DA RFO7 delved about Biogas Technology.
Ugay defined biogas as a mixture of gas produced from the degradation of organic waste under anaerobic environment.
He mentioned some bacteria who have the primary role of making biogas such as facultative bacteria which converts cellulose to glucose during the initial decomposition of feeding materials, and obligate bacteria which also known as methane bacteria which is responsible for the final decomposition of feed material converting acetic acid to methane.
Casimero H. Llubit, KaBoOM president said that though organic farmers in the province are few, they have unwavering faith and love for organic agriculture.
Seasoned by long years of practicing organic farming and their palms bear a thick layer of skin beaming the purpose of not only getting money or income but for sustainable agriculture and for the protection of health of the people which whom they believe the greatest legacy they will give to the next generation..
Jun Palingcod of Gawad Kalinga also shared his experiences about organic farming on what he learned outside Bohol.
Llubit, Palingcod, Bernardo Jumo of BANaLiG, Marilou Escalona from BONACGA and Faustino Arias of PAFC thanked the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) for giving them some initiatives for the development of organic agriculture.
Marjo Rey Labonite from the OPA said the PGBh has always supporting any groups that work towards peace and development most especially in the field of agri
culture. (Atoy Cosap)
