DAR-ARMM pushes for natural farming system

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=933659
• Sunday, October 23, 2016

(PNA), PGL/NYP/EOF

COTABATO CITY (PNA) -- The agrarian reform department in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is pushing for natural farming system in an effort to encourage the agriculture sector to venture into chemical-free agri products, officials said today.

To capacitate rice farmers, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-ARMM) and the provincial agrarian reform office held a two-day Natural Farming System Training in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao Friday.

The training provided agrarian reform beneficiaries in the province an opportunity to develop their own farming plans.

Before the training proper started, the rationale and objectives of the activity was explained by Rebecca R. Bautista of the DAR-ARMM regional office.

Noemi P. Barretto also of DAR-ARMM, training leader, explained that natural farming system, specifically the ‘EMExtended’ and “Bokashi,” harness natural fertilization to achieve cost-efficient and environment-friendly crop production.

EM stands for Effective Microorganisms as coined and created by Dr. Terou Higa of Japan, Barreto said. On the other hand, "Bokashi" is a Japanese word which means “fermented organic matter,” she added.

Under the EM Extended system, a one-liter bottle of fertilizer contains molasses and three major types of microorganisms such as photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts.

Bokashi composting involves an anaerobic process that relies on inoculated bran to ferment organic material in a tightly closed container.