A SOCIAL enterprise has joined the effort to grow the market for organic fertilizer, particularly a type of nano-fertilizer which will soon be manufactured in the Philippines, as a response to the global shortage of fertilizer that is threatening to dampen global food production.
Ignite Impact Fund Founder Maria Antonia G. Arroyo said in a statement that her organization is pressing for greater adoption of organic fertilizer after the Russian invasion of Ukraine disrupted the global supply of synthetic fertilizer, of which Russia is a major manufacturer.
“We believe that BioPrime is definitely aligned with our mission to help these sectors and bring them out of extreme poverty, which is why their organic fertilizers are such a welcome development,” she said, referring to a US-made fertilizer that claims to increase yields for rice, corn, sugar, coffee, banana, cacao, tobacco, pineapple, vegetables, and tree crops.
“In trials with Philippine Rice Institute, BioPrime has been proven to reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers, which is currently at record high prices, and pesticides, lowering farming costs,” Ignite Impact Fund said.
In mid-March, BioPrime Agri Industries, Inc. announced that it is planning to develop nano-fertilizer facilities in the Philippines, which it plans to use as an export base for the region.
“The production facility will have a targeted capacity of 48 tons per year, employing more than 100 Filipinos in this high-technology agri initiative. Our product provides an avenue for the Philippines to implement an effective balanced fertilization program and planned production volumes can supply more than 3 million hectares of rice lands targeted to produce at least 22.4 million metric tons (MT) of rice per year,” BioPrime Chairman Ben Mead said in a statement.
“Farmers save money because they have less input costs, and they make more money because the yield is improved. It’s just a very exciting development for agriculture in the Philippines,” Mr. Mead said.
“Given that we’ve demonstrated that BioPrime works and it can have a highly significant impact in improving the returns to farmers, now is absolutely the time for the Philippines to embrace this technology,” he added.
BioPrime fertilizer’s components are microbial stimulators, enzymes, and mineral electrolytes that stimulate the microorganisms in the soil.
It claims to restore soil integrity, promotes microorganism activity, and reduces pest pressure. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson