by Brian Rey L. Oliveros
Faking and adulteration of fertilizers is a rampant problem in Mindanao. Government and private stakeholders have made steps to solve this problem, which is slowly inflicting damage to the farming sector in the island. Atlas Fertilizer Corporation has conducted technical seminars and briefings to distributors, dealers and farmers to inform them how to detect the fake fertilizers and avoid buying them.
One of the disadvantages of the traditional method of conducting technical seminars and farmers’ meeting is that only a few farmers can reached in a given period of time. The Mindanao district of AFC, headed by District Manager Eduardo C. Valde, decided to stepped up the campaign against faking and adulteration of fertilizers in Mindanao by launching a 30-minute radio block program and radio spot over different radio stations in Bukidnon, Butuan, Tagum, and Koronadal.
A 45-seconds radio spot ad was also aired that contains dialogue about the appearance of genuine 14-14-14 and 16-20-0 fertilizers since these traditional fertilizer grades are commonly faked or adulterated. It also promotes the use of non-traditional fertilizer grades of AFC like Hi-Yield Gro (17-7-17), USP (20-10-0), Topdress (17-0-17) and Best Gro (12-12-12+3MgO) for specific crops like rice and hybrid corn.
Radio block program Maayong Buntag Mag-Uuma (Good Morning Farmers), airs every Saturday morning 5:00 am- 5:30 am broadcasted by the respective Area managers in tandem with the Technical Manager or the District Manager. The program talks mainly on the campaign against faking and adulteration of fertilizers as well as providing information and awareness to the farmers on how to detect fake fertilizers; giving technical know-how about SSNM (Site-Specific Nutrient Management) principles; AFC package of technology on rice, corn, etc. ; and promotes other non-traditional grades of AFC. There were also episodes that the group invited big land owners or BLOs that are ATLAS users and Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) personnel in the province to provide awareness on the policies, rules and regulations that the FPA imposed.
The radio campaign was started last year and it was observed that more and more farmers are now aware and vigilant on the fertilizers they buy from the agri-supply outlets. Currently, the Mindanao district team is continuing the implementation of the program to give constant service and learning to our beloved farmers all over Mindanao.
