Orani vegetable farmers increase yield thru EM-based crop production

ORANI, Bataan – Orani vegetable farmers have adopted effective microorganisms-based crop production increasing their yield thru trainings from Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU). 

Dr. Rina Paguia, BPSU assistant professor and project leader, said they conducted season long Farmers Field School (FFS) on EM-based solanecous crop production for 16 weeks participated by 30 vegetable farmer-cooperators from Orani. The farmers were trained to make organic fertilizer and pesticide using effective microorganism.                         

Sol Rosano, project support staff, said the EM technology was developed by Professor Teruo Higa of the University of Ryukus, Okinawa, Japan.

Paguia said the farms of the participants yielded more. The farmers are producing eggplant, tomato, and pepper. “The farmer-cooperators found out that using EM-based organic fertilizer and pesticide, their yields increase while input expenses lessen”, she said.

In the conduct of the season long FFS, the Orani vegetable farmer-cooperators underwent orientations, and actual trainings for the making and application of EM-based organic fertilizer and pesticide for 16 Fridays.  

Paguia said they will conduct another season long FFS with the original 30 Orani farmer-cooperators to extend the technology to other vegetable growers in the area.