27 LGUs in Bohol and 82 FCAs in the region soon to operate composting facilities for biodegradable waste--eyed to solve various environmental concerns

Some 27 local government units in the province of Bohol and 82 eligible farmer- organizations and cooperatives in Central Visayas will be operating a composting facility for biodegradable wastes from farms, markets, and households. In the recently conducted training for the operation of the said facility at a hotel in Tagbilaran City, Aurea Madrio, Bohol Agricultural Production Coordinating Officer, cited the importance of proper implementation as a significant aspect to produce quality organic fertilizers.

Madrio added that the spike in prices of inorganic fertilizers is a major concern of the agriculture sector and that the operationalization of the composting facility is a positive development that could help the farmers cut down the cost of fertilizers by producing their organic fertilizers.

It is noted that the 27 LGUs in Bohol, will be operating their respective facilities after the said training with the facilities already established last year. The municipalities of Sevilla, Garcia Hernandez, Candijay, Mabini, and Dimiao, are among the recipients of the said project.

According to the United Nations Environment Program, organic wastes are suitable for composting for the production of fertilizer, as opposed to outdoor decay of biogenic matter which contributes about 5 percent of global greenhouse emissions annually.

Cecille Opada, a representative for the rice program in Bohol, said that the region is eyeing to distribute 82 of the same facilities to farmers' organizations and cooperatives this year, provided they qualify the requirements stipulated in the guidelines of the said project.
Opada said that the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 7 (DA-RFO7) rice, organic, and high-value crops programs are allocating 70, 7, and 5 units, respectively.

Scouting and validation of the recipients will be in coordination with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, while preparation of documentary requirements will be facilitated by the Provincial Agriculture Office.