Organic Fertilizers from Farm Waste Adopted by Farmers in the Philippines

Rodel G. Maghirang
Institute of Plant Breeding-Crop Science Cluster,
College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Baños,
College, Laguna 4031, 2011-07-13
Abstract
The Philippines' Department of Agriculture has been promoting the production of High Value
Crops (HVCs) in order for farmers to earn higher income. Instead of using inorganic
fertilizers, however, vegetable and fruit growers had been taught to use indigenous
microorganisms (IMO) and fermented farm products as part of a nutrient management
component based on the Korean Natural Farming (KNF). This is a system of farming which
has been practiced in over 30 countries. This paper discusses the methods of preparing the
common fermented farm inputs, particularly the Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) and the
Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ). It likewise examines the variations in materials and processes
and how these organic fertilizers from farm wastes are used in different areas in the
Philippines.
Introduction

The Oil Crisis of 2008 created a big stir in the agriculture sector mainly due to the escalating
prices of inorganic fertilizers. With prices of fertilizers tripled, farmers were forced to look
for alternative sources (as always) of nutrients in which the Department of Agriculture (DA),
through the bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) responded with the Project on
Rapid Composting as a part of the DA's National Organic Agriculture Program addressed
mainly to rice farmers. The project involves training and provision of shredders to capacitate
farmers to produce their own organic fertilizers

The High Value Crops (HVCs) sector however, has been taking a slightly different tact.
Vegetable and fruit growers had been using indigenous micro organisms (IMO) and
fermented farm products as a part of Nutrient Management based on Korean Natural
Farming (KNF) through the assistance of NGOs and SCUs in various training and extension
programs.

"Korean Natural Farming" is a system of farming being practiced in over 30 countries. The
basic premise in KNF is that farmers can generate most, if not all, of the necessary inputs to
food production onsite. It is also the premise in the Philippine National Standard for Organic
Agriculture. KNF is a holistic approach to farming that utilizes the nature's powers for
maximum performance rather than human intervention. "Natural materials instead of
chemicals as its unique inputs. Materials are locally available and cheap, and the farming
inputs are made by the farmers instead of being purchased from the market; thus lowering
cost for the farmers and converting waste into resources. Being "farmer-friendly," it is also
being used as a tool to improve the living of the poor farmers in the third world." (Cho Han
Kyu President of Janong Natural Farming Institute March, 2004).

He attributed Natural Farming to three formless teachers and three human teachers. The
three formless are God, Nature, and conscience. As now being regarded by many, the gains
from `Green Revolution' is instant but the outcome is short term. We are now seeing the
adverse effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides not only on the soil that becomes acidic
and low in organic matter, ground water contamination, adverse health effects but also on
social and economic decay the latter due to the concentration of wealth on a few big
companies.

In contrast, Natural Farming is a sustainable way of farming making use of all inputs from
natural materials, observes the law of Nature and respects the rights of crops and livestock.
It heals the soil damaged by chemicals, herbicide and machines. In the words of the farmer
practitioners… "The soil becomes virgin again". And " With chemical agriculture they get sick
before harvesting the rice paddies, now not anymore".

Common Fermented Farm Inputs

Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ)

Fermented plant juice (FPJ) or Bless Green Soup or Tenkei Ryokujyu is made by fermenting
plant parts in brown sugar. Sprouts and baby fruits with high hormone concentration, full
grown fruits, flower abundant in honey, and any plant with strong vigor are good
ingredients. ( http://www.janonglove.com/janong/bbs/board.php?bo_table=e_JN5 ).

It is an ingredient in bokashi production and can also be used by applying directly to soil
and plants. FPJ is produced by the fermentation of plant leaves, grasses, thinned crop
plants, auxillary buds and/or young fruits and flowers (Jensen et al, 2006). It contains plant
growth hormones and micronutrients that stimulate the growth of beneficial
microorganisms. The common materials being used in the Philippines are kangkong
( Ipomoea aquatica), sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas) and kakawate leaves ( Gliricidia
sepium).

Materials (FPJ)

 Plant materials: leaves, grass, buds, young fruits, etc.

 Raw sugar or molasses at the rate of 1/3-1/2 of the plant material

Procedure (FPJ)

 1. Collect the materials early in the morning. Chop and finely mix these with sugar or
molasses.
 2. Place the mixed material in a suitable container such as earthen jar, or plastic
drum if prepared in big volumes
 3. Cover the pot or drum with paper or cheese cloth
 4. Store in a cool dark place for 7-10 days to allow fermentation. The juice will
change color from dark green to yellow brown or brown and would smell sweet and
alcoholic.
  5. After 7-10 days filter the material to extract the juice. Net bag can be used for
small scale production. For big scale FPJ production, an improvised extractor or press
can be used.
 6. The FPJ can be stored in a glass or plastic bottle in a cool, dark place for up to 6
months. It is important not to tighten the cap completely on the bottle to allow
aeration. Shake the bottle once a week to provide air to the microorganisms.

Application method (FPJ)

Dilute FPJ at the rate of 2 table spoonful per liter of water. Spray to plants or drench to

the soil.

Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ)

Fermented fruit juice (FFJ) is prepared in a similar manner to fermented plant juice (FPJ). It
is used as a foliar spray to enhance fruit quality, as a feed supplement for animals, and as a
food supplement for humans. In general, FFJ is generally used more during the flowering
and fruiting stage.

Materials (FFJ)

 Fruit peelings, over ripe fruits such as banana, papaya, watermelon, pineapple
 Raw sugar or molasses

Procedure (FFJ)

 1. Chop the over ripe fruits and peelings

 2. Mix the materials with ½ part raw sugar or molasses. Other practitioners use 1:1
ratio.
 3. Follow the same fermentation procedure as for FPJ.
 4. Collect and store following the same procedure as for FPJ.

Application method (FFJ)

Use 1 tsp/5L water (minimum application rate for plants in healthy soil) or 1-2 tsp/L water
(for plants in soil that is being rehabilitated) (Jensen et al, 2006). Apply to plants as a foliar
spray.

Fish Amino Acid (Faa)

Fish amino acids are a good source of nitrogen for crop plants and may be used to
supplement compost and manures in coastal regions which have a good supply of
inexpensive fish byproducts. Some local government units (LGUs) such as Bayawan City in
Negros Oriental is collecting fish trashes from the market for free and process this into FAA.

Materials (FAA)

 Uncooked fish trash such as gills and intestines.

 Raw sugar or molasses

Procedure (FAA)

 1. Mix equal parts fish trash and brown sugar or molasses. Lactic acid bacteria serum
(LABS) may be added to minimize the foul smell.
 2. Place in earthen jar or any convenient container, cover with paper and allow the
fish juice to extract and fermentation to occur for 14 days.
 3. Filter out the solids and retain the liquid fish amino acids.
 4. Store in glass or plastic bottles. Do not completely close the cap on the bottle.
 5. Shake the solution weekly and add sugar to it every month (20% of the volume)
as is done for IMO.

Application method (FAA)

Use 1-2 tbsp/L water and apply as soil drench or foliar spray weekly or depending on the
vigor of the plants. High dosage can have adverse effects on plants.

Calcium Carbonate (Caco3) Preparation from Egg Shells

The main ingredient in eggshells is calcium carbonate. The shell itself is about 95% CaCO3
(which is also the main ingredient in sea shells) (Powrie, 1972). The remaining mass is
composed largely of phosphorus and magnesium, and trace amounts of sodium, potassium,
zinc, manganese, iron, copper and others, 27 in all.

The CaCO3 is not in soluble form. To convert it into soluble form heat or acid treatment is
needed. The common method in KNF is the combination of the two agents, heating and use
of natural vinegars.

Materials (CaCO3)

 Egg shells or sea shells including snail shells.

 Natural vinegar (made from coconut sap, sugar cane, pineapple or banana).

Procedure (CaCO3)

 1. Burn or roast the shells in open fire or over a hot tin sheet until the color changes
from brownish to black in color.
  2. Grind or pound the shells to a powder consistency.
 3. Place in a suitable jar or plastic container.
 4. Add 5-10 parts natural vinegar. Shake to produce bubbles indicating a good
reaction between the shell and the vinegar. The bubbles are due to CO2 being
released.
 5. Cover with paper and store in a cool dry place. The concoction may be shaken
from time to time to speed up the reaction.
 6. The water soluble calcium is ready in 7-14 days when there is no more bubbling.
 7. Filter the preparation and put it in a new container (a glass jar).
 8. CaCO 3 has a long shelf life and can be stored for up to a year. Do not shake or
add sugar to the CaCO 3 solution during storage.

Application method (CaCO 3)

Use 1-2 tablespoon per liter as foliar spray or soil drench specially at the start of flowering
to improve fruit set and fruit quality.

Variations in Materials and Process

1. Materials in FPJ

Different materials are being used by farmers in preparing FPJ. The most common and
easiest to use is banana pseudo stem, particularly the Saba or Cardaba variety. A high FPJ
yield is obtained using this material. Some practitioners are using just the roots of banana
(var. saba) and using spring water to dilute the FPJ.

2. Materials in FFJ

In FFJ, the materials being used are generally the most commonly available in the locality.
In the case of the SOBAGROMCO squash and banana are the materials being used. Others
use cucumber fruits, pineapple peelings,

tomato and eggplant.

3. Materials in Caphos

The common material is egg shell for CaPhos but in areas where sea shells are abundant
these are also being used. The shells of Golden Snail ( Pomacea canaliculata Lamarck) is
also commonly used. In SOBAGROMCO

the animal bones from slaughter houses are collected and converted into organic inputs.

4. Process and Ingredients

There are generally two variations in the preparation of the fermentation products. The first
one is just using the plant or fruit substrate and raw sugar or molasses. The second one
involves the addition of one (1) part unchlorinated water. Water is added to hasten the
fermentation process. Raw sugar or molasses is also adjusted to 1 part of the plant/fruit
material.

To save on raw sugar or molasses, the rate of this ingredient is also being reduced by some
growers to as low as 1/6-1/10 of the plant/fruit parts.

5. Application

The usual application rate is 1-2 tbs/liter of water applied as soil drench or as foliar spray.
The combination of the different ingredients is based on the stage of plant growth. The
KNFA recommends growth management on the basis of the Nutrioperiodism theory, which
was developed and advocated by a Japanese horticulturist, Yasushi Inoue, in the 1930s.
They emphasize the different nutritional requirements of crop plants at different growth
stages. In Bayawan City, the proportion of the different preparations is 60:30:10 ratios
depending on the stage of the plant. During the vegetative stage, it is 60% FAA, 30% FPJ
and 10% FFJ. During the change-over, it is 60% FPJ, 30% FAA and 10% FFJ. During the
fruiting stage, it is 60 % FFJ, 30% FPJ and 10% FAA.

Utilization of the Fermented Farm Products

1. Organic Banana

In organic banana production, the general guidelines in nutrient management are

as follows:

 1. Organic manure should only be seen as an additional fertilizer, and not as the
main source of nutrients;
 2. Regular application of organic material gained from cutting/pruning work helps to
maintain a layer of humus and activity in the soil;
 3. This includes adding dead leaves and pseudo-stems grown on the plantation as
mulching material;
 4. It is important that the material is spread evenly throughout the entire plantation;
 5. These measures will suffice to maintain the fertility of the soil on sites suited to
growing bananas, despite continual harvests.

The organic inputs are the foundation of organic banana production in Toril, Davao City by
the Sibulan Organic Banana Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SOBAGROMCO) and in
Tupi, South Cotabato by the Sta Teresita Multi-Purpose Cooperative. Both cooperatives are
using the different natural farm inputs and have made modifications suitable for their
conditions. The proximate analysis of the fermented inputs in SOBAGROMCO is given below.
The rate of application depends on the soil analysis and target banana yields. In

Toril, Davao City for Bungulan, the fertilization protocol is as follows:

 Basal application- 3kg compost, 2kg vermi compost

 Side dress- 20kg compost/6 months, 2kg vermicompost/3 months
 Soil drench (Hinubig)- FAA, FPJ, FFJ, IMO at 60 ml/mat/month (pure)

2. Organic Pineapple

Among the HVCs, pineapple is probably the most difficult to grow organically specially for
variety MD-2, which is the favorite variety for fresh pineapple for export. In organic
pineapple production, FPJ and FFJ are being used as source of nutrients in addition to
vermicompost and seaweed extract. The material for FPJ started with the use of swamp
cabbage and muscovado sugar. But FPJ yield is low and cost is high.

The material being used now is banana pseudo stem with molasses instead of muscovado
sugar. The other materials being used include wild sunflower and lemon grass which is also
being used for pest control. The materials for FFJ includes banana and pineapple. They have
also made an improvised press to facilitate the extraction of the liquids.

3. Organic Vegetables

Bacolod

In Bacolod City, the organization that is pushing forward organic agriculture is the Negros
Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation Inc. (NISARD).

Established as a result of a Memorandum of Agreement between the provinces of Negros

Oriental and Negros Occidental, NISARD, is a non-stock non-profit foundation organization.
Among the crops being produced organically by the members are lettuce, tomato, herbs,
beans, sugarcane, banana and citrus (calamansi). Among the fermented farm inputs being
used are FPJ, FFJ, Caphos, seaweed extract. An assorted of raw materials are being used as
substrate for FFJ and FPJ.

Bayawan City

In Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, the LGU itself is producing the natural/organic farm
inputs. They collect the vegetable trimmings and over-ripe fruits from the market for FPJ
and FFJ. Fish trashes are also collected from the market for FAA and they use LABS to
minimize the foul smell in the FAA. The farmers make CaPhos using both egg shell and
shells of the golden snail. These products, FPJ, FFJ, FAA and CaPhos are sold to farmers at
PhP 50/liter.
Preparations in Bayawan City for the fermented farm inputs has a slight variation in that
water is used in both FPJ and FPJ, generally at about 30% by weight.

Surallah, South Cotabato

The organic farmers in the Municipality of Surallah are being assisted by The Don Bosco
Foundation for Sustainable Development, Inc. (DBFSDI), formerly the DonBosco Diocesan
Youth Center, Inc. (DBDYCI). The basic production system is based on Biodynamic Farming
but parts of KNF are also being practiced as well as Agnihotra.

Agnihotra is a healing fire from the ancient science of Ayurveda. It is a process of purifying
the atmosphere through a specially prepared fire performed daily during sunrise and sunset.
It heals the environment and is being used for gardening and farming. For fruits and
vegetables FPJ, FFJ and CaPhos are also being used.

Looking Forward

While these fermented farm inputs have been adopted by many organic farmers and the
number is increasing, the academe has been slow in integrating these in their research and
development agenda in improving production systems, largely content mainly on the
elemental and inorganic chemistry of nutrient and pest management. Use of the natural
inputs is sometimes regarded as unscientific. But science is actually just catching up.

Several government agencies and universities are slowly warming up to organics in general
and are now including the natural farm inputs in their research and development programs
as well as in extension. However in research, there is still the tendency to just `evaluate'
and `confirm' the effects of FPJ and FFJ, etc. The research should be at a higher level to
contribute positively to the improvement of these natural farm inputs. These can be through
the use of locally available plant materials with specific growth promoting effects or addition
of other naturally occurring materials/micro organisms to enhance specific effects.

An intriguing possibility is the integration of the preparation of natural farm inputs with the
concepts in Biodynamic Farming. Such integration will not only enhance organic or
biodynamic farming but will also remove the barriers of jargon and perception of exclusivity.

Although these preparations can be easily made by farmers themselves, it would also help
more farmers if the preparations can be made commercially available. While some LGUs are
already investing on these, the numbers are still too few. Several members of the private
sector have also started investing on these natural farm inputs. But a few failed because of
some technical problems on product shelf life and efficacy. Government support in such
undertakings can help a long way in pushing this system of production so that agriculture
can regain the lost virginity of the soil and purity of the environment.

References
  Barcelon, E. J. 2004. Nature Farming Technology Systems. Mindanao Lumad and
Muslim Development Center. 66p
 http://www.agnihotra.org/agnihotra.htm
 http://janonglove.com/janongusa/intro01.htmlf
 http://www.thainaturalfarming.com/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Id=38076
 Jensen, H. L. Guilaran, R. Jaranilla and G. Garingalao. 2006. Organic amendments
adopted and adapted by farmers in the Western Visayas region of The Philippines.
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
 Maghirang, R. G. 2008. Organic banana production. Power point presentation
 Naturland. 2001. Banana: Organic Farming in the Tropics and Subtropics
 Powrie, W.D., 1972. Chemistry of eggs and eggs products. In: egg science and
technology, Stadelman, W.J, and Cotterill, O.J.(Eds), pp (65-91), the AVI publishing
company, INC. Westport, Connecticut.

Index of Images
 How to make Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN)

Many People are advocating Natural Farming. Lot of them is experimenting to

gain profit in Natural Farming business. To make it profitable some are making
fermented juices for plants and animals for a better yield. In our previous article I
have mentioned on How to make Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) as well as
Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ). In this article I will try to explain another Fermented
Juice, like fermented fruit and plant juices, Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN) is a
fermented product that is of great help to natural farming.

Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN) can be to enhance the nutrients of livestock

feeds. Likewise in growing crop production Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN) is
commonly used as natural Insect repellant. The Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN) is
very much effective in enhancing the Immune system of both plants and animals.

Here is the procedure in making Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN):

Ingredients:

4 kilos of crushed ginger

4 kilos of crushed garlic
3 kilos of muscovado/brown sugar or molasses
10 liters of gin or liquor 30 to 40 proof

Procedure:

1. Mix the some of the ingredients (4 kg, crushed garlic, 4 kg. crushed ginger and 3
kg muscovado/brown sugar or molasses). Store it inside the jar cover and keep it
sealed. After three days, add 10 liters of gin or liquor. Keep the jar sealed again.

Note: See to it that the jar is not fully filled. Leave at least 2 inches unfilled.
2. Draw off the liquid after 10 days. The first extract is good for animal. Together
3. with other juices, fermented fruit juice, fermented plant juice, and fish amino acid,
Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN) is incorporated in the animal feeds.

4. After the 2nd procedure, add the same amount of gin taken from the first
extraction. For stronger potency fresh or dry chili, neem tree fruit, curry fruit,
makabuhay(panyawan in cebuano) and marigold can be added. After 10
days, extract the juice again. The extracted juice for the second time is good for
use in growing plants.

5. For the 3rd time, add the same amount of gin taken. After 10 days, extract the
liquid again.

The Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN) Juice can be mix with other fermented juices
and spray on the leaves of the plants and on the soil every week.
It is good for all stages of plant growth. In animal it can be used as
feeds additive together with other Fermented Juices.