By: Alandy N. Buan
Good news to the Filipino farmers! Finally a government-developed biofertilizer is now available in the market!
Now marketed as “BioGroe”, this microbial biofertilizer containing plant growth-promoting bacteria that enhances root and vegetative growth promotes better absorption of nutrients and helps increase crop yield at lower production cost. It was developed by the National Institute of Molecular Biology of the University of the Philippines, Los Baños (BIOTECH-UPLB) through the funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The product can be used in vegetable production, propagation of ornamentals and plantation crops, rice and sugarcane production, corn and green leafy vegetables, and in growth enhancement of fruit and forest trees. BioGroe showed promising result on test crops in Bataan, Laguna, Tarlac, Bulacan, and Quezon.
BioGroe has unique significance and competitive edge. It is easy to use and environment friendly, and it also reduces use of toxic or environmentally damaging chemical fertilizer and pesticides, it maintains the soil natural properties and fertility, and keeps plant healthy and green even during drought and pest infestation.
Prospects are high for this pioneering government –developed technology, Mr. Ronilo P. Violanta of the National Institute of Molecular Biology of the University of the Philippines, Los Baños (BIOTECH-UPLB) stated during the 30th Anniversary of the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), the licensing and commercialization arm of DOST, last January 27.
“We are looking for increased revenue once our licensee goes fully operational for BioGroe Manufacturing and Distribution”, Mr. Violanta said, emphasizing that with the issuance of Fairness Opinion by former DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo, all systems are now on the go for full –scale production and sales.
Mr. Violanta also reported increasing in sales of more than 30% annually due to walk-in buyers alone.
Farmers can now choose to use Biogroe because of its better efficiency. It increases yield from 14% to 53% yet lowers production cost. Thus, resulting to a great financial return to farmers ranging from Php 35,000 to PHP 69,000 per hectare.