As the Middle East situation remain volatile, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan emphasized the urgent need to strengthen domestic biofertilizer production as a means to address a looming fertilizer shortage and rising costs.

Pangilinan made the call following his visit to the AgriSpecialist, Inc. (ASI) Bio N Manufacturing Plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna, last Tuesday, March 31, saying it is high time that the Philippines reduces its dependence on imported chemical fertilizers.

The senator noted how the Middle East crisis has disrupted critical supply routes and contributed to the volatility in the global fertilizer market.

This, he said, poses significant challenges to farmers who already face high input costs.

“We must reduce our dependence on imported chemical fertilizers. Our farmers, fishermen, and consumers should not be the first to be hit when there is conflict in the Middle East and an energy and oil crisis,” Pangilinan said.

“Hunger and poverty will be the result if we continue to be vulnerable to these situations,” he pointed out.

“By investing in and promoting biofertilizer production, we not only cushion ourselves from global supply shocks but also empower our agricultural sector to become more resilient and sustainable,” he added.

Biofertilizers are derived from beneficial microorganisms, and offer an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to conventional chemical fertilizers.

The senator said expanding local production can help stabilize prices, improve soil health, and increase crop yields over time.

In particular, he said Bio N, a microbial biofertilizer developed by the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, is proven to reduce synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use by 30 percent to 50 percent, directly addressing the urea supply and cost crisis that farmers are dealing with.

Researchers said this particular variant of the biofertilizer can help increase yield and produce healther crops such as corn and vegetables, and improve soil health and sustainability.

It can also make plants healthy and green even in drought and in the presence of pests, and reduce the incidence of rice tungro and corn earworm attack.

Pangilinan said government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture (DA) should level up research, provide incentives to local producers and facilitate training programs for farmers on the use of biofertilizers.

“Now more than ever, we must prioritize long-term solutions that protect both our farmers’ livelihoods and our nation’s food supply,” he said.