The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday underscored the urgency to “rejuvenate” the soil to boost agricultural productivity in the country.

In an ambush interview at the sidelines of the World Soil Day celebration, DA Undersecretary Roger Navarro stressed the need for continuous intervention and training for local farmers under the Regenerative and Balance Fertilization Program.

“It’s not too late. We need to do it now kasi (because) it has been about 100 years already and wala tayong nagawa (we’re still not doing anything),” he said.

The said program provides assistance and training to farmers for proper soil management to address the deteriorating soil quality in the country due to the overuse of inorganic fertilizers.

“Ang consequence noon (The consequence) is that we will be contributing (to the) greenhouse gas because we are (using) too much inorganic fertilizer,” he said, citing yield decline with around 80 percent deterioration of land nationwide.

“So, we really need to step up yung ating organic fertilizer, soil ameliorants, and bio-fertilizer in order for us to rehabilitate (and) rejuvenate our soil,” Navarro said.

Areas included in the Regenerative and Balance Fertilization Program include Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Northern Mindanao, and Soccsksargen.

The official also emphasized the need for additional funds for the program to prioritize actions in low-yielding areas including Western Visayas, particularly Iloilo.

The DA, meanwhile, said it is still eyeing to implement its regenerative practices in at least 100 hectares or more to assess the effectiveness of the said program on a wider scale.

The DA has been implementing the program in 500-square meter to one-hectare-sized lands. (PNA)