FNCA 2005 Workshop on Biofertilizer took place as follows,

Date: January 9 – 13, 2006
Venue: Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)Quezon City, the Philippines
Host Organizations:
- Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippines
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan
Local Organizers: Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)
Secretariat: Japan Atomic Industrial Forum Inc. (JAIF)
Participants: Total 17 from 7 countries, i.e. Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam

Session I: Opening Session
The opening session began with the welcome remarks by Dr. Alumanda M. Dela Rosa, Director of PNRI followed by the opening remarks of Ms. Takiko Sano on behalf of MEXT. Mr. Richard M. Balog, Project Leader of the Philippines introduced the participants and Dr. Tadashi Yokoyama, Project Leader of Japan presented the “Overview of the FNCA Biofertilizer Project” as introduction to the workshop. The opening ceremony was highlighted by the message of Dr. Estrella F. Alabastro, Secretary of DOST in her keynote address.

Session II: Presentation of Country Reports by Project Leaders
Country Reports were presented by Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
The presentations of country reports are summarized in “The Summary of Country Reports”.

Session III: Special Lectures
Two special lectures were presented. Dr. Gina P. Nilo of Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) gave lecture on Organic-Based Agriculture “Agri-Kalikasan” Program/Tipid-Abono Program in the Philippines, and Dr. Mercedes Umali Garcia of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH)-University of Philippines at Los Banõs (UPLB) gave lecture on the “Role of Bio-N in Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Program for corn”.

Session IV,V: Round Table Discussion
In the session IV and V, the following topics were discussed.

The details of discussion are summarized in “Minutes of Workshop”

Session VI: Project Evaluation and Taking the Minutes
Project Evaluation and Future Plans proposed and agreed upon by the participants.

Technical Visit:
A field visit was conducted to Bio-N Mixing Plant at Barangay Lawy, Capas, Tarlac, Region 3 in the Philippines. The mixing plant was operated by a farmer’s cooperative St. Philip Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative Inc. in collaboration with the BIOTECH of UPLB. The Bio-N mixing plant was also established in cooperation with the DA (Department of Agriculture)-RFU (Regional Field Unit) 3-Regional Soils Laboratory, DA-LGU (Local Government Unit) of Tarlac and PDA-Tarlac.

A standing crop of corn with Bio-N inoculation was shown to the participants. According to Mr. Toy Tolentino, chairman of the cooperative, the use of Bio-N helped them by saving ½ of the recommended rate of fertilizer by the Department of Agriculture. Previously, he was using 8 bags of chemical fertilizer and reduced it to only 3 bags (2 bags 14-14-14 and 1 bag 46-0-0). According to him Bio-N inoculant is a great help for their poor corn farmers in Tarlac.

The group also went to BIOTECH at UPLB College, Laguna. They visited the Bio-N laboratory and were briefed by Ms. Juliet Anarna on the production of Bio-N inoculant. The participants also have a walk-in visit to the Rice World Museum of IRRI (International Rice Research Institute).

The details of this Workshop are available from the following "Minutes of Workshop".

Following the agreement at the Sixth Coordinators Meeting in March 31-April 1, 2005 in Tokyo, Japan, the FNCA 2005 Workshop on Biofertilizer took place as follows,

Date: January 9 – 13, 2006
Venue:
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)
Quezon City, the Philippines
Host Organizations:
- Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippines
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan
Local Organizer: Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)
Secretariat: Japan Atomic Industrial Forum Inc. (JAIF)
Participants: Total 17 from 7 countries, i.e. Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam

Session I: Opening Session
The opening session began with the welcome remarks by Dr. Alumanda M. Dela Rosa, Director of PNRI followed by the opening remarks of Ms. Takiko Sano on behalf of MEXT. Mr. Richard M. Balog, Project Leader of the Philippines introduced the participants and Dr. Tadashi Yokoyama, Project Leader of Japan presented the “Overview of the FNCA Biofertilizer Project” as introduction to the workshop. The opening ceremony was highlighted by the message of Dr. Estrella F. Alabastro, Secretary of DOST in her keynote address.

Session II: Presentation of Country Reports by Project Leaders
Country Reports were presented by Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The presentations of country reports are summarized in the attachment III.

Session III: Special Lectures
Two special lectures were presented. Dr. Gina P. Nilo of Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) gave lecture on Organic-Based Agriculture “Agri-Kalikasan” Program/Tipid-Abono Program in the Philippines, and Dr. Mercedes Umali Garcia of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH)-University of Philippines at Los Banõs (UPLB) gave lecture on the “Role of Bio-N in Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Program for corn”.
The summary of lectures is as follows;
“Agri kalikasan” program supports balanced fertilization “Tipid Abono” technology, zero chemical or pure organic farming with potential market niches, and integration of production, post harvest, processing, and market/credit facilities within the cluster are. Bio-N was initially developed at biotech in 1985, because high cost and unstable supply of chemical fertilizers particularly nitrogen are limiting factors in crop production. Benefits of Bio-N are as follows: enhance shoot growth and root development of host crop, makes plants resistant to drought and pest attack, replace 30-50% or more of the plants total nitrogen requirement, and reduces incidence of rice tungro and corn ear-worm attack. Also there are limitations; only serves as supplement for nitrogen requirement of crop, apply complete fertilizer to need the other nutrient requirement.
All participants give deep appreciation to the lectures.

Session IV: Round Table Discussion
1. Field Response of Biofertilizers
Lead-off Speech was delivered by Dr. Pham Van Toan, Vietnam, followed by discussion on “Field Response of Biofertilizers”. The points discussed and agreed upon are as follows:
Field response of biofertilizer is complex of crops yield increase, chemical fertilizer reduction (saving), soil fertility improvement and environmental effects. It depends on the crop, soil, cultivation techniques and the outcome market of the products. Data from country reports indicate that biofertilizer affect positively the growth and yield of food crops in all FNCA member countries. Biofertilizer use can save 20-50% chemical N or P fertilizer. To clarify the field response of biofertilizer in relationship to soil fertility and environment it is necessary to conduct long time experiments (at least 3 cropping seasons) with data of soil properties during the time of experiments.

2. Economic Analysis including Impacts on Cost Savings
Lead-off Speech was delivered by Dr. Achara Nuntagij, Thailand, followed by discussion on “Economic Analysis including Impacts on Cost Savings”. The points discussed and agreed upon are as follows:
Economic analysis must be separated into two parts, concerning the cost of production and the income of the farmers when the use biofertilizer with or without chemical fertilizer. The cost of producing biofertilizer by irradiation sterilization and autoclave sterilization should be compared. Every participant realized that use of biofertilizer is more economical and advantageous than chemical fertilizers. Therefore, the quality and the value of the yield components and also the benefit to the environment should also be considered.

3. Irradiation Technique for Sterilization
Lead-off Speech was delivered by Dr. Issay Narumi, Japan, followed by discussion on “Irradiation Technique for Sterilization”. The points discussed and agreed upon are as follows:
Some participating countries carried out the implementation plan of radiation sterilization of carriers. Effective or practical doses for carrier sterilization were reported by each country. The estimated cost of carrier irradiation with existing facility was also presented by Malaysia and Philippines. Comparison of irradiation and autoclaving for quality assurance of carrier as well as for effect on growth and yield of plants was reported by Vietnam and Thailand. Radiation sterilization can improve quality of biofertilizer as compared to autoclaving. For some other countries, at least additional one year is required to conduct evaluation of the effectiveness of radiation sterilization.

4. Strategic Plan of Extension of Biofertilizer Use
Lead-off Speech was delivered by Mr. Richard Balog, Philippines, followed by discussion on “Strategic Plan of Extension of Biofertilizer Use”. The points discussed and agreed upon are as follows:
Most of the FNCA participating countries found that extension of biofertilizer use by farmers is a difficult task. Some countries have a good system of extension works making promotion of Biofertilizer much easier but assurance of good quality biofertilizer must be given emphasis. Good quality biofertilizer has good effect to crop thus easily adopted by farmers. Improvement of biofertilizer quality is also considered important for extension. Such improvement could be achieved through use of irradiation for sterilization.
Some problems on extension of biofertilizer use were mentioned. This were government regulation on biofertilizer use and production, and that conduct of field trials were considered complicated process and needs substantial amount of funds.
Some countries have good strategic plans or means of extension of biofertilizer use. This is through demonstrations, linking with government though policy on marketing strategy and production of biofertilizers. Establishment of Bio-N mixing plants in the Philippines for instance is considered a good strategy and inspired other participating countries.
Information and education campaign is also deemed important. This is through the use of radio program, print media, educational tour and trainings and through establishment of biofertilizer homepage. It was also mentioned that Biofertilizers can also be best extended to end users through private business enterprise.

Session V: Continuation of Round Table Discussion
5. Contamination of Groundwater by Extensive Use of Fertilizer Nitrogen in Farming System
Lead-off Speech was delivered by Dr. Khairuddin Bin Abdul Rahim, Malaysia, followed by discussion on “Contamination of Groundwater by Extensive Use of Fertilizer Nitrogen in Farming System”. The points discussed and agreed upon are as follows:
The issue of nitrate contaminated ground water has raised the incident of blue baby syndrome (methemoglobinemia) caused by nitrate contamination on food.
High nitrate could be produced from food- processing, animal manure, agrochemical fertilizers and also chemicals released from household garbage.
Little information is currently available on nitrates in groundwater from fertilizer application used in farming system in member countries. Data on groundwater nitrate pollution shall be included in future reports when available.

6. Biofertilizer Manual
Lead-off Speech was delivered by Dr. Takuji Ohyama, Japan, followed by discussion on “Biofertilizer Manual”. The points discussed and agreed upon are as follows:

Session VI: Project Evaluation and Taking the Minutes
Project Evaluation and Future Plans proposed and agreed upon by the participants is as in the attachment V.

Technical Visit:
A field visit was conducted to Bio-N Mixing Plant at Barangay Lawy, Capas, Tarlac, Region 3 in the Philippines. The mixing plant was operated by a farmer's cooperative St. Philip Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative Inc. in collaboration with the BIOTECH of UPLB. The Bio-N mixing plant was also established in cooperation with the DA (Department of Agriculture)-RFU (Regional Field Unit) 3-Regional Soils Laboratory, DA-LGU (Local Government Unit) of Tarlac and PDA-Tarlac.
In the field, Mr. Toy Tolentino, chairman of the cooperative briefed the participants on how the mixing plant was conceived.
He told that the Bio-N Mixing Plant started in 2004 with the financial support of the DA by providing them the required equipments and chemicals for the production of Bio-N. The project was under the GMA (Ginintuang Masaganang Ani)-Corn Program which objective is to make Bio-N available to corn farmers especially in the Corn Cluster Areas where they are suffering from high cost of chemical nitrogen fertilizers.
The cooperative had also a counterpart in the establishment of the mixing plant. The cooperative was in-charge of the building and operation of the mixing plant.
A standing crop of corn with Bio-N inoculation was shown to the participants. According to Mr. Tolentino, the use of Bio-N helped them by saving ½ of the recommended rate of fertilizer by the Department. of Agriculture. Previously, he was using 8 bags of chemical fertilizer and reduced it to only 3 bags (2 bags 14-14-14 and 1 bag 46-0-0). According to him Bio-N inoculant is a great help for their poor corn farmers in Tarlac.

The group also went to BIOTECH at UPLB College, Laguna. They were briefed by Ms. Lerma Moran and Dr. Tavanlar on the overview of BIOTECH. Included in the briefing were the different biofertilizers produced by BIOTECH under the Program for Agriculture and Forestry. Other programs included were Food and Feeds Program, Environment Program, Health Program, and they were briefed by BIOTECH Director, Dr. Teresita M. Espino regarding Virgin Coconut Oil.
After the briefing they visited the Bio-N laboratory and were briefed by Ms. Juliet Anarna on the production of Bio-N inoculant. The participants also have a walk-in visit to the Rice World Museum of IRRI (International Rice Research Institute).

The Minutes were discussed and agreed upon by all participants in the Workshop. This will be reported at the Seventh FNCA Coordinators Meeting to be held in March 1-3, 2006 in Tokyo, Japan.