To reinforce its commitment to providing support beyond farm inputs and financial assistance, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program conducted a two-part training on Vermi-Technology last April 21-22, 2026 in Brgy. Balangbalang and Brgy. San Antonio, Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR), Agusan del Norte to further empower its farmers on sustainable agricultural practices.
The training imparted practical knowledge on vermiculture and vermicompost production among the farmers of Balangbalang Banana Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (BABAFAC) and San Antonio Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (SAFACO) to introduce a viable alternative to commercial fertilizers that are becoming increasingly expensive.
Prior to the training, the limited knowledge of the farmers about vermiculture made them view African nightcrawlers as insignificant and even harmful to their crops. These misconceptions hindered them from adopting sustainable and cost-efficient farming practices.
To address misconceptions, MAED Head Richard Lalisan led discussions on the fundamentals of vermicomposting, including appropriate materials for feeding the worms, proper setup and arrangement of vermicomposting beds, and ideal site conditions such as placing the beds in shaded areas away from direct sunlight.
He also shared information on sourcing African nightcrawlers and emphasized the value of worm castings, which are rich in essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that promote healthy plant growth.
Vermicomposting is a process that produces nutrient-rich organic fertilizer through the decomposition of organic waste by earthworms, yielding high-quality compost within 45–60 days.
This organic fertilizer can be utilized in vegetable production, abaca farming, and banana plantations, and may also serve as an additional source of income for farmers’ associations in the area.
Vermicompost fertilizers are widely available in farm supply stores, presenting an opportunity for associations to engage in bulk production and supply local markets. Economically, adopting vermicomposting can significantly reduce production costs while promoting more sustainable and organic farming practices.
For Jonah L. Ago of SAFACO, the training is an eye opener for their farming, noting that these worms are abundant in the area. A big help especially in these times of crisis where money should be spent wisely, the association will not allocate a budget for fertilizers anymore.
“We used to think these worms were just pests found in moist areas, but they are actually very helpful. In today’s crisis, we are grateful because we no longer need to spend on fertilizers. We are also learning not to rely solely on assistance, as we now see resources available within our own area,” said Ago.
Under Phase 2, SAAD Caraga continues to deliver technical assistance to farmers’ association beneficiaries to strengthen their farming practices and promote the adoption of modern, cost-efficient techniques while ensuring quality production.
