Organic Sugarcane Farming i3360

ORGANIC SUGARCANE

FARMING

Is it Doable, Sustainable and Replicable?

Organic Definition: Philippine National Standards Crop production in organic agriculture is a holistic production management systems, which promotes and enhances agro ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It emphasizes the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking into that regional conditions require locally adapted systems. This is accomplished by using, where possible, cultural, biological and mechanical methods, as opposed to using synthetic materials, or fulfill any specific function within the system. An organic crop production system is designed to: Enhance biological diversity within the whole system; Increase soil biological activity Maintain long-term fertility; Recycle wastes of plant and animal origin in order to return nutrient to the land, thus minimizing the use of non-renewable resources; Rely on renewable resources in locally organized agricultural systems; Promote the healthy use of soil, water and air as well as minimize all forms of pollution thereto that may result from agricultural practices;

Proponents History The proponent took over a corporate farm beginning crop year 2002-2003 with a sugarcane planted area of approximately 500 H, located in various sites in North Negros Occidental. The farms had no operating crop loans and were in cumulative debt for 3 consecutive crop years. Having no capital to purchase fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals was the primary factor in the immediate shift from conventional farming systems to organic and natural. Initial studies and usage of industrial waste, (mudpress, millash, slops, carbonated lime,…) indigenous sources of natural minerals, (rock phosphates, guano, dolomites, lime, carbonized rice hull) have been incorporated with natural farming systems (IMO, FPJ…) BioDynamics, (Timing, Tides…) and eventually was synthesized with microbiology, hormone therapy and trace element usages. This is our story.

COMPOST RAW MATERIALS § PLANT ORIGIN

§ ANIMAL ORIGIN

§ § § § § §

§ § § § §

Mudpress Mill Ash Vermicast/Compost Carbonized RH Sugarcane Tops Shredded Bio-Mass

Chicken Manure Hog Manure Cattle Manure Carabao Manure Except Human

Compost Formulation Grid for Sugarcane n n n

Based on the availability of Raw Mats To Produce BioBio-Formulated Vermi Reinforced Compost Based on the Nutrient Uptake of the Crop No of Bags

Raw Material Mill Ash

A

B

C

10

8

Carbon/Potassium Source

Mudpress

7

5

Organic Matter, TE

Pre-Mix

3

3

3

PSB,NSB, P, Mg, Ca, TE, OA

(2)

(2)

(2)

VermiCast

2

2

Manure

4

2

CRH

7

Bio-Mass

4

Bacterial Packs

Total

20

20

20

Free Living, Asso, Endo OM, TE, NFBs, Enhance MA

Stockpiling and Pre-Decomposition of Raw Materials

Collection and bagging of Pre-Decomposed Raw Materials: Mill Ash

Collection and bagging of Mud press

Hauling of Raw Materials to the Mixing Area

Hauling of Raw Materials

Weighing of Raw Materials

Full Layering in Rotary Mixer

Layering of Mudpress on top of Mill Ash

Full Layering of Mudpress

Vermi-Compost

Vermi2

Vermi3

Manure Pig

Pig2

Septic Tank

Liquid Waste

Waste Disposal

Waste Disposal 2

The Premix: Contains all TE, Organic Acids, Bacteria, P, Ca, Mg,

Layering of Premix

Full Layering of Pre-Mix

Rotary Mixing of Raw Materials

Mixing: Elapsed Time 3 min

Completed Mix: Elapsed Time 5 min:

Bagging of Compost: Ready to Use: Best after 2 wks Curing Period

Loading to Trucks

Recommended Compost Dosage per Hectare

n

Year 1 2 3

Amounts Notes: 5T 4T 3T

w/4 Bags Urea and Foliars w/2 Bags Urea and Foliars w/ Foliars only

Compost Delivered to Planting Machine, loaded for Mechanical distribution. Manual Application is done after furrowing before planting

Delivery of Compost

Mechanical Application of Compost: 5 tons per hectare

Planting on top of the Compost and immediately covered

Guidelines on Compost Application n

n

n n n n n

Keep compost away from direct exposure to sunlight for long periods of time. UV light can kill the beneficial bacteria or cause cause the compost to dry. Insure that the compost is below or at the side of the cane points. points. The root zone is where the associative and free living bacteria is most active. For New Crops Basal application in furrows is recommended. For Ratoon crops offoff-bar rows then apply compost, cover w hoe or close w implements. For Best Results use compost within 6 months after mixing. The beneficial bacteria is most active during those period. Keep a moisture content of not less than 20%, the bacteria needs needs water. Not all compost are created equal. The most effective compost is is that which answers the nutrient requirements of each crop. Compost are CROPCROP-SPECIFIC.

USE OF FOLIARS IN SUGARCANE CULTURE n

n

n n

We use foliars because of the very nature of compost. It is a slow release type of nutrient provider and foliars provide a faster infusion of nutrients during the early stages of growth. Foliars talk to the plants. Organic hormones are incorporated to target the hormonal windows of the crops. The necessary organic acids, trace elements for the specific stage of the crop can be given on demand. I.e. You can tell the crop that it is time for rooting and tillering, or cell elongation, or cell division or maturity, or to fight stress conditions. Foliars are generally derived from plant (ex. Seaweeds) or animal (fish) extracts thru fermentation or other processes. Foliars are then CROP STAGE SPECIFIC.

FOLIARS AND PROBIOTICS n

FOLIARS: Dilution 1:200

n

Stimulator: For Growth Maintenance, Improved photosynthesis Booster: For Cell Elongation. Stalk, leaf formation, Enhancer: For Cell Division, resistance, stronger stalks, Nitrate Balancing Protect: Rooting, Tillering and AntiAnti-Stress. Acquired systemic resistance Compost Tea: For Flowering and prevention of floral abortion and fruit drop

n n

n

n

n

Probiotics: Dilution: 1:500

n

P1 For Decomposition P2 For Competitive Exclusion P3 For Animal Use, conversion of proteins into Amino Acids, better nutrient absorption and stronger immune system P4 For Lactating Hogs and poultry P5 For Odor Control P6 For Fly, Mosquito Control

n n

n n n

Pictures of Probiotics and Foliars

Stimulator

General Foliar Application Guide n n n n n n

Dilute foliars with non-chlorinated water. It may kill the micro organisms present. Observe proper dilution i.e 1:200 Spray the leaf sheaths, underside of the leaves, stalks and base For better effect at least three hours of sunlight after spraying is needed Foliars work best only when there is proper moisture in the soil Use the right foliar at the right time

A Pictorial Guide to Foliar Spraying W e i g h i n g

M i x i n g

Loading

Containerizin g

Loading and Preparation

Multi Row Sprayer

Details of Sprayer

Spraying Fields

Spraying Fields2

Fields after Spraying 3rd

4th Spraying 2 months

Rocky Soil

Double Row

5th Spraying

6th Spraying

Milling

Milling

Production Report Tonnage Had. Lourdes, Sagay Comparative 5 Yrs. 20022002-2006 Lowest Performing Fields Field No.

Area

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

22

3.06

32

38

45

48

69

16

1.88

38

45

45

48

71

26-27

5.24

35

40

48

48

77

81-82

5.24

33

41

46

50

69

37-90

1.22

34

43

47

50

83

94-99

3.41

34

41

47

50

67

73-77

3.02

32

40

48

48

70

19A

1.42

33

42

48

49

80

91

3.14

33

42

48

49

68

90A

0.83

34

43

46

50

82.5

Production Report Lkg Had. Lourdes, Sagay Comparative 5 Yrs. 20022002-2006 Lowest Performing Fields

Field No. 22 16 26-27 81-82 37-90 94-99 73-77 19A 91 90A

Area 3.06 1.88 5.24 5.24 1.22 3.41 3.02 1.42 3.14 0.83

2002 56 55 58 56 58 58 56 54 54 57

2003 68 70 68 72 75 72 72 71 71 74

2004 80 80 85 80 82 83 83 84 81 81

2005 86 85 84 90 90 87 84 83 84 90

2006 137 135 140 138 157 166 135 145 125 177

Notes on Production Data n n n

n

n

Proponent took over 2003-2004 Crop year !st Year was characterized by use of mudpress and millash on selected fields at the rate of 7t/h 2nd Year (2004) marked the beginning of compost production at the rate of 60 bags/h but with 6 bags urea 3rd Year (2005) this was the consistent use of compost in all fields at the rate of 5t per hectare but with two bags Urea 4th Year (2006) still 5tons compost on all fields with foliar supplements one a month.

Organic Farming is Doable

Is Organic Farming Sustainable?

P ro d u c tio n C o s t P e r H e c ta re Y r. 2 0 0 6 A s s u m p tio n s : O w n e d L a n d a n d E q u ip m e n t C o m p o s t a n d F o lia rs a t M a rk e t C o s t K in d o f W o rk

C ost

M e c h a n ica l

M an ual

Per Hect ar e Pr oduction Cost

L a n d P re p a ra tio n :

267 6

C a n e p o in ts

317 2

P la n tin g C om p ost C o m p o s t A p p lic a tio n

C o s t o f F o lia r A p p ic a tio n M illin g T o ta l D ire ct C o s t

1 575

7 44

1 600

29 482

29 560

36 982

37 060

1 000 0 60 0

W e e d in g /.C u ltiva tio n C o s t o f F o lia r

7 65

300 0 52 5 800 0 2 797 3

A d d: A d m in stra tive

250 0

R e p a irs /M a in te n a n c e

300 0

M isc e lla n e o u s

200 0

S u b -T o ta l

750 0

G ra n d T o ta l

Break Even Analysis Break-Even Volume: § § § §

Price at P 1100.00/lkg 68% Net Planters Share Cost of Production: P 37060.00 37087/.68 = 54500 / 1100 =

§

50 lkg Gross Production

Break-Even Price: § Production at 100lkg per hectare § 54540 / 100 = §

P 545.00 per lkg

Is it Sustainable? • •

• • •

World Trends: Ethanol, China demand, climactic factors, pharmaceuticals, point to a strong demand for sugar in the years to come. Health Concerns: Organic markets are presently valued at USD 25B and is growing at more than 12% per annum. Researchers have proven that organically grown products have higher nutrient values and less harmful contents compared to commercially grown crops. The use of indigenous materials, local in the region makes organic production cheaper than conventional systems that are dependent on the steadily rising cost of non-renewable imported oil. Environmental Factors: Bio-diversity, pollution control, recycling, improved soil microbial activity, zero waste or zero environmental impact are components of organic farming. Yes it is sustainable and I am not going back to conventional farming.

Is it Replicable? nYou

answer that

Thank You and God Bless