SANTA ROSA, Nueva Ecija (April 9, 2026)—In an industry where margins are often dictated by global oil prices, one farmer’s long-running field experiment is beginning to look like a practical business model.
Danilo Bolos, head of the Crisol Bagong Pag-asa Irrigators Association, is not pitching a new product. He is offering results. At a harvest festival led by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., Bolos presented a rice cultivation protocol he has refined for nearly three decades, aimed at cutting costs while lifting yields and reducing reliance on urea-based fertilizers.
“Lamang po tayo kasi napakaswerte na kapag nakaani sila ng lima hanggang anim na tonelada,” Bolos said, noting that many farmers consider 5 to 6 metric tons per hectare a good harvest. “Kaya kadalasan nasa ganun lang sila.”
On a 10-hectare demonstration farm, his method delivered about 10 metric tons per hectare, nearly double typical yields. At the same time, Bolos said fertilizer costs dropped by at least 25 percent, easing one of the biggest pressures on farm budgets.
Even at the seed stage, Bolos departs from convention. Instead of the 15 kilos per hectare typically recommended by technicians, he uses 25 kilos. “Kulang po kasi talaga yung 15 kilos,” he said, arguing that higher seeding density helps maximize yield potential early on.
Urea, the most widely used nitrogen fertilizer, is closely tied to natural gas prices, making it vulnerable to global energy swings. Bolos’ approach does not eliminate fertilizers but rebalances their use.
The protocol begins with ammonium sulfate during seedbed preparation, followed by carefully timed applications of nitrogen and balanced fertilizers such as 16-16-8 or 14-14-14 to support growth and root development. Later in the cycle, potassium-rich inputs are applied to improve grain filling and plant resilience.
The differentiator is a homespun solution. Bolos uses fish amino acid, fermented from fish waste and molasses, applied up to 12 times throughout the growing season. The mixture smells pungent at first, but becomes stable over time.
“Dahil po sa fish amino acid, hindi na po ako gumagamit ng pesticide at herbicide,” he said.
Beyond cutting chemical use, the organic supplement improves nutrient absorption, boosts tillering, and supports soil health, reducing dependence on costly farm inputs.
The economics are just as compelling. Bolos said he was able to sell freshly harvested palay at P26 per kilo, more than double his estimated production cost of around P10 per kilo. That is well below the typical P14 production cost in Nueva Ecija, the country’s top rice-producing province.
“Medyo paldo po talaga ngayon ang mga rice farmers,” said Bolos, underscoring that this will drive planting intentions despite rising input and logistics costs.
Adoption is gaining ground. About two-thirds of the association’s 150 hectares now use the protocol, with farmers reporting stable yields across seasons. Bolos said adopters from the Visayas and Mindanao have also seen improvements. “Kapag tumawag sila sa akin, nagpapasalamat, na-improve daw yung ani nila,” he added.
With fertilizer and fuel costs still volatile, such cost-saving innovations could determine planting decisions. Bolos believes current palay prices will keep farmers in the fields, but lower input costs offer a stronger buffer.
In farming, producing more while spending less is the ultimate edge. Bolos may have found it. ### (By DA – OSEC Comms)
