Evidence-based nutrient management strategy in identifying fertility status and soil constraints for vegetable production in the Southern Philippines

Participatory and soil assessment surveys were conducted in five major vegetable producing areas in Southern Philippines to define the current nutrient status and management practices involving vegetable production. Five sites were identified in each area representing four regions in Southern Philippines that were identified as vegetable producing farms and represent the major sources of vegetables sold in the
Visayas and Mindanao islands. Soil samples were gathered in each site representing the 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm depth and were analyzed in the laboratory for its physico-chemical characteristics. In the participatory assessment surveys, more than 100 farmers were interviewed for the current management practices they employed in vegetable production and the major problems they encountered in producing vegetables. The key outcomes of these investigations are: 1) growers identified lack of capital and high fertilizer prices as a key constraint to vegetable production; 2) the results of soil fertility evaluation suggests that growers are undersupplying some nutrients and oversupplying others leading to nutrients imbalances in the soil and, 3)
lack of capital is not an issue but an issue of more effective allocation of limited capital (fertilizer) resources.