PIDDIG, Ilocos Norte – Amid growing concerns over declining soil fertility in long-time rice fields, farmers in Ilocos Norte are eyeing premium Wagyu beef production as a new growth driver.
Highlights of changes during 4th The Wagyu, Sorghum and Soybean Forum was held in the town of Pidig on Monday, where about 500 members of local irrigation associations gathered to explore high-value, climate-smart alternatives.
National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Eddy G. Guillen, a native and former mayor of Pidig, urged farmers to move beyond traditional rice cultivation and maximize irrigation for more profitable ventures such as Wagyu cattle production. He was accompanied by NIA Region 1 Acting Regional Manager Geoffrey B. Catulin also became involved, as local officials were pushing for agricultural innovation and value-added activities.
Former Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, who led the forum, promoted integrated systems combining sorghum cultivation with cattle raising. He said previous government livestock programs had faltered largely due to the absence of a reliable local feed base, stressing that growing fodder crops alongside cattle is the key to making Wagyu production viable even for small farmers.
Sorghum was presented as a drought-resistant alternative to maize for cattle feed, while soybean was recommended as a complementary crop that could meet protein requirements and provide a source of additional income to farmers.
Expanding local soybean production could also reduce reliance on imported soybean meal, thereby linking crop diversification directly to livestock profitability.
However, soil testing of rice fields after years of monocropping revealed very low levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Experts advised restoring soil health by incorporating organic matter and growing legumes such as soybeans during fallow periods, stressing that rebuilding soil fertility is critical to Ilocos Norte's ambition to become a center of high-value, diversified agriculture. — artemio a dumlao