Banga, South Cotabato | September 23, 2025 — Fifty local farmers from various municipalities and cities in South Cotabato have received Vermitea brewers, also known as compost tea brewers, each valued at 15,000 pesos.
A Vermitea brewer is a device or system used to produce vermicompost tea (often called vermitea). The vermitea brewer is made by James Reamon from General Santos City.
Virgie G. Peña, one of the beneficiaries, shared her heartfelt appreciation to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
“Thank you very much for the great opportunity you have given to our association. I am deeply grateful even though our place is the farthest sitio in Lacunon – Sitio Sayun, far from the lowlands, far from the town center, and far from the province. Thank you so much for recognizing us,” Peña said.
(Salamat gid sa dako nga oportunidad nga ginhatag ninyo sa amon nga association. Dako gid ako nga pasalamat bisan pa man nga ang amon ang pinakalayo nga Sitio sa Lacunon – ang Sitio Sayun, layo sa patag, layo sa munisipyo, kag layo sa provincial, salamat gid sa paglantaw ninyo sa amon).
“The assistance given by Gov. Tamayo will be put to good and proper use, and I will also share it with my members and even non-members so that I can help them as well,” Peña added.
(Ang mga hatag ni Gov. Tamayo, magamit ko gid sa tama kag maayo, kag ishare ko man sa akon mga member kag bisan indi member, para makabulig man ako sa ila).
Peña is an organic farming practitioner from Tboli town. She owned a vegetable farm in Barangay Lacunon.
Provincial Board Member Nilda Almencio, Committee Chairperson on Agriculture, reminded them to value and take care of the units distributed.
“Whatever project is given to us, we should take care of it and see to it that it is sustainable. We truly see how important you are. We would have nothing to eat if you did not plant rice and vegetables,” Almencion stressed.
(Whatever project nga ginhatag sa aton, tane aton gid halongan kag see to it nga sustainable ang project. Kag nakita gid namon kung gaano kamo ka importante: wala kami kaunon kung wala kamo may ginatanom nga palay kag gulay)
These vermicompost tea serve as a fertilizer, microbial inoculant, and pest control measure, enabling farmers to produce organic foliar sprays and soil drenches for rice and high-value crops, particularly vegetables. Their use is expected to enhance harvest yields, reduce production costs, and promote healthier farm produce.
This initiative, led by the South Cotabato Provincial Agriculturist, supports the ongoing goat and fertilizer production programs in the province.
