Corn farmers in Mangaldan, Pangasinan no longer have to burn leftover corn stalks and husks, thanks to biomass shredders distributed by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

These machines are now helping turn waste into fertilizer.

For farmers like Esperidion Bauzon of Barangay Salay, the shredder is a big help.

Before, they would leave corn residues to rot or feed them to cows. Now, they can recycle these into fertilizer.

“Pagkatapos ng shredder, hindi na namin kailangan pang sunugin, tapos makakatipid talaga kami,” Bauzon said.

“Piyan mabunay tanem bale-baley fertiler… para malago ang tanim, maganda na may fertilizer,” another farmer added.

The Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Soils and Water Management has distributed several shredders to local farmer associations.

More associations are expected to receive the machines soon.

“Kapag na-shred kasi nang maayos, mas mapapabilis ang decomposition process kumpara kapag hinayaan na lang na nandoon naka-imbak, matagal na ma-decompose,” Manuel Aquino, Rice Coordinator of the Mangaldan Municipal Agriculture Office, said.

To ensure proper use of the machines, all operators will undergo training under the DA’s supervision.