VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur - Three big tobacco firms sought the early planting of tobacco crop by farmers not later than November 30 this year, according to the National Tobacco Administration (NTA).

NTA Administrator Carlitos Encarnacion said the request was made by the Anglo-American Tobacco Corp. (AATC), Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc., (ULPI) and Trans Manila Inc. (TMI).

Representatives of the three firms aired their request in a forum sponsored by the NTA held last Tuesday at the NTA central office in Quezon City.

They particularly asked that in the planting of tobaccos, a common farming technology would be adopted to ensure quality tobacco production, Encarnacion said.

Among the species of tobacco asked by them to be planted earlier in the Ilocos provinces are Virginia, burley and the native type of tobacco.

“Representatives from UPLI and TMI advised farmers that the sowing of Virginia tobacco seeds should be done not later than October 5 whle AATC opted for a later deadline on October 15,” Encarnacion said.

The three companies are recommending the heavy application of commercial fertilizers, ranging from 57 to 88 kilograms of NPK per hectare, raising concern from NTA agronomists.

However, Dr. Robert Bonoan, manager of NTA’s farm development department, recommended instead a 25 per cent reduction from the tobacco firm’s volume proposals.

He said that apart from being costly to the farmers, commercial fertilizers had been found to be damaging organic matter in the soil.

Bonoan said he would rather push for the use of organic fertilizers in tandem with a reduced rate of commercial fertilizer to give relief to the soil.

Top cigarette manufactureres, namely Fortune Tobacco Corp., Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing, Inc., La Suerte and other tobacco companies sent their representatives but opted not to present their technologies.

Bonoan said in a future meeting, he will sit down with them and present NTA’s own package of technology in tobacco farming. (PNA/Freddie G. Lazaro)