Effective microorganisms (EM) have been employed by farmers not only for aquaculture but also as a natural antidote to pests that threaten dollar-earning banana plantations.
Dr. Teruo Higa of the University of Ryukyus, have proved the effectiveness of EM in 1982, since than they are in use in 116 countries as an efficient foil to pests as it uses beneficial bacteria to inoculate the soil, fertilize it and instigate the production of nutrients in the topsoil, where 80 percent of microbial activity occurs.
"EM is a microbial inoculant with a mixed culture of beneficial microorganisms, primarily photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria, yeast, actinomycetes and fermenting fungi," Higa explains.
The Okinawan microbiologist says he stumbled upon the exceedingly beneficial work of microorganisms while studying ways on how to prevent environmental degradation.
HIga says that in agriculture EM can be used as leaf spray or as soil amendment and in banana plantations in Mindanao to combat pests as a natural response to infestation.
He has told that on spraying it helps increase photosynthetic activity of the plant resulting to high yield of controls important plant diseases and also serves as an important ingredient in the preparation of fermented compost necessary for organic agriculture.
EM can be used in livestock for the production of pork, poultry eggs and meat and beef.
In industry, EM can be used in disinfection of housing facilities and for the clarification and disinfection of drinking water besides being used as feed additive and as an agent to reduce foul odor substantially.
Higa has told that EM can be used in aquaculture business to eradicate pond weeds and burrowing fish predators, induce growth of natural food and aerate ponds. These microorganisms can also be used as a sanitizing agent in homes and offices, namely, for air conditioners, beddings, kitchen, bathrooms and even pets.
Leandro Aure has shown that garbage disposal and treatment in municipalities and urban centers are less troublesome due to the effect of EM in elimination of foul odor.
Pollution can be reduced by tapping microorganisms for the bioremediation of industrial wastes in food processing and manufacturing companies worldwide as they digest organic wastes and transform them into non-harmful substances.