SAN MATEO, Isabela, Sept. 21 (PNA) — The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)-Isabela conducted a Resource Use Efficient Technology demonstration in its Learning Farm at Malasin, San Mateo, Isabela over weekend.
“We invited our farmer-cooperators and focal persons of the Accelerating the Development and Dissemination of Associated Technologies on Rice Production that are Resource Use Efficient project to further enhance their capacity as technology adopters”, said Helen R. Pasicolan, PhilRice-Isabela Research and Development Coordinator.
For Senior Science Research Specialist Anna Theresa Isabela O. Rebong, the farmer-cooperators are considered “extension arms” of PhilRice in promoting rice technologies and interventions.
The 52 participants experienced hands-on training and demonstration on some of the Resource Use Efficient Technologies such as Modified Dapog Seedling, Dapog Seedling for Mechanical Transplanter, actual use of Multi-Planter (for Aerobic Rice Culture) and Installation and Reading of Observation Well.
According to Pasicolan, the demonstrated technologies are only few among the many technologies that can be adopted by farmers to cope up with the effects of climate change.
“Other technologies that can help mitigate the effects of climate change are Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), Reduced Tillage practice, use of high quality seeds, use of Rice Crop Manager for Nutrient Management, use of drum seeder, and aerobic rice varieties” said Jay-ar B. Tapec, PhilRice Isabela’s Food Staple Sufficiency Program (FSSP) focal person.
Farmer Igmedio E. Ventura of Mallig, Isabela said that such technologies as the AWD, are important to save water and to lessen the cost of production.
Ventura, also a participant, has been using AWD technology since 2013, after undergoing training with PhilRice Isabela, and said that almost 50 percent of water and labor has been saved.
“After having hands-on experience in mechanical transplanting, I am now looking at the possibility of using mechanical transplanter in my field,” Ventura added.
“With PhilRice Isabela’s Learning Farm, we hope to convince more farmers to adopt such Resource Use Efficient technologies,” said Pasicolan. (PNA)