In a farmers’ field day and forum conducted at Brgy. Bubulong Malaki, San Ildefonso last Feb. 2, Mayor Ricardo Silverio of San Rafael, Bulacan urged farmers to listen to the rice experts for them to be more productive.

“We should listen to what the rice experts are teaching us. To remind you, we have to feed 90 million people every day and [the number is growing]. That’s why we need to strive harder to achieve rice sufficiency,” Silverio told some 150 farmer-participants.

The field day and forum was conducted to showcase the technologies adopted by the farmers in the area. Since June 2009, PhilRice, through its location specific technology development (LSTD) program, has been promoting rice information and technologies in Bulacan sites, which include San Ildefonso, San Miguel, and Plaridel. The program implements the PalayCheck System, a package of rice farming technologies and practices for improved rice yield.

“Before LSTD interventions, many of the farmers in Brgy. Bubulong Malaki use good seeds and their seeding rate ranged from 125-200 kg/ha,” said Evergilio Aquino Jr, rice sufficiency officer in the area.

As farmers listen to PhilRice, some of the farmers now use certified seeds and practice 60 kg/ha seeding rate.

LSTD participants, including Brgy. Captain Ramon Victoria and Jun Sayco, thanked PhilRice for promoting the use of lesser seeds. Using enough seeds, they said, gave them more savings.

Reminding farmers of their roles and importance in attaining rice sufficiency, PhilRice executive director Ronilo A. Beronio, meanwhile, encouraged them to invite their fellow tillers in the localization of rice technologies.

“Before, we can import up to 40 million tons of rice to suffice the need of the Filipinos, but now we can barely import 20 million tons of rice because the countries where we're getting additional rice supply are also saving for their own consumption.... [Thus,] I am encouraging everyone to participate in LSTD. [This is a program that] is pasadya or customized to address the needs and problems of your own fields (and help the country become rice sufficient),” he said.

Aquino noted the localization of PhilRice’s 40 kg technology in the area. Based on PhilRice studies conducted nationwide since 1995, a bag of 40 kg certified seeds is enough for a hectare. However, owing to farmers’ long-standing belief that “more seeds means more yield,” farmers modified the seeding rate to 60 kg/ha seeding rate.
 
“The 40 kg technology is being localized in the area. Instead of 40 kg, farmers use 60 kg. Gradually, farmers in this area see and experience for themselves the benefits of reducing seeding rate,” Aquino said.

In addition, PhilRice’s plastic drumseeder was showcased during the activity. By using the machine, farmers can plant 20-60 kg of pre-germinated seeds per hectare in straight lines, saving 80-150 kg of seeds.

“Sana po ay magpatuloy pa ang mga ganitong programa at mapagtagumpayan ito upang makamit natin ang kasaganahan (We hope that this program will continue so we could achieve rice self-sufficiency),” farmer-participants said.

Atty. Ronilo A. Beronio (3rd from L) visits the LSTD site in Brgy. Bubulong Malaki, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, wherein rice sufficiency officer Evergilio M. Aquino Jr. (2nd from L) demonstrates the efficiency of the plastic drumseeder.