Sorjan farming system, which originated in Indonesia, appears to be a good alternative cropping method that promotes climate change adaptation, farm productivity, food security, and regular income for the farm family.
In a PhilRice Agusan study, a 1-ha Sorjan farm generated Php75,000 additional income in a year. In 2016, income generally came from the sales of assorted vegetables such as lady finger, eggplant, string beans, cucumber, and tomato. This farming system is a sustainable source of income while waiting for the rice crop to be harvested.
The farm in Agusan integrated rice and vegetables. Production of cat fish, gourami, and/or tilapia using the sink or canal as fish pond were also recommended by PhilRice experts.
“This system maximizes land use by using the sinks for rice and fish production while the raised beds are used for vegetable production. This is suitable for farmers in the downstreams and rainfed areas,” says Hilario Unson, project staff.
Read: PhilRice adopts Sorjan cropping system
Hilario emphasizes that the system is adaptable year-round, wet or dry season.
Meanwhile, rice relay system was established at the learning farm of the station. Rice relay, a planting system that showcases the three rice growth stages, is usually done with 1-month interval to demonstrate the vegetative, reproductive, and ripening phases of rice.
According to Hilario, the showcasing of the rice relay aims to re-evaluate agronomic and yield performance of varieties used at different planting dates as affected by biotic and abiotic factors. The varieties used in the past were mostly inbred; for this year, public hybrids are planted.
The rice relay set up also serves as a learning venue for training programs.
