PhilRice’s Batac station and the international Rice Research Institute, in partnership with the local government of Ilocos Norte, conducted a climate change adaptation seminar on 8-10 July at the Capitol session hall of Ilocos Norte, Laoag City.
The 55 participants, all from Ilocos Norte, were out-of-school youth, entrepreneur farmers, municipal agricultural officers, and agricultural extension workers.
“We hope that this seminar will help the participants to better adapt to the impacts of climate change,” said Fidela P. Bongat, branch manager of PhilRice Batac.
Bongat added that the seminar envisioned to motivate stakeholders who will act as agents of technological change to increase productivity in the countryside.
Researchers from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office I, IRRI, and PhilRice gave lectures on drought-resistant varieties, water management, soil and agronomy, new agricultural computer software, and rice-based farming system.
Sherry Caalim, one of the participants from Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, said she will share the knowledge she gained during the seminar to her fellow farmers.
“It is a relief to see the efforts of experts in helping farmers cope with climate change,” Caalim said.
Caalim also attended PhilRice’s Farmers Field School. Through it, Caalim has developed her confidence to put up her own seed production area and agricultural supply store.
“Given all these technologies for climate change adaptation — from rice variety to water harvesting, water and soil interaction, and new agricultural models or software, the challenge is to continue to share them to our farmers,” Bongat concluded.
Gov. Imee Marcos initiated the conduct of the seminar.
