Written by the Web Team
Help the rice farmers cope with the onslaught of El Niño through adequate information.
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country`s lead agency in rice science and development, had produced and rolled out information materials on El Niño to equip the farmers with better chances of adapting to the warmer-than-usual phenomenon.
Jaime A. Manalo IV, Development Communication Division head, said print, modules, audio, and videos are uploaded in the agency`s website and were distributed to the regional information officers of the Department of Agriculture across the country.
Manalo said that brochures and leaflets on El Niño-ready varieties and the science of the phenomenon, which was explained in simple, non-technical way were also distributed.
“We know the power of information. Let`s make the farmers be prepared! Download the materials from http://www.philrice.gov.ph/index.php?page=resources&page3=elnino and share them in the social media,” he said.
Farmers in highly vulnerable areas are also informed through forum. In Isabela, farmers were briefed on Alternate Wetting and Drying, a water-saving technology where rice fields are alternately flooded and drained.
Manalo also encouraged the rice tillers to contact the Farmers` Text Center (0920-911-1398) should they want to know more about El Niño and the technologies that can reduce the losses brought about by the phenomenon.
