Quezon farmers are optimistic that rice yield in their province would increase with the series of training currently conducted by the Departmentof Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research (DA-PhilRice) branch station in Los Baños starting first quarter.
Dr. Michelle C. Quimbo, Rice Technology and Innovations Promotion (RiceTIP) project leader, said DA-PhilRice in Los Baños will conduct seven batches of training on PalayCheck or integrated rice production and nutrient decision support tools in Quezon. The province, which has the largest rice land share in CALABARZON, is one of the low-yielding areas in the country. The onsite training on the selected sites will ensure that standard health and safety protocols are strictly followed.
With around 30 participants in each batch, the training will include lecture and hands-on activities and demonstration on PalayCheck, Minus-One Element Technique (MOET), Leaf Color Chart (LCC), and Rice Crop Manager (RCM). Technologies that will be introduced, specifically the nutrient management tools, are instrumental in demonstrating to the farmers that yields can be significantly improved when fertilizers are applied in the right type, amount, and timing based on the nutrient availability of their soils, varietal type, and critical growth stages of the rice crop.
Demonstration areas are already established across the province in sites under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program, Rice Business Innovations System Community program, and ATI-Assisted Farmer Field School.
The trainings are conducted in partnership with the RCEF-funded FFS, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and the local government units of Sariaya, General Nakar, and Tiaong.Target sites of the training for 2021 wet season cropping are Infanta, Mauban, and Candelaria.
For more information about trainings conducted by the Institute, queries can be sent thru PhilRice Text Center (0917 111 7423) or email prri.mail@philrice.gov.ph.
