With El Niño putting water availability at risk, farmers’ cooperatives and associations examined technologies that could reduce production stress during prolonged dry conditions at a farmers’ field day called Lakbay Palay in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.
During the Sept. 17 field tour at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), participants visited the FutureRice Farm and Palayamanan, where drought-tolerant rice varieties, rainwater harvesting, water impounding facilities, small irrigation water pumps, Alternate Wetting and Drying, and diversified farming activities were among the options presented.
Building on what they learned from the tour, around 400 farmers and agriculture stakeholders participated in a visioning exercise based on a simulated budget. Farmers’ groups were asked to work with a simulated budget from local government unit and identify technologies, programs, and support services they would prioritize for El Niño preparedness.
Their priorities included drought-tolerant varieties such as NSIC Rc 480, Palayamanan, crop insurance, El Niño information support, rainwater harvesting, water impounding facilities, small irrigation water pumps, and MOET soil testing.
The exercise allowed farmers’ groups to pinpoint practical investments in water management, rice production, livelihood, and other measures based on their field conditions and needs.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said innovations must reach farmers and be supported by different sectors.
“A good innovation is useless if it remains confined to a demonstration farm. Innovation is not a trophy, it must be used in the field. Innovation is what saves water, increases yield, and, above all, raises farmer income,” Tiu Laurel said in Filipino.
PhilRice Executive Director John C. de Leon said Lakbay Palay serves as a platform for bringing solutions closer to farmers and partners.
“Through Lakbay Palay, our goal is to ensure that the knowledge generated from our laboratories and research flows directly to the fields,” de Leon said.
A session called “RiceXplain” also provided media representatives, influencers, LGUs, and partners with a production-to-table view of the rice sector, covering El Niño preparedness, PhilRice-bred varieties for unfavorable conditions, seed distribution, data for decision-makers including PRiSM and Ricelytics, healthier rice choices, and farmer enterprise.
The activity concluded with a RICEponsible Partners’ Pledge, with attendees expressing their commitment to use their platforms and programs to support Filipino farmers and promote climate-resilient and sustainable rice production.
