Farmers and provincial agriculture staff touring the fields at DA-PhilRice Negros.
Some 120 farmers and provincial agriculture staff joined the 2022 Dry Season Lakbay Palay at DA-PhilRice Negros, May 23. The event consisted of a field tour through seven stations and an open forum.
At station 1, the Animal and Organic Options Component of DiscoveRice Project bannered the use of rice remnants as vermicompost substrates and animal feeds, while other crops are essential as food alternatives. Station 2 showcased six special- purpose rice (Black Rice, Calatrava, Arabon, Dinorado, Red 64, Red 18), and eight inbred rice varieties.
The other stations presented the setup on mungbean and onion production, hybrid rice and the ICT-based Binhing Palay App, MOET App, and eDamuhan App. Fertilizer recommendations were also given to interested farmers through the Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service (RCMAS). Various farm machines were likewise introduced during the event. Romel Solidum from the Organic Farming Development and Promotions Division of OPA-Negros Occidental suggested the use of organic materials in response to expensive chemical fertilizers. Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) representative Pinky Subebe, meanwhile, explained the RCEF-Credit Program, while provincial government officials tackled other concerns. Most of the attendees said that the field day helped them identify rice varieties and hoped it would be conducted every season.
