APPROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS: THE CASE OF TAGALOG RICE FARMERS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Transcription

1 Regional Conference on Organic Asia 2008 APPROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS: THE CASE OF TAGALOG RICE FARMERS IN THE PHILIPPINES Dr. Gina Villegas-Pangga University of the Philippines Los Baños

2 In the Philippines, the links between poverty, agriculture, and environmental degradation are increasingly recognized.

3 Ecological Condition of Rice Farms in Southern Tagalog Area

4 A list of documented problems in rice environment includes the following:

5 A. FERTILIZATION B. CROP ROTATION C. PEST CONTROL D. DIVERSIFICATION

6 A. Fertilization Traditional practice of incorporating rice straws, including stubbles, and other crop residues into lowland rice soil enhanced soil biodiversity. This practice encourages the growth and proliferation of organic matter decomposing microbes.

7 The value of crop/plant residues as an important aspect of low-input sustainable rice production systems was recognized. Maintaining adequate levels of soil organic matter is an important factor in the long-term productivity of such systems.

8 An outstanding rice farmer in the province of Laguna is known for his innovative technic of applying organic materials as fertilizers with the aim of augmenting yield and reducing farm expenses. Crop and animal wastes collected from the field were composted and used as fertilizer for the rice crop

9 Two-way Fertilizer Application is a unique practice which the rice farmer himself initiated. Instead the common broadcasting method of fertilizer application, the fertilizer was applied in two directions. He believed that this method evenly distributed the fertilizer and avoided wastage.

10 A farmer s association in Laguna used fermented Gliricidia sepium ( Kakwate Plus ) as organic fertilizer. Kakwate Plus is use as spray for 10 consecutive days during the maximum tillering stage of the rice crop. This practice provides additional nutrients for better grain production and serves as botanical pesticides.

11 Organic materials for seedling establishment Laplap, scaping off of ready-to plant seedlings on the seedbed, is an indigenous method of seedling establishment commonly practiced in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro. This practice was employed to have greater root systems, greater water use and nutrient efficiency, and higher resistance to crop stresses.

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13 B. Crop Rotation - A practice of rotating rice varieties every two years.

14 C. Pest Control 1. Rice-Duck Technology

15 Through the integration of ducks in rice farming, several advantages can be realized:

16 The Duck Ranger: Rice- Duck Systems to the Rescue A program of U.P Los Baños that adopts the UPLB rice-duck model with built-in riceduck calendar is growing rice and ducks together in the same piece of irrigated land. In this model, the ducks are allowed to range in the rice field, with or without standing crop, with appropriate crop spacing, at the time that will not damage the rice crop.

17 UPLB Rice-Duck Model

18 2. Control of Golden Snails

19 Farmers from the province of Cavite employed tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) for the control of golden snails. The farmers broadcast chopped tobacco stems and leaf scraps on the rice paddy. The tobacco acts as molluscicide when fermented or when the paddy water becomes discolored.

20 3. Rat Control Rats are also major pests in rice farms. An indigenous practice is the use of fronds of coconut tree (known as palapa ). These fronds are placed in strategic areas of the rice fields in inverted position to look like snake (cobra) head.

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22 4. Control of Stem borers and Rice black bugs.

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25 5. Weed Control

26 6. Control of Birds

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28 4. Diversification Livestock, fish, trees and annual crops are common components of a traditional rice farm in Tagalog Regions. These components must be restored because diversification naturally reduces the need of any single external input. The potential for integration between components is enhanced with a corresponding decrease in the need for external inputs and capital costs. An example is rice bran use as feeds for fish and pigs; and animal manures as a source of fertilizers.

29 Rice-fish intercropping.

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31 Conclusion The future of the small-holder rice farmer will be determined by the ability of the farmer to maintain an economic operation while simultaneously sustaining the farms production potential. The intensification of production must not be undertaken through ecologically destructive approaches, in which the organic agriculture principles may apply. Food security and nutritional adequacy are important indicators of a stable and sustainable farming household and must be the major feature in any attempt to evaluate success.

32 Thank you for listening.