WITH over 300 members, the Patag-Coroña Irrigators Association Inc. based in Maramag, Bukidnon benefitted from rice program of the government spearheaded by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).
WITH over 300 members, the Patag-Coroña Irrigators Association Inc. based in Maramag, Bukidnon benefitted from rice program of the government spearheaded by the Philippine Rice Research Institute .Prior to the introduction of new methods and technologies, the coop has been utilizing traditional rice cultivation methods, thinking these would be enough to generate good yield.
In particular, its members used a large quantity of seeds to cultivate rice, or 80 to 100 kilograms per hectare kg/ha under the direct-seeding method.'Farming wasn't just a job; it was our life,' said Honorato Dizon, 63, a coop member and a farmer-cooperator under PalaySikatan program of PhilRice.For years, he adhered to the traditional practice of broadcasting 100kg/ha of rice seeds, believing that a higher seeding rate would lead to better yields. And at rice seeds costing P1,800 per 40-kg sack, this meant high cost for farmers.So, Dizon wanted a better approach but finding high-quality rice seeds was difficult for them until the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Seed Program led by PhilRice gave them access to inbred seeds of better quality.'Back then, we often had to search far and wide for seeds, sometimes traveling to other towns. But more often than not, we just exchanged seeds with neighboring farmers if their yields were good,' he added.The PalaySikatan initiative also helped the Patag-Coroña coop to reassess and enhance their farming practices and expanded the area where new cultivation methods will be applied from 6 ha to 50 ha.Aside from promoting high-quality inbred certified seeds under the RCEF Seed Program, the initiative also introduced mechanized farming technologies, such as drone-assisted direct seeding, which are showcased in techno-demos nationwide. The adoption of PalayCheck System technologies, including its digital app, was also encouraged to support efficient and cost-saving rice mechanization interventions.Dizon joined the techno-demo of the new methods and technologies under PalaySikatan with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. He doubted whether 40kg of seeds could suffice for a hectare of direct-seeded rice. Despite his silent protest, he decided to give it a try, hoping for positive results.'I often broadcast 100kg of seeds, but now I realize that this doesn't necessarily result in a higher yield. Forty kilograms is indeed enough,' he said.With the farming technologies introduced, he saw significant improvements.'The grains are fuller and healthier, and there are fewer pest problems. The drone seeder provided just enough space for each grain, leading to lower seed costs, which I was able to redirect toward fertilizer and pesticides,' Dizon said.With the 40kg/ha of seeds applied through the drone seeder, the improved spacing allowed the rice to also grow more robust, resulting in better harvest.'I was able to surpass my previous harvest — from 5.2 tons per hectare it increased to 6.6t/ha, a 27-percent increment,' Dizon said.For his part, Abraham Sendiong, the Patag-Coroña coop chairman, said the PhilRice Seed Program enabled them to source seeds easily.'Before, we used to travel 35 minutes just to buy good rice seeds. Now, we have easy access to certified seeds,' Sendiong said.The coop leader said that the success of farmers like Dizon also served as a demonstration of the viability of adopting to new technologies offered under the PalaySikatan program.'Many farmers were hesitant, but through the techno-demos and the testimonies of farmer-cooperators, the adoption rate has gone up,' Sendiong said. 'How did you do it? What farm practices should I adopt? These are the questions we often hear from fellow farmers.'Today, members of the Patag-Coroña Coop are also champions of the RCEF Seed Program, advocating for the use of certified seeds alongside modern farming practices.'It's not just about tradition; it's about learning and growing,' Dizon said.
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