The International Rice Research Institute (Irri) said the Department of Agriculture (DA) has tapped its expertise on rice production, particularly on irrigation efficiency, to help the government hit its rice self-sufficiency target.
“Under the national rice program, the Philippine Rice Research Institute [PhilRice] and the Irri are undertaking a joint scientific effort to improve water-use efficiency in the country’s irrigation systems,” the Irri said in a statement released recently.
“With financial support from the Bureau of Agricultural Research of the Department of Agriculture [DA-BAR], the Irri and PhilRice have launched the project, Water-efficient and risk mitigation technologies for enhancing rice production in irrigated and rainfed environments [WateRice],” it added.
Irri water scientist and WateRice project leader Suhid Yadav said the project aims to promote the incorporation of ICT (information and communications technology) tools in the crop-management practices of farmers.
“WateRice’s goal is to improve water-use efficiency through ICT tools that can improve farmers’ decisions on water and weed management. We will be combining this with recommended best management practices and mechanization in both irrigated and rainfed environments,” Yadav said.
During the launch of WateRice project, the PhilRice also rolled out a new irrigation management decision tool called AutoMonPh, according to Irri. The tool allows farmers to monitor irrigation systems in real time.
“The project [WaterRice] will also focus on mechanization, best management practices for rainfed and weed management to improve water use efficiency,” PhilRice scientist and project lead Dr. Manuel Jose Regalad said. “The project will initially be implemented in Regions 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12.”
Earlier this year the DA said it would bank on the inputs of the Irri and PhilRice in crafting a national rice farming program.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol has moved his earlier target of achieving rice self-sufficiency to 2020 due to lack of funding.
Piñol said the DA will bank on its National Hybrid Rice Seeds program to boost rice production and improve productivity.
“The DA is promoting the nationwide use of hybrid-rice seeds, which have been proven to produce double the production average of inbred-rice seeds,” he said. “The National Hybrid Rice Seeds program, along with the provision of small-scale irrigation systems, mechanization and the availability of easy credit and financing for the farmers, is expected to boost the country’s rice production and achieve rice sufficiency by 2020,” Piñol added.