0630 System of Rice Intensification (SRI) On–Farm Trials in Eastern Visayas

System of Rice Intensification (SRI) On–Farm Trials in Eastern Visayas

The System of Rice Intensification

Basic Information

Researchers Dr. Zosimo M. de la Rosa - Regional Program

Coordinator Dr. Fe M. Gabunada - Team Member FARMI Staff - Members Participating LGUs, NGOs, POs & Farmers

Duration of the study Date Started: June – October 2004 planting seasonEnd Date: 2006 (3-4 planting seasons& beyond)


Basic InformationImplementing Agencies

• LGU-OMA, Baybay, Leyte• LGU-OMA, Jaro, Alang-alang, Leyte• City Agricultural Service Office (CASO) - Ormoc City• RDI Leyte Incorporated - Ormoc City & Naval, Biliran• Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) - Leyte• OPA, Naval, Biliran Province• OPA, Borongan, Eastern Samar• Babatngon & San Jorge Seed Farms – Leyte & Samar • CASO, Maasin City- Southern Leyte Province• CASO, Calbayog City – Northern Samar• Biliran National Agricultural College, Biliran Province• MASIPAG- Valencia, Ormoc


Basic Information

Cooperating/Funding Agencies

• Association Liaison Office (ALO/USAID)• Cornell Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development (CIIFAD) – Cornell University, USA• Leyte State University, Visca, Baybay, Leyte• Visca Foundation for Agricultural Research and Development (VIFARD)• Visayas Consortium Agricultural Research Program (ViCARP)• Eastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (EVIARC)• Rural Development Institute (RDI) Leyte, Incorporated – NGO• OPA, Leyte


Introduction

• Food demand is an acute need of developing countries like the Philippines• Rice is the staple food of Filipinos & half the world’s pop.• Estimated ave. yield of lowland rice in Eastern Visayas ranges from 2.5 to 4.5 t/ha; increasing yield by 6.0 t/ha or higher through SRI practices may reduce rice importation• Need for food security and food safety to meet population growth• Conversion of prime rice lands as a result of urbanization • SRI practice, which is environment-friendly, opens up a new hope for disadvantaged rice farmers


GoalEnhancing the productivity and sustainability of the Philippine rice economy through SRI

• To test and demonstrate the applicability of SRI practice in Eastern Visayas; • To evaluate the yield increment between the SRI practice and farmers’ traditional rice cultivation; • To determine the economic advantage of SRI over the traditional rice culture; and • To document farmer-cooperators’ feedback on SRI

Specific Objectives

Background of the SRI Initiative in Eastern Visayas

• Dr. Norman Uphoff conducted SRI seminar in March 2004

• A working group on SRI was formed at LSU and

SRI protocol was drafted

• Joint SRI proposal was prepared

• Implementation guidelines were discussed

among participating partners


Implementation Strategy Employed

• Discussed protocol with selected farmers together with their respective technicians

• Identified areas for the on-farm trials

• On-going on-farm trials enabled other farmers to interact with cooperators during Farmer-Field Days

• Conducted 34 SRI orientations/seminars and small group discussions



N

EW

S

LOCATION MAP

SRI SITES

20 0 20 40 Kilometers

Scale 1:1,500,000

9°50

' 9°50'

10°4

0'

10°40'

11°3

0'

11°30'

12°2

0'

12°20'

123°50'

123°50'

124°40'

124°40'

125°30'

125°30'

ALANGALANGALMERIABABATNGONBAYBAYBNAC, BILIRANBONTOCBORONGANCALBAYOG CITYCATARMAN (RDI)GANDARAJAROKANANGAMAASIN CITYORMOC CITYSAN JORGENON-SRI

LEGEND:

On-Farm Research Sites


1. Use at least 500 sq.m. of well puddled/prepared/leveled irrigated lowland rice field per location with a planting distance of 25cm x 25cm.

2. Test plot will be demarcated by buffer and irrigation/drainage channels on all sides to arrest inter-plot/paddy seepage and hydraulic conductivity. All cultural practices for the conventional management will be followed in control plots.

Methodology


Methodology

3. Available compost/manure in the area will be used as fertilizer to be applied before plowing or first harrowing. The rate of application will be dependent on the soil fertility and the resources of farmers.

4. Broadcast pre-germinated rice seeds (farmers’ choice) sufficient for the SRI plot (500 sq.m.)


Methodology 5. Seedlings ranging from 8-15 days old will be transplanted at a distance of 25cm x 25cm. Only one seedling should be planted per hill within 15-30 minutes after uprooting.

6. Rice paddies should be moist but not saturated or flooded; surface cracking of the soil is allowable, during the vegetative stage of the rice plants.


Methodology

7. Two weeding operations, using rotary weeders, should be employed. First weeding should be 8-10 days after planting. Second should be approximately 3 – 4 weeks after planting. Hand weeding should follow during the growing/tillering phase.


Methodology

8. Apply pest control as the need arises, using alternative management scheme (i.e., biological control or use herbal

pesticides).

9. A depth of 1-5 cm standing water in the rice field during the reproductive phases (initiation, booting, flowering, grain filling) should be maintained.

10. Rice field should be drained 10-15 days before harvesting.


Methodology

11. Three crop cuts (2m x 5m) both from SRI and non-SRI plots will be taken to determine the yield in ton/ha, adjusted to 14% moisture content.

12. Record all data and feedback from farmer-experimenters.

Note: Collect “kohol” if it is prevalent in the plot before planting.


Activities Conducted• SRI Orientations Name of Municipality and

ProvinceNumber of Participants (DA

technicians & farmers)Date Conducted

1. Almeria, Biliran 35 Sept. 24, 2004

2. Jabonga, Agusan del Norte 27 Oct. 21, 2004

3. Sogod, So. Leyte 60 Nov. 5, 2004

4. Maasin City, So. Leyte 44 Nov. 15, 2004

5. Almeria, Biliran 39 Nov. 22, 2004

6. Matag-ob, Leyte 23 Dec. 17, 2004

7. SWC, Network, Bohol 27 Jan. 7, 2005

8. Naval, Biliran 15 Jan. 10, 2005

9. Baybay, Leyte 67 Jan. 14, 2005

10. Borogan, Eastern Samar 36 Feb. 16, 2005

11. City Agricultural Office, Calbayog, Western Samar

28 Feb. 25, 2005

12. Leyte Province, Tac. city 48 March 11, 2005

13. Lorente, Eastern Samar 38 May 12, 2005


Activities Conducted• SRI Orientations (continuation)

Name of Municipality andProvince

Number of Participants (DA technicians & farmers)

Date Conducted

14. Tigum sa Mga Mag-uuma Patag, Baybay, Leyte

11 April 15, 2005

15. Oras and Bangkayan Eastern Samar

41 May 13, 2005

16. Salcedo, Samar 35 May 14, 2005

17. Quinapondan, Eastern Samar 37 May 17, 2005

18. Mawacat, Calbayog City 39 May 26, 2005

19. Farmers’ Scientist Forum SBFISA, Alang-alang, Leyte

60 May 27, 2005

20. Patag, Baybay, Leyte 28 June 18, 2005

21. Cabucgayan, Biliran 15 June 21, 2005

22. Palanas Irrigators Assoc., Albuera, Leyte

36 June 22, 2005

23. DA Technicians Conference Baybay, Leyte

9 July 8, 2005

24. PNOC, Ormoc City 25 July 6, 2005


Activities Conducted• SRI Orientations (continuation)

Name of Municipality andProvince

Number of Participants (DA technicians & farmers)

Date Conducted

25. Brgy. San Jose, Ormoc City 30 August 10, 2005

26. Capoocon, Leyte 11 August 10, 2005

27. SLSU Hinunangan, So. Leyte 27 September 16, 2005

28. Brgy. Liberty Hilongos, Leyte 11 October 3, 2005

29. NIT-BNAC, Biliran 65 October 5, 2005

30. University of Eastern Phil, Northern Samar

19 October 18, 2005

31. Capoocan, Leyte 61 November 7, 2005

32. OPA Naval, Biliran 22 November 10, 2005

33. Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Baybay, Leyte

62 November 18, 2005

34. DAR, Digos, Davao del Sur 20 December 6, 2005


Activities Conducted

• On- Farm Trials Conducted (2004 June – October 2004)Place/ Area/Province Number of Trials Area (in ha.)

1. Baybay 3 0.15

2. Ormoc, City 2 1.10

3. Labrador-RDI assisted 2 0.09

4. Almeria-Biliran Province (RDI assisted)

3 0.70

5. Maasin City –assisted by CASO Maasin, So. Leyte

1 0.05

6. Jaro, Leyte, OPA assisted 1 0.05

7. Brgy. Roxas II, Calbayog Western, Samar

2 0.10

8. Babatngon Seed Farm 1 0.20


Activities Conducted• On- Farm Trials Conducted (1st & 2nd Croppings -2004 & 2005)



• On-farm trials for the dry cropping season (2004 December – April 2005)

Place/ Area/Province Number of Trials Area (in ha.)

1. Baybay, Leyte 15 5.50

2. Ormoc, City 2 1.25

3. Labrador - RDI assisted 3 1.00

4. Almeria & Cabugcayn, Biliran Province – RDI-assisted

7 2.50

5. Maasin City – assisted by CASO Maasin, So. Leyte

3 1.25

6. Jaro, Leyte 1 0.25

7. Brgy. Roxas II, Calbayog, Western, Samar

2 0.05

8. Babatngon & San Jorge Seed Farms , Leyte and Samar

2 0.25

9. Biliran Agricultural College (BAC), Biliran Province

1 3.00



• Three Farmers’ Field Days

• Farmers’ Forum



• Shared SRI results: 1st Nat’l SRI Symposium at Los Baños, 18th FCSSP in Cagayan de Oro, Dissemination Symposium on Community-Based Watershed Mgt. Support Project-LSU-CU ALO/USAID, and 17th Regional R & D Symposium

• Distributed SRI reading materials in English, Cebuano and Waray dialect to various clients, including SRI leaflet developed in Madagascar (through CIIFAD-CU)


Results of SRI on- Farm TrialTable 1. Computed Average Yield (t/ha) of SRI on-farm trials and non-SRI during the wet cropping season, June 2004-Sept. 2004, and December 2004-May 2005, under different locations in Eastern Visayas

Name of FarmerCooperator & Location

Variety 1st Cropping*(July-October 2004)

2nd Cropping**(Dec. 2004 –May 2005)

Non-SRI(t/ha)

SRI(t/ha)

SRI(t/ha)

1. Angelina Cano Baybay, Leyte

PSB-RC 18Mestizo 3

7.7 10.708.61

2. Benecia Okan Ormoc City

M116Bigante

7.60 6.259.17

3. Panfilo Ochea Almeria, Biliran

PSB-RC 18NSIC 110

-10.50

-14.0 12.0

4. Edilberto Magallano Marihilo,Maasin, Leyte

Bigante 11.08 13.58 5.86


Results of SRI on- Farm


Variety 1st Cropping*(July-October 2004)


Non-SRI(t/ha)

SRI(t/ha)

SRI(t/ha)

5. Dario Pilapil Labrador, Ormoc City

PSB RC-80 5.66 6.37 6.62

6. Juanito Poliquit Patag, Baybay, Leyte

RC-98Mestizo 3

4.75-

6.25- 7.33

7 .Guadalupe Mesario Biasong, Baybay, Leyte

Mestizo 116Bigante

7.60 8.30

9.0

Average 7.84 or 178.21 cav/ha

9.35 or 212.5

cav/ha

8.32 or 189.12 cav/ha

continuation…..

* Wet Season** Dry Season


Results of SRI on- Farm Trial

Table 2. Computed Average Yield (t/ha) of SRI ‘spill-over adaptors’ during the dry cropping season, Dec.2004-May 2005, in Eastern Visayas

Name of Farmer Co-operators and Location

Variety Area (ha) Previous Non-SRI Yield

(t/ha)

SRIYield(t/ha)

1. Ruperto Abreu Maganhan, Baybay, Leyte

Bigante 0.20 5.72 9.0

2. Policarpio Mabute Roxax V Quenco District, Calbayog City, Samar

SL-8H 0.06 2.64 4.23

3. Pancracio Petilos Biliran, Biliran

Mestizo 3

0.38 2.64 6.44

4. Saturno Andrin Labrador, Ormoc City

RC-82 0.10 6.0 8.5



Name of Farmer Co-operators andLocation

Variety Area (ha) Previous Non-SRI Yield(t/ha)

SRIYield(t/ha)

continuation….

5. Bernie Kapote San Juan, So. Leyte

Inbred 1.0 3.08 5.28

6. Carlito Mapute SanJuan, So. Leyte

Inbred 1.0 3.60 5.78

7. Isaias Mapute SanJuan, So. Leyte

Inbred 1.0 3.08 5.28

8. Edna Paco San Juan, So. Leyte

Inbred 1.0 3.70 5.41

9. Teodoro Tecson Southern, Leyte

Inbred 1.0 3.08 5.54





(t/ha)

SRIYield(t/ha)

continuation….

10. Dominador Maoña Kananga, Leyte

Bigante 1 4.6 8.3

11. Mario Sabando Patag, Baybay, Leyte

Mestizo 0.15 2.93 6.38

12. Gerry Lanate Cabucgayan, Biliran

Hybrid 1 4.54 5.4

13. Terso Juntilla Libertad, Cabucgayan,

Hybrid 1 3.6 5.4

14. Hospicio Villocino Gakat, Baybay, Leyte

Mestizo 3

0.5 3.10 4.08





(t/ha)

SRIYield(t/ha)

continuation….

15. Antonio Acuzar Maganhan, Baybay, Leyte

Mestizo 3 0.3 3.5 5.15

16. Celso Galvez Maganhan, Baybay, Leyte

Mestizo 3 0.75 3.10 4.16

17. Enrique Alcober Gabas, Baybay, Leyte

Mestizo 3 .60 2.50 3.52

18. Biliran Agricultural College, Biliran

PSB RC 18

3 3.30 6.33

19. Terso Juntilla Cabucgayan, Bilian

Mestizo 3 0.25 3.60 5.4


Results of SRI on-Farm Trial

Table 3. Gross margin (Php/hectare) of selected farmer-cooperators by cropping season


1st Cropping*(July-October 2004)


Non-SRI SRI SRI

1. Angelina Cano Baybay, Leyte

11,750 49, 200 47, 115

2. Benecia Okan Ormoc City

31, 307 26, 491 44, 197

3. Juanito Poliquit Patag, Baybay, Leyte

(8, 300) 800 29, 491

4. Guadalupe Mesario Biasong, Baybay, Leyte

30, 918 32, 428 49, 040

* Wet Season** Dry Season


Lessons Learned in the conduct of SRI On-Farm Trials (Farmers’ Feedback)

During the pre-implementation stage, farmers thought:

• SRI is “kuti” – which means work in transplanting young and small seedlings is tedious

• Young seedlings (8-12 days old) planted can be eaten easily by golden snails or kohol (during rainy season)• Uncertainty as to whether 1 seedling per hill is better than planting in clumps (4-8 or more)• Unavailable sources of organic fertilizer/compost and manure• Newly-planted seedlings near the dikes are attacked by mole crickets



Positive feedback/comments

• Less number of seeds needed per ha• Strong/sturdy seedlings• Plants are more robust with bigger leaves after 2-4 weeks after planting• 30%-60 % savings on irrigation water • Rate of compost and inorganic fertilizer application varied• More bigger tillers developed/produced• Longer panicles with bigger and more grains



Positive feedback/comments

• Bigger plants with stronger stems and lodging- resistant • Resistant to sheath blight• Higher grain yield –increased by 2 t/ha or more • Cooked rice from SRI tastes better• Environment-friendly methods compared to conventional rice culture


Summary and Conclusion

• The first two batches of farmers who conducted SRI on-farm trials in the different rice-growing areas in Eastern Visayas during the June-October 2004 wet season and Dec. 2004-May 2005 dry season claimed to have increased their yield by as much as 2 tons hectare. In some cases, production was more than twice their previous yield

• The number of farmers who are now testing SRI has increased more than triple the original number for Dec.2004-May 2005 cropping season



• Establishment of harmonious working relationships among collaborative partners

• Improvement of the research and extension capabilities of the personnel and staff involved in the implementation

• Created networking and advocacy among institutions (NGA, NGO, GOs and POs, and other farmer groups) with environmental concern as the central focus

• Forged the value of cost-sharing among partners in conducting field activities and other related concerns



• Awakened interest among farming families, not only in the Visayas region but also nation-wide, in producing healthy food

• Served as a showcase for a dynamic and sustainable agriculture

• Sped-up awareness and promotion of SRI along with other sustainable farming practices

• The Magsasaka at Siyentipiko Para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura (MASIPAG) advocates in Region 8 started to promote the blending of MASIPAG-SRI rice culture


Implication and Recommendation

• Ill effects of some expensive chemicals have prodded farmers to adopt SRI into their own farms

• Have forged a stronger and more meaningful impact not only in the lives of farmer-cooperators, but also among participating organizations throughout E.Visayas

• It is therefore recommended that concerned government and non-government agencies promulgate policies towards institutionalizing SRI within the Department of Agriculture.


Implication and Recommendation

• Promotion and adoption of SRI can be facilitated and enhanced through an aggressive program of the national government in support of the disadvantaged rice farmers of the country


Technology

0630 System of Rice Intensification (SRI) On–Farm Trials in Eastern Visayas