Date: February 21-25, 2010
Venue: Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Budgetary Requirement: PhP 5.0 M

Rationale

Aerobic rice technology was first introduced in the Philippines by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) approximately ten years ago. Field trials and experiments were established in the provinces of Tarlac and Nueva Ejica. The technology showed favorable impacts. Its potentials, as well as the challenges that could befall, were identified. It was found out that while aerobic rice technology could help reduce water requirement by 30-50% during the dry season thereby decreasing input cost, the yield could decline by 15-20%. In response to such adverse outcome, this technology is best adopted to rainfed areas that are generally productive only during the rainy season, and left idle during the dry season.

As this new production system requires non-flooded and non- puddled fields, the Bulacan Agricultural State College (BASC), in 2004, conducted field experiments in some rainfed areas in Bulacan. The experiments showed that aerobic rice technology has various advantages, such as: (1) low input requirement, (2) crop manageability, (3) yield competitiveness; (4) profitability; (5) early establishment which enhances productivity; (6) varieties are resistance to pests and diseases; and (7) weed competitiveness.

With these identified advantages, the College strongly promotes this new production system for the marginal rainfed areas in Bataan, Aurora, Palawan, La Union, Pamapanga, Isabela, and other provinces. BASC works in collaboration with other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), DA- Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and other government institutions. The College, along with all other stakeholders, is continuously working to further develop and promote aerobic rice technology in the Philippines. These institutions aspire to instigate the technology in all rainfed areas in the country by extending partnership initiatives to stakeholders in the countryside. Certainly, this initiative will increase overall rice production in the Philippines as unproductive areas can be utilized for the purpose, and production systems of farmers can be improved.


Objectives

1. Highlight breakthroughs on aerobic rice technology and other potential water-saving technologies for rice production in the country.
2. Strengthen linkages and establish more networks among concerned agencies toward nationwide promotion, adoption and development of aerobic rice technology.
3. Collect, consolidate and evaluate information needed in the preparation of the national program on aerobic rice technology.
Expected Participants (500)

1. Agricultural State Universities and Colleges (50)
2. DA-Regional Field Units (30)
3. Provincial Agriculture Offices (50)
4. Municipal Agriculture Offices (70)
5. DA-National Research & Extension Offices (50)
6. Farmer Cooperators, Adoptors & Leaders (200)
7. Non-Government Organizations (20)
8. AR Conference: Administrative & Management Staff (30)
9. Participants of Palawan:
a. Farmers (50)
b. DA-Municipal and Provincial Offices (30)
c. Palawan State University (10)
10. Media Personnels (10)



Expected Outputs

1. Developed and presented technical papers of the research institutions undertaking activities on aerobic rice, and pronounced testimonies from collaborating institutions and farmers.
2. Organized concerned agencies in the country who will participate in the promotion, adoption and development of the technology.
3. Institutionalized the promotion, adoption and development of aerobic rice technology in the local government units and other extension offices.
4. Developed a proposal for a national program on aerobic rice technology for submission to and funding consideration by the Department of Agriculture.



Organizers

1. Bulacan Agricultural State College
2. Bataan Peninsula State University
3. Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trades
4. Palawan State University
5. Bayan Muna Party List