Farmers learn palaycheck system
Farmer-participats and farmer-guests from other
barangays pose for documentation with the project
billboard at Brgy. Monpon, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo
after the tour of the palaycheck study area.
(Photo courtesy of DA-WESVIARC)
Sixteen farmers from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo learned recently the palaycheck system demonstrated on the farm of Engr. Anecito Barrido.
Palaycheck is a dynamic rice crop management system that presents the best key technology and management practices as key checks.
Dr. Peter Sobrevega, manager of Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESVIARC) said that the conduct of this technology demonstration this dry season enables our farmers to be involved in testing new technology right in their own fields.
"The DA-WESVIARC is continuously searching for innovations specifically in rice industry in order to reduce inputs, maximize production and increase income of our farmers," he said.
The techno-demo started last November 21, 2006 wherein the sixteen farmer-participants compares the farmer practices with the best practices and learns through interaction, discussion in order to sustain improvement in productivity, profitability and environment safety.
As a rice integrated crop management (RICM) system, palaycheck recognized that rice growing is a production system consisting of a range of factors that are interdependent and interrelated in their impact on the growth, yield and rice grain quality, and on the sustainability of the environment.
According to Ms. Nenita Sudusta, the project study leader, palaycheck covers the principal areas of crop management such as seed quality, land preparation, crop establishment, nutrient management, water management, pest management and harvest management.
"The technology encourages farmers to manage their rice crop according to targets by measuring crop performance and analyzing results, provides standards in the form of key check that guide farmers on what to achieve, recommend on how to achieve the key checks and guide on how to assess the key checks," Sudusta explained.
The farmers field day and graduation program were attended by guest farmers from the barangays of Monpon, Acquit, Tinurian, Igcawayan Pulo, Jalaud, Ilaud Poblacion, Tabucan, Bungca, Agcawayan Calsada, Lagubang, Linao and Sohoton.
The project was sponsored by PhilRice, DA-WESVIARC, and local government of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.
(JEEO/RAFID 6)