The capacity-building component of the Agricultural
Support Component of the National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and
Improvement Project (NISRIP) has attained 82% completion of the targeted 11
batches for the Training of Trainers (TOT) component.
The TOT has so far taught 190 Agricultural Technologists
(ATs) and National Irrigation Sector (NIS) personnel on Integrated Crop
Management using the PalayCheck System. Trainings mainly focused on nutrient
management, water management, and pest control, which are common areas that
need improvement based on Focus Group Discussions conducted by Rice Technicians
(RiceTechs) in over 180 Irrigators Associations (IAs) in nine regions.
To date, 25 Farmers Field Schools (FFS) have been going on
simultaneously for the IAs of Ilocos, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Agusan, Los Baños,
Palawan, and Negros, being led by TOT graduates and RiceTechs. Three hectares
Participatory Demonstration Farm cum seed production areas have been
established per IA.
“Our farmers in Palawan have not started planting yet due
to the delay of water service, but they are excited to participate since they
know they will use good quality seeds from PhilRice. Another incentive that the
farmers are looking forward to is having their soil analyzed which they have
not done in the past,” said Richard Romanillos, PhilRice Los Baños Development
Coordinator.
Aside from the PalayCheck System, training on the use and
maintenance of agricultural machinery will also be included in the FFS by the
end of this year. With these reinforcements given to members of target IAs, a
prospective Farmer Trainer shall eventually be selected and tapped to further
disseminate the technology.
Philippine Rice Research Institute and the National
Irrigation Administration are cooperating in realizing the objectives of
NISRIP, a project between the Philippine government and the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) with an aim of contributing to the national rice
self-sufficiency program, by increasing the yield by at least 1 ton per
hectare. JICA and the Philippine government provided funds for the NISRIP.
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