The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) fast tracks the adaptation
of farming technologies with its seven branches across the country implementing
a more developmental approach.
During
the institute`s recent 59th Board of Trustees meeting, the highest
policy-making body agreed that the branch stations will broaden its development
focus to address other farming needs in the community.
Until
last year, PhilRice stations have specialized research activities. The station
in Batac, Ilocos Norte is known as center for dry land agriculture research and
development; San Mateo, Isabela, hybrid rice; Los Baños, Laguna, grain quality;
Murcia, Negros Occidental, organic agriculture; RTRomualdez, Agusan del Norte,
nutrient management; Midsayap, North Cotabato, integrated pest management; and
Ligao City, Albay, R &D for climate change adaptation.
“We
are redefining the roles of our branch stations. They will serve as nucleus for
technology testing and demonstration,” Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco Jr., PhilRice
executive director said.
Rasco
said that additional farming components will be tested and demonstrated in the
stations including services on financing and custom machinery, marketing, and
processing services for products derived from the community. These
components, he said, aim to enhance productivity, profitability, sustainability,
resource-use efficiency, value-adding, and mechanization.
"The
outcome from the demonstration sites will be easily and immediately deployed to
the surrounding communities. This creates a ripple effect as these
communities will then become additional nuclei for technology dissemination to
farther communities. Schools and state universities near the stations are
also potential catalysts in the formation of other nuclei,” Rasco said.
“We
have seen the impact of this model here at Central Experiment Station where
seed centers multiplied rapidly with the help of PhilRice. Aside from
seeds, we are eyeing the integration of other technologies like
vermicomposting, mushroom production and processing, bioethanol production, and
livestock production,” he added.
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