2019

This is an Entry to the Government Best Practice Recognition Awards

Title

Seeds Varietal Trial in Ecosystem Adaptation Program (On Location)

Organization

Municipal Government of Oton

Best practice Focus Area(s)

Customer and citizen focus – Project implementation

Year Implemented

2016

Summary

Seeds varietal trial in ecosystem (on location) adaptation program was initiated by the municipal agricultural office in collaboration with the local chief executive, Southern Iloilo association of multi-purpose cooperative and progressive and united federation of farmers association of Oton. It is a new innovation in the farming technology and practices of the municipality. The nominated best practice was started in 2016.

Background and Problem

The objectives of the program are:

  1. To determine the agronomic characteristics of four (4) newly released rice varieties under three (3) ecosystems.
  2. To determine the yield performance of the four (4) newly released rice varieties under the three (3) ecosystems.
  3. To identify the best performing rice varieties grown in each of the three (3) ecosystems.

Due to climate change effects in rice production,  the need to conduct research and development on new varieties of rice was a must in order that the farmers will have better quality seeds and yields that will equate to higher income.

Solution and Impact

The three (3) best varieties of seeds that were selected will be planted in appropriate ecosystems for reproduction by the seed growers in the municipality.

Implementation procedures :

  1. Location

The experiment was done in three locations namely: Barangay Tagbac Sur for the partially irrigated lowland, Barangay Tuburan for the fully irrigated lowland, and Barangay Rizal for the favorable rain-fed (with shallow tube well) lowland. These three locations represent the ecosystem for the adaptability test of the four (4) rice varieties.

  1. Land preparation

Within the first forty (40) days before sowing, the first and second plowing of the area was done. Five (5) days before planting, first harrowing was done and final leveling was followed, two(2) days before planting.

  1. Seedbed preparation

The seeds of the fourteen (14) rice varieties were sown in seedbeds following the wet method. Seeds were soaked for twenty-four (24) hours and incubated for thirty-six (36) hours before final sowing to the prepared seedbed. Urea fertilizer was applied before sowing.

  1. Seedling management and crop establishment

Seedlings were grown by 15 farmers until 14 days from sowing. Transplanting was done by mechanical transplanter, spaced 18×30 cm.

  1. Fertilizer management

Three applications of fertilizers were followed per 1,000sq.M.Plot. A granular applicator was used. For the fully irrigated ecosystem, the first application was done in 7 days after transplanting using 140kg of urea and 90 kg of 16-20-0. The second application was done 21 days after transplanting using 50kg of urea, 56kg of 16-20-0, and 130 kg of t14. The third application was done 39 days after transplanting using 70kg of urea and 57kg of 16-20-0. For the partially irrigated ecosystem, identical amounts of fertilizer were applied but first, second and third applications were done at 8,22 and 37 days after transplanting. In a similar manner, fertilizer application for favorable rainfed ecosystems was done 10,25 and 41 days.

  1. Weed management

For the weed control, advanced herbicide was sprayed 6 days and agroxone at 20 days.

  1. Pest management

For pest control, prevathon, boltrin, and armor were applied depending on the occurrence of the kind of pest.

  1. Harvesting

Harvesting was done when 80% of the grains per panicle have golden brown grains with the use of combined harvester.

  1. Data collection

The data collected were plant height (cm) at harvest, a number of productive tillers from ten (10) randomly selected sample plants per 1,000 sq.M. Plot actual fresh yield (kg), and the computed yield (t/ha).

The program has increased the production of good quality seeds for farmers’ use, has increased the production and yield  and eventually  increased the income of the farmers:

Farmer-beneficiaries – 250 plus other non-member farmers availed the 1,350  much lesser costs of seeds of good quality

2017 – 5,000 x 25 bags = 125,000 bags – yield more or less

2018   -6,000 x25 bags = 150,000 bags –more or less

2019 – 7,000 bags

Milestones

250 farmers out of 700 plus farmers availed of the new seeds and produced high yields

Philrice provided the initial seeds for research

Siampcooperative provided loans to farmers and brought their produce

Municipal government and municipal agriculture office recognized the best practice in the 2017 excell awards – 2nd runner up in the region in economic governance