THE SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION

The System of Rice Intensification or SRI is an approach developed in Madagascar that has been reported to increase rice yield by 50%.

It was introduced in the Philippines in 2000 by Dr. Norman Uphoff of the Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development (CIIFAD).

The SRI approach is simple: (1) transplanting of seedling not more than 15 days old; (2) seedlings are planted at 1 plant per hill with a spacing of 25x25 centimeters or even wider; and (3) minimum water application to keep the soil moist.

Rice seedlings when transplanted at an earlier age can recover faster while the wider plant spacing allows more room for root growth and sunlight which can generate 30 to 50 tillers in a single rice plant.

In Nueva Ecija, SRI was introduced by the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and the Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka para sa Likas-Kayang Sakahan (Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Agriculture in Nueva Ecija) or KALIKASAN-NE.

In 2004, KALIKASAN-NE’s trailblazing work on SRI was recognized when it was awarded with a 1 million peso prize by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for its sustainable agriculture model revolving around SRI during the first World Bank-sponsored Philippine Development Innovation Marketplace.

SRI’s promise is to increase rice yield to 8-11 metric tons of rice per hectare compared to the current yield rate of 3-5 metric tons per hectare.

(Contributed by ANDREA MARIZ B. ALVAREZ, Bachelor of Arts in Development Communication, Central Luzon State University).

CARBONIZED RICE HULL AS A VALUABLE FARM COMMODITY

Over the years, the disposal of rice hull has emerged as a major problem in rice production and considered a waste in rice producing provinces like Nueva Ecija.

In 2003, a collaboration between the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PHILRICE), and the Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka para sa Likas-Kayang Sakahan sa Nueva Ecija (Association of Farmers for Sustainable Agriculture in Nueva Ecija) or KALIKASAN-NE came up with a carbonized rice hull (CRH) project to convert a traditional waste into a social enterprise product.

Research showed that CRH is rich in nutrients like potassium, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, and micronutrients that are vital to growing crops, and makes the land more permeable by allowing the soil to keep its moisture for a longer period.

CRH can also be an effective water filter, a cheap soil conditioner, and prevents the growth and subsequent multiplication of organisms that are known to cause diarrhea and other respiratory ailments.

The CRH project was piloted by the Balbalungao Organic Farmers Association (BALOFA) who exported it to Japan where it was used as a soil conditioner and generated a gross income of P45,000.00 per month.

(Contributed by HONEYLET S. MACMAC, Bachelor of Arts in Development Communication, Central Luzon State University).

A CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE EDUCATION

The Sentro Likas Saka (Center for Sustainable Agriculture) or SLS offers a season-long learning experience on sustainable rice-based farming systems and sustainable development. Its main course on sustainable rice science technology consists of 8 modules that can be packaged as separate short courses on request.

It maintains a multi-disciplinary faculty of practitioners, scientists, and academicians with extensive experience in sustainable rice-based farming systems, and has ongoing partnerships with various research and development institutions that provide technical support for sustainable rice science technology development. Training fees are reasonable and can be negotiated.

The SLS also offers the following services:

• Post-training Extension Support and Consultancy on sustainable rice science technology.
• Social Enterprise Development for sustainable rice-based farm systems with emphasis on micro-finance and market systems development.
• Study tours on sustainable rice ecosystems to include exposure and educational trips, integration, and information exchange with farmers.
• Participatory Research and Technology Development to enhance, innovate and promote sustainable rice science technologies.

SLS’s model on sustainable rice-base farm systems has been and is being developed and tested in Nueva Ecija since 1993 through a partnership between the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and the Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka para sa L:ikas-kayang Sakahan sa Nueva Ecija (Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Agriculture) in Nueva Ecija or KALIKASAN-NE.

This model has earned a citation from the United Nations Development Program in 1997 as one of the ten best practices in the implementation of the Philippine Agenda 21, has won a grand prize in the first World Bank-sponsored Development Innovation Marketplace competition in 2004., and has spawned a multi-awarded social enterprise – the Kooperatibang LIkas ng Nueva Ecija (Sustainable Cooperative of Nueva Ecija) or KOOL NE - that provides financing and marketing support for the production of organically grown rice, rice-based products, and rice by-products.

The SLS is an affiliate learning center of the Conrado Benitez Institute for Sustainability (CBIS).

SLS's contact details are:

PRRM Compound, Bukang Liwayway Bantug

Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines (3119)

Telefax: +63 044 4560713

(This article was contributed by HONEYLET S. MACMAC, a senior Development Communication student from Central Luzon State University. The photos used were provided by the PRRM Library in Nueva Ecija).

KOOL NE: A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FOR SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION

The Kooperatibang Likas ng Nueva Ecija (Sustainable Cooperative of Nueva Ecija) or KOOL NE was established to support sustainable rice production and marketing through a joint venture of the Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka para sa Likas-kayang Sakahan sa Nueva Ecija (Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Agriculture in Nueva Ecija) or KALIKASAN-NE and the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM).

KOOL NE’s vision is to be recognized as one of the most progressive and successful cooperative in Nueva Ecija in the field of enterprise and cooperative services, adequately providing the needs of its members and clients, and to be one of the leading supply and distribution channels to the growth of the organically grown rice sub-sector.

Its mission is to serve as a promoter and provider of sustainable agriculture technologies with high quality end-products and technical services, strive for the improvement of the quality end-products and technical services, strive for the improvement of the quality of life of members and their communities, serve as mechanism for unity and inspiration of the farmers in the Northern Nueva Ecija, establish and maintain a significant market share for its products, and work towards fair agricultural trade.

KOOL NE currently operates a microfinance program for agri-financing and micro-enterprise development; production, wholesaling and retailing of organically grown rice; distribution of organic fertilizers and certified seeds; and remittances.

It is a member of the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), the International Network of Alternative Financial Institutions (INAFI), the Federation of Peoples’ Sustainable Development Cooperative (FPSDC), and the Rice Watch and Action Network (R1); a current partner of the Philippine Development Assistance Program (PDAP), the Upland Marketing Foundation Incorporated (UMFI), PRRM’s RRTrade project; and an incorporator of the Novo Vizcayanos for Local Economic Development.

KOOL NE’s contact details are:

MS. CRECENCIA T. TAMBALO (for general inquiries)

MR. ROLAND TABUNAN (for microfinance services)

MR. ADRIANO E. ADRIATICO (for organically grown rice)

MR. JOSELITO A. TAMBALO (for sustainable agriculture)

PRRM Compound, Bukang Liwayway Bantug

Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines (3119)

Telefax: +63 044 4560713

(This article was contributed by ANDREA MARIZ B. ALVAREZ, a senior Development Communication student from Central Luzon State University. The photos used were provided by the PRRM Library in Nueva Ecija).

FARMERS IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

The Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka para sa Likas-Kayang Sakahan (Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Agriculture in Nueva Ecija) or KALIKASAN-NE was established in 1993 to demonstrate and advocate various sustainable agriculture models in rice production.

It envisions a progressive future where farmers’ livelihoods are improved and protected through sustainable agriculture.

Towards this end, KALIKASAN-NE is continuously conducting researches, training, and community organizing to promote and develop sustainable agriculture technologies that will improve the quality of lives of the farmers.

Its stated organizational goals are: (1) to develop appropriate and acceptable technologies; (2) to conduct training on various sustainable agriculture technologies; (3) to initiate a systematic documentation of practitioners; (4) to form organic farmers’ associations that practice sustainable agriculture in Nueva Ecija; (5) to increase farmers’ income through sustainable agriculture; and (6) to campaign for the adoption of sustainable agriculture.

KALIKASAN-NE is currently implementing projects on the formation and strengthening of farmers’ organizations, participatory technology development for sustainable agriculture, production of organically grown rice seeds, carbonized rice hull production, diversified integrated farming technology, promotion of the system of rice intensification or SRI, social enterprise development through the Sustainable Cooperative of Nueva Ecija or KOOL NE, and policy advocacy.

For its trailblazing work in sustainable agriculture, KALIKASAN-NE has receive several recognitions namely the Sen. Manuel P. Manahan Lifetime Achievement Award from PRRM, a citation from the United Nations Development Program as one of the Ten Best Practices in the Implementation of Philippine Agenda 21, and a grand prize from the Canadian International Development Agency during the first ever World Bank-sponsored Development Innovation Marketplace.

KALIKASAN-NE can be contacted through the following:

MR. JOSELITO A. TAMBALO (Chairperson)

+63 906 3818569

tolitstambalo@ymail.com

MS. REBECCA B. MIRANDA (Secretary General)

+63 919 8051940

rebs_105711@yahoo.com

PRRM Compound, Bukang Liwayway Bantug

Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines (3119)

(This article was contributed by ANDREA MARIZ B. ALVAREZ, a senior Development Communication student from Central Luzon State University. The photos used were provided by the PRRM Library in Nueva Ecija).

PRRM IN NUEVA ECIJA

The Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), one of the oldest and largest non-government organizations in the Philippines, was established in July 17, 1952. Its pioneering work in rural development started in Nueva Ecija, the country’s hotbed of agrarian unrest, where its first batch of rural reconstruction workers held their graduation rites on April 5, 1954 in Barrio Galvan, Guimba with no less than Philippine president Ramon Magsaysay as the guest of honor.

PRRM follows a 4-fold approach for its rural development program: livelihood to combat poverty, education to combat ignorance, health to combat disease, and governance to combat civic inertia. Through the years, natural resource management was included to respond to the issue of environmental degradation.

This approach is reflected today in Nueva Ecija through a sustainable rice-based farm systems development program with following components: land tenure improvement and security, participatory technology development in sustainable agriculture, social enterprise development through alternative rural financing and marketing, and policy reform and advocacy. This program is called the alternative production pattern on APP.

The APP has been widely recognized as a viable model for sustainable rice production and has been cited in 1997 by the United Nations Development Program as one of the ten best practices in the implementation of the Philippine Agenda 21. A scaled-up model called rice intensification as an enterprise development approach for small farmers won a grand prize at the first ever World Bank-sponsored Development Innovation Marketplace in 2004.

Today, PRRM in Nueva Ecija is a recognized leader in sustainable agriculture practice and advocacy which is showcased in various models being demonstrated by Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka para sa Likas-Kayang Sakahan (Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Agriculture in Nueva Ecija) or KALIKASAN-NE and the Kooperatibang Likas ng Nueva Ecija (Sustainable Cooperative of Nueva Ecija) or KOOL NE.

PRRM’s contact details are:

SHUBERT L. CIENCIA (Area Manager)
PRRM Compound, Bukang Liwayway Bantug

Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines (3119)

Telefax: +6344 456 0713

Email: slciencia2004@yahoo.co.uk

Website: www.prrm.org

(This article was contributed by HONEYLET S. MACMAC, a senior Development Communication student from Central Luzon State University. The photos used were provided by the PRRM Library in Nueva Ecija).