Davao farmers improve yields after RCEF training

Farmers in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro have increased their average harvest from 6 tons per hectare to 9 ton following their specialized training under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Extension Service (RCEF-RESP) program.

The Katipunan Magading Farmers’ Association (KAMAFA attributes the 3 t/ha. Growth to the adoption of synchronous planting following a 30-day rest period and Minus-One Element Technique learned from an RCEF training, reported KAMAFA chair Milona Villanueva.

Experts from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) recommended synchronous planting after a rest period as it enables efficient use of irrigation water and avoids overlapping incidences of insect pest and disease populations, which prevent yield loss.

The MOET, a soil nutrient diagnostic technology done through a pot experiment complemented with an ICT-based application, determines the soil’s deficient nutrients and the amount of fertilizer needed to achieve target yield.

“We’re grateful that the training on the production of high-quality inbred rice, seed certification, and farm mechanization we attended in 2022 has equipped our members with valuable skills and knowledge,” she said.

From 15 members during its founding on November 16, 2016, the association now has over 100 members who also benefited from the free farm machines provided by RCEF including combine harvester, walk-behind transplanter, and mechanical transplanter.

Currently, KAMAFA is constructing a learning facility to host training courses so they too can share the learnings they learned to their communities. (By KRISTIANNE MARIE DAVID, PhilRice)