A group of researchers implemented a development project on Aerobic Rice Technology (ART).
The project is spearheaded by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) with the assistance of Isabela State University (ISU), Bulacan Agricultural State College (BASC), and Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).
The project aims to improve ecosystem-based rice farming system through appropriate water-saving technologies and at the same time increase rice production and farmers’ income through innovative research and extension modalities.
The project was titled as “Upscaling and Intensification of Aerobic Rice Production System through Integrated Research, Extension and Partnership Approach: Improving Productivity and Enhancing Technology Adaption towards Rice Self-sufficiency.”
Aerobic Rice Technology, a water-saving technology for rice production, involves growing drought- and disease-tolerant, high-yielding and short-duration rice varieties in water-scarce areas. Such areas include rainfed, lowland, upland, and tail-end portions of gravity irrigation systems.
Farmer-managed on-farm trials yielded 4 to 6 t/ha across climate types and variation of varieties, ecosystem, planting dates and planting methods.
Result also showed the water use efficiency of the technology. Yield obtained reached 2.2 g/kg as compared with the 0.4 g/kg from traditional flooded rice production system.
The financial viability of ART also proved promising in terms of return of investment (ROI). Yield of 4.2 t/ha at a production cost of P34,135.20, gross sales of P84,000, and net income of P49,864.8, provided an ROI of 1.46.
ART demonstration farms all over the country have shown favorable impacts of the technology to the farmers such as: low input requirements ease of production, higher income, and resistance of cultivars against weeds, among other benefits.
The Project Upscaling and Intensification of Aerobic Rice Production System through Integrated Research, Extension and Partnership Approach: Improving Productivity and Enhancing Technology Adaption towards Rice Self-Sufficiency was awarded as 1st Best Development Paper during the National Symposium on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development on October 28, 2014 at Elvira O. Tan Hall, PCAARRD Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna.
Initiated by the Los Baños-based PCAARRD, the NSAARRD recognizes the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations in uplifting the state of research and development in the country, particularly in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sectors.
Recognition focuses on the research and development outputs that fuel the Council to address its task in providing science-based know-how and tools that will enable the agricultural and aquatic sectors to raise productivity to world-class standards.