Sugarcane farmers in Tarlac are confident they can achieve a yield higher than the national average, from 54 ton-cane per hectare to 120 ton-cane per hectare of the sugarcane harvest, through a project funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Funded by the DOST-Industry Level Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (iCRADLE) program, the project “Improving Sugarcane Productivity in Low-Yielding SRA-blocked Farms through Pilot Testing of Automated Furrow Irrigation System (AFIS) and Nutrio® Biofertilizer Application,” developed a solution to address the country’s sugarcane industry challenge of enhancing productivity, while mitigating the adverse effects of recurrent droughts and soil degradation.
The project, being implemented by the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), developed a science solution to significantly improve sugarcane productivity compared to conventional growing methods in Paniqui, Tarlac.
Data shows that using both technologies increases sugarcane's average height and weight to 362.53 cm and 18.23 kg per 10 stalks. In comparison, conventional farming only yields an average height and weight of up to 327.87 cm and 14.22 kg per 10 stalks. Additionally, the average diameter of sugarcane increased to 30.94 mm from 26.44 mm.
“If the industry wants a solution for a specific problem, the counterpart state college or university, or a higher education institution, can provide the research. The iCRADLE is a cluster of five or more private institutions having similar problems and common needs,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr.
‘Hindi imposible na maitaas natin sa 120 ton-cane per hectare ang yield ng tubo mula sa 54 ton-cane per hectare,’ stated Mr. Marlon Gamboa, Chairperson of North Cluster Producers Cooperative (NCPC), Paniqui, Tarlac. (It’s not impossible to increase our sugarcane yield from 54 ton-cane per hectare.)
Mr. Gamboa encourages other farmers to try the AFIS and Nutrio® biofertilizer. He shared that he was initially skeptical of the Nutrio® Biofertilizer as it was not a part of his farmer’s practice; however, witnessing the results firsthand after its application turned him into a 'believer.’
The project being implemented by the CLSU through the leadership of Dr. Marvin M. Cinense aims to support sugarcane producers, such as NCPC to significantly enhance their output by 20-30% and maximize the production efficiency of Sugar Regulatory Authority Block Farms through the introduction of two technologies.
'AFIS is a modern way to water crops automatically. It is solar-powered and uses sensors and controllers to deliver the right amount of water. It saves time and effort and resources and is perfect for crops like sugarcane,’ said Cinense.
Nutrio® Developer, Dr. Virginia Padilla, explained that “Nutrio® is a foliar spray biofertilizer, which contains friendly microorganisms that make sugarcane plants grow taller, leaves greener, and canes heavier, resulting in more cane and sugar yields.
‘Dumating yung AFIS, walang kaproble-problema….Hawak nila yung mga cellphone nila and tumatakbo na yung patubig, parang magic. Wala pang gasolina ‘yun. Ang laki po ng tipid.’ Mr. Gamboa attested. (The AFIS was delivered and with no problems…they just use their phones and the water runs, like magic. It does not even use gas. It saves a lot.)
These results were presented during the Farmers’ Field Day at NCPC, Paniqui, Tarlac, which was attended by more than 40 farmers and representatives from CLSU, DOST-Special Projects Division (SPD), DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), SRA, Fullmight Agricultural Corporation (FAC), Agfield International Corporation, and the Department of Agriculture.