Through the initiative of Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez, the PhilRice Bicol Station was successfully established and inaugurated on March 25, 2010 at Batang, Ligao City. Aside from the geographical advantage of Ligao City, the local government also maintain a strong support and partnership with PhilRice, making Ligao City the best location for the PhilRice Bicol.
Opportunities for farmers and investors
As a new established station, PhilRice Bicol is inviting farmers to come and see the rice farming technologies available in the station. These technologies include the Leaf Color Chart (LCC)1, a tool for identifying the right amount of fertilizer to apply in the field, and different varieties of seeds for seed growers.
The station also provide training for farmers by partnering with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). They also provide rice farming advice in which the researchers and rice farming experts can visit the field and provide solutions for the problems encountered by farmers. While farmers are being trained as seed growers, the station also provide them income by buying the seeds they produced one peso higher than the commercial price.
Dr. Reynaldo Castro, branch manager of PhilRice Bicol, also stated the need for manufacturers of the technologies that they developed. "We have a lot of new machines developed. And we are looking for manufacturers to be accredited," said Dr. Castro.
Opportunities for job seekers and students
Aside from business opportunities, PhilRice Bicol is also opening opportunities for job seekers and agricultural students. "We need technical people, [in] research, development, communication, training, etc.," said Dr. Castro. PhilRice also provides on-the-job training program for students. The on-the-job trainees follow a curriculum in order to obtain a better knowledge in scientific rice production and crop production.
The station also encourages the strong tie-up with the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). College students can submit proposals for their thesis or collaborate with the researchers of the station. "We can help them, we can provide financial assistance for their thesis, or the students can work on the projects that the staff are doing, and that becomes their thesis," expressed Dr. Castro. In this way, according to Dr. Castro, the students will be free of financial obligation and at the same time the station can provide technical direction with the review committee and faculty of universities.
Projects for 2014
Three big projects in research and five big projects in development are set to be implemented in 2014. Projects in research include the following:
Development of a decision-support system. This project is intended to avoid or minimize the grave consequences of climate change like typhoon and flooding.
Development of appropriate farming system. Due to frequent rains in Bicol, there is a big potential for diversification of crops. Farmers can not only produce rice but also a variety of crops.
Improvement of unfavorable environments. In line with the first project, the third project is also intended for the improvement of rice fields making rice crops more resistant to flood, drought, and nutrient deficiencies.
On the other hand, development projects include:
Integrated rice agri-biosystem which include collecting of technologies developed by PhilRice and other agencies and showcasing them to the farmers.
The Palayabangan, a 10-5 challenge for private and government groups where they showcase technologies that farmers can utilize.
The Palayamanan, similar to Palayabangan, is also a community-wide challenge in which innovative ideas in rice farming are showcased.
The PhilRice Bicol is establishing partnership with different agencies and establishments for the continuous improvement of the station and implementation of the projects.
Reference:
Palayabangan: The 10-5 challenge contenders. http://www.philrice.gov.ph/?page=products&page2=announce&id=136
Related article:
New PhilRice Bicol station operates at Ligao City
Related links:
Official website of the Ligao City
Official website of the Philippine Rice Research Institute
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