Rice is the most staple food in the Philippines. We need rice to gain energy for our daily life. Our country cannot provide to supply the exact demand for the Filipino consumers for rice. Still, many of us suffer from hunger most especially the less fortunate one.
In order to solve this problem the Municipality of Plaridel is promoting the advocacy on Organic Rice Production. Plaride has the largest rice area in the entire province of Misamis Occidental with a total of 1,200 hectares including the rainfed and irrigated rice areas.
For the past three (3) years, farmers usually using chemicals such as pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and herbicides even if there is no need to use it. They are using chemicals over and over again and it became their bad habits. Years had past before they discovered the tremendous effects of using chemicals. Rice land became infertile and unproductive. That's why the Municipality of Plaridel is looking forward for the changes and for the farmers to adapt the technology on Organic Farming.Last October to December 2013 the training for Season-Long Training of Trainers on Organic Rice Production with Emphasis in Palay Check System was conducted by ATI-RTC 10 at Talam's Function Hall, Plaridel, Misamis Occidental. There were 30 participants whom are Cabicilla Leaders of Nazareno Gamutan Agricultural Development Irrigator's Association (NGADIA) that irrigates i 800 hectares total rice area and about 5000 farmers served.
Every Farmer Leader has specific area monitored every cropping season. They are chosen for the training because cabicilla leaders served as a model farmer for their farmer members.
The activities of the training includes the following:
1. Training on Nature Farming TechnologySystem (NFTS)
The Cabicilla Leaders trained to produce organic foliar fertilizer (concoctions) such as Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO), Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ), Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ), Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN) and Calcium Phosphate (CaPhos).
2. Trained to conduct field monitoring from sowing to harvesting through AESA. Applying the technology of 8 Key Checks in Palay Check System. And it includes:a. Identification of Insect Pests and Natural
Enemies
b. Counting of Tillers per hill and per square
meter.
c. Using Leaf Color Chart (LCC)
3. Making of Reports from AESA, Reporting and Discussions
4. Field Tour for Vermicompost Organic Fertilizer Production
Field Tour on Vermicompost Production Site located in
Aloran, Misamis Occidental
5. Team Building
Facilitators and The Graduates
