PhilRice targets 500,000 farmers
By Anselmo Roque
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:27:00 11/13/2008
Filed Under: Agriculture, Regional authorities
SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ – The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) will provide technical assistance to some 500,000 farmers in the country to help improve their farming practices and rice yield.
The efforts to reach farmers will be done through the help of 8,000 agricultural extension workers (AEW) who are now being trained by PhilRice, the Agricultural Training Institute and local governments.
“We will anchor the technical assistance to the farmers through the use of the Palay Check System (PalayCheck),” Ronilo Beronio, PhilRice executive director, said.
He said the system addresses all aspects in rice growing and production.
It covers guidelines on the use of certified seeds, raising seedlings, land preparation, crop establishment, nutrient management, water management, pest management and harvest management.
Each trained AEW will supervise a minimum of 35 farmers who will be grouped into clusters. They will also lead the establishment of PalayCheck Field Schools that will feature demonstration farms where the farmers will see how the system works.
PhilRice will give 160,000 farmers technical assistance during the coming dry season cropping.
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