CALABARZON farmers to adopt tech for soil, nitrogen analysis

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite (PIA) – Farmers in the CALABARZON region will soon adopt modern technology to revolutionize local agricultural practices and improve local rice production.

Last September 15 to 19, around 25 rice farmers from the provinces of Batangas and Cavite joined DA ATI’s training on Integrated Nutrient and Water Management (INWM).

Launched by the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Training Institute (DA ATI) in CALABARZON, the three-day training included lectures and practical exercises on using modern diagnostic tools for nutrient and water management such as the MOET App, Leaf Color Chart (LCC), and Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD).

Developed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the MOET App is a low-cost alternative for diagnosing soil nutrient deficiencies in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, zinc, and copper.

Meanwhile, the Leaf Color Computing App (PhilRice LCC) captures leaf images and evaluates nitrogen needs of the rice plant. It can also generate recommendations in addressing nutrient needs of the plant in under a minute.

On the other hand, the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) technology helps farmers save water to reduce their irrigation water consumption in rice fields without decreasing its yield.

The training also introduced knowledge on identifying emerging pests affecting palay production such as Rice Ragged Stunt Virus (RRSV) and Rice Grassy Stunt Virus (RGCV).

Apolinario Lama of Lian, Batangas was hopeful to pass along the new knowledge to his children, who will soon oversee their farm.

“Ang pinakamahalagang bagay na nakuha ko dito ay kung paano natin maipapasa ang mga natutunan sa iba, lalo na sa ating mga anak na siyang susunod na henerasyon. Kung maisasalin natin ito nang maayos, malaki ang maitutulong nito sa ating kabuhayan at ekonomiya.”

For Roi Lance Baon of Nasugbu, the training was a wake-up call to embrace a modernized approach to local farming.

“Malaking bagay po ito para sa amin sapagkat may ilan pa rin sa aming mga kasama na nananatili sa nakasanayang pamamaraan at hindi bukas sa mga makabagong teknolohiya. Kaya mahalaga na ang mga natutunan natin dito ay maibahagi rin natin pag-uwi sa ating lugar. Nais ko ring hikayatin ang aking mga kasamahan na magdaos tayo ng pagpupulong upang balikan at muling talakayin ang mga aral na ating nakuha.” (PB/PIA4A/ATI4A)