BANAUE, Ifugao- – This time it was all about fueling hope for the slackening production of the famous heirloom rice.
More than just the power point presentations of resource speakers, a burning passion to uplift the conditions of those engaged in the production of the “tinawon” rice radiated in the air.
This was when the Heirloom Rice Project Inception Meeting was held recently at the Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel where participants took a different approach in addressing the problems faced by farmers in the Cordillera rice terraces.
Nearly 80 experts and agriculture agency personnel from the region’s key areas engaged in heirloom rice production were in attendance.
Among them are OIC RTD for regulatory and research Cameron Odsey, Jovita Camso, Ruben Dulagan, Edmun Sana, Jay Bermas, PhilRice Romeo Miranda of the Science City of Munoz in Nueva Ecija and OIC Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Officer Catherine Buenaventura.
Having to respond to the needs and wants of impoverished farmers in Ifugao’s terraces adds to the challenge of coming up with the holistic approach in overcoming difficulties they faced for so long, Buenaventura said.
Aside from doubling the production of heirloom rice, the participants have focused on several progressive initiatives aimed at improving the plight of the members of rice terraces-based cooperatives in the region.
They also discussed guidelines on the rehabilitation and restoration of the rice terraces. Another vital concern tackled at the meeting was on agro-morpho characterization.
There was also an interaction with local government unit partners.
The Cordilleras is a rich agricultural region. Yet, Ifugao has the lowest agriculture production in the region. It has no considerable rice trade. Kalinga accounts for the largest production.
Ifugao is still predominantly agricultural. The number of rice terraces farmers has reportedly decreased in recent times.
About 12000 hectares of farms in the Cordillera are planted with the heirloom rice “tinawon,” which pulls down rice production targets at the CAR.
Tinawon is producing up to only 60 bags per hectare. On the other hand, high breed rice can produce up to 200 bags a hectare.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol believes that through mechanized terrace farming farmers’ yield is likely to improve. He directed recently the removal of heirloom rice from its regular rice program and reclassifying it as a high value crop.
To date, many aspects of heirloom rice production remain unchanged. It is raised only once a year and the yield is relatively low. Hence farm income is meager. Moreover, tinawon rice is expensive.
Considering the level of technological competence of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baòos, Laguna (where the University of the Philippines Los Banos is also situated) in the advancement of the agriculture industry, it would be very difficult for those old-school Ifugao officials and residents to say they can’t discard backward practices and beliefs in order to increase agriculture production.
Some are still optimistic that a more vibrant research and development program in heirloom rice production is pursued to ensure productive employment in terraces communities and invariably spur economic development.
Have conditions really improved with rice terraces farmers? After the fruitful engagement here, the participants gained the confidence, wisdom and the opportunity to realize their full worth and capacity in answering this query. Hopefully! **By Anthony A. Araos
