MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN — To help rice farmers diversify their income sources and enhance productivity, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducted a training on the Integrated Rice-Duck Farming System (IRDFS) from December 10 to 13. The event, held in Mambajao town, was attended by 40 rice farmers and seven agricultural extension workers.
Diversification Through Palayamanan
The training introduced participants to the Palayamanan System, a concept promoting the integration of rice farming with other agricultural activities, such as livestock, poultry, fish, and crop production. Derived from the words Palay (rice) and Kayamanan (wealth), Palayamanan encourages farmers to diversify and optimize their farming systems for increased productivity, resource efficiency, and reduced risks from pests and unpredictable weather.
The IRDFS, a practical application of the Palayamanan concept, offers significant benefits by incorporating ducks into rice fields. Ducks act as natural agents for pest and weed control, while their manure enriches the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Expert Insights and Skills Development
Mr. Mel Rey Mindalano, a seasoned rice-duck farming practitioner from Lala, Lanao del Norte, shared his expertise on managing rice-duck farms, addressing potential challenges, and implementing control measures. Additionally, farmers were trained in basic bookkeeping to improve their recordkeeping for production and financial efficiency.
Participants also explored mushroom production technology as a viable alternative source of income, further emphasizing the importance of diversified farming.
Farmer Testimonials
Domingo Cabantac, president of the Provincial Federation of Irrigators’ Association in Camiguin, praised the training for its practical benefits.
“We observed that rice-duck integrated farming is very helpful for us to reduce production costs, especially for fertilizer. Also, learning about recordkeeping is valuable for us farmers, especially for me, as I lead an association,” Cabantac shared.
Future Plans: Demonstration Farm in 2025
As part of its commitment to promote the IRDFS, the DA-RFO 10 plans to establish a 5-hectare demonstration farm in Camiguin during the 2025 dry cropping season. This initiative aims to showcase the technology’s benefits and encourage more farmers to adopt sustainable and integrated farming practices.
The training underscores DA-RFO 10’s dedication to equipping farmers with innovative strategies that boost productivity, reduce costs, and open up alternative income opportunities.