Accelerating development, demonstration and adoption of Palayamanan Plus in lowland farms

The increasing demand for food production resulting to environmental degradation paved the way for the development of farming systems that are productive, profitable and resource-efficient. The Palayamanan Plus system is an intensified rice-based production system aiming to increase agricultural productivity and profitability in the rice environments through farm mechanization and purposive integration and diversification of certain farming components. It aims to generate database on site profile and market information needed in designing Palayamanan Plus models, develop models based on the local resources and agro-climatic conditions, enhance the capacity of farmers, other beneficiaries and implementers in the implementation and successful operation of Palayamanan Plus and assess and document the sustainability of the project. The community-based technology assessment cluster approach will be followed in evaluating the Palayamanan Plus model. In Isabela [Philippines] collaboration was forged with the Department of Agriculture in Quirino, Isabela together with the Isabela State Univeristy. A core group of 30 farmer-beneficiaries who own an aggregate area of 25 hectares of riceland received some initial inputs as follows: certified rice seeds for the rice component, hybrid vegetable seeds for vegetable and piglets for the livestock components as loan subject to all roll-over scheme. Mushroom and Vermiculture sheds are ongoing and will be operational by the end of March. Involvement of other family members of farmer-beneficiaries is encouraged for these two components. Income from all enterprises will be the seed money for the group. A Farmers Field School (FFS) incorporating Palay Check and other production technologies for the various components is being conducted for capacity building and enhancement. As a tool for sustainability the group will be registered as an association to ensure accountability and to establish legal identity. It is expected with the establishment and adoption of the Palayamanan Plus model in the locality, there will be resultant increase in agricultural productivity and profitability.