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Sustainable Development
Through Organic Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is one
of the means to development that PCARRD is advocating.One way of
achieving this is through organic agriculture (OA).In an effort to
hear the perspectives of different stakeholders, PCARRD convened those
concerned in a consultation workshop to assess the state of the OA in
the Philippines.This publication presents the results of the
Consultation Workshop.It contains the views of those who are already
engaged in it.It presents the experiences of a farmer, a producer, a
marketer, one engaged in standard and certification, an expert on
policies, a medical doctor, and a researcher.
Agricultural
Engineering Technologies for Soil and Water Resources Conservation and
Management
Agricultural engineering
technologies play vital roles in modernizing production and
postproduction activities.Use of improved tools, implements,
machineries, and irrigation facilities helps increase production
output per unit of labor, land, water, time and other resources.This
publication presents a few of the agricultural engineering
technologies that specifically address soil and water resources
conservation and management.Most of these are results of R&D
activities of both the government and the private sector.PCARRD
convened in a Forum the agricultural engineering experts to inform
farmers and members of cooperatives and other private individuals
regarding farm machinery, irrigation technologies and other soil and
water conserving measures.
Rotary Flash Paddy
Dryer: A Technical Handbook
Drying paddy (palay) is an
important economic activity in the Philippines and in other Asian
countries where rice is also a prime crop.This is because the process
is dependent on a continuous supply of good staple that has been
properly dried.The need for an efficient grain dryer prompted
agriculture institutions to conceptualize, develop, and commercialize
the rotary flash paddy dryer.The multipurpose model for cooperative
use was developed by Engr. Alexis T. Belonio of the Central
Philippines University in Iloilo.This machine, by itself, is low
powered and low cost, but has a high drying capacity per unit size
because of its high-temperature heating capability.This publication
presents the advantages, special features, systems of drying,
operation and maintenance, design and fabricationand performance
testing and evaluation of this rotary flash paddy dryer.It also
features other model of rotary dryers developed by the government and
private institutions.
Manual on Small Farm
Reservoir
The small farm reservoir (SFR)
system has three basic components: the catchment area which harvests
the rain and runoff and fills the reservoir to its capacity; the
reservoir which traps the water through the earth embankment; and the
service area or farm area which is irrigated using the stored water
from the reservoir.In short, the SFR harvests, traps, and stores
rainfall and runoff.This manual, which is a small farm reservoir
technology guide, highlights PCARRD’s commitment to commercialize the
technology.This will help rainfed farmers towards increasing their
productivity through crop and fish production and livestock raising.
Strengthening Farm
Weather Forecast and Advisory System in the Philippines
Weather and climate
significantly contribute to the performance of plants and
animals.Failure to foresee their value is damaging to the productivity
of agriculture.An effective communication linkage between the
agrometeorological servicemen and the users is necessary.Thus,
farmers, local governments, regional agencies, and media services
personnel were convened in a series of workshops to further assess the
current agrometeorological forecast and advisory system in Nueva
Ecija.This publication documents the papers presented during the
seminar-workshops held at Camarines Sur, Legaspi City, and Benguet in
1989-1990.
Development and
Management of Rainfed Crop Production
Agricultural development plans
and programs in the past have unduly focused on irrigated areas as
centers for increased agricultural output. This has not only widened
income disparities between irrigated and rainfed farmlands but has
also decreased overall productivity and aggravated the underemployment
situation in the countryside. As a development strategy, therefore, a
significant stride in developing appropriate rainfed agriculture
technology cannot be underestimated. Through the assistance of PCARR
and FAO in consolidating materials for this book, attempts have been
made to develop and sustain national awareness of the potentials of
rainfed agriculture. The book is divided into three broad topics,
namely: crop-based research, area-based research and farming-systems
research. It provides information on rainfed crop production
practices, major constraints in production and priority research
areas. Development and Management of Rainfed Crop Production
contributes to the knowledge on rainfed agriculture whose full
potential has yet to be harnessed.
An Approach to Rainfed
Farming: The Philippine Case
Until quite recently, efforts to
tap the potentials of the country's vast rainfed areas have been
negligible. These areas are far greater in size currently irrigated
areas and yet continually receive the sightest attention not only from
researchers but also from planners and policy makers. Various
strategies have now been developed to remedy this problem. The
two-rice crop system has been tested and proven as a solution to the
current problem of low production in rainfed areas. This cooperative
applied research project on rainfed cropping systems was undertaken
through the concerted efforts of the International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI), PCARR, the Ministry of Agriculture (MA), and
Association of Colleges of Agriculture in the Philippines (ACAP). The
main objective: TO GROW ONE MORE RICE CROP. This primer documents the
methodology, technology, and achievements of this endeavor. A
step-by-step guide on the technology compliments this publication.
Standard Methods of
Analysis for Soil, Plant, Tissue, Water and Fertilizer
A manual for laboratory analysis
based on the Proceedings of the Workshop on Standardization of Methods
of Analysis for Soils, Plants, Water and Fertilizers held on March
22-23 1976. 194 pp.This volume is PCARR's first attempt to consolidate
analytical methods used in the analysis of soil, plant tissue, and
water. Soil, plants, water and fertilizers comprise some of the major
components of crop production. Field experiments should generate
meaningful relationships among such factors so as to devise a
technological package that will increase crop yield. To get needed
data accurately, tested methods of analysis must be used. Laboratories
all over the country applies different methods of investigation and
analysis that cannot normally be compared directly and easily.This
manual is a major step towards adopting a more uniform set of
analytical methods and achieving better coordination and
standardization in the future.
Soil Conservation
"It takes nature a century to
nurse two-and-a-half centimeters of soil, but man destroys the same in
less than decade." This is not to say that soil must be preserved;
soil must be used. But its utilization must be managed in ways that
would guarantee that its yielding capacity is sustained and
perpetuated. This volume contains an assessment of present efforts and
identifies problems and research gaps in soil conservation. Strategies
and actions for more effective soil conservation program in the
country are also discussed. Insights on ecosystem management,
conservation practices and the economic implications of and national
policies related to soil conservation are given by representatives
from government bureaus, the research community and the industry
sector.
Techniques of Soil
Moisture and Plant Water Potential Measurement
To help solidify the nation's
research capability, PCARR aims to develop "a compendium of research
techniques and methods of data collection and analysis to be used by
the research community in general." Convened early last year, the
seminar-workshop on Techniques of Soil Moisture and Plant Water
Potential Measurement sponsored by the Soils and Water Resources
research Division is an important step towards this undertaking. This
report recounts the accomplishments in terms of lessons learned,
issues resolved and decisions made in evaluating and assessing methods
and techniques of soil moisture and water potential management.
Procedures to be followed in using identified techniques are also
standardized.
Management and
Utilization of Acid Soils
Much of the agriculture
productivity decline is attributed to poor soils like acid soils.
These soils are abundant in areas where a great number of small
farmers are dependent on the land for a living. PCARRD is continuously
searching for technologies that will make acid soils more productive
on a sustained basis. This publication, a documentation of the
research and development activities, contains research reports of
institutions actively involved in the project.
Success Stories of
Farmer-Management Coconut-Based Farming Systems, Vols. I, II, III
Many R&D programs and production
technologies aim to uplift the welfare of the small farmers. Despite
this noble goal, farmers are reluctant to adopt technologies, thus,
they remain poor.In an effort to encourage farmers to try new
technologies, PCARRD publishes this book in three volumes, which
contain some success stories of farmers who are engaged in
coconut-based farming systems. These stories show that a farmer can
become progressive by applying scientific results in their farms.
Environment,
Classification, and Agronomic Potentials of Some Wetland Soils in the
Philippines
This publication consolidates
the agronomic data from the field trials conducted by the
International Network on Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Efficiency for
Rice (INSFER).These data were gathered for better rice production
venture in the Philippines.The environment for the different wetland
soils, the classification of the soils, and general evaluation of
their respective agronomic potentials are presented in this volume.
Maximizing the
Utilization of Agrometeorological Data for Development
Agricultural research and
production systems are heavily influenced by meteorological and
climatic factors for their success and efficiency.The collection of
agrometeorological information can be sufficiently achieved thru the
provision, maintenance, and utilization of proper instruments, and the
standardization of methodologies for data collection and observations
prescribed by PAGASA.PCARRD collaborated with PAGASA and other
research institutions to improve the capability of various identified
agrometeorological stations in the country and thus, serve the needs
of the researchers, farmers, and other agencies involved in the
advancement of the country’s agricultural research and production
systems.It is hoped that this publication will serve as the vital
point in realizing this goal.
Productivity
Enhancement in Rainfed Areas
A sustained level of
agricultural productivity is essential to improve the country’s
economy.In rainfed areas, where resources are abundantly available,
this has to be pursued.If the resources can be effectively used,
farmers would not be left unfed and unproductive.This publication is
the result of a forum on Productivity Enhancement in Rainfed Areas
that presents management options and different technologies for
farmers.These technologies include fertilizers, irrigation source,
postharvest machinery, and the hillyland farming system.It is hoped
that farmers would find the recommended technologies applicable to
their farms.
Development,
Utilization, and Management of Small Water Impoundments
Construction of small water
impoundments stores rainfall in reservoirs. A practical water-resource
scheme like this benefits farmers especially those in hilly lands. If
properly adopted, irrigation water can always be available in the dry
season. Small water impoundments can also provide additional sources
of income, as water reservoirs can be used for fish production or duck
raising. With relatively small capital and little resources, one can
construct his own small farm reservoir.
Meteorological and
Phenological Observations in Agriculture and Forestry
The application of
agrometeorology to increase production in agriculture and natural
resources has been given priority in the past years through the
holding of various forum-workshops on agrometeorology as a joint
effort of PAGASA and PCARRD.The lack of information on standard
methodologies for agrometeorological data observation resulted in the
unreliable and erroneous data collected by agrometeorological
observers.This publication consolidates the standard methodologies on
agromet/forest meteorology specifically, the instrumentation;
climatological and phenological observations; and data management.This
publication is intended for use as a guide in the implementation of
R&D programs in the National Agriculture and Resources Research and
Development System.
Land Use and Land Use
Systems Planning
The sound allocation of land
resources based on their most beneficial and optimal use has been
recognized as one of the many complementary strategies to increase
agricultural productivity and food self-sufficiency in the
country.Agrotechnology transfer will likewise be successful if the
right crop is grown in the right soil-climate environment under
suitable socio-economic conditions.If this is achieved, the risks in
crop production are minimized and the development of the agricultural
economy is promoted.This publication is a result of a consultative
workshop on land use and land use systems planning.This is an initial
step towards the development of a program to provide a national
framework and strategy for the technical integrated of resource
inventory and evaluation studies being conducted by various research
and development agencies.
Soil Taxonomy: Key to
Effective Land Use
Self-sufficiency in food and
fiber production can only be made possible with improved and sustained
soil productivity. |
