Integrated farming system is a winner

By Rita M. Fabro
MediaCore, PCARRD

Farmer-scientists adopt agricultural practices that ensure higher crop productivity. This came out in a study that formed the master's thesis of Marissa Alumaga of the Philippine Council for Agriculture Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development, an agency of the Department of Science and Technology.

The study shows that farmers in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Bicol regions who received recognition for outstanding productivity in their respective commodities adopt integrated farming practices.

Thirty farmer-scientists in five of PCARRD's regional consortia extensively utilize integrated farming system using good variety of crops to enhance production.  These crops include mango, guava-apple, grapes, banana, and high-value vegetables in Ilocos. 

Multiple or mixed crops of rice, corn, and vegetable are successful in Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.   The success is replicated for coffee, pineapple, black pepper and anthurium, lanzones and rambutan in Southern Tagalog including Cavite and Laguna.  Bicol stands out for coconut and pili.

The farmer-scientists also adopt better soil nutrient management and crop specific technology.  In mango production, for instance, combined fertilization, pruning, flower induction, proper chemical spraying, clearing, and water management, significantly contribute to high yield for farmer-scientists in Ilocos.  The practice also allows off-season production of mango.

Other notable productivity-increasing crop management practices cited by the farmer-scientists are pruning and rejuvenation of old unproductive coffee trees, scrapping of bark to prevent “kurikong” in lanzones, asexual plant propagation such as budding, grafting and marcotting for perennial crops, and the use of new or certified seeds for annual crops.

The farmer-scientists are chosen in every region on the basis of utilization of modern agricultural practices, the distinctive characteristic as opinion-leaders, being recipient of farming-related recognition or award, and willingness to share knowledge and skills with other farmers.