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Direct seeding gains interest among CAR, Region 2 farmers

by Diana Lim
Direct seeding gains interest among CAR, Region 2 farmers

Farmers in Tabuk City, Kalinga enhance their skills on using the ride-on precision seeder and knowledge on the recommended seeding rate of 40kg/ha through the RCEF PalaySikatan farms. The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) - Seed Program in San Mateo, Isabela has observed a gradual transition in crop establishment with the machines introduced in RCEF demo farms. Called PalaySikatan, RCEF farms promote the use of direct-seeded technologies such as precision seeder, drum seeder, and seed spreader, which advance the practice of the 40kg/ha seeding rate, in 39ha in Kalinga, Ifugao, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya this dry season. According to Dr. Andres dela Cruz, DA-PhilRice Isabela RCEF coordinator, farmers are now trying direct-seeding as a solution to labor scarcity and its high cost. Dela Cruz said that farmers already know about the direct-seeding technology but are hesitant to adopt because of limited operation skills in using the machine and doubt in low seeding rate. Johny Ego, farmer-cooperator from Tabuk City, Kalinga and a first-time user of the precision seeder, reported that the machine reduced his expenses in rice production. “Normally, I would spend PhP10,000-PhP12,000/ha for crop establishment alone, but now, I only spend PhP5,000/ha,” Ego said. With the use of direct-seeded technologies, seed requirements for 1ha and labor cost for crop establishment were reduced from 100-120kg to 40-60kg and PhP10,000 - PhP5,000 respectively. Promotion of mechanical direct-seeding through the RCEF PalaySikatan demo farms started in the 2020 dry season.

Date Posted: January 22, 2023
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