Philippines--A team of researchers from the Bulacan Agricultural State College (BASC) in the Philippines is collaborating with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the National Soil and Water Resources R&D Center (NSWRRDC) of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) in a research and development activity on aerobic rice technology for its potential to ensure increased yields in rice production even during the dry season.

Ms. Maria Theresa T. Bautista of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology Media Service reported that BASC, IRRI, and NSWRRDC-BSWM commenced their R&D activities for the rainfed areas of Bulacan in the dry season of 2004. She said that “focus was given on the Third District of Bulacan where rice yields in rainfed areas average at 76.8 cavans/ha or approximately 3.84 t/ha. The Third District covers the municipalities of San Miguel, Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Rafael, Angat, Norzagaray, and San Ildefonso.” She further reported that “…the number of farmer-adopters in Bulacan has increased from seven in the wet season of 2004 to 54 in the wet season of 2007. Among the advantages of using the technology as identified by farmers were low input requirement, early establishment, crop manageability, high resistance to pests and diseases, weed competitiveness, competitive yield, and profitability.” She said that researchers from BASC are confident that once completely verified, the aerobic rice system would be the most profitable rice production system for the rainfed areas of Bulacan. (Source: DOST-PCARRD Information Bulletin Issue No. 116) For full story on this and other news on agriculture, forestry and natural resources, please visit http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph