Smart Rice Farming for the Future

by Roger F. Barroga

Overview of the Rice Situation in the Philippines

Rice is perhaps the most important food staple in the Philippines. However, its production faces serious challenges from the effects of climate change, globalization, increasing population, and dwindling land resources. The Philippines is ranked 3^rd most affected by natural calamities in the world. About 24 cyclones each year cause destruction of agriculture sector. 

In spite of these challenges, the Philippines has been able to keep up pace with population’s demand for rice through the efforts of rice research and development.  New modern rice varieties and hybrid rice varieties doubled the rice yields using the same land area. Importation has been kept to a minimum annually just to maintain a buffer stock during lean months but there have been no serious rice shortages in the last couple of decades. With this breakeven harvest, and high cost of production, the Philippines will face serious competition from cheaper rice of other countries when the trade barriers will be lifted in 2017.

The picture on the ground, however, is not so good. Heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides polluted the soil, water, and caused pesticides resistance, and loss of natural predators. Despite increased productivity of the rice fields, farmers’ real incomes and health have deteriorated – leaving them as one of the poorest sectors in society. With incomes below the poverty line, farmers and their children suffer from poor nutrition, and lack food security.

How research is creating smarter rice production system

At the national level, the Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) are undertaking collaborative rice research and development under the Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP) to address the issues self-sufficiency and food security, protection of the environment, adaptation to climate change, and enhance global competitiveness.  There are seven components:

1.       Philippine Rice Information System (PRISM) – use of satellite technology to map the total rice area, monitor crop growth, potential harvest, and area damaged by drought, landslides, and floods;

2.       Accelerating the development and adoption of next generation rice varieties for major ecosystems in the Philippines (NextGen) – using molecular biology to create tolerant rice varieties to abiotic and biotic stresses, such as salinity, drought, flood, and heat and cold temperatures, and new strains of pest and diseases.

3.       Rice Crop Manager – a decision support app for smart phones and tab, to enable farmers to get precise, location specific nutrient management recommendation – such as when to apply the right kind, amount and time based on the rice growth stage and farmers’ location.

4.       Associated technologies –development of location-specific water technology on water, weeds, pest, diseases, including farm labor and machinery.

5.       Heirloom rice - collection, characterization and preservation of traditional rice varieties for breeding work; creates value added products to provide new income opportunities for indigenous people who own the traditional varieties.

6.       IPaD – improving rice technology promotion and delivery by enhancing the capability of the next generation of extension professionals and other intermediaries. New learning modalities, use of modern ICT tools; exposure to successful agri entrepreneurs; shift from mere transfer of information to increase farm output towards change in values toward community transformation.

7.       Cross-country research – benchmarking the Philippine rice economy relative to major rice producing countries in Asia. This study looks into policies and investments made by neighboring countries that have strengthened their rice industry to guide our decision makers.

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) adopts recasts its R&D program

In 2014, PhilRice adopted a new framework for its rice R&D to respond to the present and future challenges in rice production. It adopted a clean, green, practical, and smart rice R&D for competitiveness, sustainability, and resiliency of farming communities.

This marked a major shift in focus from merely increasing rice production to the sustainability of the rice environment, maximizing the use of rice and its by-products, increasing farmers’ incomes, improving their health, nutrition, and well being; and enhancing competitiveness and resiliency of rice farming communities.

The new R&D programs include:

1.       Integrated Rice Agri-BioSystems –developing crop integration with rice and crop intensification for additional income and food sources,  vegetables, livestock, fish, ducks to maximize space and time; developing community based food production and processing chain to localize food sources; waste and nutrient recycling;

2.       High value products from rice – exploring pharmaceutical and industrial products from the rice plant, developing new food products from rice, and mass production of beneficial microorganisms in rice;

3.       Farming without Fossil Fuel – alternative sources of fuel for farm energy, such as rice hull gasifiers, ethanol from plants, biodiesel from commercial oils, and use of compressed air, solar powered electricity, wind and hydro power.

4.       Coping with Climate Change – development of heat, drought, flood, and salinity tolerant rice varieties; monitoring and weather information services; development of mitigating measures for predicted climate changes.

5.       FutureRice - the outputs of the four research programs will be sent to the FutureRice program for systems integration in an actual farm conditions. The program tests and integrates other innovations from external sources such as industry, commercial agribusiness corporations, or global organizations. The integration process will address two scenarios, (1) peak oil scenario when there is no longer fuel for farm transport, energy, chemical fertilizers and pesticides; and (2) high technology global competition in rice production, including mechanization, precision agriculture, and farm automation.

How will smart rice farms of future be like?

We envision the farms of the future as rice based agri-enterprise with multiple income streams, using natural farming techniques and modern technology, climate resilient varieties, mechanized, using clean and renewable energy; and using ICTs for automation and precision farming.

1.       Multiple crops

2.       Water harvesting

3.       Renewable energy

4.       High tech sensing equipment

5.       Own weather station

6.       Connected to apps

7.       Farming machines

8.       Right kind of rice varieties

9.       Makes the most of extreme conditions

10.   Natural pesticides and fertilizers

We located our 5 hectare model farm near the farming communities in Munoz, Nueva Ecija, so we showcase clean GPS innovations.  They can be part of the innovation and transformation process. The farm is divided into high technology area, which showcases various hybrid rice varieties, machinery, and computer based crop management apps. We also have a natural farming area where reduced tillage technique, ecological engineering, organic rice culture, use of azolla and sesbania, vermicompost, soil humus and probiotics technology is showcased.  Other components of the farm include:

·         Farm Mechanization – use of mechanical rice planter and combine harvested;

·         Clean energy – use of biogas, solar power, and bioethanol to power small water pump engine

·         A water harvesting – a big pond was constructed to collect excess irrigation water and rainwater; it will be equipped with 4 stage filtration system to clean the water of sedimentation, heavy metals and nitrates.  A water recirculation system will be made to be powered by alternative energy sources to pump water from the main pond to the plots, triggered by sensors and water gates and switches

·         Traditional rice varieties; Korean varieties; submergence varieties, rice fish culture for protein

·         Assorted vegetables sprayed only with organic and plant based pesticide for additional income;

·         The now serves as a rice boot camp for the new breed of extension workers; we have also invited out-of- school youth around the community to grow and learn modern rice farming; an AgriKapihan – or coffee meeting/dialogue with farmers on important topics during the various growth stages of the rice crop.

·         The farm is now fully automated with Wi-Fi hotspot, automatic weather station, field water level sensors, and remote CCTV access in my mobile or tab.  A farm management software is under construction. New nutrient management apps such as the MOET are now being tested. The farm will also be using UAVs and ground sensors to monitor crop growth parameters, as well as test its application for nutrient and pest management.

·         Under construction are additional energy sheds for biodiesel, bio ethanol and rice hull gasifier systems.  Also under construction is the biomass processing and probiotics sheds. A greenhouse will also be erected for rice and vegetable seedlings production, including aquaponics technology.

We envision for the integration of these innovations into scale and modular, so that farmers can adopt a set or a combination of innovations that is applicable to their needs.  These innovations could be a the crop-livestock layer, or coupled with farm automation using practical ICTs and energy systems.

The final feature of the farm is farm tourism. We are creating a farm where people who visit will learn, earn, and have a different rice experience. Students can join the rice straw art competition, a campaign to stop burning of rice straw. Visitors can also enjoy rice paddy art – a famous hero’s face, Dr. Jose Rizal, is created using red rice plants. Finally, visitors may enjoy fishing and kayaking in the water harvesting pond.

Thus, the farms of the future will enable farmers to have multiple food sources and income streams, producing safer food, and preserving the environment.

Thank you very much.

 ¹Presented at the Forum 2015 COHRED Global Forum on Research and Innovation for Health, 24-27 August 2015, Manila, Philippines. 
²Information Technology Officer III and Program Leader, FutureRice; rfbarroga@gmail.com; www.facebook.com/FutureRice. Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, www.philrice.gov.ph

Writer: Roger F. Barroga
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Commemorating Heroism through Rice Paddy Art

The FutureRice Program, dubbed as the first Rice Agritourism site in the Philippines, brings to you a different rice experience in commemoration of our National Heroes Day this 2015.

 “Our team would like to give emphasis on the many innovative ways rice farmers can make their field more productive and creative at the same time. This rice paddy art is one example.” Roger F. Barroga, Program Leader of FutureRice said.

FutureRice Program is developing a 5-hectare land in Philippine Rice Research Institute Central Experiment Station in Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija. Its core goal is to prepare the farmers for future farming scenarios through its five (5) major components: (1) Knowledge Management, (2) Establishment of Smart Farms, (3) Rice Academy, (4) Farm Automation and (5) Clean Energy.

The FutureRice Program, in collaboration with the Genetic Resources Division and Technology Management Services Division combined the NSIC Rc222 and Purple Rice varieties using manual transplanting to project the image of Dr. Jose Rizal.

IT Specialist Nehemiah Caballong used Adobe Photoshop CS6 software to analyze the image. He used the strategy of magnifying the pixels as guide in placing the correct varieties of rice according to its corresponding grid. 

“We want to show especially the young generation that agriculture can be quite interesting and rewarding. It has always been our nation’s primary industry, one of the backbones of our economy. Working towards maximizing the potentials of our farmers takes a great deal of dedication. This same dedication is what Dr. Jose Rizal and our forefathers had - the very reason why we celebrate National Heroes’ Day every year”, Roger Barroga added.

Marian Anora, Farm Manager of FutureRice explained, “Aside from rice paddy art, we also showcase different smart farming practices and technologies developed by PhilRice, other partner agencies and even private individuals. It is our objective that when farmers visit the FutureRice farm, they will get a bunch of very practical knowledge that they can apply in their own farms.”

Among the technologies featured and used in FutureRice farm are nutrient diagnostic tools including Rice Crop Manager and the Minus One Element Technique (MOET) App; monitoring systems such as Field Water Monitoring and Control System (FWMCS) and Automated Field Monitoring Station (AFMS). It also uses different clean energy systems including the 1-kilowatt solar-powered water pump, bioethanol-powered water pump and biogas digester.

Visitors may contact PhilRice Visitors and Conference Services Office (VCSO) for tour schedules and reservations (044) 456-0258 local 526/527 or email prri.mail@philrice.gov.ph.

Writer: Jan Lois Zippora A. Libed
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Use of Drone Technology for Rice R&D Workshop

Preluded by the drone technology introductory seminar on November 2014, the FutureRice Program in partnership with Project IPaD, conducted a planning workshop on the implementation of drone technology in rice research and development last  February 26-27 at PhilRice CES, IPR Room. Several interested PhilRice researches participated and submitted proposals during the event.

The workshop tackled the basics of drone technology or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) as an introductory training for the participants. The resource speakers from UAS Unmanned Systems Consulting, SKyEye Inc. of Ateneo Innovation Center and University of Southern Mindanao also provided the participants with in-depth information on the possible applications of drone technology to rice research and development particularly in crop protection and farm mapping and monitoring.

This workshop has given the experts and participants a chance to interact and refine their proposals. The resource speakers were also able to gain more precise information on the designing and refining of UAV specifications that will be developed for PhilRice.

On the first day of the workshop, Mr. Julian Teodoro of UAS Unmanned Systems Consulting conducted a consultative seminar on the basics of UAV’s and imagery processing. During his discussion, the participants were given time to ask about the possible drone designs and payloads for their concept implementation. The researchers also presented their concept proposals to the group for comments and concept proofing with Mr. Teodoro.

After the lecture and discussion, the participants went to the FutureRice farm for the UAV flight and navigation demonstration. The drone flight test captured images of the experiment field. Later on, the images were processed using AgiSoft PhotoScan. The output was an orthomosaic of the field. Another flight demonstration was conducted in the afternoon at the PhilRice Airstrip, capturing images of the experiment field which also created an orthomosaic.

On the second day of the workshop, the focus of SkyEye, Inc., was to present their drone applications in agriculture projects. They presented their project collaborations with DOST, local government units and other agencies. After a short lecture and discussion on drone rice research and development applications, they have also conducted a flight demonstration and navigation which captured almost half of PhilRice experiment field. The photos were also processed into an orthomosaic.

In the afternoon, the components of UAVs that will be developed was finalized including the payloads, sensors and other accessories. Also, the image processing and hardware requirements was itemized as well as the materials for the UAV mobile laboratory.

FutureRice partners from University of Southern Mindanao – College of Engineering and Computing also joined the event providing inputs on the design and structure of the system to be developed. They have also discussed and demonstrated drone flight and navigation with the participants.          

Moreover, listed are the initial list of studies or activities that will be implemented in PhilRice using drone technology.

1.       Rice area mapping
2.       Monitoring and evaluation of RCM deployment
3.       Biotic and abiotic stress assessment of rice paddy
4.       Agronomic data collection 

Writer: Nehemiah Caballong
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Agrikapihan: Enjoining the Agridoc trainees with the farming community of Maligaya

The Project IPAD holds Agrikapihan sessions with the Agridoc trainees and the Maligaya farming community at the FutureRice farm last February 12 and 17.

Agrikapihan is an open forum discussion on different topics on agriculture and farming. In the recent sessions, the participants tackled topics on organic agriculture and the effects of climate change on rice production.

During the Agrikapihan held last February 12, the Agridoc trainees were divided into two groups joined by seven (7) farmers from Mabini while the February 17 session was participated by 7 PhilRice interns, 19 farmers and Mr. Alberto Hernandez, barangay committee member on agriculture.

Agridoc or Agricultural Development Officers of the Community is a training program under the Project IPAD. It aims to train a new breed of rice extensionists through a 6-module program within 6 months. The program educates, empowers and enhances the skills of every trainee through different exercises, hands-on experiences, farm site visits, seminars and other learning activities.

Project IPAD stands for Improving Technology Promotion and ¬Delivery Through Capability Enhancement of the Next Generation of Rice Extension Professionals and Intermediaries. It is supported by ATI, and IRRI as part of DA's Food Staples Sufficiency Program, with funding from the DA National Rice Program through the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research.

A part of the FutureRice farms serves as the boot camp for the AgriDoc training that houses the trainees’ plots for manual and mechanical rice transplanting and organic vegetables.

The FutureRice Program generally aims to prepare the farmers for future rice farming scenarios through its four (4) major components: (1) Knowledge Management, (2) Establishment of Smart Farms, (3) Rice Academy and (4) Farm Automation. 

Writer: Jan Lois Zippora A. Libed

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FutureRice Program to host Drone Technology Workshop

The FutureRice Program will be hosting a workshop on Drone Technology on February 26-27 at the IPR Rm., FTIC Bldg., PhilRice with resource speakers from University of Southern Mindanao, SkyEye, Inc. of Ateneo Innovation Center and UAS Unmanned Systems Consulting.

The objective of this workshop is to gain knowledge from industry experts, review proposals on the use of drone for rice R&D, identify and prepare final protocols for drone-based projects.

In October 2014, the FutureRice Program, headed by Roger Barroga, spearheaded the use of drone at PhilRice in collaboration with University of Southern Mindanao (USM). The initial activity was conducted to make a comparison of the MOET APP and other fertilizer management technologies by taking aerial photos and videos on two experimental sites in Zambales area. The resulting images, taken from the sky, presented a whole new view of reality. The seminar that followed created a huge interest among PhilRice researchers on the use of drone technology. Several proposals were submitted late last year, hence, this workshop will take a closer look into the potential of drone technology for rice research and development.




FutureRice program aims to sponsor the utilization of drone technology for PhilRice researchers by:

(1) Providing training on drone flight navigation to interested users,

(2) Developing sensing system for different kinds of research setups,

(3) Assisting researchers in acquiring their own drone,

(4) Complying with government rules and regulations regarding the legal use of UAVs,

(5) Giving technical support

The FutureRice Program generally aims to prepare the farmers for future rice farming scenarios through its four (4) major components: Knowledge Management, Establishment of Smart Farms, Rice Academy and Farm Automation. 

Writer: Jan Lois Zippora A. Libed

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Agritourism May Well Be the Road Towards Rural Transformation in the Philippines

The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the Asian Productivity Organization based in Tokyo, Japan organized the first national conference on agritourism held last December 2-4 at The Heritage, Manila Hotel.

The conference was participated by some of the country’s successful agritourism farms such as the Costales Nature Farm in Majayjay, Laguna; the ACES Natural Farming Institute in Panabo, Davao; the Leoni Agri Corporation (LAC) in Nueva Ecija;  the Duran Farm in Bulacan; and the Rosa Farms in San Marcelino, Zambales – among others.

Participants from the academe, Department of Agriculture offices, private sector, including farmers’ organizations, and policy makers also attended the event. 

The first National Conference on Agritourism organized by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the Asian Productivity Organization based in Tokyo, Japan held last December 2-4 at The Heritage, Manila Hotel

Hon. Sharon S. Garin, representative of the AAMBIS-OWA Party List – presented the HB 3745 Farm Tourism Act, which provides the development and promotion of farm tourism in the Philippines. The bill is fully supported by the Department of Agriculture, and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). Senator Cynthia Villar also graced the occasion on the closing of the conference, commending the efforts of the pioneering agritourism farms of the Philippines.

APO director Joselito C. Bernardo gave some bright prospects for agritourism in the Philippines – citing the successful agritourism ventures of Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia.  Agritourism, he said, may well be the vehicle to transform the rural areas into vibrant tourism destinations that promote agriculture products, as well as farm experience, education, culture, and protection of the environment.

Dr. Therdchai Choibamroon, Associate Profession, Tourism Development and Management

Dean, Director of PhD program, Integrated Tourism Management presented a framework for agritourism development – emphasizing the need to identify a unique selling point of the farm, which may not always be a tangible product, but more of the intangibles, such as farm experience, relaxation, spiritual upliftment, educational and cultural value, and interaction with the rural folks.  He also presented several marketing strategies for agritourism, as well as the important of R&D in analyzing potential customers, their needs, competition, the branding, and messaging in order to effectively position your farm or agritourism product in the mind of the local and international tourists.

Other policy makers from the Department of Tourism also presented the legal requirements for accreditation as agritourism farm.

The conference was managed by the group of Mr. Arnel Abanto, Vice President, Center for Quality and Competitiveness at the DAP, with the assistance of Ms. Nica Saliendres and Ms. Christian Eparwa.  

Writer: Roger F. Barroga

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