The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) was developed in order to increase the yield of rice produced in irrigated farming without relying on purchased inputs.
Members of nongovernment organizations (NGOs) from the Cordillera went to the demonstration farm of Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura (MASIPAG) in Raja Centro, Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija last April 9-15 to learn about SRI and the required appropriate technologies. They also studied organic seed propagation and preservation techniques with emphasis on upland and lowland varieties. They were also able to select breeds of organic palay varieties.
The cross visit was organized by the Center for the Development Programs in the Cordillera (CDPC). CDPC members such as the Cordillera Disaster Response and Development Services, Montanosa Research and Development Center joined the cross visit, along with the Ifugao Peasant Movement and different people’s organizations from Abra, Kalinga and Ifugao.
CDPC promotes sustainable agriculture through appropriate technologies to increase production and capacity-building among its partners fromGOs and people’s organizations.
“Seed is life; if you control the seed you control the life. So let the farmers control the seeds.” said Tata Maka the speaker from MASIPAG in his opening remarks on the inputs about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). When a gene from one organism is purposely moved to improve or change another organism in a laboratory, the result is a genetically modified organism (GMO). It is also sometimes called “transgenic” due to the transfer of genes. He adds that GMO crops can harm soil quality, disrupt ecosystems, and reduce biodiversity because these crops require commercial fertilizers and pesticides. GMO crops can also be toxic, allergenic or less nutritious than organic crops.
Tata Maka emphasized the importance of the traditional way of organic farming compared to conventional agriculture. Organic farming is important because this production system avoids using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulator and livestock feed additives. Using the natural farming system decreases farm input cost. It is also environmentally friendly, and has economic benefits, including the diversification of plants, which generates additional cash. Organic farming also prioritizes human health. A demonstration on how to make organic fertilizers using materials that can be found within the farm like animal manures and other decomposable materials was also shown.
MASIPAG Rice Varieties
The participants visited the trial farms where different varieties of rice were being planted. According to MASIPAG, some of these rice varieties have the possibility of surviving in upland areas. MASIPAG has a collection of more than one thousand of varieties of rice seeds which they call MASIPAG varieties. These rice seed varieties are being developed through cross breeding. Plants are crossbred to introduce genes from one variety or line into a new genetic background. Because rice breeding enhances or improves the breed of the seed and its adaptation to a different type of environment, it is no longer necessary for farmers to use chemical fertilizers and insecticides. They no longer need to be dependent on genetically modified seeds.
MASIPAG also emphasized that farmers cannot be free if they cannot control their own seeds. At present, large biotech agribusinesses like Monsanto and Syngenta control much of the global seed market with genetically modified crops. This centralization of GM seeds threatens food safety and biodiversity.
Successfully practicing sustainable agriculture fosters cooperation and unity and frees farmers from the control of transnational companies.
Based on the research of MASIPAG comparing organic farming and conventional farming in terms of soil, it shows that the soil in organic farming holds more water than in conventional farming. The traditional rice varieties planted in organic farming are more resistant in different climates. During rainy season the varieties planted in conventional farming were less prone to recovery than organic varieties.
Dakkel ti naadal ti daytoy nga aktibidad ta naaamuan nu apay nga haan nga ipaadal dagiti kompanya ti kasano ti epekto dagit gmo kadakami nga mannalon ta kayat da gayam nga controlin ti amin a bin-I “(We learned a lot in this activity. We have learned why these companies do not like to teach the effect of the GMO to the farmers because they like to control all the seeds) said Bob Taydac member of Balantoy Farmers’ Association (BFAD).
“Dapat koma nga akemen ti gobyerno ti training mainaig it sustainable agriculture para kadagiti mannalon , haan nga ti isuro da ket dagiti kayat dagit corparasyon “( It is the role of the government to give trainings on sustainable agriculture to the farmers , not to introduce what the corporations want, said Felix Baluga , barangay Balantoy official and BFAD member)
After the visit the participants were able to draw insight and knowledge, acquire skills and draw learning from relevant technologies and practice sustainable agriculture. Likewise, the participants were able to draft a plan to re–echo what they learned and to apply their newly-acquired skills.