By Daniel Tapaoan, Jr., STRATCOM Correspondent

Dedicated to boosting agricultural development in the country, Australia’s Griffith University (GU) and Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) have kick-started a five-year research project focused on enhancing the productivity of rice-based cropping systems in selected Luzon provinces. 

GU Professor Chenrong Chen, overall project leader, Dr. Adeflor Grant, the country project manager, MMSU team led by Dr. Janet Villamor, and provincial agriculturists from Ilocos Norte, Bataan, and Tarlac attended a meeting held on June 16 at the University Center for Flexible Learning. 

Dr. Villamor, who serves as project leader, said the meeting served as an avenue to discuss the upcoming activities, clarify aspects of its implementation, and facilitate visits to the project sites in Batac, Vintar, and Pasuquin. 

The project kick-off was the onset of an inception meeting held on March 24-26 at the Bataan Tourism Pavilion in Balanga City, Bataan. Dubbed Project SLaM 2023/146, the program is led by GU and funded by the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

This groundbreaking initiative aims to develop soil knowledge, information systems, and capacity to improve the productivity, sustainability, and resilience of key cropping systems through improved soil management and health in the Philippines. 

Its output will be used in developing the National Soils Strategy, a blueprint that will help the Philippine government, local farmers, and other stakeholders in improving agricultural production.