To help farmers face the challenge of climate change, the Integrated RDE Program toward Building Climate Resilient Agriculture in the Philippines was launched, July 12, at the ILARRDEC One-Stop-Shop in Batac City.

The program is a collaborative effort of MMSU, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Department of Agriculture-Ilocos Norte Provincial Center, Office of the Provincial Agriculture, and the city and municipality agriculture offices in the entire province.

The program launching was a response to the Regional Development Council Executive Committee (RDCEC) Resolution No. 49, s. 2011 designating MMSU as the Regional Research and Training Center for Climate Change mandated to take the lead in: crafting, coordinating, and implementing the Regional Integrated research, development, and extension plan for climate change; and in providing special skills training to various stakeholders.

In support to the RDCEC resolution, the MMSU’s board of regents also passed Resolution No. 1183, s. 2012 establishing the Center for Climate Resilient Agriculture.

The newly launched program aims to enhance climate resiliency in rainfed areas through crop diversification using the seed stock dispersal scheme. It seeks to specifically: 1) demonstrate the potential of various rice and crop resilient varieties; 2) establish cropping patterns (e.g., rice and pigeon pea, rice and sweet sorghum, and rice and groundnut); 3) develop specific technology for crop diversification; 4) enhance technology adoption for crop diversification; and 5) increase productivity through seed stock dispersal which is one of the flagship programs of the MMSU Extension Directorate. It presents a distinct model of a sustainable technology-based development through an established assistance mechanism involving the coordinated efforts and complementation of resources by the academe, research and development agencies, local government units, farmer cooperators, and marketing outfits.

The launching program was participated by 30 farmers and farmer-leaders from Marcos, Paoay, and Batac City, and agricultural technicians from Marcos, Pasuquin, and Provincial Agriculture Office.  Dr. Marivic M. Alimbuyuguen, extension director, presented the implementing guidelines of MMSU’s Seedstock Dispersal Program (SDP) such as requesting for availment of the program and terms of payment. She emphasized that while the project will be following the SDP scheme, the PCAARRD’s Science and Technology-Based Farm scheme in establishing demonstration farms will be followed to highlight the application of various interventions.  The STBF is a modality in establishing demonstration farms of farmer-scientists all over the country to compare their practices with the enhanced practices.

Other topics were discussed during the program: overview of the objectives and activities of the Center for Climate Resilient Agriculture by Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, research director; rationale of the project “Enhancing Climate Resiliency through Crop Diversification: The Seed Stock Dispersal Scheme” by Dr. Epifania O. Agustin, vice president for research and extension; rice production for rainfed-lowland areas and precision agriculture by Dr. Dionisio S. Bucao; rice varieties for rainfed areas and their characteristics by Prof. Martina Tinguil, CAFSD professor; production of organic fertilizer by Dr. Floramante Pastor, Organic Fertilizer Production Project in-charge; and crop insurance policy by  Jaime Gomez, underwriter of PCIC.  Signing of contracts and distribution of farm inputs were done after the pre-dispersal training.

President Miriam E. Pascua and DA-Ilocos Norte chief Amador A. Sadumiano expressed their commitment in the implementation of the project as they encouraged the beneficiaries to fully participate and cooperate as they face te challenge of global warming.