SOME 5,000 hectares of rice lands in Leyte are identified for rationing this year to produce more palay (unhusked rice) and offset losses brought about by flooding and pest infestation. The move is in response to the order of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala to facilitate rice planting in as many areas until next year’s cropping season under the quick turnaround program.
“Leyte is the priority for this technology since this has been practiced by some farmers in the province where they have irrigation system,” according to Agriculture Department Regional Executive Director Antonio Gerundio. “We will just provide interventions to boost their yield.”
Gerundio explains that they are campaigning for rationing to attain rice self sufficiency by 2013. “We are looking at expanding the practice to more areas of the region next year,” he adds. The program will involve 5,000 farmers with an expected yield of 10,000MT. Region 8 has been recording an annual output of less than one million metric tons per year.
Ratooning is a technology wherein the remaining stubble or rice stalks are allowed to regenerate tillers and grains by applying fertilizers. Farmers are advised to apply a bag of fertilizer per hectare 20 days after the main crop is harvested and practice good water management to stimulate growth.
Gerundio assures the practice will not disturb the usual cropping pattern from November to April and May to October as it only takes 45 days to cultivate ratooned rice. Experts say the ratoon crop matures earlier and requires 60% less labor and the same reduction with water supply.
In Ormoc where rationing has been practiced, the yield per hectare for the main crop is 130 sacks. With ratoon, an additional 40 sacks is harvested, gaining an estimated P21,000 additional income. “The technology is very advantageous,” City Agriculture Technician Judith Paredes said. “Because of the good crop stand, it is free from pest infestations and disease infections.”
Other advantages of ratooning include maximizing crop residues and controlling soil erosion by keeping the soil covered. Gerundio explains that the success of a good ratoon crop depends on the care with which the main crop is cultivated in the growing season.
Agronomic practices and the care with which the main crop is protected against insect, pests and diseases determine the success of rationing and crop yields in ratoonable cultivars. Rice rationing is not a new practice. It has been successfully adopted in India, Japan, USA, Brazil, Thailand, Taiwan, China, etc.
(West Leyte Weekly Express issue of Jan. 9-15, 2012)
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