Country training course on rain-fed agriculture held

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is working hand in hand with other agencies to strengthen rain-fed agriculture research, development and extension in Cordillera.

These agencies are the DA Bureau of Agricultural research (BAR), High Value Crops Development Program, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (Icrisat) with different state colleges and universities in the region.

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The week-long training workshop, which was held at the Ifugao State University (Ifsu), tackled topics, issues and concerns on soil and water conservation in Philippine rain-fed areas, production and commercialization of crops which are appropriate in rain-fed conditions.

Selected crops are sweet sorghum, pigeon pea, ground nut, and chick pea.

The training workshop was facilitated by Dr. Myer Mula, Icrisat focal person.

According to him, rain-fed agriculture research must get a big boost in the country with the creation of the Philippine Rain-fed Agriculture Research and development and extension (PhiRARDEP).

It was learned that strengthening and invigorating the existing rain-fed farming systems and practices in the country will mitigate drought, land degradation and other risks arising from climate change.

Quoting former DA Secretary and now Icrisat Director General Dr. William D. Dar, Mula said PhiRARDEP will significantly contribute to poverty alleviation and social empowerment through sustained and improved livelihoods brought about by a stable and secured supply of suitable crops/commodities in Philippine rain-fed areas.

Rain-fed areas are drylands, where the mean annual rainfall of 500 mon is less than two-thirds of potential evapo-transpiration, are characterized by lack of water, high evaporation rates, exceptionally high day temperature during summer, low humidity and high run-off and soil erosion.

Acting as resource speakers during the workshop were Dr. Serafin L. Ngohayon, Ifsu president; Dr. Rex Navarro, Icrisat Director for Communications; Dr Rosanna Mula, Icrisat Training Coordinator; keynote speaker Dr. William Medrano of the Commission on Higher Education; and Dr. Nicomedes P. Eleazar, director of BAR. (Alicia D. Tabuno)