First rice experimental project in Albay

Title

Creator

Serrano, Paquito

Language

English

Source

The Farming and Cooperatives II (1) January 1947

Year

1947

Subject

Agriculture--Bicol Peninsula (Philippines)

Rice farming--Bicol Peninsula (Philippines)

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Abstract

The Provincial Board of Albay passed Resolution No. 110 calling for the establishment of said projects in order to encourage the farmers to devote more time in the proper cultivation of their lowland rice fields so as to realize better production.
This aimed to increase the yield and production of rice of Albay by means of scientific and modem method of rice farming, three cooperative experimental plots are being
conducted in the three representative rice municipalities of Malinao, Camalig and Polangui under the office of the provincial agricultural supervisor with the technical assistance of . Mr. Franciseo P. Octubre, Assistant Agronomist of the Bureau of Plant Industry.

Fulltext

First Rice Experimental Project in Albay Aimed to increase the yield and production of rice of Albay by means of scientific and modem method of rice farming, three cooperative ezperimental plots are being conducted in the three representative rice municipalities of Malinao, Camalig and Polangui under the office of the provincial agricultural supervisor with the technical assistance of . Mr. Franciseo P. Octubre, Assistant Agronomist of the Bureau of Plant Industry. Knowing full well that no ezperiment of the kind had ever been attempted in the province before, the Provincial Board of Albay passed Resolution No. 110 calling for the establishment of said projects in order to encourage the farmen to devote more time in the proper cultivation of their lowland rice fields so as to realize better production. Tbe amount of P630 has been set aside for labor, giving P210 for each hectare experimental plots. These variety tests of palagad rice will serve as initial and practical demonstration on how to select the best variety suitable to local conditions. The effect of commercial fertilizers in the improvement of rice J>f'oduction will also be shown in these WJdertakings. This was made possible thru the initiative of the Provincial Governor and the Provincial Agricultural Supervisor who are deeply concerned with the improvement of rice yield of the province. At present Albay planters realize only from 18 to 25 cavans .of palsy per hectare. After making field observations and laying the foundation of each project, Rice Research M~n Francisco P. Octubre recommended the application of complete fertilizers suitable for rice like corcna arroz,_ ~hicb contains 20% niti-o'ten. 10% phosphoric acid and 5% potash, and ammoniwn sulphate at reasonable quantity per hectare to obtain the best resulta. Malinao Cooperative Palagad Rice E:z.perimental Plots. Located in barrio Cabunturan, three kilometers from the poblacion along the provincial road to Tiwi, the plots are level and represent the lowland rice field condition of Tiwi, Malinao, Tabaco, Malilipot, Bacacay and Libog. Although the 1oil is of yellowish brown chy loam containing a lot of sulphur, rice planta grow normally. Due to the uniformity of the BOiJ condition, Mr. Octubre found out that repetition of the variety plots was unnecessary. Planting of inawayan (BPI and local), Sinadyaya and Kaawa had been done on November 25, 1946. 6 Camalig Cooperative Palegad Rice Erperimental Plots. Thio project represents the ordinary roll· By PAQUITO SERRANO ing lowland rice fields in the valleys between Mayon Volcano and the low hills of Legaspi, Daraga, Camalig, Jovellar and \Guinobatan. The fields are not level and the soil is a mixture of black fine sand and clay loam of volcanic origin, according to the Rice Expert. While the higher fields at the fo.lt of the hills noticeably lack or!?Rnic matter. the lower ones are comparatively rich. Due to this condition, the four varieties planted were replicated three times. The plots are located in the barrio of Libod one arld one-half kilometers from the centro. Polangui Cooperative Palagad Rice Experimental Plots. Planting here is late because harvesting of rice in the mUnicipalities represented by this project, viz. Ligao, Oas, Polangui and Libon, is also late, similar to that of Camarines Sur. Proper outhilne, including cultural instructions, have already been made by Mr. Octubre. The soil here is ordinary dark brown, clay loam, level, low and rich in organic matter. As a corollary to these experiments it is worthwhile to discuss here the condition ob taining in the province regarding the production of rice. Albay, like the southern part of Quezon, Camarine9 Sur and other Apostol (Senador) .. .. 4,565 Bacao .. .. .. ,, .. 320 Baranay .. .. 450 Bolibod . . .. .. 230 Bulao .. .. .. 880 Cruz .. .. .. .. 210 Elon-el on .. .. .. 705 Ca9ongsong .. .. .. 300 KinaWayan .. .. .. .. . . .. 1,900 Pangasinan .. .. .. .. 949 Maguinsalay .. .. .. .. 770 Pinursigue .. .. 1,650 Other varieties 506 province9 of the Bicol Region, belongs to type B - no pronounced dry 9eason and capable of planting twice a year. The first crop is usually planted during May and June and harvested about October and the second crop ( palagad) is planted in November and harve9ted in March and April. Heavy rains occur from November to January, the months considered by the planters as wet. Incidentally the three representative experimental projects are around the perfectconed, active Mayon Volcano, hence the soil is of volcanic origin which is mostly of dark sandy loam, either sufficient or deficient in organic matter. Even if it is claimed that there are more rains end irrigation water available during the second planting the average production of the first planting, as can be deduced from the above date. is still greater than that of the second cropping. Personnel of the local Bureau of Plant Industry are leaving no stone unturned to make these projects a big success in order to encourage the local farmers in increasing their rice yield. Albay's basic area of lowland rice fields is 14,076 hectares planted lo the following varieties: he., ave. 22 - 24 ca vans 21 25 22 26 25 28 20 28 24 28 22 26 20 22 20 22 25 28 22 25 24 26 20 25 The basic. area of palagad rice reaches the 14,500 h3. mark, planted to the followi!"'g varieties: Bini9aya '' 1,575 ha., ave., 16 - 20 cavan9 Bulao .. .. 930 18 20 Cruz .. -· 1,210 15 - 20 Dum81i .. 865 18 - 20 Gayangang 850 16- 20 Kagting .. 1,415 17- 22 Katona ' ' 635 15 18 Kinawayan .. ,, ,, .. .. .. 2,105 17 20 .Maguinsalay .. .. .. .. 1,335 16 20 Pangasinan .. .. 1,565 18 20 Siruma .. .. '' 945 IS 20 Other varieties .. 1,070 IS - 20 (Note: This article is based on the re port of Mr. Francisco P. Octubre, Assistant Agronomist)

pages

6

Media