The objective: To control the golden snail, which has evolved into a destructive rice pest over the past quarter of a century.
Now on the planning board, the rice-duck model will be revived in 15 Laguna lakeshore towns and in nine others that border Mt. Makiling and Mt. Banahaw. It will apply the combined findings of local and foreign researches with field experiences, as pieced together by Dr. Rectorino Escobin Jr., project leader of the UPLB Agricultural Systems Cluster (ASC).
The golden snail infestation broke out in the 1980s following its introduction as a source of food. Contrary to expectations, however, the snail turned out as a voracious eater of rice plants, particularly the young leaves.
As reported by Dr. Edna Luis Matienzo, also of UPLB-ASC : "If left uncontrolled, golden snail (Pomacea spp) infestation in rice farming can cause tremendous damage of up to 60 percent - 90 percent missing hills."
As early as the 1980s, DA had recommended the grazing of ducks as one of the control measures. However, the problem of golden snails has persisted.
On the other hand, duck raising in confinement is expensive, aggravated by the diminishing source of local food, the snail or suso.
"This endangered species found in Laguna Lake is being overdredged and is slowly dying because of pollution," Drs. Escobin and Matienzo said.
Dr. Escobin worked on the rice-duck farming system from 1982 to 1987.
The ASC rice-duck model was crystallized in 2004. In September 2005, Dr. Escobin was awarded a World Bank grant to implement the project titled "The Duck Ranger: Rice-Duck Systems to the Rescue."
In the system, the ducks will be free-renged with or without standing rice crop serving as biological control by feeding on the golden snail , and reducing the need for molluscicide application by as much as 100 percent. Also, ducks feed on insect pests and trample on weeds, substantially reducing the use of insecticides and herbicides.
Moreover, duck manure serves as organic fertilizer for field crops.
"Given these multifold benefits, the project hopes to improve the income of farmers and other members of the community, reduce the use of hazardous chemicals, ensure an environment-friendly and healthy approach to controlling snails and other pests," Drs. Escobin and Matienzo concluded. – Rudy A. Fernandez