DA, ICRISAT to undertake soil program to increase crop yield

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is working on an agreement with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) for the conduct of a five-year soil rejuvenation program with the goal of increasing the yield of major food staples.

The proposed program, which is expected to be carried out this year, consists of the conduct of soil mapping, soil analysis, upgrade of existing soil laboratories, and training of farmers in at least three provinces nationwide, one each in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

For each pilot testing area, at least 15,000 hectares is seen to participate in the program.

Pending the signing of a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the DA and the India-based research institute, an initial budget of P100 million is identified for earmarking this year. Technical assistance will be provided by ICRISAT.

The DA National Rice Program and the Bureau of Agriculture Research will work with ICRISAT on the soil rejuvenation program.

ICRISAT Director General William DAR told reporters yesterday that the conduct of the soil rejuvenation program being discussed with the DA can potentially increase the yield in most food staples like rice and corn by at least 20 percent.

“Soil rejuvenation is a major strategy in bringing back soil health,” he said.”It’s what will bring higher productivity.”

A team of three scientists from ICRISAT will participate in the five-year soul rejuvenation program. In February, the lead scientist in the program will visit the country to coordinate with the Agriculture Department on the implementation of the program.

Dar said that if the mapping of the pilot areas are completed according to schedule, the program would be carried out in April or May.

DA Assistant Secretary and National Rice Program coordinator Dante Delima earlier directed all regional agriculture officers to fast track the creation of their respective Soil Fertility Mapping (SFM), which aims to reduce wastage in the use of inputs and maximize logistical support to rice farmers nationwide.

The maps will also help farmers to check soil fertility in their rice fields without resorting to expensive soil analysis, Delima said, adding that the nationwide SFM will complement the government’s rice-self sufficiency roadmap.

To date, only Region 2 has a complete mapping of rice lands – including irrigated, non-irrigated areas, and rain-fed areas.

For 2013, the government aims to produce 20 million metric tons of palay.