A. WHAT IS UPLAND RICE

Agriculture in the Philippines is rapidly changing, as new farming techniques and

varieties come into use. The deterioration of the environment and natural

resources such as the deforestation, land degradation misuse of pesticides and

chemicals and the loss of genetic resources coupled with the fast growing

population in the country gave the DAs’ challenge in refocusing strategies in

ensuring food security and availability.

Rice remains the staple food of more than 90 million Filipinos and provides

about 60-65 percent in the smallest household income (David and Basilican,

1995). According to Gonzales (1999), rice contributes 16 percent to the Gross

Value Added (GVA) of Agriculture and 3.5 percent of the Gross Domestic

Product (GDP). At the same time, it provides about 11.5 million farmers as a

source of income and employment.

In Northern Mindanao, rice production provides only 70.24% in 2009 with a 115

per capita consumption. This inability of the region’s capacity to attain the rice

requirement of the populace has been attributed to the different interlinking

factors. These factors or gaps include: Urbanization, Unavailability of irrigation

water thereby reducing the hectare planted to irrigated rice, slow adoption of

location-based production and post production technologies and the socio-

economic factors. Thus, the continuous implementation of research,

development and extension development coupled with sourcing of other irrigable

areas and the utilization of marginal areas of upland rice and provision of

available and affordable technologies to improve income, nutrition and ensure

food security and affordability to farm family.

Upland rice farming is considered as an important initiative in attaining the goal

of rice sufficiency in the region and in the country as well. This farming

environment can be characterized with 18 degrees slope and not bunded

attributed largely as marginal due to soil fertility, prone to soil erosion and

water unavailability. However, upland rice environment provides an opportunity

to solve the household-based food availability, income and nutrition and in the

community in general.

B. WHY DO FARMERS GROW UPLAND RICE

Resource base

* Part of the farmers’ livelihood systems, especially for those who have

limited access to irrigated land.

“Hungry Mouths”

* Plays an important role in bridging the gap in food supply during these

critical months.

Low opportunity cost of labor and land

* Due to limited gainful employment opportunities (farm or nonfarm)

Price risk

* The avoidance of this price risk is one of the major reasons for

subsistence production of food grains.

Preference of Ethnic minorities

* Production of upland rice is a way of life for many ethnic minority groups.

Quality and suitability to alternative use

* Traditional varieties of upland rice are believed to be of higher quality

than lowland rice.

C. CROPPING SYSTEM

Fallow-Upland Rice

Upland Rice + Vegetables

D. SEED SELECTION

1. Why we select seeds

To ensure high degree of productivity and profitability

Choose the best adapted variety in the area

A good seed provide the foundation of good crop stand

Choose the best adapted variety in the area

An integral component of farmer’s crop management to achieve sustainable

corn production.

A way of disease management (more than 80% of the known diseases

carried by seed)

Use high-quality seed for planting to produce a healthy crop

2. Benefits of Using High Quality Seeds

During crop establishment, reduction in the amount of seeds for planting

Better seed germination

Production of vigorous seedlings

Faster development of crop canopy leading to faster ground cover thus,

providing shade which is adverse for weed growth

Reduced pest (both insect pest and disease) pressure in field

There is control of diseases associated with seed-borne pathogens

Hand weeding is reduced by as much as two to three times due to enhanced

seedling vigor with high quality seed

Achieving about 5-15% yield again

Maturity

Ear characteristics

Seeds quality

Availability of seeds

Cost-effective

3. Criteria in seed selection

High yielding

Insect and disease resistance

Local adaptability

Market demand

E. CULTURAL PRACTICES OF UPLAND RICE PRODUCTION

1. DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF UPLAND RICE AND ITS POTENTIAL YIELD**

Domodaw- 4.16t/ha

Speaker- 4.90t/ha

Dinorado- 4.58t/ha

Cabuyoc- 6.5t/ha

IR 55419- 4.45t/ha

IR 71525- 4.74t/ha

IR 78878- 5.42t/ha

NSIC 9- 5.66t/ha

UPL Ri 7- 6.67t/ha

Aus 196- 3.47t/ha

IR 55419- 4.45t/ha

IR 47686- 3.13t/ha

** Based on NOMIARC Yield Data 2009-2010

2. LAND PREPARATION

Field Cleaning- done during the end of the dry season

Start of plowing usually during the start of the rainy season (Feb, March,

April).

Plowing = 2-3 times depending on the weed population level and soil type.

Harrowing = once or depending upon the status of the soil if it is already well

pulverized, weed free and ready for planting.

Interval bet plowing/harrowing = 1-2 weeks interval

3. SEEDING REQUIREMENT, SPACING AND PLANTIONG METHOD

40-80 kls seeds per hectare.

30-50 cm between rows.

Drill or hill method at 25-30 cm per hill at 3to 5 seeds per hill.

4. FERTILIZATION

4 bags 14-14-14

1 bag 46-0-0

6 packs Bio-N.

!0 bags chicken manure or any organic fertilizer sources depending on the

soil analysis recommendation.

5. CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Off-barring:

Done three (30 weeks after planting using a modified carabao drawn plow.

This activity allows cultivation of soil and at the same time control the weeds.

Weeding:

Apply hand weeding on 14 days after planting to early flowering stage.

Side-dressing and Hilling-Up:

Done 4 to 5 weeks after planting using a modified carabao drawn plow. The

rate of fertilizer will depend on the Leaf Color Chart (LCC) or the

recommended rate or 1 bag urea as the general fertilizer N rate. Apply the

N fertilizer when there’s enough moisture and cover the fertilizer with the

soil to minimize losses due to volatilization.

6. PEST MANAGEMENT

* Rice Stem Borer- The common insect pest attacking upland rice.

Control Strategy:

Apply Tricho grama japonicum 30 to 45 days after planting and follow up

there if necessary.

Use botanical pesticides and follow synchronous planting.

Observed proper sanitation.

Follow the Integrated pest management (IPM).

* Rice Blast and Brown Spot are the common diseases attacking upland rice.

Control Strategy:

Use resistant varieties.

Observe crop rotation

Proper sanitation

Avoid too much application of N fertilizer.

Use botanical pesticides and follow the Integrated Pest Management.

* Rodent

Use trap.

Proper sanitation.

Synchronous planting.

* Birds

Installation of any materials that create sounds that can drive away birds

such as nylon lines and plastic twines.

Install paste like gadgets to stick the birds in it.

Hang dead or alive birds using a bamboo or other local materials to drive

away birds.

7. HARVESTING AND POST HARVEST

Upland rice can be harvested when 80% of the grains turn yellow.

Apply manual harvesting using kayog and garab.

Use of thresher. Mechanical thresher or manual depending on the availability

and accessibility of threshing machine.

Sundry Palay using plastic net, mat (banig) or amakan.

Use plastic sacks for packaging the palay.

Palay stored at home/bodega or stored in baluyot (made of buri0 basket in a

row filing for proper aeration and in a shaded area.

8. MARKETING

Sold at the local market.

Through Traders.

Price/per kg: same with the lowland rice current price they sale as palay.