2018 NARRATIVE REPORT

RICE PROGRAM

This year ushered opportunities and better prospects in refocusing the program’s priorities, and
renewed commitment to optimize the region’s rice production performance.
Expectedly, intensified technology promotion and much-needed support was given to the Samar
Island provinces in line with DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol’s, ‘Samar Island Rice Development
Program’ which was launched before the year ended. Under this program, the government seeks
to maximize production potential of its vast rice areas. Essentially, it seeks to raise the productivity
and income levels of farmers and ultimately, transform Samar Island into becoming one of the
major rice producers of the country.
This is particularly relevant as the region seeks to regain uptrend in palay production performance.
The region’s total palay output this year was pegged at 946,877 mt, or 0.14% higher compared to
year-ago output of 945,565 mt. This is essentially in account for much higher yield posted by most
provinces – pulling up its average yield level from 3.47mt per hectare to 3.51 mt per hectare,
growing by 1.29 %.
The provision of high quality seeds and fertilizers under the rehabilitation program positively
contributed to the overall effort to bring back the region’s level of production performance. This
comes aside from the provision of farm machinery, small-scale irrigation equipment, and
postharvest support.

Production Support Services (PSS)

Hybrid Seed Support for Top 20 Poorest Provinces

Primarily aimed at increasing yield and income, hybrid seeds were provided to farmers in areas
belonging to the Top 20 poorest provinces of the country – which in Region 8, includes the three
provinces of Samar Island. Recipients of the hybrid seeds underwent technical briefing on hybrid
rice production as part of the pre-requisites for their entitlement to the seeds support. Out of the
hybrid seeds distributed, the program covered an area totaling 8,751 hectares, benefitting 8,517
farmers. Initial reports showed that farmers who planted hybrid seeds attained higher yield of as
much as 2mt per hectare compared to their usual yield levels using ordinary or home-saved seeds.

High Quality Seeds for Adverse Ecosystem

The potential contribution of rice areas having adverse ecosystems to the overall palay production
performance of the region, is undeniable. Now, farmers planting in adverse ecosystems find much
higher yields primarily through the use of high quality seeds.

Although certain package of technologies have been developed to enhance the productivity level of
farmers planting in these areas, the crucial support that the program extended, is making adverse
ecosystem-tolerant seed varieties available. For this year, a total of 14,526 bags (at 40 kilograms
per bag) of certified seeds proven to be adverse ecosystem-tolerant were distributed to the
farmers.

Farmers Production and Exchange of High Quality Inbred Rice Seeds (SEEDEX)

This project aims to help raise small farmers’ productivity and income specifically for palay farmers
who continue to rely on any available poor quality seeds. They were urged to shift to high quality
seeds in an informal farmer production and exchange system. The program contributed in
improving farmers’ access to locally adaptable inbred varieties, and in further expanding areas
planted with high quality seeds, with farmers themselves sharing with fellow farmers in the
community their first-hand experiences about its advantages.

A total of 1,482 bags of registered rice seeds (at 20 kg. per hectare) were provided to the identified
farmer seed growers who were trained and/or attended the Technical Briefing on the Production
and Exchange of High-Quality Inbred Rice Seeds and 25,267 bags of certified rice seeds (one bag
per ha) as assistance to farmers who are members of associations/organizations.

Soil Fertility and Quality Assessment

For CY 2018, the Regional Soils Laboratory had a total of 400 soil samples analyzed and provided
with the fertilizer recommendations for rice production serving 401 rice farmers. Also, 100 units
of the Soil Test Kits were procured and distributed to the different farmers’ organizations in the
region.
Towards Resiliency
It pays to be ready. With several typhoons usually hitting the region in a year, ensuring that there
is enough Buffer Stock of quality seeds proves crucial. This is to ascertain the availability of quality
seeds to the farmers who may be affected by calamities to help them recoup from production losses.

A total 200 bags of registered (at 20kls/bag), hybrid seeds enough for 2,600 ha and, 3,961 bags of
certified seeds were made available as buffer stock placed in the major warehouse facilities of the
DA RFO 8. These seeds were provided as replacement seeds to farmers who were adversely
affected by calamities during the occurrence of dry spell in some areas of the region and the two
major tropical depressions that hit the region namely Tropical Depressions Samuel and Usman.

Also, the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) maintained buffer stock of pest control chemicals
as assistance to farmers during pest outbreaks. Apart from this, the RCPC also engaged in the
production/multiplication of biocontrol agents. This year, 3,000 kg of metarhizium were produced
and distributed to 150 farmers in the municipalities of Merida, Babatngon, Alang-alang, Baybay
City, Burauen, Dagami, Hinunangan, Jaro, Javier, La Paz, Palo, San Isidro, San Julian and other
municipalities of Region 8. Metarhizium is a broad spectrum entomopathogen used as Biological
Control agent against various rice pest species attacking rice plants including, commonly known as
Rice Black Bugs, Brown Planthoppers, Rice Grain Bug and other insect pests.

Buffer stock of pesticides

Moreover, a total of 10,000 trichocards were distributed to 200 farmers in the municipalities of
Dulag, Sta. Fe, Jaro, Tanauan, Alang-alang, Burauen, Palo, Bato, Babatngon, Mahaplag, Abuyog, San
Miguel, Hilongos, and Mac Arthur and the cities of Tacloban and Baybay, in Leyte; San Juan, Libagon,
Tomas Oppus, Maasin City, Southern Leyte; Motiong and Paranas, in Samar; and, San Julian, Eastern
Samar. Trichogramma japonicum is an egg parasitoid used to control Rice Stemborers, Chilo
suppressalis and other lepidopterous rice pests.

Distribution of Metarhizium anisopliae to the local farmers and walk in client

Market Development Services (MDS)

Part of the major activities of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) during
the year included the conduct of marketing fora and credit facilitation. These are in response to
pressing problems on finding niche market for local agricultural commodities and lack working
capital for farmers’ associations/cooperatives.
Credit worthiness seminars/orientations on DA-Agricultural Credit Programs were conducted by
AMAD in coordination with partner agencies and financial institutions. There were twelve (12)
financing conduits established in the region and around 82.35 million pesos were released serving
6,100 small farmers and fisherfolk. The activities were conducted in Naval, Biliran; Tabon-tabon,
Leyte; Alang-alang Leyte; Hilongos Leyte; and, also in Tacloban City.
Extension Support, Education and Training Services (ESETS)

Rice Model Farm

Rice Model Farm Project was implemented to showcase the applicable technologies on inbred and
hybrid rice production, which include improved practices on certain aspects in rice cultivation from
seeding, harvesting and drying. The said program is aimed at maximizing production potential in
fully irrigated farms as well as in favorable rainfed areas with adequate water supply. This year, a
total of 59 sites for inbred and 168 hybrid model farm sites were established benefitting 2,259
farmers.

Rice farmers on the crop cut activity during the Farmers’ Field Day of Rice Model Farm

Community based mushroom production, processing and marketing – Enterprise project

For 2018, seven hands-on training were conducted involving 37 Farmers Associations, directly
benefitting 193 farmer individuals, and conducted intensive training in partnership with the
Agricultural Training Institute- Regional Training Center 8.

Also, six units steel drum were distributed to Farmers Association in La Paz and Carigara, in Leyte
and Taft, Eastern Samar and two units to private collaborators; four rolls of fine nets to two
Farmers Association in Hinunangan, So. Leyte and Taft, Eastern Samar; 10,000 pcs polypropylene
(PP) bags to 14 Farmers Association; 2,000 PP bags to Paraclete Renewal Center, Brgy. 104
Salvacion, Tacloban City; and, 15 bottles of grain spawn to 12 Farmers Association.

Moreover, approximately 200 mt of agricultural wastes such as rice straw, saw dust, rice bran and
other by-products were used as substrate in the production of approximately 225,000 fruiting bags
for oyster mushroom production. Of this, approximately 40,000 kgs. of fresh oyster mushroom
were produced which if sold at prevailing market price of PhP300/kg could generate gross income
of Php12,000,000.00.

Upland Rice Development Project

This year, three on-farm technology demonstrations featuring the Palayamanan System for Upland
Rice Areas in Eastern Visayas were established in Motiong and San Jorge, Samar; and Lope de Vega,
Northern Samar. In Motiong, Samar, the farm demo focused on upland rice integrated with sweet
potato and peanut. Aside from site visits to the demo area, upland farmers also had the opportunity
to attend training on upland rice-based farming system on integration of vegetable and fruit trees.

Meanwhile, in San Jorge, Samar, the farm demonstration focused on integration of upland rice and
peanut, and in Lope de Vega, demonstration was on the integration of vegetables and peanut with
rice. The farmers were also trained on vermicomposting technology and, upland rice-based farming
system focusing on integration of vegetable and fruit trees last October 24-25, 2018.

On Program Advocacy

The Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section implemented advocacy activities
utilizing various media platforms. It conducted “University-on-the-Air on Good Agricultural
Practices in Rice Production,” in collaboration with DYSL Radyo Pilipinas, in Sogod, Southern Leyte
and the Provincial Local Government Unit of Southern Leyte. The broadcast course produced a
total of 300 farmer-graduates from Sogod, Libagon, Bontoc and Tomas Oppus.

Moreover, radio plugs on ‘Be Riceponsible’ Campaign, brown rice consumption, rice-corn mix and
pest management were aired over Magik FM from April-July 2018. The DA RFO 8’s Information
Section also distributed a total of 3,000 IEC materials featuring various package of agricultural
technologies.

In celebration of the 2018 National Rice Awareness Month in November, it conducted series of
promotional events: the Brown Rice Day on November 7, 2018 at the San Joaquin National High
School, Palo, Leyte; Rice Mix Day on November 16, 2018 at the Sta. Fe National High School, Sta. Fe,
Leyte; and DAlagan cum Run4Riceponsibility on November 24, 2018 in Tacloban City.

Training Activities

The development of the Farm Service Providers (FSPs) was highlighted through the Organizational
Skills Development for Farm Service Providers in Region 8 conducted in Nipa Garden Resort,
Manlurip, Tacloban City last April 5, 2018. The activity, which was aimed at capacitating FSPs on
latest rice production technologies was participated in by 30 farmers. This is apart from the
Specialized Training for Operation and Maintenance of Farm Machinery, Equipment and Facilities
was also conducted and attended by 155 participants coming from the different municipalities of
Northern Samar.

Meantime, to further enhance the technical capacities of SWISA/FA/IA on the maintenance of

irrigation facilities and capacity- building to sustain the organizations, Institutional Development
Training for the Basic Operation Maintenance and Organizational Enhancement of Small Water
Irrigation System Associations were conducted in Kananga, Leyte and Silago, Southern Leyte. A
total of 56 farmers and SWISA members participated in the activity.

As part of the eligibility requirements for beneficiaries of Inbred Seed Exchange program,
interested farmers underwent training on various package of applicable rice production
technologies. The said activities were conducted in Tacloban City, Leyte, Ormoc City, Leyte, Naval,
Biliran, Borongan, Eastern Samar, Catarman, Northern Samar, and Catbalogan City, Samar,
participated by 181 farmers from the different municipalities of the region.

To further improve agricultural extension services, 264 para technicians or the so-called Local
Farmer Technicians were also trained and deployed to the different municipalities around the
region to help in the technology transfer activities and provide technical support services to
farmers planting in irrigated, rainfed and upland ecosystems. These LFTs were also required to
establish on-farm technology demonstrations in their respective localities. The LFTs established
215 techno demo sites and spearheaded training activities benefitting 6,135 farmers.
Research and Development

Pest Risk Identification and Management (PRIME)

PRIME is a 4-year project funded by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), and is being
implemented in partnership with the DA-Regional Field Office, Bureau of Plant Industry, Philrice,
and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). It aims to strengthen the capacities through Pest
Risk Identification and Management (PRIME), in order to understand the risk factors for pest
outbreaks particularly on rice.

Pilot sites for the conduct of this project during the first cropping period are in the municipalities
of Abuyog, Leyte, Sta. Fe, Leyte and Ormoc City, Leyte. The project have already expanded in nine
(9) municipalities, for the second cropping period, starting November of this year, in Hinunangan,
and Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte; Caibiran and Naval, Biliran; Sta. Rita, Samar; San Jose and
Mondragon, Northern Samar; Quinapondan and San Julian, Eastern Samar. A total of 240
monitoring fields were observed for the crop health assessment.

Accelerating the Development and Adoption of Next-Generation (Next-Gen) Rice Varieties for the Major
Ecosystems in Region VIII

The project on Accelerating the Development and Adoption of Next-Generation (Next-Gen) Rice
Varieties for the Major Ecosystems was implemented in six (6) provinces of Eastern Visayas. It
seeks to accelerate the introduction and adoption of high-yielding rice varieties that were found
resistant/ tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses.

In irrigated ecosystem during the dry season cropping, hybrid rice variety, NSIC Rc380H (M61) was
the highest yielder in Ormoc City with 6.71 tons/ha, while in Biliran, Biliran and Macrohon So.
Leyte, FV (PSB Rc18) and NISC Rc432 (M71) were the highest yielder with 7.2 tons/ha and 6.07
tons/ha, respectively. For inbred rice variety, NSIC Rc216 was the highest yielder with 6.80 tons/ha
in Calbayog City. During the wet season cropping, NSIC Rc436 yielded highest in Quinapondan,
Eastern Samar and in Ormoc City with 3.11 and 6.95 tons/ha, respectively. In Almeria, Biliran, NSIC
Rc354 was the highest yielder with 7.2 tons/ha and NSIC Rc226 in Patong, Calbiga which yielded
yield 6.45 tons/ha.

Under adverse ecosystem rainfed/drought tolerance rice variety, FV (NSIC Rc216) posted highest
yield of 4.76 tons/ha in San Isidro, Leyte; in Alangalang, Leyte, NSIC Rc472 posted 4.64 tons/ha and
in Tanauan, Leyte, NSIC Rc478 yielded highest at 2.94 tons/ha. During wet season cropping, NSIC
Rc474 topped other varieties in Tanauan, Leyte with 5.78 tons/ha. For saline tolerant rice variety
during wet season cropping, NSIC Rc464 posted highest yield in San Juan, Ormoc City with 4.78
tons/ ha.

One of the major activities to accelerate the adoption of NextGen rice varieties was the conduct of
preference analysis. Results of such analysis during dry season cropping showed that NSIC Rc406H
was the most preferred hybrid variety in Ormoc City under irrigated ecosystem while in Biliran,
Biliran, and Macrohon So. Leyte, NSIC Rc222 and NSIC Rc456H, respectively. For inbred rice
variety, NSIC Rc238 was the most preferred variety in Calbayog City. During wet season cropping,
NSIC Rc436 was the most preferred variety in Almeria, Biliran and Patong, Calbiga Samar. NSIC
Rc442 was highly preferred in Quinapondan Eastern Samar and NSIC Rc354 for Ormoc City.

In adverse ecosystems, drought tolerant rice varieties such as NSIC Rc478 was the most preferred
variety in San Isidro, Leyte, while NSIC Rc428 for Alang Alang, Leyte. NSIC Rc434 was the most
preferred in Tanauan, Leyte during the dry cropping, while NSIC Rc474 during wet cropping. For
saline tolerance, NSIC Rc470 was the most preferred variety during wet cropping.

Another major activity done to accelerate adoption of NextGen rice varieties was the conduct of
sensory evaluation. Sensory evaluation was undertaken based on aroma, taste, stickiness and
softness of the variety. Results showed that under irrigated lowland ecosystem, NSIC Rc204H
(M20) was highly preferred in Ormoc City during dry cropping, while NSIC Rc432H (M71) in
Almeria, Biliran and NSIC Rc380H (M61) in Macrohon, Southern Leyte. For inbred rice varieties,
NSIC Rc440 was the chosen variety in Calbayog City during dry season cropping. During wet
cropping, NSIC Rc442 was preferred variety in Almeria, Biliran and Quinapondan E. Samar and,
NSIC Rc226 and NSIC Rc238 for Ormoc City and Patong, Calbiga, respectively.

Drought tolerant rice variety, NSIC Rc434 was the most preferred in San Isidro and Tanauan Leyte,
while NSIC Rc192 (check) in Alang Alang, Leyte during dry cropping. During wet cropping, NSIC
Rc430 was the preferred variety in Tanauan, Leyte. For saline tolerant rice variety, NSIC Rc468 was
chosen in San Juan, Ormoc City during the wet cropping.

Intensification, Diversification and Integration of Rice-Based Farming Systems and

Enterprises

This project started implementation last August 2018 which is composed of four (4) major
components, as follows: Rice-Duck Integration Technology Demonstration; Enhancement of the
Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes of Farmers through Enhanced Capability Building Activities;
Strengthening Farmers’ Association into a Functional Business Group; Knowledge Product
Development and Promotion of Technologies.

In more than four months, 37 technology demonstration farms were established. Of this, 20 techno
demo cooperators received the ducklings to showcase the Rice-Duck Integration Farming System
from which 2 Participatory Technology Demonstration (PTD) farms were identified for the Climate
Smart Farm Business School (CSFBS). The cooperators were provided with rice seed, fertilizers,
and nets for the duck fence and 50 heads of ducklings.

Season-long CSFBS was also conducted with 40 farmer co-operators. Other activities were
capability building/training such as Focus Group Discussion on CPAR Interventions, Training on
Values Formation, Rice-Duck Management Technology, Farm Business Planning and Management,
EntreFarm BEST Game and, Market Survey in Alangalang, Palo, Tacloban and Abuyog, Leyte from
the consumers and producers of various duck enterprise, such as balot, salted egg, fresh duck egg
& ducklings.

On-Station Mushroom Technology Modules and R&D Implementation

Highlight of activities undertaken in support of the project included the following: putting up a
total of 240 fruiting bags meant to determine the viability of fresh and old coco sawdust mixed with
rice straw as substrate for growing oyster mushroom. It also served as the source of explant for
tissue culture to produce pure culture. The project produced bottles of pure culture and grain
spawns which were used during hands-on training and distributed to farmer cooperators and
collaborators.

Irrigation support, Agri Infrastructure and Farm Mechanization

The region’s level of palay production performance may further improve through these small-scale
irrigation projects: Five units Diversion Dam (DD), two units Small Water Impounding Project
(SWIP) and six units Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS), and an additional seven units Pump
and engine sets. All these are expected to generate a total of 341 hectares.

Aside from these, there were also investments on farm facilities, machineries and equipment which
included three units 4WD Tractors (35 hp), 20 units hand tractors, five units floating tillers, eight
units Walk-behind Transplanter, five units Combine Harvester, three units Recirculating Dryer, and
four units Mobile Rice Mill, three units seed spreader/fertilizer applicator, 10 units threshers, five
units reapers, construction of two units recirculating dryers with biomass furnace and the
rehabilitation of five units flatbed dryers.

Major Challenges

1. Procurement process of some needed interventions, particularly for irrigation projects are
sometimes hampered due to lack of qualified and/ responsive bidders;
2. Unfavorable weather condition is another obstacle to meet the target completion of the
projects;
3. Majority of the LGU recipients have pending unliquidated cash disbursements which make
them ineligible to avail of some agricultural interventions; and,
4. The differing priorities of political leaders which sometimes adversely affect the
implementation of the projects and/ delivery of interventions.

Recommendations:

1. Intensify information dissemination on bid opportunities to encourage participation of

potential bidders from other regions particularly for irrigation and mechanization;
2. Consider the recommendations from the different regions in crafting implementing
guidelines to make sure effective and efficient implementation;
3. Strictly implement ‘no payment policy’ if infrastructures and machineries are not
completely delivered with all the needed accessories; and no further funds transfer to LGUs
which have outstanding unliquidated accounts for previous funds downloaded; and,
4. Imposition of penalty for contractors/suppliers, which are non-compliant with contract
agreements, especially as regards the period of deliveries and/or accomplishment of agri
infrastructure projects.

Financial Accomplishment
as of December 31, 2018

ANNUAL ('000)
MFO/PPA ALLOTMENT OBLIGATION DISBURSEMENT
MOOE CO TOTAL MOOE CO TOTAL MOOE CO TOTAL
GRAND
264,261.00 148,702.00 412,963.00 256,375.25 132,361.78 388,737.04 166,738.29 60,434.32 227,172.61
TOTAL
PSS 173,863.00 26,782.00 200,645.00 173,070.50 25,036.58 198,107.08 104,663.49 17,498.75 122,162.24
MDS 379.00 - 379.00 373.56 - 373.56 360.96 - 360.96
ESETS 78,180.00 914.00 79,094.00 74,804.00 859.55 75,663.55 55,061.20 654.15 55,715.35
RND 7,265.00 52.00 7,317.00 7,020.62 47.78 7,068.39 6,230.38 47.78 6,278.16
INS 3,359.00 107,586.00 110,945.00 272.57 93,138.48 93,411.06 272.57 34,460.27 34,732.84
PAEF 1,215.00 13,368.00 14,583.00 834.01 13,279.39 14,113.40 149.69 7,773.38 7,923.06