The Department of Agriculture (DA) has launched the Rice Derby 2026 in Dolores, Eastern Samar, to showcase modern farming technologies aimed at increasing rice production while reducing production costs.
The technology demonstration, officially launched on Thursday in Barangay Gap-ang, covers 150 hectares and involves 200 farmer cooperators who will test various rice production technologies throughout the cropping season.
DA Regional Executive Director Rodel Macapañas said in a statement Friday that the Rice Derby seeks to help farmers transition from traditional to modern farming practices by adopting new technologies.
“Our aspiration is to elevate rice production in Eastern Samar. We want our farmers to transition from traditional to modern farming. That is why we aim to increase farmers’ awareness of modern agricultural technologies. We hope to achieve sufficient food production in the province so that no family in Eastern Samar will go hungry,” Macapañas said.
Participating farmers are expected to cultivate their fields using different production technologies that will be monitored and assessed to determine their effectiveness in improving productivity and farm profitability.
A key component of the Rice Derby is the implementation of the Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Strategy (ABFS) across the entire demonstration area.
The strategy promotes proper nutrient management based on soil conditions and crop requirements to help farmers optimize fertilizer use, increase yields, and improve the sustainability of rice production.
Supporting the initiative are 10 hybrid seed companies, 11 biofertilizer companies, 10 soil ameliorant companies, one inorganic fertilizer company, five foliar fertilizer companies, two nanotechnology companies, one drone service provider, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, and the Philippine Rice Research Institute.
Eastern Samar Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone said the activity will allow farmers and stakeholders to determine which technologies are most effective in increasing rice productivity.
“Through the Rice Derby, we will be able to determine whether this equipment and modern technologies can help increase rice production in our province. This initiative is a great help because it allows us to evaluate new approaches that can further improve rice productivity in Eastern Samar,” Evardone said.
The Rice Derby, according to DA, serves as a learning site where farmers can compare technologies under actual farming conditions and adopt practices that have been proven effective. (PNA)
