FutureRice trains farmers for 'future scenarios'

The FutureRice Program is developing a 5-hectare land in the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Central Experiment Station in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, the institute said on Monday. 

 

The goal is to prepare farmers for future farming scenarios through its five major components: knowledge management, establishment of smart farms, rice academy, farm automation and clean energy, PhilRice noted in a statement.

 

More farmers are now undergoing  training to make their farms more productive, according to a PhilRice official.

 

The second batch of farmers has started training, PhilRice Communication Specialist Jan Lois Zippora A. Libed said in a separate interview.

 

FutureRice commemorated National Heroes Day with the image of national hero Jose Rizal illustrated as rice paddy art.

 

“Our team would like to give emphasis on the many innovative ways rice farmers can make their field more productive and creative at the same time. This rice art paddy is one example,” program leader Roger F. Barroga said in the statement.

 

“We want to show especially the young generation that agriculture can be quite interesting and rewarding. It has always been our nation’s primary industry, one of the backbones of our economy,” Barroga added.

 

Marian Anora,  FutureRice farm manager, noted that apart from rice paddy art the program is also showcasing different smart farming practices and technologies developed by PhilRice, other partner agencies and private individuals. 

"It is our objective that when farmers visit the FutureRice farm, they will get a bunch of very practical knowledge that they can apply in their own farms,” she added. – VS, GMA News