www.irri.

org/irrc

April 2006, Vol. 1, No. 2 Volume 7, Number 2, 21st issue May-August 2012

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

Irrigated Rice Research Consortium

Rice Research for Intensified Production and Prosperity in Lowland Ecosystems

Consultation workshop on closing rice yield gaps in Asia held in Indonesia

are new allied projects that have just begun in Myanmar so they were not able to send a representative. Hasil Sembiring, director of the Indonesian Center for Food Crops Research and Development, gave the welcome remarks. Partners presented topics on closing rice yield gaps, integrated crop management and best management practices in partner countries, research directions for CORIGAP, gender issues, learning alliances, and monitoring and evaluation. Participants grouped themselves by country and identified timelines and activities, key sites, counterparts, and stakeholders/ actors for learning alliances. On The workshop was attended by IRRI scientists and country partners: (left to right) Nguyen Huu the last day, discussions were Huan (partly hidden), deputy director general, Plant Protection Department, Vietnam; Alfred held on the CORIGAP logframes, Schmidley, IRRI business model specialist; David Raitzer, IRRI impact assessment and strategic planning specialist; Pham Van Du, deputy director general, Crop Production Division, Vietnam; progress with good agricultural Grant Singleton, IRRC coordinator; and Nguyen Do Ahn Tuan, research division dean, Institute practices for rice in Thailand and of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam. Vietnam, and the next steps. n the past decade, rice output partners and IRRI scientists on CORIGAP will be closely aligned in Asia has increased by an a new project, Closing rice yield with the Sustainable Rice Platform average of 1% per annum, but gaps in Asia (CORIGAP). To be that was launched in November to meet growing food demand and funded by the Swiss Agency for 2011 (see RIPPLE Jan-Apr 2012 issue). keep the price of rice affordable to Development and Cooperation The new CORIGAP project will fall the poor, annual yield increase has (SDC), the new 4-year project will under the umbrella of the IRRC. to be around 1.5%. In the irrigated focus on enhanced productivity of From 2013 the IRRC will take a new lowlands, there is generally a gap rice production systems through form. It will continue as an important between achievable and actual yield more efficient use of resources vehicle to support cross-country of riceabout 1-2 t/ha. In Southeast (e.g., water, labor, and nutrients), learning and training, and to foster Asia alone, closing the yield leading to a reduced ecological outreach efforts. However, the core gap would increase total annual footprint. The new project will funding will come primarily from production of rice by an estimated begin in January 2013. The partner IRRI. This replaces the tremendously 75 million tons, providing additional countries are Indonesia, China successful co-investment by IRRI food for some 625 million people. (Guangdong province), Myanmar, and SDC in the IRRC over the past A 3-day planning workshop Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. 16 years. These developments was held on 28-30 May, in Bogor, All countries were represented in the will be discussed further in Indonesia, between national workshop except Myanmar. There the next issue of RIPPLE.

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May-August 2012

Impact of IRRCs four phases under evaluation by external panel

Rona Nia Mae Rojas

he Irrigated Rice Research Consortium (IRRC) commissioned an impact assessment and process evaluation of IRRC technologies and best management practices developed from phase 1 to phase 4 of the Consortium, spanning 15 years. An inception meeting held on 25-26 June 2012 at the IRRI Training Center marked the start of the process. The IRRC coordination unit and work groups gave presentations on the technologies developed, adoption rates, yield and income impacts, and identified sociocultural, gender, institutional, environmental, scientific, and policy impacts. The communication approach of the IRRC was presented to highlight

Photo by Maria Angela Peafiel

Roderick Rejesus, with microphone, an agricultural economist from North Carolina State University, USA, is the chairperson of the IRRC impact assessment team. Dr. Rejesus will review the financial and economic impact of the IRRC.

Photo by Maria Angela Peafiel

the strategies that have been implemented to promote the best management practices to irrigated rice farmers. This review aims to determine the achievements attained during the four phases of IRRC and how outcomes of the research contributed to rice production issues in the Southeast Asian project countries. There will be an economic assessment of the targeted countries to estimate returns on investment. The final consultancy Phrek Gypmantasiri, agronomist from Chiang Mai report is expected to document University, Thailand, will concentrate on the evidence of successful outcomes assessment of scientific impact. and impacts, as well as pathways that led to these changes. Also to be North Carolina State University, documented are evidences USA; Adrienne Martin, social of limited progress or anthropologist from the University setbacks, how these were of Greenwich, UK; and Phrek addressed, and what Gypmantasiri, agronomist from lessons were learned. Chiang Mai University, Thailand. The external panel IRRC Coordinator Grant members are Roderick Singleton and sociologist Flor Palis Rejesus, agricultural led preparations for this meta-impact economist from assessment. An interim report from the consultants will be available in Adrienne Martin is a social November 2012. The manuscript anthropologist from the University will be submitted for possible of Greenwich, United Kingdom. publication in a special issue of the Her focus of review is on impact pathways, influence assessment, Food Security journal in 2014. and process evaluation.

Photo by Maria Angela Peafiel

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RIPPLE

Myanmar moves forward

n Myanmar, rice is the most important agricultural commodity. Myanmar people are among the highest consumers of rice in the world, with each person averaging more than 180 kilograms per year. Rice provides 71% of their daily calorie intake. Production statistics vary markedly, depending on the source. From our household surveys and focus group discussions, farmers harvest only about 3.5 tons per hectare in the Ayeyarwady Delta. Yields are somewhat lower in the rainfed

Grant Singleton David Johnson Trina Leah Mendoza

Delta. Funded by the United Nations Development Program, the project will run from February 2012 to January 2015. IRRI will work closely with nongovernment organization partners Welthungerhilfe, GRET, and Mercy Corp in three townships: Bogale, Mawlamyinegyun, and Labutta. These are important riceproducing areas and many families are subsistence farmers. Rice is the main food staple and the major source of income for most of the smallholder farmers in these townships.

A farmer in Ayeyarwady Delta gathers his harvested rice and lets them dry before threshing.

lowlands, especially those prone to submergence, drought, and salinity. If rice production in Myanmar is increased, poverty may be alleviated and the livelihoods of rural poor would improve because 73% of the population lives in rural areas. IRRI has been working in Myanmar through two active consortia: the IRRC and the Consortium for Unfavorable Rice Environments (CURE). The IRRC and CURE provide platforms for adaptive research for impact through farmer participatory research. These platforms have provided Myanma scientists and extension specialists opportunities to gain more knowledge on technologies that small-scale farmers elsewhere in Southeast Asia have found successful. Two new projects in Myanmar began this year. The first project aims to improve the livelihoods of 1,500 rice-based rural households in the lower region of the Ayeyarwady

IRRI scientists, through IRRC and CURE, will provide technical advice, assist in establishing demonstration sites of new cultivation techniques, and provide training support on adaptive research of these new techniques. IRRI will lead in coordinating a participatory varietal selection of stress-tolerant germplasm, an assessment of postharvest problems, and piloting of improved management options.

RIPPLE

Photo by Rica Joy Flor

The second project focuses on diversification and intensification of rice-based systems in lower Myanmar. This project, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, will run from July 2012 to June 2016. IRRI scientists and national partners will conduct research on cropping options to increase and sustain productivity of rice-rice and rice-pulse cropping systems in the Ayeyarwady Delta. Myanmar produces about 2.7 million tons of pulses yearly and exports these to India and China. The 4-year project aims to increase farmers profitability through developing best practices for rice production, including postharvest management, and new approaches to improve productivity of rice-pulse cropping systems. In Bago and Maubin townships of Ayeyarwady Delta, farmer-selected varieties and management options will be tested and assessed. Dissemination strategies such as learning alliances, adaptive research, and communication strategies will be conducted and evaluated. Similar to the first project, the ACIAR project aims to strengthen the capacity of partners. Through best crop management practices, higher yielding rice varieties, innovative technology delivery pathways, and strengthened capacity of local partners, rice productivity in many lowland areas in the Ayeyarwady Delta, which have substantial untapped potential, can be improved. Contact Grant Singleton (g.singleton@ irri.org) or David Johnson (d.johnson@ irri.org) for more details. Rice is one of the most important goods transported through the Ayeyarwady River, Myanmars main commercial water way.
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Photo by Rica Joy Flor

May-August 2012

Partners discuss lessons learned from postharvest and mechanization projects

Trina Leah Mendoza

ne of the biggest success stories Around 60 participants from is pretty impressive and cited of agricultural engineering Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, the the introduction of the axial flow for rice production is the Philippines, and Vietnam attended. thresher in Asia as a revolutionary axial flow thresher, which IRRI In his welcome address, IRRI Director technology that is now moving developed in 1972 and introduced General Robert Zeigler said that the through sub-Saharan Africa. to most rice-growing countries. success of IRRIs postharvest projects Partners presented topics The design was adopted and on postharvest, modified by thousands of local mechanization, promotion manufacturers as a response to through the private sector, users feedback. It is estimated that and new approaches more than 80% of the rice crop in during the first day. On the Southeast Asia is now threshed using second day, participants the axial-flow principle in machines were divided into groups ranging from small portable threshers and were asked to identify to large combine harvesters. common factors that led to More recent successes are the success or failure. Alfred introduction of flatbed dryers in Schmidley facilitated a Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and session on business plans Indonesia. These technologies are for mechanical drying being promoted across Southeast pilots and development Asia through the Asian Development of hermetic storage Bank (ADB)-funded IRRI Postharvest technology supply chains. Project and the IRRC Postproduction The participants Workgroup. On the other hand, the visited farmers who are introduction of other technologies testing flatbed dryers like the stripper harvester has using the new rice husk failed, not because the technology Participants from the research group identified factors was not suitable but because wrong that led to sustainable mechanization and postharvest impact pathways had been used. continued on page 5 development and those that led to failures. They then A workshop was held on 22developed recommendations for future initiatives. 24 May at IRRI headquarters to consolidate project results and identify factors that led to success or that contributed to failures in other projects. Particular focus was on mechanization; to capture the learning and develop better approaches for fostering mechanization along the rice value chain from production to Participants interview the caretaker of a farm in Batangas Province, Philippines, the first private adopter of the rice postharvest. husk furnace.
Photo by Reianne Quilloy Photo by Trina Mendoza

Photo by Trina Mendoza

May-August 2012

RIPPLE

Swiss envoy and SDC leader visit IRRI

Rona Nia Mae Rojas

Photos by Rona Nia Rojas

(Left photo) Grant Singleton, IRRC coordinator, explains the program and activities of IRRC during a meeting with (right photo, from left to right) Ivo Sieber, Swiss Confederation of the Philippines ambassador ; Willi Graf, alternate governor for the Swiss Confederation at the Asian Development Bank and deputy head of Regional Cooperation of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation; and Achim Dobermann, deputy director general for research, IRRI.

.E. Ivo Sieber, ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to the Philippines, and Willi Graf, alternate governor for the Swiss Confederation at the Asian Development Bank and deputy head of Regional Cooperation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), visited IRRI on 2 May 2012. They were accompanied by Gisela Bissig, program

manager at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. They were welcomed by Achim Dobermann, IRRIs deputy director general for research; Grant Singleton, Irrigated Rice Research Consortium coordinator; and Roland Buresh and Flor Palis, IRRI scientists. Dr. Dobermann presented IRRIs research agenda and programs, while Dr. Singleton discussed current activities, outcomes, and future direction of IRRC.

IRRC is funded by the SDC. Dr. Buresh, an IRRC work group leader, presented an update on extension activities associated with Nutrient Manager, with focus on the move to its mobile phone version. The ambassador and his party also toured the International Rice Genebank. This is H.E. Siebers second visit to the Institute; he first visited in November 2010.

Partners discuss lessons learned...

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furnace in Batangas and Cavite on the last day. Participants from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam stayed on for a few more days to further assess the recirculating batch drying technologies. This is considered the next step in developing drying systems in those countries after the successful introduction of the flatbed dryer. The benchmark for success in mechanization of postharvest operations in rice has been set very high by the team that developed the axial flow thresher, says project leader Martin Gummert. However, the workshop showed that there are other success stories in the making combine harvesting is already being introduced at an impressive rate, mainly driven by the private sector.

Mechanical drying with support from the public sector R&D has good potential to be the next revolution in postharvest, while laser leveling is already a big success in the mechanization of rice production, with around 10,000 contract service providers using the technology in India.

Workshop participants inspect the first privately owned rice husk furnace. The owner offered the use of the dryer as a contract service for other farmers and is planning to set up a second dryer in another rice-growing area.

Photo by Trina Mendoza

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May-August 2012

Communication officers produce videos to outscale postharvest technologies

Alexandra Ezequiel

Photo by Alex Ezequiel

The participants took videos of postharvest technologies that they have chosen as subject for their presentation. The final editions were shown and critically examined at the end of the workshop.

pril 24 was a beautiful, sunny day in Los Baos, Philippinesthis I didnt notice as I ran to the IRRI Training Center. It was my second day as an intern at the IRRC, and the first day of the Video Production Workshop for Outscaling Postharvest Technologies. I had what was less than 3 minutes before I was late. The IRRI-Asian Development Bank (ADB) Postharvest Project aims to lessen postharvest losses. With new postharvest technologies being discovered and developed, the workshop was held to help disseminate these technologies to farmers across Southeast Asia. I panted into the room and realized it was my running that got me there in time; people had just started filing in. As the workshop started, we all introduced ourselves. I soon found out that 11 of the participants came from different parts of the Philippines: Bohol, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Cebu, Davao, and Camarines Sur. In that room, they all had

one goal: to learn effective video production to help farmers in their provinces. Resource speakers Project assistant Reianne Quilloy gave an overview of the postharvest project, while IRRI agricultural engineer Christopher Cabardo briefed the participants on current postharvest technologies. Soon after, lessons from the preproduction phase to the postproduction phase of video production were given by various resource speakers. The scriptwriting process was discussed by IRRC communication specialists Trina Mendoza and Rona Nia Rojas. Eric John Azucena, information management specialist at the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications, discussed video composition and camera movements. IRRI video and photography specialist Chris Quintana shared new video trends, the IRRI video protocol, and his experiences from the field.

Edmund Centeno, chair of the Department of Education Communication, and Jon Paul Maligalig, both assistant professors with the University of the Philippines College of Development Communication, walked the participants through video shooting and editing. The lectures were engaging and informative, helping the participants quickly grasp the concepts that were presented. The workshop The first day focused on the preproduction phase and on scriptwriting. After the lecture, participants were divided into three groupseach group would have to write a video script. Scriptwriting was a tough feat but nothing dragged their spirits down as participants strived to finish their scripts on time. The expected output for day two was actual video footage. As in the previous day, the morning
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IRRC PhD scholar finishes with distinction

Rona Nia Mae Rojas

rue to her goal of finishing her PhD in Biology by 2012, Nyo Me Htwe, a PhD affiliate student with the IRRC, completed her doctorate at the Northern Arizona University (NAU), Flagstaff, USA, in May. Her study was on rodent management strategies for different species of rice field rats in Southeast Asia. The breeding ecology of Rattus tanezumi and Rattus argentiventer in lowland rice agroecosystems of the Philippines was studied as a basis to develop ecology-based rodent management. The factors that influence high population growth rates of rice field rat populations in the Philippines and Myanmar

also were studied to develop proactive strategies to prevent high rodent population densities. IRRC coordinator Grant Singleton, her main adviser, and the other thesis panel reviewers were impressed with her written thesis and her breadth of knowledge. Nyo Me has gone back to Myanmar to work with the Plant Protection Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. She plans to conduct more research on rodent ecology and management strategies in both lowland and upland agricultural systems. Nyo Me also hopes to help build capacity of students and the junior staff of the Plant Protection Division on rodent management.
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During the hooding ceremony, Nyo Me Htwe poses with the old Myanmar flag as background and the new country flag on her sash.

Communication officers...
was spent getting the participants ready for hands-on work in the afternoon, which, this time, meant going to the field to shoot. The participants struggled with the excruciating heat of the noontime sun, but they managed to get the footage they needed. They ended the day satisfied with what they shot. The workshops third day was spent on video protocol and video editing. After a detailed discussion,

del Norte and Davao) video about IRRIs Superbag had very good, upbeat music and was applauded for sustaining its appeal throughout. Groups two (Agusan del Sur and Cebu) and three (Camarines Sur) both made videos about the flatbed dryer. The former concentrated on its benefits, earning praise Awarding for using graphics of rain that At last, time had come and they needed when the weather as it did, I felt the room fill with couldnt provide it, while the latter anticipation. All three groups focused on how to use the dryer, had already with the panel commending the submitted way they showed the steps on a their videos, split screen for better recall. and as the All in all, everybody was very afternoon session satisfied with each presentation. commenced, so Group one took home the most prizes, did the video garnering the best musical score, best screening. After in cinematography, and the critics all the videos had been shown, choice award, while groups two and three were best in scriptwriting the resource and best in editing, respectively. speakers gave We are very happy with the their comments. performance of our participants, Each video had its own edge says Ms. Mendoza. We look forward to future collaborations with that set it apart them as they develop postharvest from the other The group that featured IRRIs Superbag took home prizes for winning best two. Group videos for their provinces. musical score, best in cinematography, and the critics choice award. ones (Agusan the groups spent the whole afternoon editing their footage to weave one sound video out of it all. The bright morning of the last day was spent with lect ures by Ms. Mendoza on pretesting and evaluation, and the participatory video approach.

Photo by Alex Ezequiel

RIPPLE

May-August 2012

Lesson plan: save water

Rona Nia Mae Rojas

Students in the Philippines learn how to save water in planting rice

tudents troop to the middle of a rice field. With the sun at their backs, they listen carefully as a lecturer tells them about the rice crop planted in the field. This is how they are introduced to a type of rice variety that could withstand an environment with less water. Such a scene is a picture of an outdoor lecture about water-saving technologies such as aerobic rice technology (ART) and alternate wetting and drying (AWD). ART involves growing rice using less water than usual. Aerobic rice produces higher yield than current varieties in rainfed and upland areasland that is generally productive only during the rainy season and is left idle in the dry season. AWD is practiced by alternately flooding the rice field and allowing it to dry for a few days. With this technology, no losses in crop harvest occur when compared with a continuously flooding field. In general, it can reduce water use by 1530%. In some irrigated production systems in the country, the use of AWD helped reduce tension among farmers because of the assurance that water is sufficient for all. Moreover, their farming cost decreased, which meant cash savings. IRRI, through the IRRC, introduced these technologies to help farmers cope with limited water resources for rice production. Both technologies reduce water requirements and decrease input costs. With these technologies benefiting farmers, it is only fitting that the knowledge and practices be passed on to a new generation of young agriculturists. Rice goes to school Dr. Junel Soriano, an agricultural engineer and professor at the Bulacan Agricultural State College (BASC) in the Philippines, proposed the integration of water-saving technologies in selected course curriculae in undergraduate and graduate academic programs

A unified approach DMMMSU and BASC have influenced other state colleges and universities such as Isabela State University (ISU) to follow suit. ISU developed its own program on aerobic rice technology, formulated a road map for the Cagayan Valley region, and has now implemented projects in Isabela Province and Dr. Junel Soriano, professor at the Bulacan Agricultural State College, Philippines, teaches his students about the other parts of the region. principles and benefits of water-saving technologies. Dr. Soriano and Dr. Sabado aim to further develop the technologies and get on agriculture. The idea was students more involved in research. deemed sound and was approved They acknowledge the need to by the BASC council. determine what aspects of the In La Union Province, Don technologies require more research. Mariano Marcos Memorial State In fact, BASC now has projects in University (DMMMSU) students conduct field and laboratory activities eight other provinces to continue its research on water-saving technologies in aerobic rice production systems to and has demonstrated the benefits complete their course requirements. to students and farmers as well. Dr. Soriano is currently working Soon, says Dr. Soriano, students with Dr. Marina Sabado, a professor will be able to learn more about of agriculture in DMMMSU, to present a proposal to the universitys the use of mechanical tools for the different operations and practices academic council to officially related to the technologies, organic integrate water-saving technologies farming practices for aerobic rice into the school curriculum. technology, and weed management. Another teaching tool being More benefits developed, in coordination with The collaboration of state the IRRC, is a video documentation universities and colleges with of farmers practicing AWD and IRRI and government institutions ART. These videos will showcase in conducting research and success stories of farmers dissemination activities on from different provinces. water-saving technologies We will work with other state reaped unintended rewards. colleges and universities in creating BASC was allocated more a solid and unified proposal to fully funds because its Aerobic Rice integrate water-saving technologies Research, Development, and in the academe, especially in Extension Program caught the instruction, says Dr. Soriano. The attention of many institutions and IRRC plays a strong role by providing agencies that wanted to be involved technical and financial support. in the research, development, Meanwhile, schools like and extension of aerobic rice. DMMMSU, BASC, and ISU continue With more funds, we were able to improve the facilities of the College to educate their studentsthe future and hire more staff, says Dr. Soriano. agriculturistson the different ways to save water, a resource so valuable The availability of additional in todays food production. resources also meant a re-energized atmosphere for research.

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PROFILE Communicating her science

he IRRC has engaged in communication activities to disseminate information on natural resource management to farmers. The Consortiums communication component has produced countless print, video, and online materials about various rice-growing technologies and best management practices. These are done to help bring science to the communities, and thereby address the needs of rice farmers and facilitate adoption of technologies. Behind all these is a person who goes out of her way to provide impetus to the IRRC communication component. This she does by helping out her colleagues and giving her support to research. She is Trina Mendoza, senior communication specialist of the IRRC. A balancing act across cultures With a bachelors degree in development communication and a masters in media studies from the University of the Philippines (UP), Trina helped develop the communication strategies for the IRRC and the IRRI-Asian Development Bank Postharvest Project. Her work cuts across programs in 12 Asian countries. It is a tough balancing act: producing materials that are both technically sound and easy to read. These materials also need to be relevant and understandable across an international audience with different cultural backgrounds.

Rona Nia Mae Rojas

A rare shot of the person behind the camera: Trina, while shooting videos in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

recharge, she likes to watch her favorite television shows, see the latest movies, and read books and magazines. Though she knows a lot about rice science and technologies, she doesnt lag behind in the latest trends in popular culture either. Her quiet demeanor gives way to an easy smile and an excitable lady whenever she catches up with her friends, usually over dinner. She also likes spending time with her family on weekends. With a job thats hard to leave, she sees herself still working at IRRI in the next few years. She also hints that she might be pursuing her Trina, on a weekend outing in Manila, Philippines, with her mother, PhD by then and brother, and his children. probably teach in the future. Trina takes great pride in her work, which she also considers An answered prayer to be her biggest achievement. I In her 6 years with IRRI, what know I still have many things to Trina likes most is the continuing learn in my field, but I am happy challenge that her job offersthey and honored whenever my work is acknowledged by my bosses or other are anything but boring. Some days scientists, partners, or peers. I feel youre doing RIPPLE, other days fulfilled whenever we create a good youre shooting videos. I like that product like a video and we receive Im able to do what I love, which is positive feedback, she intimates. writing and making videos. She also For her diverse portfolio of gets to travel and work with IRRC communication strategies that partners in different countries. successfully promoted the work The IRRC is like family for Trina. of the IRRC and IRRI, both She looks forward to going to work internally and internationally, each day, happy to see her officemates. Trina was awarded the IRRI The IRRC team members are all Nationally Recruited Staff very easy to work with and very Award for Outstanding Research professional; I learn a lot from them. Support in 2009. In a 2011 report Plus my bosses, Grant (Singleton) prepared by an external group and Martin (Gummert), are also of reviewers on the IRRC, the kind and supportive, she says. IRRCs media team was assessed She confides that she could go to be particularly strong. on and on about why she loves her job at IRRI. But she sums it all up by The silent communicator revealing that what she gets to do In spite of the many ways right now is a blessing for her. Indeed, she interacts with people in the doing what you love to do and, at Philippines and abroad, Trina the end of the day, still have time maintains that shes still an for yourself, your friends, and your introvert at heart. To relax and family is an answered prayer. The IRRC communication strategy includes printed materials in the form of fact sheets, leaflets, and newsletters; video materials distributed in CDs and via the Internet; e-learning materials; and Web sites on IRRC and other natural resource management tools. Added to that, there is also close coordination with various peoplescientists, farmers, extension specialists, government officials, etc.

Photo by Madonna Casimero

RIPPLE

May-August 2012

IRRI moisture tester now commercially available

fter discussions with several electronics manufacturers in the Philippines, Cambodia, and India, IRRI finally found an industry partner to commercialize the low-cost IRRI moisture tester. Many inquiries and orders for the previous version showed that the moisture tester has a huge potential to finally provide an affordable tool to measure moisture content in village postharvest operations. Through this device, farmers benefit from making more informed decisions regarding safe storage. By being able to quantify moisture content, they are in a better negotiating position when they sell their paddy to traders. The new unit is equipped with improved electronics and manufactured using state-ofthe-art processes by Nanodevice Technologies, Inc., an electronics manufacturer in Manila. Manufacture quality is therefore greatly improved. The company also applies quality control procedures and provides a warranty, which was not the case with the older units. The moisture tester is kept as simple as possible to keep the cost down. Three small lights indicate whether the paddy needs to be dried (above 14% moisture content), is safe for storage for milling purposes (12-14% moisture content), or is

Martin Gummert Paterno Borlagdan

By pooling resources from the IRRI Postharvest Project, IRRC Postproduction Work Group, and other sources, IRRI was able to place an initial order of 350 units. This enticed Nanodevice to do the adaptive R&D to replace expensive circuits imported from developed countries The new IRRI moisture tester is manufactured by cheaper components and with state-of-the-art technology. redesign the electronics for more automated production. safe for seed storage (less than 12% Due to the small volume moisture content). Within a range of the initial order and the of 1016%, the moisture content development cost, the price tag can be determined within a 1% is still relatively high. The 350 range by observing the patterns of units will be used strategically lights. Accuracy within this range to further develop the market for is comparable with that of a digital a biggersized order. Some units resistance-based moisture meter will be sold at the IRRI Riceworld that typically costs US$200400. Bookstore at a subsidized price of It is always a big challenge to $55 (the cost of the previous version). take the next step from having viable However, the price will go down research results toward making to around $35 once orders reach a commercially viable product 10,000 units. Further streamlining because of the initial investment and improvements (e.g., investing needed for adaptive R&D for mass in a mold for custom housing) production. With the moisture could lead to an even lower price. tester, IRRI faced a chicken-andIndividual units for egg problem: manufacturers of demonstration and evaluation electronic equipment shy away from purposes can be purchased at the these investments if they do not IRRI Riceworld Bookstore. For bulk have proof of an available market. orders, please contact Nanodevice But, to develop the market, one Technologies, Inc. (Unit 104 Oxford, needs a certain amount of initial #20 Evangelista St., Santolan, Pasig units to demonstrate its potential. City, telephone numbers +63 2 477 1379 or telefax +63 2 470 6485).

Super Bags now available to Filipino farmers

Photo by Chris Quintana

Ma. Lizbeth Baroa

A
10

n airtight, reusable plastic bag that protects stored rice from moisture, pests, and rats, and keeps rice seeds viable is now available to Filipino farmers in almost 200 retail stores nationwide. IRRI Super Bags reduce losses incurred after harvest. These losses usually stem from poor storage

conditions. The bags help prevent physical postharvest losses that could reach 15%. On top of these, farmers also experience loss in quality. The IRRI Super Bag is made by GrainPro Inc. and is marketed as SuperGrainbag. The Super Bags can be bought in Pacifica Agrivet branches nationwide.

IRRI, through its national partnerships, has verified the benefits of the IRRI Super Bag with tens of thousands of farmers throughout Asia, but acknowledges it is a challenge
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Super Bags now available...

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Christopher Cabardo, an agricultural engineer from the IRRI Postharvest Project, demonstrates how to knot the Super Bag to keep it airtight.

to bring the bags to millions of farmers in a commercial way. Manuel Luzentales Jr., a farmer from Bicol Region, decided to test the Super Bag after attending a seminar. Previously, 7 months of storage caused my rice grains to break due to moisture and pest infestations, Luzentales recalls. I tested the IRRI Super Bags on my harvest for the second planting season of 2010. After keeping my harvest in the IRRI Super Bags for 10 months, the seeds were 100% viable, and none were wasted. IRRI has initiated and is facilitating national postharvest learning alliances (PLA) that embrace public and private stakeholders who have an interest in and the mandate to establish local

supply chains for technologies. Through this PLA, IRRI assists in setting up and training local distributors for technologies such as the IRRI Super Bag. The rollout of the IRRI Super Bag would have been difficult without the help of the Philippines PLA, explains Engr. Gummert. These alliances allow cross-sector actors to share information, foster learning, and better address a range of technical and market support needs. Tom de Bruin, GrainPros president and CEO, said that a national retail network with close to 200 outlets will be involved to ensure availability of the bags to farmers.

Photo by Reianne Quilloy

IRRI postharvest scholar bags best thesis award

Trina Leah Mendoza

hetsoulaphonh Phet Choulatida, a scholar of IRRI and the Asian Development Bank-Japanese Scholarship Program, won the 2012 best thesis award (masters degree level) for his study on extension gaps in the production, postharvest, and marketing system of organic rice in Sangthong District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. He is the second IRRI postharvest scholar to receive the award. Phet received his degree in extension education from the University of the Philippines Los Baos during its graduation and recognition ceremony in April. He was staff of the Helvetas-funded project ProRice, which helps in establishing an organic rice chain in Lao PDR. During his studies, he worked as a rice postharvest researcher at IRRI headquarters with IRRC

conducted laboratory tests on rice paddy. His results confirmed that premium grain quality is not achieved because farmers fail to meet desirable levels of moisture content. The study mainly provided local evidences of the effect of moisture content on grain quality, coming up with a price-based incentive scheme based on actual data from surveys and export data from processors in Santhong District. Phets study recommended Phetsoulaphonh Choulatida, scholar of IRRI and the Asian the conduct of a broad-based, Development Bank-Japanese Scholoarship Program, raises participatory, and markethis trophy for the 2012 best thesis award given by the oriented extension campaign College of Public Affairs and Development, University of the to facilitate improvement Philippines Los Baos, Laguna. in organic rice quality. He is now working as a Postproduction Work Group leader strategy development and policy Martin Gummert as his adviser. advisor for the SNV Netherlands He surveyed farmers practices, Development Organization evaluated a flat bed dryer that in Vientiane, Lao PDR. ProRice installed for a farmers group that produces organic rice, and

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May-August 2012

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Rona Nia Mae Rojas

Uzbek PhD student: an intern with Climate Change Group

her study is to assess the impact of different agricultural techniques on greenhouse gas emissionsthat is, comparing flooded rice fields (conventional agriculture) versus fields practicing alternate wetting and drying technology (AWD) with varying levels of crop residues left in the soil (conservation agriculture). AWD is a water-saving technology that allows the rice field to be flooded and then left dry for a number of days. With the guidance of CCWG leader Reiner Wassman, she will simulate and estimate the potentials of conservation techniques for carbon and nitrogen dynamics in soil-atmosphere exchange with the denitrificationdecomposition (DNDC) model. The results of her work at IRRI will be included in Uzbekistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, her PhD research bordered by Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan, at the University of Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. Bonn, Germany. annual evapotranspiration (sum of soil evaporation and Oksana Forkutsa (left) also plant transpiration) level studied the farming practices of 1,4001,600 millimeters used for different cash crops in Khorezm Province, Uzbekistan. exceeds the precipitation level of only 80100 millimeters. In this arid continental climate, agricultural production is only possible with irrigation. The data from Khorezm will be compared with those collected from subhumid and humid conditions to assess emission potentials in different climates. Greenhouse gas emissions greatly affect the Earths temperature, which leads to climate change. One of the objectives of
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Volume 7, Number 2 May-August 2012

This newsletter is produced by the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium (IRRC) with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The IRRC promotes international links among scientists, managers, communicators, and farmers in lowland irrigated rice environments. Materials in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official views of IRRI, SDC, or collaborating institutions of the IRRC.

ksana Forkutsa, a PhD student from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is an intern with the IRRC Climate Change Work Group (CCWG). Oksanas internship involves the modeling of methane and nitrous oxide gas emissions in rice and wheat cropping systems in dry/ arid conditions. Her research was conducted in Khorezm Province, northwest of Uzbekistan where the

EdItORIaL and PROductIOn tEam

Grant Singleton Trina Leah Mendoza Rona Nia Mae Rojas cOPY EdItORS Tess Rola LaYOut Rona Nia Mae Rojas Jennifer Hernandez
cOntRIbutIng WRItERS cIRcuLatIOn

Alexandra Ezequiel, Lizbeth Baroa, Paterno Borlagdan, Martin Gummert

Please direct further correspondence, comments, and contributions to trina Leah mendoza Senior Communication Specialist International Rice Research Institute DAPO Box 7777 Metro Manila, Philippines Email: t.mendoza@irri.org Web: www.irri.org/irrc

May-August 2012

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