MIDSAYAP, Cotabato Province (PIA) -- The National Irrigation Administration- Libungan River Irrigation System (LIBRIS) recently launched a model farm that showcases Water Saving Technology - Alternate Wetting and Drying (WST-AWD).
LIBRIS's first model farm, which serves as a demonstration area is being managed by the CGLAD Irrigators Association based in Barangay Central Glad, this municipality.
AWD is a water-saving technology that reduces water consumption in rice fields. The technology uses observation wells made from PVC pipes with holes and level markers to monitor water depth in the field that will guide the farmers as to when to apply irrigation water and avoid unnecessary over-flooding of rice fields, increase production and reduce methane gas emission.
LIBRIS, headed by Engr. Nerisa Matullano, was encouraged to put up an AWD demo farm after the said technology was successfully introduced in Mlang-Malasila RIS (MMRIS) where it has been adopted for 12 years.
Engr. Matullano said the technology "has been proven effective. Aside from doon sa pagtulong sa pag-lessen ng global warming ang pinaka-purpose ay hindi tayo matakot kung wala nang tubig 'yung ating rice paddies dahil kung titingnan natin (sa observation well) sa root zone pala may tubig pa 'yan."
LIBRIS first introduced the AWD in 2021 to leaders of the 27 IA under its jurisdiction in an orientation with Engr. Irish Joy R. Pabustan, assistant chief of office of MMRIS as resource person.
CGLAD IA, led by Ecclesiastes Matunog, took the challenge of modeling the water-saving technology.
This led to a comprehensive technology orientation of the association's board of trustees, field demonstration with the IA members, and actual installation of observation wells in the rice production areas of the IA in October this year.
Clarifying the technology further, Matunog said, applying WST-AWD promotes longer and healthier roots, thereby, improving plant's capacity for nutrient consumption and, consequently, increasing yield.
The WST-AWD model farm of CGLAD IA covers 107.13 hectares of rice production area that benefits at least 110 member farmers. (With report from DANA FRITZ LARGO-ESPINA/NIA-Cotabato IMO and photos from LIBRIS)
