Rice farming in the low-lying areas of Camarines Sur [Philippines]

• Main Authors: Agua, M.M, Lantican, M.A, Bhuiyan, S.I, Undan, R.C. (International Rice Research Inst., Los Banos, Laguna (Philippines))
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Los Banos, Laguna (Philippines) 1991
• Subjects: CULTIVO; ESTABLECIMIENTO DE PLANTAS; ETABLISSEMENT DE LA PLANTE; FILIPINAS; ORYZA SATIVA; PHILIPPINES; PRATIQUE CULTURALE; REGION DE BASSE ALTITUDE; TIERRAS BAJAS

Flood-prone rice areas of river basins, such as that of the Bicol River [Philippines], run the risk of partial or complete crop damage periodically. A risk-averse rice production system in the Bicol River basin requires that the crop be harvested by early September after which the probability of the occurrence of damaging flood increases progressively. To achieve this, crop establishment should be accomplished by May, at which time the probability of sufficient rainfall for wetland preparation in the rainfed environment is only about 40%, i.e., it has a chance of success once in 2 to 3 years. Therefore, the dry-plowing (and dry-seeding) technique is a potentially viable alternative because it uses the small rainfall amounts in May for germination of seeds. But the method results to low yields due to poor seed germination and stiff weed competition. When there is sufficient rainfall by May, the wetland preparation technique is a superior means of land preparation, which when combined with wet-seeding method of crop establishment enhances the chance of a successful crop. This system can produce returns comparable to those from shallow tubewell irrigation system.