THE POTENTIAL OF INTEGRATED RICE-DUCK FARMING IN COMMUNITIES ALONG THE BICOL RIVER BASIN, PHILIPPINES

Diomerl Edward B. Baldo and Ricky P. Laureta

ABSTRACT

Abstract — Bicol is one of the most vulnerable regions in the Philippines due to its geographic location. Climate risks that lead to low rice productivity are intensified by large bodies of water such as the Bicol River Basin, covering three provinces and 43 municipalities in the region. The present study aims to assess the effects of integrated rice-duck farming (IRDF) in six farm sites from three municipalities (Baao, Canaman and Minalabac) in Camarines Sur situated along the BRB. Using Student’s t-test, IRDF demonstrated significant results in Taban, Minalabac in terms of number of grains, number of tillers, number of panicles and the weight of grains in grams (p<0.05) compared to conventional farming. In contrast, no yield was recovered in San Fransisco, Baao where persistent flooding was observed during the cropping season. Post-harvest soil analysis demonstrated notable variation in phosphorus concentrations (highest in DCDR at 24.72 ppm and lowest in Mangayawan at 6.94 ppm) among other parameters. Water quality analysis revealed strong distinction in the amounts of PO4, at 36.34 ppm in Taban against 1.21 ppm in Sta. Eulalia, Baao. IRDF is an effective faming methodology when optimum conditions are present in farm communities. Nonetheless, IRDF is a promising strategy that can be instigated in policy frameworks to ameliorate rice productivity in climate-risk exposed farmlands.

Keywords - Bicol River Basin, climate risk, conventional farming, integrated rice-duck farming, physico-chemical analysis

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