CLIMATE-RESILIENT farming and sustainable rice production practices were the highlight of a workshop held by Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture's (SEARCA) on June 18, 2025 for rice farmers, representatives from irrigators' associations and local government officials from Santa Maria, Laguna.
The sessions focused on strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on agriculture and encouraged stakeholders to promote sustainability in the industry.
The event introduced farmers to new technologies like alternate wetting and drying (AWD). University of the Philippines Los Baños professor Rubenito Lampayan said this technique can save up to 40 percent of irrigation water and reduce methane emissions. A diorama showed farmers how AWD can be implemented in their fields.
Arnan Araza of Leads Agricultural Products Corp. explained the concept of a carbon market, where farmers can earn income by adopting practices like AWD that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Jonathan Montecillo, also of Leads Agri, demonstrated the use of "Digisaka," an Android-based Geographic Information System application that helps farmers monitor their farm plots remotely. A live demonstration of drone-assisted farm mapping showcased the potential of drone technology in precision farming.
Eric Reynoso, SEARCA's Emerging Innovation for Growth program head, said that collaborative efforts and knowledge-sharing are crucial to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on the agricultural sector.
Innovate UK was another event partner, under the Rice Straw Biogas Hub project.