The Rice farmers in Cantilan town in Surigao del Sur have found an opportunity to earn extra income amid the challenges brought by the pandemic.
The local government unit (LGU) of Cantilan
offered its farmers ₱7.50 per rat-tail under its program Oplan Rat Blanketing
in a bid to contain rat infestation that affects rice areas in the town.
Cantilan has a total rice area of 1,800
hectares cultivated by 3,833 farmers.
“Digging, flooding, and trapping are the common
approaches for rat control in rice fields but these measures are not enough.
Instead, actions should be coordinated through an effective, community-based
management strategy,” said Municipal Agriculturist Caesar Blanco.
The community rat campaign has been implemented
since 2016 during the land preparation and harvesting season. For this year,
the LGU-Cantilan allotted ₱100,000 in their fight to save their crops from the
ravages of the high rat population. Aside from the reward system, farmers
received ₱100,000 worth of rodenticides for free.
“The campaign aims to rekindle the
'bayanihan' spirit among the farmers with the collective action this will
lead to reducing the losses brought by rat infestation,” Blanco added.
The program encourages the participation of the
46 farmers' associations and cooperatives in the municipality. Among those who
stood out is the Tigabong Farmer Association. They submitted 2,552 rat tails
with an equivalent amount of ₱19,140.
Alberto A. Ortega, president of the
association, said he and the members search the field for rats usually at night
time.
“Rats like to hide and burrow in weedy areas
near major irrigation canals, so we know where to find them. The money we earn
will be shared among members for our daily expenses,” said Ortega.
As of June, a total of 7,430 rat tails
surrendered to the Municipal Agriculture Office with a total payment of ₱55,725.
According to Department of Agriculture (DA)
Regional Integrated Pest Management Coordinator Francis Louie Parina, one of
the factors preventing the rice sector from reaching its full potential in
production is the pest and diseases infestation and one of the major pests
identified is the rat.
Parina cited the International Rice Research
Institute study that farmers lose an estimated average of 5-10% of their rice
crop associated with rat damage every year.
“The solution must be holistic. If we put
effort to increase palay yield, we must likewise put effort to prevent the rats
from decreasing the yield,” Parina said.
Synchronous planting, improved sanitation, and
community action are the practices that farmers should adopt. These recommended
management practices will reform farmers to become proactive rather than
reactive.
The DA continues to strengthen crop protection
services to deliver more efficient and sustainable management technologies and
enhance farmers’ decision-making capacity in managing emerging or recurring
plant pests and diseases. (Rhea C. Abao, Information Officer II - DA-Caraga,
RAFIS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
