DAR promotes rice-duck farming system

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has bared its plan to promote the “rice-duck farming system” in the province of Agusan del Sur.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pa­ngan­­daman said the farming system, which has been proven successful in Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam and China, is effective in eliminating insects and weeds when farmers raise ducks and rice simultaneously.

The system will be implemented in close partnership with the Department of Agriculture.

“Given the continuous increase of population coupled with steadily shrinking farm size in the country, we have introduced organic farming systems in agrarian reform communities (ARCs) where agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) become more innovative,” said Pangandaman.

He explained that rice production almost always requires the use of agro-chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides, often in heavy doses. These chemicals are harmful to the environment, as they get into water bodies and can be deposited in the bodies of animals and humans in toxic proportions.

The Tumaba ARC in Agusan del Sur serves as the pilot testing area where about 200 ARBs are now trying the system. According to studies, the raising of ducks and rice helps control weeds and insects, thus eliminating the use of pesticides.

“At the same time, the integration of rice cultivation and duck farming enables poor farmers to obtain not only rice but also subsidiary products (duck meat and eggs) from the same piece of land,” Pangandaman said.

The system works once 20-day-old ducklings are released in newly planted rice plots. Ducks are allowed to stay for a couple of hours, then, after a few days, they can stay from morning to evening.

Ducks reportedly aid in the control of weed, weed seeds and harmful insects through ingestion. Proper measures are taken to protect the ducks from predators or prevent movement outside the designated area.

Duck manure serves as fertilizer as it provides all essential nutrients to the palay. Cow dung is also applied to further enrich the soil. After four months, the ducks are removed from the plots either to be sold or raised conventionally.

The system reportedly showed a 20-percent increase in its total yield on palay alone. Insect infestation as well as weed population is decreased.

It has also improved the levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium and sulfur of the soil. These nutrients were enriched naturally.

The additional income of farmers from the ducks makes the system even more promising. “Rice-duck farming system is another option for farmers to go back to the basics and go for organic farming instead of using highly priced chemical pesticides. It is also our way of fighting environmental degradation in the countryside,” Pangandaman said.