MANILA, June 16 – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said Wednesday it has joined forces with the Department of Agriculture (DA) in promoting rice-duck farming in Agusan Del Sur Province.

DAR officials said they aim to replicate in Tumaba Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) in Agusan Del Sur, a rice-duck farming system that has proven successful in Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, and China.

The system is effective in eliminating insects and weeds when farmers raise ducks and rice simultaneously.

“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 Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser C. Pangandaman.

The DAR chief 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 the water bodies and can be deposited in the bodies of animals and human beings in toxic proportions.

The Tumaba ARC serves as the pilot testing area where about two hundred ARBs are now trying the system. According to studies, the raising of ducks and rice aids in the control of weeds and insects thus eliminates 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.

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

Ducks 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 rice crops.

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. [(PNA) LAP/JCA]

Source: DAR, DA promote rice duck farming system in Agusan del Sur