The Rice Crop Manager Advisory Services (RCMAS) is a science-based blended digital platform that provides rice farmers with customized nutrient and crop management recommendations tailored to the specific conditions of their fields. Since its rollout, RCMAS has steadily expanded its reach across the Philippines. As of 2025, the platform has generated more than 3.5 million precision agriculture recommendations for rice farmers nationwide. Studies have consistently shown that farmers who adopt Rice Crop Manager (RCM) recommendations can increase their rice yields by an average of 0.4 metric tons (400 kilograms) per hectare per cropping season while earning an additional net benefit of approximately US$100–122 (around ₱4,500–₱5,500) per hectare per season.
To promote the adoption of this innovative digital decision-support tool, a series of Rice Crop Manager Briefing and Deployment activities was conducted in June 2026 across the provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte. The initiative sought to increase farmers' awareness of the benefits of RCMAS and encourage wider adoption of science-based nutrient management practices that enhance productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability. The activities were implemented in partnership with graduates of the RCM Training of Trainers (TOT) program and the respective Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) teams, who efficiently facilitated farmer registration, conducted field interviews, and generated personalized farm advisories.
Four batches of the briefing and deployment activities were successfully conducted in key rice-producing municipalities. The first batch was held on June 2 in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte, followed by the second batch on June 8 in San Juan, Southern Leyte. The third batch took place on June 19 in Dagami, Leyte, while the fourth and final batch was conducted on June 29 in Alangalang, Leyte.
Each activity began with a briefing and orientation on the features and benefits of the Rice Crop Manager Advisory Services. This was followed by one-on-one interviews with participating farmers using the RCMAS web platform to collect farm-specific information, which served as the basis for generating customized crop management recommendations. These advisories were printed and distributed immediately to the farmers for their reference.
A total of 202 rice farmers participated in the four briefing sessions conducted during the month. Through these activities, participants gained a better understanding of the importance of site-specific nutrient management and the role of digital technologies in improving rice production. Based on the information gathered during the interviews, a total of 215 personalized RCMAS recommendations were generated and disseminated. These science-based advisories provide field-specific guidance on the appropriate type, amount, and timing of fertilizer application, enabling farmers to make informed crop management decisions that can improve productivity, increase profitability, and support more sustainable rice farming practices.
