“As we aim for a rice-sufficient country, let us not stop learning and continue to embrace new technology” states Michael Johnson Mabalo after graduating Farmers Field School at J and E Integrated Farm.
Embarked with a tale of resilience, education, and perseverance, Mr. Mabalo was able to transition his profession from a line man of a certain electric cooperative to a successful farmer. Realizing the impact of farming on the attainment of his degree, in 2017 he decided to file a resignation in the company he was engaged with and decided to do a full-time job in their own farm. Mabalo’s successful completion of his academic degree in Electrical Engineering is credited to the evolving power of agriculture, as it was made possible through the income his family generated from farming.
“At first narigat ta kala ka agrugi manen, ngem no mejo bumayag ket maisanay mon ket ejay kanto manen malakaan. Ken no makitam dagijay pagay mo nga mayat ti rubwat na ket makapabang-ar. (At first, the transition was challenging, but with time, you will find it easier. Additionally, witnessing your rice crop flourishing brings a sense of fulfillment and contentment).”
The transition from his career enabled him to have quality time with his family and community. Through farming, he was able to manage his own time and dedicated his service to their community by being a farmer leader of the San Quintin Integrated Association.
A Journey to Learning
It was during the first semester of 2022, when he joined the training course on production of high-quality inbred rice seed certification and farm mechanization. For almost five years, he was practicing the traditional ways of rice farming in his own field. After the learning course, he was able to benchmark various technologies which increased his yield and income in rice production.
“Edi 2022 ket naikan ak iti chansa nga agatendar ti daytoy nga learning course ket ado eti nasuro da nga wagas a mabalin nga maiplementar iti panagtalon. Ada kadta nga nadumaduma nga innovation, from traditional to mechanization, dagitay nutrient management nga dakel a nakatulong kadakami a manalon. (In 2022, I was given the chance to join the learning course, through this course we were able to learn various innovations that are applicable in rice farming, from traditional farming to mechanization, nutrient management which greatly benefitted us rice farmers in the locality).”
After the learning course, he joined the Rice Specialist Training Course organized by Department of Agriculture- PhilRice-Isabela. The Rice Specialist Training Course is designed to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge and skills related to rice production, management, and technology. The training aims to enhance the capabilities of individuals involved in the rice industry, such as farmers, extension workers, agronomists, and other agricultural professionals.
“Joining various training courses provided me with in-depth knowledge about rice production techniques, the prevailing agricultural practices, and some of the latest technologies which are applicable in my field. Applying my learnings about best practices in rice production, resulted an increase in yield and improved the quality of my grains”, he added.
Transformation
With the excitement he felt after the learning course, he decided to use the walk behind transplanter in his own farm. This saved his resources in terms of manual labor and cost of production. “Dati makagastusak iti more or less sangapulo a ribo ejay maysa nga ektarya iti panang parot ken panag mula. Ngem edi napadas kon daytoi nga machine kt nagreduce isuna ti mga 30 percent. (Before, for my one-hectare rice production, I was spending an average amount of ten thousand pesos for uprooting and transplanting. But upon trying the machinery, I was able to save a minimum of 30%).”
In his first try, he couldn’t perfect the process in transplanting the seedling, hence he still hires people to replant the missing hills. But as he continues, he was able to master the process resulting to the improvement of his yield and income and reduced his production and labor costs.
Being a traditional farmer, he used to schedule his land preparation based on water availability, unaware that there is a minimum duration that should be followed before planting. However, after the training, he learned to follow the recommended 21 days of land preparation. This approach resulted to effective management of water, weeds and 'kuhol' (snails) on his farm.
He also integrated the Minus One Element Technique (MOET) and through this he was able to pinpoint the specific nutrient needed for application in his rice production. This method aided him in identifying the critical nutrients that have a significant impact on his rice production. As a result, he successfully reduced his expenses on fertilizers.
Remarkably, Mr. Mabalo achieved a 66% increase in his rice yield in a single cropping season.He managed to boost his yield from his previous record of 100 cavans to 150 cavans per hectare. . This substantial improvement led to a significant net income of Php 40,000.00 to Php 50,000.00in just one cropping season.
“Uray no kastoy nga ada ti mayat nga apit wenu mejo nginmato bassit ti apit ko ket hanak ladta sumardeng nga agadal. Agadal iti baro nga technology wenu technique tapno iti kasta kt mabalin ko pay nga mapangato ti apit ko wenu mapamayat toy pagtalonak. Ta amo u garud through learning ket iso ti mangpamayat ti masakbayan iti maysa nga tao. (Despite achieving an increase in yield, my motivation to continuously learn remains unwavering. I strive to acquire new technologies and techniques to further enhance my yield and improve efficiency. Learning gives us a better future).”
With his participation to different trainings and other activities he was able to adopt the establishment of light trap as a means to manage insects on his farm, particularly during the heading stage of the rice crop. This practice proved to be beneficial as it allowed Mr. Mabalo to identify the types of insects present in his farm.
Moving Forward
In response to the increased occurrence of El Niño in their community, he aims to embrace the alternate wetting and drying technique to his farm. This method, employed in rice production, entails periodically allowing the soil to dry out before re-flooding the field.
“Akas makitak napintas ti farming nangnangruna no makitam dagijay barbaro nga innovations nga makatulong a mangpangato iti apit. Isunga para kanyak importante ladta ti learning enya, maipakat ladta isuna in term iti farming. Isunga kayat ko lang man nga e encourage dagituy kakadwak nga farmers ta no ada opportunity nga umay kenyada, dagijay trainings, learning course ken no ada iti maintroduce nga baro a technology ket e grab tayo ladta nga egrab. Haan tayo koma nga agbuteng dayta ti maysa nga pakaalaan ti adal. (Farming is a great venture especially when we witness various innovative practices that can help improve our yield. Learning is important to me, and we apply it in farming. I encourage my fellow farmers to attend trainings and other learning courses to learn new technologies offered. Let us not be afraid of trying new things and new experiences).”
With the ever-changing scenarios, Mr. Mabalo said that farmers should adapt for it also opens windows of opportunities which is not only for personal growth but also contributing to the development in our own unique ways. // Esjay Zausa and Jaypee Na-oy
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