tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50402641196317624292024-03-08T05:35:48.709-08:00CORIGAP News<a href="http://corigap-news.blogspot.com/">CORIGAP News</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-76313014465395190742018-01-08T18:21:00.002-08:002018-01-08T18:21:47.942-08:00Myanmar farmers gain knowledge on laser leveling operation and its benefits<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">IRRI postharvest engineer Yan Lin Aung being interviewed by <br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans";" /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans";">Myanmar local channel, DVB TV, during the demonstration.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14px;">The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) funded project, Closing the Rice Yield Gap with Reduced Environmental Footprint project (CORIGAP), conducted a basic operator’s training and demonstration of laser-assisted land leveling technology in Letpadan, Bago Region Myanmar. More than 80 farmers were given first hand experience in using laser land leveling technology. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://news.irri.org/2018/01/myanmar-farmers-gain-knowledge-on-laser.html" target="_blank">Read more</a>. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14px;" />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-14003457733977274492017-08-24T18:17:00.003-07:002017-08-24T18:21:27.005-07:00Book: Guidelines for Innovation Platforms in AR4D<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmers in Myanmar used to pile their harvested paddy up to three weeks. Through the adaptive research trial feature of the Learning Alliance platform, farmers, extension and research staff from Myanmar were able to learn about the benefits of harvesting immediately with the use of lightweight thresher to service different farms. Farmers have reduced, and some have stopped piling, which reduced postharvest losses up to 8% . </td></tr>
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Innovation platforms (IPs) provide a space for farmers, agricultural service providers, researchers, the private sector, and other stakeholders to jointly identify, analyze, and overcome constraints to agricultural development. Recognizing the need to reflect critically on how IPs can meaningfully contribute to agricultural research for development, collaborators from a number of CGIAR centers and universities have published a booklet, Guidelines for Innovation Platforms in Agricultural Research for Development.<br />
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The document provides insights from experiences with IPs in CGIAR on when such platforms would be appropriate, how they could be designed and implemented, and how their impacts should be assessed. Key issues include tailoring the composition of the platform to suit innovation objectives, mapping the costs, and finding the flexibility to adjust to changing requirements of stakeholders.<br />
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The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) contributed experiences from the Postharvest Learning Alliance in Cambodia and other learning alliances implemented in Myanmar through projects of ACIAR (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research) and LIFT (Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund), with co-funding from the CORIGAP project.<br />
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The book is available at <a href="https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/82550"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/82550</span></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-42752612390292878952017-08-24T18:01:00.000-07:002017-08-24T20:24:26.553-07:00Experts chart future pathways for the rice straw market in Vietnam <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Upgrading rice value chains to make them more sustainable involves identifying new markets for the byproducts that are generated along the way. Technological upgrading in rice farming, for example, can bring in new challenges. While mechanized rice harvesting eliminates the back-breaking work of traditional harvesting, accomplishing it in a shorter time leaves even more straw to dispose of. Instead of burning the straw, developing a value chain for the straw itself can be achieved by finding new market outlets for the byproduct.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: "pt sans"; font-size: 14px;">The BMZ-funded and CORIGAP co-funded project at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is looking at alternative ways of using rice straw and exploring future potential markets that can bolster its value. On 1-2 June in Ho Chi Minh, key stakeholders at an expert elicitation workshop identified market prospects for potential rice straw products.</span><br />
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<a href="http://news.irri.org/2017/06/experts-chart-future-pathways-for-rice.html" target="_blank">Read more</a><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-18917609792856518432017-06-07T03:00:00.000-07:002017-06-07T03:00:13.250-07:00In Indonesia: Laser leveling of farmland steps up agricultural production<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: 11.2px;">Participants in the laser leveling demonstration learn the basic principles of the technology and how to operate the equipment. IRRI’s CORIGAP project supports capacity building of NARES partners and other rice-farming sectors, such as youth, to accelerate adoption of best management practices that will support Indonesia’s national goal to achieve rice self–sufficiency.</span></div>
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The swampy land areas of South Sumatera, Palembang are poised to become the next rice granary in Indonesia. Recently, to step up the region’s agricultural productivity, local extension professionals, farmers, and students were trained on the use of laser-assisted land leveling and tractor driving in Palembang.<br />
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Marto Suwarno, local owner of a 3-hectare rice-corn farm and leader of Gabungan Kelompok Tani (Association of Farmers’ Group) in Mulya Sari village, pointed out a problem that he has been experiencing on his farm. “I always have uneven plant growth in my rice and corn fields, but I hope there can be a solution,” he said.<br />
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Laser leveling of the land could be that solution and it was demonstrated for the local extensionists, farmers, and students on Pak Suwarno’s farm during an event on 24-25 May. Budi Raharjo, who spearheads the Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology (BPTP), partnered with Pak Suwarno to illustrate the benefits of the laser leveling technology.<br />
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“After successfully conducting the land leveling during the 2-day event, Pak Suwarno will continue to plant corn and rice,” Budi pointed out. “Over the next 2 seasons, we will observe the productivity of his farm to see if there is any difference between manually leveled and laser-leveled fields.”<br />
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Caling Balingbing, postharvest and mechanization expert at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), presented the principles and advantages of laser-assisted land leveling and answered queries on issues related to timing and soil type. He also guided BPTP staff members on properly doing automatic land leveling on Pak Suwarno’s fields.<br />
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<a href="http://news.irri.org/2017/06/in-indonesia-laser-leveling-of-farmland.html" target="_blank">Read more </a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-11290337326243085912017-04-11T06:30:00.001-07:002017-04-11T06:30:35.193-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—More than 50 researchers from Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines tested a web-based decision tool that calculates the sustainability of farmers’ practices and best management approaches in rice production. Known as the field calculator, the tool collects farmer field data and measures it against 12 sustainability indicators defined by the Sustainable Rice Platform.<br />
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“The field calculator can be used to determine whether adopting a certain technology or combination of technologies and management approaches is economically and environmentally sustainable,” said Dr. Sarah Beebout, leader of the field calculator development team of the Closing rice yield gaps with reduced environmental footprint (CORIGAP) project.<br />
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“It gives a visual summary of the technologies’ environmental, economic, and social impacts, allowing users to make sound recommendations and decisions in different locations for each planting season,” added Beebout, who is also a soil scientist at the International Rice research Institute (IRRI).<br />
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<a name='more'></a><a href="http://news.irri.org/2017/03/asian-researchers-test-drive-new-web.html" target="_blank">Read more</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-60163517375307828502017-04-11T06:27:00.001-07:002017-04-11T06:27:26.042-07:00CORIGAP Phase 2 to increase yield of 500,000 rice farmers across Asia by 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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LOS BAÑOS, Philippines—Phase 2 of the project, <a href="http://corigap.irri.org/" target="_blank">Closing Rice Yield Gaps with Reduced Environmental Footprint</a>, will work to sustainably increase rice yield by 10% for 500,000 smallholder farmers in seven “rice granaries” of Asia by 2020. Called CORIGAP-PRO, this second phase is a multi-country project under the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium.<br />
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More than 45 scientists, national partners, and CORIGAP advisory committee members from seven countries gathered at the headquarters of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to launch CORIGAP-PRO, which now includes the Philippines as an “associate country.”<br />
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“This event is a platform for the project members to review the key outcomes made during phase 1 and to plan and strategize ways to achieve the targets set for the next phase,” explained Dr. Grant Singleton, CORIGAP coordinator and IRRI principal scientist.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><a href="http://news.irri.org/2017/03/corigap-phase-2-to-increase-yield-of.html">Read more</a><br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-10822314975139561372016-10-07T18:58:00.001-07:002016-10-07T18:58:24.996-07:00Laser land leveling introduced to Indonesia’s tidal swamp areas to boost rice productivityby Reianne Quilloy<br />
(Reposted from <a href="http://ricetoday.irri.org/laser-land-leveling-introduced-to-indonesias-tidal-swamp-areas-to-boost-rice-productivity/" target="_blank">Rice Today</a>)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px; text-align: left;">Farmers, extension workers, and students in Palembang learn firsthand the basic of laser land leveling. <br />(Photo by R. Quilloy)</span></td></tr>
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SOUTH SUMATRA, Indonesia—“Now, I and my fellow students who came here can better help our parents in running our farms,” exclaimed Dulhamid, a high school student at a specialized agricultural school in nearby Tanjung Lago. He was enthusiastically talking about his recent attendance at a demonstration of a laser land-leveling system that could improve the productivity of rice farms in the tidal swamp areas in Palembang and other parts of Indonesia.<br />
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Twenty-four farmers, extension agents, and local students attended the demonstration, held 28-29 September. It clearly showed how the technology could become a vital tool for increasing agricultural production while reducing the cost of growing rice and thus encourage its adoption.<br />
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One of the challenges that limit farmers’ rice production in Mulya Sari and neighboring villages in Banyuasin District is their unleveled fields. Unleveled rice fields consume three times more water than leveled fields. They also suffer a 5-10% yield reduction due to uneven crop maturation and higher weed infestation. However, traditional land leveling using draft animals or two-wheeled tractors are quite laborious that still leave the field inadequately leveled.<br />
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Land leveling using the laser system is faster and more effective in ensuring an even surface. In laser-leveled fields, irrigation water reaches every part of the field thus reducing waste from waterlogging and runoff. Evenly distributed water in rice fields can also control weeds so farmers can reduce their use of herbicides.<br />
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The event was organized by Closing Rice Yield Gaps in Asia with Reduced Environmental Footprints (<a href="http://corigap.irri.org/" target="_blank">CORIGAP</a>) project in collaboration with the Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technologies (AIAT).<br />
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“Our goal at AIAT is to assess technologies being introduced and make recommendations for the government’s extension arm,” said Budi Raharjo, AIAT researcher and postharvest specialist. “This is part of our efforts to reach our national rice sufficiency goals and an initial step to introduce the laser-leveling technology in the country. It is also gaining a lot of interest in other provinces.”<br />
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Caling Balingbing, a scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), conducted the demonstration and provided training on topographic field surveying and operating and maintaining a tractor.<br />
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“We want to know more about this technology and the experience of farmers in other countries, said Pak Ruwanto, a farmer from Banyuasin. “We also hope that other farmers in Indonesia can see and use this technology so we can all benefit.”<br />
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“We learned how to do the pace method as part of the topographic surveying and I was able to operate a tractor,” added Dulhamid.<br />
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During the demonstration, IRRI and AIAT introduced the concept of the Learning Alliance. This is an interactive and participatory activity that brings together different stakeholders to assess and develop ways to optimize the use of new technologies so smallholder farmers can truly benefit from them. The CORIGAP project has been using the Learning Alliance as a platform where different stakeholders with common interests can share and learn from each other’s experiences.<br />
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CORIGAP is a 4-year project implemented by IRRI and funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-85150224181001664292016-10-07T18:51:00.000-07:002016-10-07T18:52:33.605-07:00More Myanmar rice farmers are trying improved technologies to reduce postharvest lossesby Reianne Quilloy<br />
(Reposted from <a href="http://ricetoday.irri.org/more-myanmar-rice-farmers-are-trying-improved-technologies-for-an-improved-rice-value-chain/" target="_blank">Rice Today</a>)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px; text-align: left;">Myanmar farmers learn about improved methods for drying paddy at a recent Learning Alliance meeting. <br />(Photo by Christopher Cabardo)</span></td></tr>
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LETPADAN TOWNSHIP, Myanmar –A project that improves the productivity and sustainability of irrigated rice systems continues to engage Myanmar farmers and other actors in using improved technologies that will protect them against postharvest losses. The new technologies are expected to help upgrade the country’s overall rice value chain.<br />
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Closing rice yield gaps in Asia with reduced environmental footprints (<a href="http://corigap.irri.org/" target="_blank">CORIGAP</a>) is a project implemented in six countries to improve food security and alleviate poverty by optimizing the productivity and sustainability of irrigated rice production systems. The project uses an interactive and participatory process among farmers, scientists, extension agents, public and private sectors, and other stakeholders—known as the Learning Alliance—to conduct action-oriented research centered on improving the rice value chain for smallholder farmers.<br />
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In previous meetings with CORIGAP, most farmers in Gyoe Pin Sakhan village said it takes them 2 to 3 days to dry their rice grains under the sun, a traditional method they usually practice. While sun drying is cheap, it is also unreliable and difficult to control the temperature. They lose up to 7 baskets of paddy if they are unable to dry it to the ideal moisture content for storage. Some farmers opt to sell their paddy right after harvesting due to the lack of storage facilities and drying spaces.<br />
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U Tin Shwe is a farmer who has been participating since 2015 in CORIGAP’s <a href="http://postharvestla.irri.org/" target="_blank">Learning Alliance</a> activities organized by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Myanmar’s Department of Agriculture. He learned about different drying options and decided to tap IRRI’s collaborator, the Pioneer Postharvest Development Group, to build a flatbed dryer that could provide farmers with an alternative to sun drying. Locally made dryers ensure the use of readily available materials for easier maintenance and after-sales service.<br />
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In a Learning Alliance meeting conducted on 11 September, 25 farmers expressed their interest to assess the performance of the flatbed dryer. Five farmers from the group also volunteered to dry their paddy using U Tin Shwe’s newly built flatbed dryer during the coming monsoon season in October. “We want to assess the benefits related to the use of a flatbed dryer,” one participant said. “Are we going to get a higher price for our paddy if we use the flatbed dryer?”<br />
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The farmers were also interested in using GrainSafe™ to store their grains. GrainSafe™ is a 1–ton capacity hermetic storage system that maintains grain viability.<br />
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“I appreciate the IRRI team for coming to Letpadan,” U Tin Shwe said. “We hope that IRRI continues to visit us. We are excited to see the trial results. This can pave way for more farmers getting better quality rice.”<br />
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CORIGAP activities in Myanmar are funded by the Swiss Development Agency and Cooperation. Similar Learning Alliance activities in Myanmar are also conducted in Maubin Township, through the MyRice, a project funded by the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-85815164735971434582016-10-07T18:46:00.001-07:002016-10-07T18:46:20.873-07:00Indonesian farmers and extension workers receive training on participatory video productionby Reianne Quilloy<br />
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(Reposted from<a href="http://ricetoday.irri.org/indonesian-farmers-and-extension-workers-receive-training-on-participatory-video-production/" target="_blank"> Rice Today</a>)<br />
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PALEMBANG, Indonesia—Indonesian farmers and extension workers were recently trained in basic video editing as part of making effective participatory videos for spreading new technologies to other rice farmers.<br />
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Forty-five farmers and extension personnel from the tidal swamp villages of Sumbur Mulyo, Sidorharjo, Telang Rejo, and Mekar Sari on Sumatra Island attended the training provided by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and funded by Give2Asia on 1-2 August. This training is a part of a bigger participatory video effort that focuses on disseminating technologies developed through Closing rice yield gaps in Asia with reduced environmental footprints (CORIGAP), an IRRI project with Indonesia as part of its geographic focus.<br />
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The budding videographers worked together to edit video materials they produced during an earlier production training in March. Trina Mendoza, a development communication expert and consultant to Give2Asia and CORIGAP, and Reianne Quilloy, IRRI communication and outreach specialist, facilitated the training. The edited videos were exhibited to allow participants to receive feedback on how to improve their production skills.<br />
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“I am grateful about this training,” an enthusiastic participant said. “In Mekar Sari village, we have someone who knows how to shoot videos but does not know how to edit them. He goes all the way to Palembang to have our videos edited. Now, that is no longer necessary.”<br />
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Participatory videos can be effective in documenting local people’s experiences, needs, and solutions based on their own perspectives. The videos can be useful tools in promoting community-led movements, technology, and innovations.<br />
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“An advantage of creating participatory videos is that realities are captured well,” Mendoza said. “They tell more compelling stories worth sharing with fellow farmers and the world.” She encouraged the participants to continue creating videos that reveal their stories of farming challenges and significant changes.<br />
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Harmanto, director of the Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology (BPTP) in South Sumatra, expressed his gratitude for the activity. “This will help us disseminate solutions to improve rice production that will benefit our farmers,” he said. “The videos are being uploaded onto the BPTP website to reach a wider audience.”<br />
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<a href="http://corigap.irri.org/" target="_blank">CORIGAP</a> is a regional consortium led by IRRI on developing and demonstrating best crop management approaches for improving irrigated rice farming in an environmentally sustainable manner. Give2Asia ensures safe, effective, and impactful international philanthropy. IRRI has partnered with the organization to engage more donors who share IRRIs cause. The donations received through Give2Asia support IRRIs work across Asia.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-11174840059528567632016-10-07T18:40:00.000-07:002016-10-07T18:40:29.637-07:00Rice-based cropping system project in Myanmar makes significant contribution to local agricultureby Romy Labios<br />
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(Reposted from IRRI News)<br />
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NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar, 13 May—A project that promotes the adoption of new stress-tolerant rice varieties, greater crop intensification, and diversification, and postharvest management for smallholder farmers in the Ayeyarwady Delta has led to important developments in the local agriculture, according to farmers.<br />
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The project, Diversification and Intensification of Rice-based Cropping Systems in Lower Myanmar (MyRice), aims to improve farmers' profitability in Maubin and Daik Oo Townships in the Ayeyarwady and Bago regions, respectively, The project is funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Department of Agriculture (DoA), the Department of Agricultural Research (DAR), and private sector partners.<br />
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Led by IRRI scientist Grant Singleton, the project is developing best practices for rice production, including postharvest management and innovative approaches to improve the productivity of rice-rice and rice-pulse cropping systems. <br />
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Launched in 2012, MyRice received positive evaluations from its mid-term external review in May 2015. The project introduced stress-tolerant varieties of rice and pulses in the two-crop system and best management practices including postharvest management. Farmers and partners from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation (MoALI) in the two townships identified the introduction of these two technologies as important developments. The project has also supported the research theses of 17 MSc students from DoA and DAR enrolled at the Yezin Agriculture University (YAU).<br />
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“Building farmers' capacity is a long-lasting investment that is continuously helping improve the country's agricultural programs,” said Dr. Tun Winn, MOALI deputy minister. Winn, a former IRRI scholar, thanked the institute for its continued support and assistance to Myanmar. Meanwhile, Dr. Ye Tint Tun, director general of DoA, requested IRRI to further develop profitable rice and rice-mixed cropping systems, especially at the community level. “The great progress by IRRI and Myanmar partners in developing climate-ready varieties and the associated best management practices needs to be expanded for the benefit of all small-holder farmers,” he stressed.<br />
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The accomplishments of the project’s adaptive research and related activities were presented early this year in Ayeyarwady and Bago along with new activities for a full-cost extension through December 2017. On 13 May, the research outputs and the regional plans were presented to the officials of the MoALI at DAR in Nay Pyi Taw (photo). Plans for the outreach and outscaling activities for each region were formulated by the DoA staff at the district and township levels. <br />
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“MoALI staff should observe carefully the output and outcomes of MyRice research to ensure sustainable implementation of project achievements even after the completion of the project,” said U Naing Kyi Win, DAR director general,<br />
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The occasion was graced by Dr. Myo Kywe, rector at Yezin Agricultural University; MoAI officials, the project’s scholars, and private industry partners. Ninety-two participants joined the activity, of which 57 were women. Also on hand were IRRI representatives Drs. David Johnson, Grant Singleton, Romeo Labios, Jongsoo Shin, Nyo Me Htwe, U Than Aye, Daw Ohnmar Tun, Daw Su Su San, U Yan Linn Aung, U Aung Myo Thant, U Hlwan Oo, Daw Aye Sabai, and Daw Hsu Myat Noe Hnin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-11293325377408672912016-10-07T18:30:00.000-07:002016-10-07T18:34:57.518-07:00Indonesian rice farmers and extension workers learn to produce participatory video for technology disseminationby Rona Azucena<br />
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Reposted from IRRI News<br />
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PALEMBANG, Indonesia—“Technologies that do not reach the people who are meant to use them are rather useless, that’s why the outscaling process is crucial,” said IRRI scientist Buyung Hadi. To fill the gap between technology and the farmers, a participatory video production training-workshop (photo) was conducted under the Give2Asia-funded capacity enhancement project for sustainable intensification of rice ecosystems in Indonesian outer islands.<br />
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Twenty farmers and 13 research and extension staff of the Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technologies (AIAT)-South Sumatra participated. They learned the basics of participatory video production during a training-workshop on 28 March-1 April at the AIAT compound in South Sumatra.<br />
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“When you involve the end-users (farmers) in scaling out a technology, you produce something that is potentially more effective because it (the technology) is communicated in layman’s terms from the perspective of a fellow end-user,” added Hadi who is also the project coordinator. “There will also be ownership by the farmers, which may encourage them to use the participatory video method in their own outscaling efforts.”<br />
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Dr. Harmanto, AIAT-South Sumatra director, expressed his appreciation to IRRI for organizing an activity that built the capacity of both farmers and AIAT staff. Also, he expressed hope that participatory outscaling methods will encourage more farmers to adopt rice-farming technologies.<br />
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The event—the first of three training sessions—taught the participants how to create a storyboard, properly handle equipment, practice filming techniques, and conduct outdoor hands-on exercises in filming videos and interviews. The participants came up with multiple storyboards on various topics, such as trap barrier system, drum seeder, and mechanical transplanter. The participants showed eagerness and enthusiasm in learning “outside their comfort zone” and promised to come back to the next training session with video clips based on their storyboards.<br />
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The farmers were from villages in tidal swamp areas where integrated best management approaches are promoted by <a href="http://corigap.irri.org/" target="_blank">CORIGAP</a> (Closing rice yield gaps with reduced environmental footprint), an IRRI project that aims to increase farm productivity through environmentally sustainable ways.<br />
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Mr. Budi Raharjo, head of the mechanization and postharvest division of AIAT and CORIGAP country partner, was instrumental in bringing the farmers and AIAT staff together. Trina Mendoza, an IRRI consultant, led the participatory video production workshop. She was assisted by Rona Azucena, IRRI communication specialist.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-56895124506216912452016-02-21T19:40:00.001-08:002016-02-29T22:23:19.973-08:00Media release: A revolutionary approach increases rice production in Indonesia<div style="-moz-border-radius: 15px 15px 15px 15px; -webkit-border-radius: 15px 15px 15px 15px; border-radius: 15px 15px 15px 15px; border: 0px solid #000000;">
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Tidal swamp lands in South Sumatra, Indonesia, were affected by a high incidence of rodent and weed pests, and labor shortage, making it difficult for smallholder farmers to grow rice in the dry season.<br />
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The IRRI-CORIGAP project worked with the Indonesia Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology in disseminating an integrated best management approach to help farmers increase farm productivity by increasing yields in the monsoon season and growing a rice crop in the dry season.<br />
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The new approach promotes environmentally sustainable rice production. Increasing farm productivity lessens the need to clear lands for cultivation using fire, which creates environmental and health hazards.</div>
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INDONESIA, 23 February 2016-- In South Sumatra, thousands of hectares of tidal swamp lands , which were previously unproductive in the dry season, are now being cultivated in the dry season using improved and environmentally sustainable methods of rice farming.<br />
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Not so long ago, these areas produced a good monsoon rice crop but attempts by farmers to grow a dry season crop were beleaguered by massive damage from rodents and weeds, and high crippling labor shortage.<br />
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“The moderate yields of rice during the wet season, and practically zero yield during the dry season, meant that there was less income for farmers,” said Dr. Harmanto, Director of the Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technologies (AIAT) in South Sumatra. “To combat poverty and health risks from poor environmental management of agricultural lands, we sought to optimize the potential of the swamp lands for rice production that is environmentally sustainable.”<br />
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The Indonesian government began a new collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) through a project called <a href="http://corigap.irri.org/" target="_blank">CORIGAP</a> (Closing rice yield gaps in Asia with reduced environmental footprint), which works on closing rice yield gaps without compromising environmental sustainability. The project is funded by the <a href="https://www.eda.admin.ch/sdc" target="_blank">Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation</a>, and by the government of Indonesia.<br />
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A key area of focus was increasing the intensity of rice production in the tidal swamps of South Sumatra. In 2012, in the Telang and Saleh deltas of South Sumatra, the average rice yields in the monsoon season were 3.9 tons per hectare, and only 30 hectares of rice were grown in the dry season. The quantity of rice yield brought in low income for the farmers and did not optimize the area’s potential for rice production.<br />
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In 2013, a partnership was forged, through the CORIGAP project, among IRRI, the Directorate of Food Crops, the provincial agricultural services, and the South Sumatra AIAT.<br />
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During the 2013 dry season, the team set up sites in farmers’ fields to demonstrate effective weed and rodent management, and introduce the drum seeder that reduced labor costs during crop establishment.<br />
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In 2014, the areas planted with rice increased to 300 hectares during the dry season, and the yields on field demonstration sites during the monsoon season produced more than 6 tons per hectare.<br />
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By 2015, through the Special Efforts Program of the Ministry of Agriculture, rice yields in farmers’ fields during the monsoon season reached 4.5–6 tons per hectare. And approximately 20,000 hectares of farm land along the Telang and Saleh deltas in South Sumatra were able to grow dry season rice with yields of up to 2.5–3 tons per hectare.<br />
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In addition, the increase in rice productivity eliminates the need to clear land for cultivation, thereby reducing the incidence of wildfires. In the past years, the haze caused by the wildfires posed serious environmental effects and health threats to people.<br />
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Improving the productivity of rice areas in Indonesia can bring the nation closer to its target of increasing rice production to 82.1 million tons by 2019. The average Indonesian consumes about 126 kilograms of rice a year. Indonesians spend 60% of their income on food, 25% of which is spent on rice.<br />
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The CORIGAP project is also supporting the efforts of Yogyakarta AIAT, by reaching farmers who would benefit from integrated best management approaches for increasing rice productivity. Thus, by helping farmers close the rice yield gap, the quest for Indonesia to become self-sufficient in rice production is a step closer.<br />
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“The goals of CORIGAP align with AIAT’s national policy of GP-PTT (Gerakan Penerapan Pengelolaan Tanaman Terpadu or Implementation Action of Integrated Crop Management), which led to the widespread adoption of technologies,” said <a href="http://irri.org/about-us/our-people/specialists/grant-singleton" target="_blank">Dr. Grant Singleton</a>, coordinator of CORIGAP and a principal scientist at IRRI.<br />
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The CORIGAP approach includes water- saving techniques, savings on labor for crop establishment using a legowo drum seeder, ecologically based rodent and weed management, and improved postharvest management of rice. The new approaches also promote environmentally sustainable rice production.<br />
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To continue upscaling and outscaling the gains from the collaboration of AIAT and CORIGAP, scientists and researchers from Vietnam, Thailand, China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia will be holding their 3rd Annual Review and Planning Meeting on 23-25 February in AIAT, Yogyakarta.</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-76296636861178804362015-12-18T22:00:00.001-08:002015-12-18T22:00:23.539-08:00IRRI News: External reviewer lauds CORIGAP's transdisciplinar...<a href="http://irri-news.blogspot.com/2015/12/external-reviewers-evaluate-first-phase.html?spref=bl">IRRI News: External reviewer lauds CORIGAP's transdisciplinar...</a>: Los Baños, Laguna – An external review of CORIGAP —a project working on closing rice yield gaps through environmentally sustainable me...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-68175104364274781842015-12-03T22:54:00.001-08:002015-12-03T22:54:50.929-08:00IRRI News: External reviewers evaluate the first phase of COR...<a href="http://irri-news.blogspot.com/2015/12/external-reviewers-evaluate-first-phase.html?spref=bl">IRRI News: External reviewers evaluate the first phase of COR...</a>: Los Baños, Laguna - An external review of the Closing rice yield gaps in Asia with reduced environmental footprints (CORIGAP) project be...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-91389120483815337142015-11-24T00:04:00.003-08:002015-11-24T01:29:38.287-08:0030 participants from 7 countries complete training on ecological management of rice pests<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="line-height: 19.6000003814697px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Participants have expressed their enthusiasm for applying their newly gained knowledge on the ecological management of some of the most destructive pests that Asian rice farmers face.</span></span></td></tr>
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Thirty participants from the Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam underwent intensive two-week training on the management of rodents, insects, and weeds in rice- based farming system at IRRI Headquarters on 2-13 November. The activities included lectures on the principles of integrated and sustainable management of insects, weeds, and rodents. Guided by IRRI’s pool of experts, participants identified common rice insect pests and their natural enemies, and conducted weed identification and screenhouse trials. They also had a participatory half-day session on population modeling.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“This training is very useful for my job as a researcher,” Ruwanthi Mandanayake shared. “In Sri Lanka, the Rice Research Development Institute is actively promoting sustainably produced agricultural crops, like rice. I have learned about practical management of rodent population, which I found very interesting.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Budi Raharjo, postharvest and mechanization researcher at the Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology (AIAT) in South Sumatra, Indonesia, said he gained a deeper appreciation and understanding about better pest management approaches that could help Indonesia produce environmentally sustainable rice. “The training furnished me with new knowledge on managing pests in tidal swamps in Indonesia, like South Sumatra,” Rhajaro said. “The principles also complement the Integrated Crop Management promoted in Indonesia. This will ensure that we, in the AIAT, can provide up-to-date recommendations of best management practices in rice production to the farmers.” </div>
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For Arriz Cabigting, a rice technician from the Philippines, the course gave him a new perspective on pest control. “The ecological approach helped broaden my knowledge in increasing biodiversity in rice fields, while managing the pests in farmers’ field in an environmentally sustainable way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Aung Myo Thant, IRRI assistant scientist in Myanmar, shared his thoughts on how the course will help ramp up sustainable farming in Myanmar. “This course taught us that you don’t need to spray a lot of chemicals to control insects, weeds or rodents. Using the right technique at the right growth stage of rice is more effective than spraying a huge amount of chemicals to control pest population.”</div>
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“Understanding the nature of the pests and the ecosystem surrounding it is important before you apply your measure of control,” said Grant Singleton, training organizer and project leader of Closing Rice Yield Gaps with Reduced Environmental Footprint (CORIGAP). “The participants will go back to their countries armed with sound pest management techniques and tools to facilitate collective action from the farming community. Through this course, we hope that they would help their respective countries promote rice production that is both economically and ecologically sustainable.”<br />
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The CORIGAP project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and the IRRI Training Center organized the training. IRRI’s partner agencies including the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development and the Philippine Department of Agriculture through its Food Staples Sufficiency Program, also provided financial support for the short-term course.<br />
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Posted from <a href="http://irri-news.blogspot.com/2015/11/ecological-management-of-rice-pests.html?spref=bl" target="_blank">IRRI News </a></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-65143702176247988462015-11-24T00:04:00.001-08:002015-11-24T01:30:11.314-08:0030 participants from 7 countries complete training on ecological management of rice pests<br />
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Los Baños, Laguna -- A two-week training course on the ecological management of rodents, insects, and weeds in agro-ecosystems is being held at IRRI headquarters on 2-13 November.<br />
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Thirty participants from the Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam attended the training to gain and apply their knowledge of the ecology of rice pests for better rice farm management at a landscape level. They were trained in using decision tools to analyze pest problems and determine processes and factors that influence farmers’ decisions; applying field protocols for monitoring insects, rodent and weeds; simple computer models; and the principles for effective transfer of knowledge to extension officers, policymakers, and farmers.<br />
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IRRI scientists Grant Singleton (rodent ecology), Virender Kumar (weed management), David Johnson (weed ecology), Alex Stuart (rodent ecology), and Buyung Hadi (insect ecology) provided their expertise as resource persons. They were joined by Professor Emeritus Charles Krebs, population ecologist from the University of British Columbia, Canada.<br />
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“A strong understanding of the population ecology of insect, rodent, and weed pests, and the behavior of rodents and insects is important to effectively manage them,” explains Dr. Singleton, coordinator of the <a href="http://corigap.irri.org/" target="_blank">Closing Rice Yield Gaps with Reduced Environmental Footprint (CORIGAP)</a> project.<br />
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The first week’s activities included hands-on training on spooling and radio-tracking of rodents and rat-trapping in various outdoor settings at the IRRI experiment station—lowland rice fields, near screenhouses, grassy plots, and at the base of long coconut trees. The students caught 30 rodent pests from just 95 traps. They were then taught how to take key body measurements and examine in detail the breeding condition of the female rodents.<br />
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CORIGAP, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, organized the training activity with the IRRI Training Center.<br />
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Posted from: <a href="http://irri-news.blogspot.com/2015/11/participants-from-asian-countries.html?spref=bl" target="_blank">IRRI News</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-76420789107048325902015-11-03T01:53:00.003-08:002015-11-24T01:30:38.650-08:00CORIGAP workshop focuses on future directions for closing yield gapsBy: Rona Azucena<br />
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The Closing Rice Yield Gaps in Asia with Reduced Environmental Footprint (CORIGAP) project gears up for its second phase with a review of the progress made at sites in major granaries of lowland irrigated rice in six Asian countries. The meeting reviewed plans for the last 15 months of Phase 1 of CORIGAP and then considered priorities, future development activities, and timelines for Phase 2, 2017–2020.<br />
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IRRI scientists and research and extension partners from Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, China, and Indonesia came together for the two-day workshop on 6–7 October, IRRI headquarters.<br />
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Matthew Morell, deputy director general for research at IRRI, in his opening message said that “CORIGAP can provide a global strategic point of view as it brings together half of the world’s rice producing capacity.” He added that the project promotes cross-country learning and is an important part of the Global Rice Science Partnership.<br />
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Grant Singleton, CORIGAP coordinator, explains that “the success of the project is because of the strong partnerships built throughout the years since IRRC (Irrigated Rice Research Consortium).”<br />
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“It is time to capitalize on those partnerships and explore promising avenues for large-scale dissemination, especially the message that we can close yield gaps in an environmentally sustainable manner,” Dr. Singleton added.<br />
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The in-country developments made from research efforts on monitoring the ecological footprint of natural resource management (NRM) technologies, value chains, gender studies, and the field calculator were discussed, as well as the delivery and implementation of NRM technologies per country.<br />
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There also was an active exchange of ideas on communication plans for large-scale dissemination of CORIGAP technologies and practices.<br />
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The project aims to improve food security and gender equity, by optimizing the productivity (resource-use efficiency) and environmental sustainability of irrigated rice production systems, thereby closing rice yield gaps in a selection of major irrigated rice granaries in Asia.<br />
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CORIGAP is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.<br />
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Posted from<a href="http://irri-news.blogspot.com/2015/10/corigap-workshop-focuses-on-future.html?spref=bl" target="_blank"> IRRI News</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-89042855700637985002015-11-03T01:53:00.001-08:002015-11-24T01:31:09.669-08:00CORIGAP conducts workshop on measuring ecological indicators for sustainable rice production<br />
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The<a href="http://corigap.irri.org/" target="_blank"> Closing Rice Yield Gaps in Asia with Reduced Environmental Footprint (CORIGAP)</a> project conducted a two-day workshop on measuring ecological indicators and using the field calculator on 8-9 October 2015. IRRI scientists, led by Sarah Beebout, and key partners from China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam gathered together to discuss how to calculate 12 core environmental indicators from farmer field data collected from CORIGAP project sites.<br />
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“One of the very important parts of CORIGAP is looking at the environment and examining whether we can measure ecological impact to see where we could make cropping systems more sustainable from an ecological perspective,“ Grant Singleton, CORIGAP project leader, said.<br />
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He lauded the continuing efforts of the project team in providing substantial input into creating indicators that will complement the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP). “If we get better measures, we can deliver key messages to policy makers so they can be the key people to take this initiative further,” he added.<br />
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“The vision is to build sound recommendations for sustainable practices in different countries for each planting season,” Sarah Beebout, lead scientist for the work on ecological indicators, explained. “For example, if a farmer uses low-carbon technology, does the nitrogen-use efficiency improve?”<br />
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Aside from ecological indicators, the participants were also taught how to use the field calculator, a tool to assess sustainability using the ecological indicators themselves. The participants brainstormed on how to use the field calculator further and who else might be its potential users.<br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-78238960479341912002015-11-03T01:52:00.001-08:002015-11-24T01:31:30.141-08:00Myanmar: Lessons in postharvest identified by Learning Alliance members in wrap-up meeting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Bogale, Myanmar — The Learning Alliance (LA) in Bogale Township in Myanmar was established in July 2013 to improve <a href="http://corigap-news.blogspot.com/2014/05/strengthening-participatory-learning-in.html" target="_blank">Bogale rice quality and obtain higher market prices</a>. The members, composed of farmers, millers, NGO partners, and other rice value chain actors, had a wrap-up meeting on 29-30 June 2015. The 20 members (4 female, 16 male) shared what they experienced and learned from the different LA activities conducted from 2013 to 2015, and developed plans to continue the alliance. The event is part of the final review program of the<a href="http://www.lift-fund.org/" target="_blank"> Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT)</a> of the <a href="https://www.unops.org/english/Pages/Home.aspx" target="_blank">United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)</a>, which aims to improve food security livelihoods in the lower region of the Ayeyarwady Delta.<br />
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Using interactive group learning activities, the participants traced their key learning from trying postharvest options, i.e., flatbed dryers and lightweight threshers that will help improve paddy quality. Members also recalled visiting wholesale and export markets in Yangon. LA members identified that the flatbed dryer provided by the LIFT project enabled them to dry their grains even during bad weather and risky conditions.<br />
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U Aung Kyi, a rice farmer in Kyee Chaung village, used the dryer and shared his experience to LA members from other villages. “During the 2014 monsoon 2014 season, I was able to dry my wet paddy overnight using the flatbed dryer. I used it again in the 2015 summer season and was able to sell my paddy in Yangon,” he shared.<br />
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Through the alliance, five farmers from Pa Dae Kyaw village were able to try the lightweight TC-800 thresher, and shared how easy it was to use.<br />
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IRRI postharvest expert Martin Gummert and project consultant Dr. Myo Aung Kyaw discussed with the LA members the future activities of the alliance, which will include provision of solar bubble dryers for mobile drying, and business models for the flatbed dryer with group storage to ensure that the smallholder farmers will continue producing good-quality grains to help increase their income.<br />
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Some LA activities were co-funded by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation, through the project <a href="http://corigap.irri.org/" target="_blank">Closing the Rice Yield Gaps in Asia with Reduced Environmental Footprint</a> project.<br />
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Posted at <a href="http://irri-news.blogspot.com/2015/07/myanmar-lessons-in-postharvest.html?spref=bl" target="_blank">IRRI News</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-13836751332575443822015-11-03T01:51:00.005-08:002015-11-24T01:31:58.787-08:00Myanmar: Learning Alliance reviews impact of improving rice production and linking farmers to market<br />
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Members of the Postharvest Learning Alliance reviewed the impact of its activities on trying new varieties, exploring market options, testing postharvest technologies, and sharing rice-based management options with farmers in Maubin Township. The Learning Alliance (LA) aims to bring farmers, scientists, extension agents, and other stakeholders together to field-test, refine, and adapt integrated rice production systems, and learn and share good practices.<br />
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The 38 farmers who participated in the activities shared their experience in growing the salt-tolerant Sin Thwe Latt (use less input) and the Sin Thu Kha (use more input) in the previous cropping seasons. They also discussed key information on seed production methods and crop production practices they gathered from interacting with the Shwebo farmers who produce high quality Paw San variety and reported a better understanding of how rice quality affects prices after visiting different markets in Yangon.<br />
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U Nay Lin Oo, a farmer from Tar Pat village in Maubin Township, shared his experience using the IRRI-designed TC-800 lightweight thresher.“I was able to thresh faster and improved the quality of grains,” he said.<br />
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In addition, members planned their future activities that include planting Pyi Taw Yin that they have selected from the participatory varietal trial for its good yield. They also discussed how the project could further help farmers and other end users to boost their rice production with the review team from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and Department of Agriculture officials.<br />
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The Postharvest Learning Alliance is implemented through Diversification and Intensification of Rice-based Cropping Systems in Lower Myanmar (MYRice), an ACIAR-funded project in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Research, and key private sector partners. The meeting was held in Maubin Township on 25 May.<br />
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Posted from <a href="http://irri-news.blogspot.com/2015/06/members-of-postharvest-learning.html?spref=bl" target="_blank">IRRI News </a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-18426740340012587282015-11-03T01:51:00.003-08:002015-11-24T01:36:52.639-08:00Philippines: IRRI conducts laser leveling training to make rice farming more climate friendly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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By Carlito Balingbing<br />
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Twelve participants (10 male, 2 female) from India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines underwent a rigorous hands-on training course on laser land leveling at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters.<br />
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Laser land leveling is a climate-smart agriculture practice helps save scarce resources while increasing yields and farmers’ incomes. “A number of benefits can be obtained from a laser level field,” says Joseph Rickman, IRRI senior scientist with specialization in mechanization and production systems. “These include efficient water use, better weed and nutrient management, increase in farm area due to consolidation of smaller fields, uniform crop maturity, and increase in grain and head rice yields.”<br />
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Ms. Lin Lin Ho from Trimble, the company that introduced commercial laser leveling technology in 1996, says, “Around 500,000 hectares of land have been made climate friendly through the use of laser leveling system.” Ralph Go of Go Traktora, a local distributor of Trimble equipment gave a presentation on local distribution and after sales service of laser leveling system.<br />
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The laser leveling module, second offering of the course, covered the following topics: 1) understanding the principles and benefits of laser leveling; 2) conducting topographic surveys; 3) making field plan for efficient laser leveling; 4) conduction of laser leveling in an IRRI field; and 5) learning the economics of laser leveling technology.<br />
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“This training unpacked the ease and practicality of using the laser leveler technology,” says Roger Barroga, a participant from the Philippine Rice Research Institute. “By proper land leveling, we can better manage water, weeds, and fertilizer, and increase the yield of our rice crop,”<br />
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The Postharvest Unit of IRRI’s Crop and Environmental Sciences Division in collaboration with the Training Center conducted the course that also included a module on tractor operation and maintenance. The module on tractor operation covered the principles of operation and maintenance of a 4W tractor and underwent actual driving lessons. The course was held on 18-21 May.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-41876028261882745792015-11-03T01:51:00.001-08:002015-11-24T01:37:36.938-08:00Thailand: Agriculture staff learn laser leveling of rice fieldsby Carlito Balingbing<br />
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Twenty-three participants from the Thailand Rice Department, Agricultural Engineering Department, and CTA-Trimble attended training on using laser land leveling technology. Laser leveling precisely level fields and has been demonstrated to improve the use of water and allow farmers to reduce seeding by 50% in rain-fed rice fields and increase yield by 15-20%.<br />
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Participants learned how to survey fields, use laser-controlled leveling equipment and tractors as well as cost benefit analysis for land leveling. Fields were surveyed using standard laser equipment as well as the latest in vehicle mounted computer controlled GPS systems supplied by CTA-Trimble. The GPS equipment is already being used for sugar cane production in Thailand but not yet for rice, according to Mr. Thanach Songmetahakrit from CTA-Trimble.<br />
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“This was the first skill-based training course on laser leveling given within the department,” Mr. Boondit from the Thai Rice Department said. Large-scale trials and demonstrations will now be conducted on research stations and farmers’ fields in the northeast and central plains areas of Thailand later this year.<br />
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Joe Rickman, an expert on mechanization and production systems from the International Rice Research Institute, headed the training. The course was held at the Roi-Et Rice Research Center and Land Development Station in North East Thailand on 11 to 14 May.<br />
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Posted from <a href="http://irri-news.blogspot.com/2015/05/thailand-agriculture-staff-learn-laser.html?spref=bl" target="_blank">IRRI News </a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-9743220500377543352015-11-03T01:50:00.003-08:002015-11-24T01:38:19.839-08:00Myanmar: Learning alliance introduces rice farmers to benefits of using flatbed dryerby Reianne Quilloy<br />
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About 30 farmers from various villages in Bogale and Mawlamyinegyun Townships participated in an activity comparing grain drying using the traditional sun-drying method and a flatbed dryer. The event was conducted by the Learning Alliance through the United Nations Office for Project Services-funded <a href="http://www.lift-fund.org/" target="_blank">Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LiFT)</a> project in Kyee Chaung Village on 3 April. <br />
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The farmers assessed the flatbed dryer installed by the International Rice Research Institute, <a href="http://www.gret.org/?lang=en" target="_blank"> Professionals for Development (GRET)</a>, and <a href="http://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/home-en.html" target="_blank">Welthungerhilfe (WHH)</a> in Kyee Chaung. Farmers who had tried the flatbed dryer shared their experiences using the two methods in terms of the quality of paddy they obtained, cost, and how sun drying and flatbed drying performed under different weather conditions.<br />
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Participants also discussed possible mechanisms they can organize to encourage more farmers from Kyee Chaung and other villages to try the flatbed dryer. They also planned to distribute flyers and leaflets, and posters to these villages. <br />
Flatbed dryer removes water from wet grains by forcing heated air through the grain. This model is easy to operate and gives better quality grain compared with sun drying. Its simple design allows local production and ensures easy maintenance and repair. More than 300 flatbed dryers have been installed in Myanmar and about 35,000 farmers are already benefiting from them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-68286669220315693012015-11-03T01:50:00.001-08:002015-11-24T01:39:13.404-08:00IRRI News: Myanmar: Bogale and Mawlamyinegyun farmers receive training on improving the quality of their rice<br />
by Reianne Quilloy<br />
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The <a href="http://postharvestla.irri.org/" target="_blank">Learning Alliance</a> team conducted training in grain quality assessment for about 30 farmers from different villages in Bogale and Mawlamyinegyun Townships on 4 April. The event consisted of lectures and hands-on exercises on using the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) grain quality assessment kit. The IRRI kit can be used to quantify quality traits of paddy and milled rice either by direct measurement or by calculation. Dr. Myo Aung Kyaw, postharvest consultant of the Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund (LiFT) project, taught the farmers to measure moisture content, identify dockage, cracked grains, and assess seed purity and discolored grains.<br />
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At the end of the activity, the farmers expressed their appreciation for the first-of-its-kind training. They also identified other topics that they are interested to learn such as cooking quality and better production management practices to enable them to produce better quality rice and obtain higher profit. Rice from Bogale Township command low market price due its poor quality.<br />
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The event was funded by the LiFT project through its Improving livelihoods of rice-based rural households in the lower region of the Ayeyarwady delta initiative. Under the initiative IRRI, Welthungerhilfe (WHH), and other nongoverment partners of Learning Alliance collaborate to help improve food security and livelihood in Myanmar.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5040264119631762429.post-49261189963029737162015-11-03T01:49:00.001-08:002015-11-24T01:45:55.205-08:00Myanmar: Learning Alliance trains more farmers on rice quality and marketing<br />
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The <a href="http://postharvestla.irri.org/" target="_blank">Postharvest Learning Alliance (LA)</a> conducted a second joint meeting to train on 31 farmer-participants rice quality and marketing in Yangon on 13-14 February.<br />
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The farmers visited the Wardan wholesale market to gain more awareness on the importance of rice quality and facilitate stronger linkages between farmers and traders at wholesale markets. They also visited the Hmawbi Seed Farm to observe seed production techniques. The meeting also facilitated sharing of rice varieties and production practices for quality and marketing among farmers from Shwebo, Maubin, and Bogale. Shwebo is particularly known in Myanmar for its high-quality Paw San rice.<br />
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After the event, the participating farmers made plans to use the seed selection techniques they learned at the seed farm. They will also pool about 20 tons of rice and sell it to a new trader in Yangon they met through the meeting.<br />
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“The end goal of these efforts is for rice farmers to get high profits by meeting the quality standards required by the market,” said Martin Gummert, postharvest expert at IRRI. “In order to do this, farmers should choose varieties with traits that the market requires, and improve postharvest practices to prevent quality deterioration of their grains after harvest.”<br />
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Myo Aung Kyaw, IRRI consultant and a member of the millers and traders’ association , facilitated the educational visit and will continue linking farmers with traders who are willing to pay premium price for high-quality rice.<br />
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Posted at<a href="http://irri-news.blogspot.com/2015/02/myanmar-learning-alliance-trains-more.html" target="_blank"> IRRI News</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0