The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) recently conducted a two-day workshop on January 20-21, 2025, at its Central Experiment Station in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The primary objective of this workshop was to outline key priorities for 2025, with a special focus on the operational transition of the Cluster-Based Nutrient Management Recommender module within the Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service (RCMAS). Additional topics included updating RCMAS algorithms in line with the research findings and the transition to a Power BI-based dashboard for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL).
A significant agenda item on Day 1 was the planning for the Cluster-Based Nutrient Management Recommender module, which addresses the challenges faced by Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) in delivering personalized recommendations to farmers through 1-to-1 farmer interviews. This module aims to enhance AEWs’ efficiency in reaching more farmers with science-based nutrient management despite limited staffing by generating recommendations tailored to farmers within a cluster with similar field and management conditions. Discussions also covered how this transition aligns with PhilRice’s operational maintenance and upgrade plans for 2025.
On Day 2, the focus shifted to the MEL module, where PhilRice staff received hands-on training in data cleaning, preparation, and visualization techniques utilizing Power BI software. Regional Department of Agriculture (DA) offices employ this MEL module to monitor the use of RCMAS and other related interventions, including seeds and fertilizers. The enhanced MEL dashboard, powered by Power BI analytics, aims to provide valuable, data-driven insights for informed decision-making and future intervention planning.
In parallel, team members engaged with PhilRice’s technical staff to discuss potential improvements in RCMAS algorithms, particularly in fertilizer recommendation calculations based on previous field research findings. Plans for additional trials in 2025 were also explored, focusing on optimizing fertilizer management practices in relation to rice straw management and the use of biofertilizers, which are promoted by the DA. Luis Alejandre Tamani, Head of the Information Systems Division at PhilRice, remarked, “Our continued collaboration as partners facilitates the further development of RCMAS to be more robust, efficient, and adaptable to the needs of Filipino farmers.”
This initiative, particularly the Cluster-Based Nutrient Management Recommender module, represents a significant stride forward in supporting the Department of Agriculture's Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP). The MRIDP aims to advance the rice industry by implementing a strategic clustering approach that promotes sustainable and resilient farming communities. Organizing farmers with similar conditions into groups aims to enhance collective productivity and efficiency, ultimately resulting in improved livelihoods. The DA Agricultural Training Institute is set to spearhead scaling efforts for the cluster-based RCMAS, with activities anticipated to commence in the wet season 2025. The successful implementation of this module promises transformative change in the rice sector, empowering farmers and reshaping the agricultural landscape of the Philippines for long-term sustainability.
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