TO provide technical support to carbon farm planners and extension workers in Philippine rice-based farming systems, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) has been offering a series of training activities.
An endeavor in partnership with Newfields Consulting Ltd. (NFC), SEARCA Director Glenn Gregorio noted that by offering carbon emission monitoring services, "farmers can gain insight into their carbon footprint."
"Farmers can implement efficient strategies and play an active role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices," he added.
With a plan to organize the fourth workshop in November 2024, he said the first of the series of training workshops was held from November 20-21 last year and followed by the second training workshop from March 10-11.
Gregorio said the third training workshop on April 11 and 12 was attended by 19 participants from the provincial and municipal agricultural offices of Laguna, faculty and researchers of the University of the Philippines Los Baños and representatives from the private sector.
"The training workshops aim to provide a more in-depth discussion of the Carbon Wise Rice Information System (CWRIMS) and its applicability on the ground," he said.
Gregorio noted the importance and significance of interinstitutional collaboration being introduced by Eric Reynoso, SEARCA head of Emerging Innovation for Growth Department.
In the recently held training workshop, Reynoso highlighted the critical role played by monitoring, reporting and verification or MRV systems "to ensure the accuracy of carbon measurement, facilitating precise assessments of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions."
He also emphasized the importance of cultivating proficiency in generating comprehensive reports using the carbon-wise rice-based farming tool developed by NFC.
Gregorio said NFC Executive Director Eero Nissila discussed the general incentive system, carbon offsetting projects in agriculture and incentive systems for more sustainable agriculture.
Nissila presented different ways to reduce GHG emissions from rice farming such as alternate wetting and drying for irrigation, intermittent drainage, soil and nutrient management, cover crops, biomass incorporation and rice straw management.
Emphasizing the focus on digital MRV, Nissila also reiterated the commencement of carbon offset initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices, urging different organizations and institutions to engage in collaborative efforts.
Moreover, Nissila also highlighted the effects on farmers through various income generation opportunities from carbon credit.
On the other hand, Nikki Carumba, NFC senior software engineer, talked about the latest CWRIMS version and provided a more detailed walkthrough of the system by introducing the stakeholders to the system enhancements and requirements.
Carumba manages the system design and deployment, and showed the diverse features and enhanced functions of CWRIMS, offering a thorough presentation of its operational capabilities and introducing the system's mobile application designed for offline functionality and efficient data collection in the field.
Gregorio said that during training workshops, hands-on exercises are demonstrated, during which the participants use realistic data and conditions from the field.
"This affords the participants an extensive opportunity for interactive engagement with the web and mobile applications," the SEARCA director said.
He said participants can actively contribute their individual experiences, feedback and recommendations on the uses and functions of both the web and mobile applications.
"This can help refine and optimize features and user experience of the web and mobile applications," Gregorio said.
