Help center for rice farmers goes hi-tech
NEED help on what, when and how much fertilizer to use for your rice farm?
Just call the Nutrient Manager for Rice Mobile (NMRiceMobile), a free mobile phone service that gives Filipino farmers and extension workers access to information on an established management system for rice production.
The NMRicMobile, launched last week, is a joint project of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) through its Agricultural Training Institute.
The toll-free number for NMRiceMobile is 2378 for Globe subscribers and *2378 for SMART subscribers.
“It’s so fast and easy to understand,” said Romeo Pangan a farmer from Isabela who said the service is very useful as he now does not have to guess the amount of fertilizer needed.
Fertilizers are the second biggest cost for rice farmers after labor
NMRiceMobile uses the site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) for rice which tailor-fits the necessary fertilizer to the conditions of the farm. The system has also been established to lessen risks to the environment while increasing nutrient use efficiency and farm productivity.
Dr. Roland Buresh, IRRI’s nutrient management expert and lead project developer, explains, “Crop management practices must be tailored to location-specific needs in order to produce sufficient food at affordable prices for consumers and with higher profitability for small-scale farmers.”
“Optimal amounts and sources of nutrients to meet crop needs can vary even across short distances within or among fields. If the application of nutrients as fertilizers is inadequate, it can result in a loss in yield and profit. On the other hand, applications beyond the crop’s needs not only reduce profit but can also increase risks to our environment,” he added.
SSNM was first made available in the Philippines in 2008 in CD format. However, the distribution and reach did not spread wide due to limited computer access.
“Many Filipino farmers don’t have ready access to a computer, but most have access to a mobile phone, so it made sense for the DA to pursue mobile phones as a way to communicate with farmers,” says Dr. Buresh.
Others agencies that supported the NMRiceMobile project include the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI), the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), and the International Potash Institute (IPI).
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