Cyber Village Project raises rice output in Philippines

LOS BANOS, Philippines, Oct 2 (BSS): The Cyber Village Project has created revolution by increasing rice output using information and communications technology (ICT)-based web tools and technologies in the Philippines.
The information was disclosed at the "Farmers' technology forum for farmer-cooperators" organised by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) at its headquarters here on Thursday under its Cyber Village Project.
Forty member farmers of different ICT-based e-Centres from several municipalities in different provinces all over the Philippines, two renowned Indian farmers, one farmer and a journalist from Bangladesh participated.
Cyber Village Project Coordinator and Head of IRRI's Partnerships Office Jojo Lapitan narrated importance of the farmers' forum in sharing and communicating rice-based technologies.
Senior Manager at IRRI Training Centre Engineer Engene Castro narrated the ICT and web-based agricultural technologies being used by the farmers in bringing a revolution in rice crop management.
National Scientist of the Philippines and IRRI Consultant Dr Gelia Castillo delivered keynote message citing the project as stimulus for acquiring connectivity in reaching ICT-based agricultural technologies to farmers.
The Cyber Village Project attracts increasing number of farmers accelerating extension systems of the ICT-based agriculture technologies helping them increasing rice production at reduced costs, she said.
Like other participating farmers, member of a Cyber Village e-Centre Genevieve Madelo, Ester Solamo, Fredric Paniyar and William Gitakay narrated their successes and shared experiences with other participants.
They elaborated as how they have increased rice production using ICT-based technologies and information for better crop management to change their socio-economic status and improve livelihoods and living standard.
The Cyber Village Project beneficiary farmers discussed benefits of using ICT-based technologies, Nutrient Manager for Rice (NMR), Rice Crop manger (RCM), Pilipino Rice Knowledge Bank (PRNB) and other facilities.
We have been switching over to the ICT-knowledge-based and cost-effective technologies from traditional practices for better rice cultivation management in getting enhanced rice production, they said.