On-Farm Tech Demo, Farmer’s Field Day held in Zambales

An Expanded On-Farm Technology Demonstration for Direct-Seeded Rice Production System, and Farmer’s Field Day and Forum was held at Barangay La Paz in the town of San Marcelino, Zambales on 29 September 2026.

According to the local government of San Marcelino, the Department of Agriculture Regional Office 3 and the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) led the activity, which aims to boost the harvest thru knowledge, experience and broader perspective from the farmers.

The activity is part of the OneRicePH collaborate Project of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) that pushes for the use of proper and modern technology in rice farming thru scientific knowledge and actual experience of farmers.

The said demonstration and field forum showcased the various adaptive rice varieties, as well as optimum nutrient management and other suitable technologies for Direct-Seeded Rice Production System.

The activity also lets farmers participate by taking part in the process of analyzing and evaluating of technologies that were showcased. At the demonstration trial, farmers were the ones who checked, analyzed, compared and gave their evaluation on the varieties and technologies they can use for farming.

“Mahalaga ang kanilang partisipasyon sapagkat sila mismo ang aktuwal na magtatanim at gagamit ng mga teknolohiyang ito. Dahil dito, ang kanilang karanasan sa bukid, kaalaman sa produksyon, at pag-unawa sa mga katangian at kalidad ng palay ay nagsisilbing mahalagang batayan sa pagtukoy kung aling barayti at teknolohiya ang pinakaangkop sa kanilang pangangailangan at kondisyon sa sakahan,” San Marcelino Mayor Elvis Soria said.

He added that thru these methods, the technologies were not only show, but were tested on how these would respond to the current state of the fields, citing that this is where scientific knowledge and experience merged.

DA-R3 Research Division official Joseph Sanchez, Provincial Agriculturist Vhida Duran, Municipal Agriculturist Remin Sardo, and other employees of the MAO were present during the event.

The Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU), led by Engr. Jonathan Lacayanga, were also present to showcase the seeder that was used during the demonstration trial.

Thru this event, farmers were shown another alternative equipment that can help in improving the quality and expedite the process of planting rice.

Mayor Soria, during the closing ceremony, expressed his gratitude to the farmers and stakeholders who made the event successful. He emphasized that his administration will continue to support the programs and activities focused on developing the agricultural sector and the improvement of the farmers’ lives.