Modern Farming Technologies: Impact on Farm Productivity and Food Security in the Rice Terraces of the Cordillera Region, Northern Philippines

Abstract

The study assessed the impact of modern farming technologies on the productivity and food security in the rice terraces. The study covered four rice terraces clusters located in four provinces in the Cordillera region in the northern central part of the Philippines. The sites covered were: Haliap, Asipulo, Ifugao, Bagumbayan, Tabuk City in the province of Kalinga, Tanglagan, Calanasan, Apayao and Natonin, Mt. Province. The study is a part of a bigger project conducted for 24 months from January 2011 to December 2013. The study employed the Case Study method using 10 key informants supported by interviews, workshops and Focus Group Discussion. The results showed that one of the study sites still adhered to the traditional system of farming while three had already shifted to modern farming technologies. The three modern farming technologies adopted by farmers are: use of modern rice varieties as a substitute to the traditional varieties, use of fertilizers and pesticides and the use of hand tractors. Modern rice varieties improved rice production by 70% from the current yield of traditional rice varieties. Increase in yield created a fit between cash and subsistence wherein added produce improved food security and the surplus is sold to the local market for cash. However, the contemporary increase in yield is still not enough to cater to income and food security. The inevitable use of commercial inorganic fertilizers associated with modern rice varieties altered soil quality in the rice paddies. Soil is obviously sick with declining pH range. Although farmers have been using pesticides in the terraces, soil and water are still free from pesticide residues.