When I write essays and research articles, I make sure that they are well-researched and well structured. I also make sure that the readers have enough information about the topic.

As a skilled writer and journalist with strong writing abilities, I can produce high-quality essays, research papers, and articles in a short period of time.

Here are some of the essays and research articles I have written.

I. Computer: Can It Hinder or Help Humans?

Since the year 2000, people have become technology-dependent. People, young and old, use computers in most of their daily lives. Computers are used at home, at work, in hospitals, in transportation, and in schools.  Exponentially, computers are set to grow and advanced as the world continually moves forward. With people becoming more and more technology savvy, what could be the worst and the best thing about this innovation?

The term “computer” was first coined in 1613 by Richard Braithwaite in the book, The Yong Mans Gleanings. During that time, a computer simply meant a human who do calculations or computations. However, in 1837, the definition of the term “computer” changed when Charles Babbage proposed the first general mechanical computer. Since then, the definition of the word “computer” evolved to an electronic device that can do so many things aside from mere computing.

Since the invention of the computer, people have become more dependent on it. With the many advantages it carries, like saving time and energy, it makes life easier than ever. Computers are also breaking the distance barrier through online services and other computer-mediated communication.

Nowadays, innovators are continually developing more advanced uses for computers, especially in terms of ‘artificial intelligence (AI). Starting from the simple light-setting of thermostats to computer-navigated Tesla cars, AI in computers is rapidly advancing. In the future, it could be used to replace a certain body part like cyborgs or create a human-like figure itself like androids. 

The technical advances of computers have been supported by many while others fear its development. Others say computers could bring people to poverty and unemployment as they could replace employees in the workplace. It also brings health risks through its prolonged use and most importantly, it has negative impacts on the climate change of our planet. Fossil fuels are being burned to produce the energy used for computer production and to power the cooling system of server farms for the existence of the internet. 

There’s so much fear attributing to the advancement of computers. However, according to Jack Ma, smarter computers shouldn’t be feared.  He said, “The world is about heart. Wisdom is from the heart. The brain is about knowledge. If you compete with knowledge, the computer will win. If you compete with wisdom, the computer has no chance” (Alizila, 2018). For the increasing unemployment rate due to AI, Jack Ma also said that the young generation will eventually find a way to make a living. 

In terms of climate change, the negative effects brought by computers can also be mitigated. Apple now boasts that it uses 100% renewable energy in its data centers — especially aided by the largest private solar array in the United States. Google is moving toward that goal as well, though they use 34% right now (Gilpin, 2014).

Humans are always evolving. They’re immune to changes and have surpassed great challenges since the stone age. Surely, humans will make a way to stay on top of the pyramid amidst the ongoing technological revolution.  

Reference:

Jack Ma: Humans Don’t Need to Fear Smarter Computers. (2018, February 7). Alizila. https://www.alizila.com/jack-ma-dont-fear-smarter-computers/

Gilpin, L. (2015, May). 10 ways technology is fighting climate change. TechRepublic; TechRepublic. techrepublic.com

II. Holynamian from Maribojoc discovers Megalodon Shark tooth fossil

Christian Gio Bangalao, a local from Maribojoc and a 2nd-year BSED-Science student at Holy Name University discovered the 2nd Megalodon Shark tooth fossil in Jandig, Maribojoc, Bohol. 

According to the Facebook page of the National Museum Bohol, the 7.6 cm x 6.5 cm fossil tooth was discovered by Bangalao in Jandig, an inland barangay and elevated part of Maribojoc. It was later donated to the Philippine National Museum on May 28, 2020. 

The specimen discovered by Bangalao is the second fossil tooth found in Maribojoc. The first one was discovered at the Rizal Plaza in Maribojoc in 2018  by Venjo Busalla from the Escuella Taller Inc, a group that trains local youth on heritage restoration. The fossil tooth found by Busalla measures 105-mm-long and 65-mm-wide. 

According to a summary of Bohol Island’s prehistory on an embossed map in the Bohol Museum, Bohol Island was underwater until around 1.8 million to 10,000 times ago during the early Miocene, which explains why the prehistoric shark tooth was found on land.

It was noted that in 2015, Bohol Museum Officer — Charlemeine R. Tantingco — told VERA Files that the discovery will put Bohol, particularly Maribojoc, on the world map of megalodon prehistoric presence, adding that the place now counts among very few areas on earth that used to be inhabited or where the huge predator passed by. 

Currently, Megalodon Sharks are extinct but there are still modern shark pups that are observed by local fishermen at the estuary of Abatan river in Lincod, Maribojoc. The megalodon went extinct some two million years ago during the middle Miocene era. 

III. A Qualitative Analysis to Identify and treat Early Symptoms of Malaria

Introduction

Malaria is a serious disease and, in some instances, it can be life-threatening. It is caused by a parasite that infects the female mosquito of the genus Anopheles that transfers the disease to humans upon feeding on them. The five (5) parasite species that infect the female mosquito are Plasmodium vivax (P.v.), Plasmodium ovale (P.o.), Plasmodium malariae (P.m.), and Plasmodium falciparum (P.f.). The most dangerous of these species are P.f. and P.v. People who got bitten by the infected mosquitoes will mostly experience flu-like symptoms and if complications become severe, it can cause kidney and liver failure, seizures, and even death. There is still no vaccination for the prevention of malaria but it can be prevented by practicing protection measures against mosquito bites. It can also be treated if people seek immediate medical attention upon exhibiting its symptoms.

Malaria is highly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions because the temperature is a critical regulator in the mosquitoes’ life cycle — if the temperature of the water is too hot or too cold, fewer eggs may hatch or fewer larvae may develop. For persons from countries where there are no malaria cases, they can still be infected with malaria upon visiting regions where malaria is highly prevalent. Upon going back to their country of origin, travelers infected with malaria can often become reservoirs of the Plasmodium parasite and prompt an outbreak in their region. In the USA, there are as close to 2,000 cases of malaria diagnosed annually according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). In most instances, those malaria cases are diagnosed in immigrants, and travelers arriving from various destinations where transmission is common are also not safe from the disease. 

Malaria infection can be both asymptomatic and symptomatic. The absence of clinical symptoms depends on a person’s age, general health, and immune response to the infection. However, people with symptomless malaria infection can still become reservoirs of the parasite and infect mosquitoes upon feeding them. Asymptomatic malaria infections occur most often in adults that have acquired immunity against the disease due to repeated exposure, whereas symptomatic malaria infections generally occur in children and people who have serious health problems. Infants, pregnant women, and children below five years old are at substantially higher risk of developing Malaria (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Pregnant women’s hormones and immune systems change during pregnancy, making them more vulnerable to infections. In children, their antibodies are still developing, thus they are also susceptible to infections. 

During malaria infection, the immune system protects the body to fight against it, but it has to work tougher to protect the immunocompromised individuals. When malaria infection occurs, the common symptoms experienced by infected individuals are fever, severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting. 

Fever

Among malaria patients, fever was among the leading symptoms. Fever develops as one of the first symptoms of malaria and is normally evidenced from ten days after the infective mosquito bite (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). 

Findings from Bria et al.’s (2021) study showed that medical records drawn from public hospitals in Indonesia, an area endemic to malaria, stated that fever was a common symptom in the diagnosis of malaria that victims first experience. Another study conducted by Plucinski et al. (2020) in 117 randomly selected public health facilities of all levels in Maputo, Zambézia, and Cabo Delgado provinces in Mozambique revealed that there was substantial variability in the proportion of fevers estimated to be due to malaria infection in this Mozambican study population.

Malarial fever starts with chills that range from mild to severe and is followed by sweating as the fever declines. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2022), the classical (but rarely observed) malaria attack lasts 6–10 hours. It consists of a cold stage (sensation of cold, shivering), a hot stage (fever, headaches, vomiting; seizures in young children), and Finally a sweating stage (sweats, return to normal temperature, tiredness).

Headache

Other than fever, patients with malaria suffer from severe headaches. Whether in the case of cerebral malaria or not, headache is a crucial presentation. According to Matsumoto-Takahashi et al. (2015), acute headaches among persons infected with acute malaria are believed to be influenced by cytokine. However, some antimalarial drugs can contribute to headaches, which is also a common symptom in the case of post-malaria neurological syndrome. 

In one study conducted by Huyhnl et al. (2021), the researchers established that severe headache was a major symptom among pregnant women with malaria, which is associated with a higher positive risk of thick blood smear. As such, it is imperative to ensure timely medical intervention among pregnant women with malaria during early pregnancy.

People living in malaria-prone zones who are exhibiting signs of headaches are compelled to seek medical intervention, even if they are taking over-the-counter pain relievers, to diagnose malaria and be treated early. 

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting serve as the other main symptoms of malaria. These symptoms are common among persons infected with malaria and they manifest just within a few days. According to Bria et al. (2021), among malaria patients, nausea and vomiting are results of limited fluid and food intake as a result of persistent upper gastrointestinal issues.  

Hyponatremia due to dehydration is also another condition experienced among malaria patients that decreases the sodium levels in the blood and causes nausea and vomiting. A study conducted by English et al. (1996) revealed that dehydration is common in severe childhood malaria, that it may contribute to mild impairment in renal function, and that hyponatraemic children are less water depleted, showing appropriate rather than inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone.

For symptomatic patients infected with malaria, low appetite is often experienced. Thus, food and water should be fueled to the body to replenish fluids, provide energy, and mitigate nausea and vomiting. 

Conclusion

In symptomatic cases where persons are infected with malaria, the symptoms of fever, severe headache, vomiting, and nausea are normally portrayed. Upon experiencing these symptoms, individuals are advised to seek medical intervention to curb the possible extreme and fatal consequences of malaria. Early diagnosis and timely treatment of malaria upon experiencing its symptoms can reduce the severity of the disease and therefore, decrease mortality.

References

Bria, Y. P., Yeh, C.-H., & Bedingfield, S. (2021). Significant symptoms and nonsymptom-related factors for malaria diagnosis in endemic regions of Indonesia. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 103, 194–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2020.11.177  

CDC. (2022). CDC - Malaria - About Malaria - FAQs. [Online] Centers for Disease  Control    and Prevention. Available at: shorturl.at/egV36. [Accessed 25 Mar. 2022].

English, M. C., Waruiru, C., Lightowler, C., Murphy, S. A., Kirigha, G., & Marsh, K. (1996). Hyponatraemia and dehydration in severe malaria. Archives of disease in childhood, 74(3), 201–205. https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.74.3.201

Huynh, B.-T., Fievet, N., Gbaguidi, G., Borgella, S., Mévo, B. G., Massougbodji, A., Deloron, P., & Cot, M. (2011). Malaria associated symptoms in pregnant women followed-up in Benin. Malaria Journal, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-10-72   

Matsumoto-Takahashi, E. L., Tongol-Rivera, P., Villacorte, E. A., Angluben, R. U., Jimba, M., & Kano, S. (2015). Patient knowledge on malaria symptoms is a key to promoting universal access of patients to effective malaria treatment in Palawan, the Philippines. PLOS ONE, 10(6). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0127858

Plucinski, M. M., Candrinho, B., Dimene, M., Smith, T., Thwing, J., Colborn, J., Rogier, E., & Zulliger, R. (2020). Estimation of Malaria-Attributable Fever in Malaria Test–Positive Febrile Outpatients in Three Provinces of Mozambique, 2018. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 102(1), 151–155. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.19-0537

Prevention, C.-C. for D. C. and. (2022, March 22). CDC - Malaria - About Malaria - Disease. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/disease.html?msclkid=e228d154c29011ec9e6c51aa7563cf7d

IV. The Rice Planting Process in the Philippines and its Effects on Rice Production and Importation

Introduction

In the Philippines, rice (Oryza sativa L.) is considered a staple food among Filipinos. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Filipinos consume rice. Its increasing demand prompted farmers, together with experts, to come up with a solution to produce substantial amounts of rice by improving its production process. The rice planting process in the Philippines affects the country's record volume of rice production and importation. 

The Rice Planting Process in the Philippines is not just an important aspect of the country’s food supply, but also the country’s economy and history. Rice plays a huge part in the Philippines’ history, diet, and culture. According to Ronquillo (1985), the earliest evidence of rice in the Philippines was excavated in the Cagayan Valley by archeologists around 3400 BC. Another study about rice’s influence on Filipino culture is a study conducted by Palis (2006) that says farmers still deploy culturally peculiar strategies to deal with uncertainties in rice production, such as praying to rice spirits. Palis (2006) also detailed in his study the history of rice production in the Philippines, starting from Spanish colonialism, where rice became a staple but it underwent disenchantment and symbolic marginality, to the 1870s when rice production fell short relative to demand, up to the Twentieth-century where initiatives to address persistent shortages culminated in the 1960s Green Revolution, which further altered the rice plant and ushered in the age of practicality.

Despite the Philippines' rice production problems for several years, advancements in technology help farmers mitigate them.  Rice production problems commonly encountered by rice farmers such as high cost of inputs, lack of capital, low price of palay, lack of postharvest facilities, labor problems, irrigation system, pests, and diseases lead to producing an insufficient amount of rice needed for its country. According to the World Rice Statistics (2008), the Philippines was the biggest importer of rice in the world, importing around 1.8 million tons of rice into the country. Also, the enactment of the rice tariffication law, which enable the Philippines to import unlimited rice, attributed to the country’s importation of the crop to rapidly increase (Mindanao, 2019).

Aside from rice production problems, the increasing population growth in the Philippines also caused the demand for rice to keep getting higher, thus affecting the country’s economy. This pushed more Filipinos to poverty, as rice prices increased due to the increase in demand and decrease in supply. Several measures, such as modernizing the agricultural sector, are also being undertaken by the government to be able to increase rice yield.

Opposite to the Philippines' recognition as one of the largest rice importers in the world, it is also recognized as one of the world's top rice producers. Agoot (2020) reported that the Department of Agriculture Secretary, William Dar, said that the Philippines has recorded its highest rice production level at 19.44 million metric tons (MT) despite the series of typhoons that hit several areas and the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. However, alongside its recognition as the world’s top producer, the Philippines continues to remain a top importer of rice (Mendiola, 2020). 

The Philippines’ record volume of rice production hasn’t transcended its rice importation. This study aims to identify the rice planting process in the Philippines and how it influences the country’s production and importation.

Body

In the Philippines, rice farming has faced numerous challenges. With its rapidly increasing population growth rate, it must be able to produce sufficient rice volume to meet the increasing demands of rice supply among Filipinos and somehow alleviate poverty in the country.  

The country also needs to adopt advanced rice production processes through the application of modern technology, biotechnology, and engineering to combat the increasing price of petroleum, as well as the devastations brought by climate change.

Rice planting processes involved in land preparation, transplanting, fertilization, water and weed management, pest management, and harvesting must also be examined carefully to see if it improves or aggravates the Philippines’ rice production.  

I. Land Preparation

Experts at the Philippines Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) say that proper land preparation provides a soil condition favorable for plant growth. It promotes a good physical, chemical, and biological environment for better and more efficient crop growth and development. It also facilitates the good management of water, nutrients, weeds, and pests. Subsequently, all these benefits from a well-prepared land lead to a favorable yield (philrice.gov.ph, 2016).

The planting season in the Philippines is divided into two croppings: 1) The main crop; 2) and the second crop. The main crop covers from the hindmost days of May up to the medial of November. The second crop starts on the hindmost days of November up to the preliminary days of February or up to the medial of April.

There are also basic steps to follow when preparing the land for planting. According to the Philippines Rice Research Institute (2016), there are three basic steps to follow: 1) Plowing the cracks; 2) Flattening the Ground; 3) and managing water.

A.Plowing the Cracks

Figure 1. Proper tilling helps recycle plant nutrients and allows decomposition. Adapted from “Plowing” by Philippine Rice Research Institute, 2016, retrieved from www.philrice.gov.ph

Proper tilling can improve the soil’s porosity for root growth and allows moisture to penetrate the soil and drain it. It is usually done during the rainy season because the rain provides moisture in the soil for cultivation. The field must be prepared in 21 days, while harrowing and plowing must be done once every seven days for three consecutive weeks before the final leveling to prevent dropped seeds, pollens, and weeds to germinate. 

B.Flattening the Ground

The field should have no visible mounds of soil above the water surface after the final leveling of the land. A 3-5 cm water is recommended in the field using a metal or wooden plank to ensure well-leveled land.

According to Apolinario Domingo of the College of Agriculture, Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Nueva Ecija, proper leveling in the field solves more than 50% of the problems in rice production. A properly leveled field allows for more uniform water distribution, requires less water to fill up, reduces weed incidence, and enables better management of golden apple snails. It also helps achieve uniform crop maturity (philrice.gov.ph., 2016).

C.Managing Water

There are so many benefits of water in rice plants. It helps plants absorb nutrients from the soil by dissolving it and it regulates the temperature. However, too much water damages the rice plant and affects its growth and yield. Ensuring proper water distribution and drainage in rice plants will allow easy decomposition of organic matters and help the rice plant produce stronger roots.

In terms of land preparation, Filipino farmers rely heavily on manual labor by using carabaos than mechanization. A report by Alave (2012) in Inquirer.Net stated that Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) Executive Director, Rex Bingabing, said many Filipino farmers did not have the money to buy hand tractors and other small farm equipment. 

However, in 2021, PhilMech procured 5,098 units of various farm machinery and equipment, of which 55 percent or 8,702 have already been distributed to 679,486 farmers, belonging to 3,804 farmers' cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in 57 rice-producing provinces. From the data provided by the DA's Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the current cost of producing plays in the Philippines is PHP12.72 per kilo, while it is PHP6.22 in Vietnam and PHP8.86 in Thailand (Cudis, 2021).

II. Transplanting

Transplanting is the planting of pre-grown rice seedlings. It can be done by hand or mechanically. It is also the opposite of direct seeding, which requires the scattering of pre-germinated seeds directly in the soil of the main planting area. 

Transplanting involves pre-growing rice seedlings in nurseries or seedbeds, then uprooting these and replanting them in paddies 15 to 40 days after seeding. Rice seedlings may be transplanted either by machine or by hand. As mentioned above, transplanting is the most widespread rice cultivation method throughout Asia, in part because it doesn’t require sophisticated and costly equipment. It’s considered the most suitable method for smaller rice fields and areas with labor surpluses (Juanderfulpinoy.com., 2022). 

Transplanting is highly favored over direct seeding because it minimizes weed rivalry, securing crops to grow healthily. However, transplanting is a slow process compared to direct seeding because of its intensive demand for labor and time, whereas in direct seeding, farmers simply scatter the seeds in the planting area.

Today, farmers have adopted mechanized transplanting to reduce labor costs. Domingo (2019) reported in the DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services that Engr. Generoso M. Oli, Chief of the Field Operations Division of the Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Office 02 (DA-RFO-2), introduced rice production using mechanized crop establishment types of machinery such as mechanical transplanter and direct seeder suitable for medium-elevated irrigated conditions in Region 02. 

Engr. Oli reports that the use of a mechanical transplanter resulted in rice yields ranging from 5.99 to 8.20 t/ha due to a higher plant population, productive tillers, and filled grains than the direct seeder, which only resulted in rice yields ranging from 5.18 to 7.97 tons per hectare (t/ha) (Dominggo, 2019).

Despite the positive results of mechanized rice transplanters, the majority of Filipino farmers are still transplanting manually or by hand. The government is continually collaborating with organizations and agencies to provide transplanters to Filipino farmers. In 2019, the Philippine government implemented the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program (RCEP) which aims to make the country’s rice industry be on par with its Southeast Asian neighbors. Among the farm equipment that had been distributed to rice farmers in the first quarter of 2020 are four-wheel farm tractors, hand tractors, tillers, rice seeders, transplanters, irrigation pumps, small solar irrigation systems, threshers, combine harvesters, mechanical dryers, rice mills, among others (Ison, 2019).

III. Fertilization

In the 19th century, several fertilizers for rice planting are commonly available on the farm or market, such as horse manure, cogon, and bamboo soil extracts. Most of them had an acidifying effect when added with sodium nitrate, which enhances rice growth. However, some of them were found to be more detrimental to rice when applied alone or combined with other fertilizers. Also, the use of rice straw and rice straw ash on paddy soils had led to the temporary loss of Nitrogen, which helps plants photosynthesize (Bautista and Javier, 2005).

In the 1930s, rice farmers shifted to commercial fertilizers to increase productivity and reduce labor costs. When commercial fertilizers were introduced with better rice varieties in the 1950s, the production was 28.3 cav/ha in fertilized 257,046 hectares compared with 25.1 cav/ha from unfertilized areas (Galang, 1952). Because of this increase, fertilization became common in rice fields.

One advanced way to apply fertilizer to rice is Foliar Feeding. It is different from applying fertilizer to the soil. In the Foliar Feeding process, the liquid fertilizer containing macronutrients, micronutrients, and amino acids is directly applied to the leaves of the rice plant so that the stomata can easily absorb the nutrients contained in the fertilizer.  According to Haifa Group (2018), three treatments are recommended in Foliar Feeding, and it should be sprayed following the time below:

1.30-35 days after sowing (for short-season varieties - 90-100 days, spray at about 15 days intervals)

2.1 week before flowering or 45-50 days after sowing

3.1 week after flowering or 60-65 days after sowing

Foliar application, using commercial fertilizers, is more optimal than soil fertilization using organic fertilizers However, commercial fertilizers are more costly than organic fertilizers. In 2021, Miraflor (2021) reported in Manila Bulletin that a top official from Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) said price movements of this particular farm input are beyond the Philippine government’s control amid a liberalized regime. 

Even if commercial fertilizers increase rice production, their price is stringent to farmers who are shouldering the entire cost of rice production. 

IV. Water and Weed Management

Freshwater is being used in rice irrigation. In the Philippines, rice is the largest consumer of freshwater to be utilized in irrigation, leading to water and weed management becoming a challenge among farmers. An array of water-saving methodologies has been proposed by experts. 

Using freshwater in rice irrigation has lots of benefits; one is minimizing weeds during crop growth. Several studies have suggested that flooding can minimize weeds (Tuong et al. 2000). Flooding greater than 16 cm depth eliminates grasses and almost completely controls sedges (De Datta et al. 1973). However, due to the looming water scarcity (Tuong and Bouman 2003), many rice farmers in the future may have limited water and their capacity to use continuous flooding as a weed control mechanism may be reduced (Chauhan 2012).

Some water-saving technologies are being developed by experts to help farmers. One is alternate wetting and drying (AWD), which is commonly used by Filipino farmers.  

In AWD, irrigation water is applied a few days after the disappearance of the ponded water. Hence, the field gets alternately flooded and non-flooded. The number of days of non-flooded soil between irrigations can vary from 1 to more than 10 days depending on the number of factors such as soil type, weather, and crop growth stage.AWD technique does not cause any yield loss and it also saves water input by 30% (Carrijo, Lundy, and Linquist, 2017).

To aid farmers in monitoring the water level in AWD, a 30 cm long plastic pipe or bamboo (15 cm in diameter) with drilled holes can be used as a level gauge. The tube is dug halfway deep into the soil leaving the other half (15 cm) above the soil. When the water level inside the tube drops to 15 cm below ground level, then it is time to re-flood the field (ccafs.cgiar.org, 2014).

However, according to Allen and Sander (2019), AWD cannot prevent non-aquatic weeds because of its 30% water input. Also, despite the risks of growing invasive weeds, saving water must still be practiced by farmers, especially in the dry season. That is why controlling weeds using herbicides is the common method among Filipino farmers because it is easy to apply and it also saves labor than manual weeding.

V. Pest Management

Rice diseases caused by pests are prevalent, especially in the rainy season. According to Dr. Jennifer T. Niones from the Crop Protection Division (CPD) of PhilRice mentioned bacterial leaf blight (BLB), fungal diseases like rice blast, sheath blight, and rice tungro are among the major rice diseases farmers should watch out for (philrice.gov.ph, 2016).

Figure 5. Blue aphids (Nephotettix spp) and cotton aphids transmit RTBV virus, blighting the leaves of the rice plant. Adapted from “Pest Information Tungro Green Leaf Hopper” by Công Ty Cổ Phần BVTV Delta, 2021, retrieved from congtydelta.com

Based on historical data, these pests predicted to occur in the first quarter of 2022 according to the Department of Agriculture (2022) are rodents, rice stemborer, rice black bug, brown planthopper, and bacterial leaf blight.

There are so many pest management methods farmers use to minimize pests and increase rice production. PSB Rc10 (for rice blast), Rc242 (for BLB), and Rc 120 (tungro) are some of the modern varieties that fend off pests. However, in a report stated in philrice.gov.ph (2016), Dr. Niones reminded farmers to avoid excessive use of nitrogen and synthetic chemicals in case of pest and disease infestation because it’s a waste of resources or it is non-economical. 

Dr. Niones added that Farmers should focus on preventing the onset of the disease, not by spraying but by applying the aforementioned cultural management practices. (philrice.gov.ph, 2016).

Currently, PhilRice’s CPD is still screening breeding lines that are resistant to rice diseases. They are currently looking at traditional varieties as there are reports that they have high resistance against rice blasts. They are also exploring the use of beneficial microorganisms as potential biocontrol agents against BLB and blast (philrice.gov.ph, 2016).

In the case of rodents, they can be controlled and eradicated through a community trap barrier system, field sanitation, water level flooding, flame-throwing, synchronous planting, practicing fallow period, and timing the application of mortality control at the early to the mid-tilling stage when the population of rodents is low (Department of Agriculture, n.d.)

VI. Harvesting

Manual and mechanical rice harvesting is being used in the Philippines. The four harvesting systems are manual cutting and manual threshing, mechanized cutting followed by mechanical threshing, and combine harvesting. 

When it comes to knowing the perfect time to harvest rice, the variety of the rice should be considered since the maturation of the rice varies from variety to variety. know if the rice is ready to be harvested. However, harvesting rice generally takes place between 3-6 months from the commencement of rice farming. It can also be checked if it's ready for harvesting by looking at the color of its hulls — yellowish color.

A report stated by pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph (2016), Rice farms in the country have low productivity not only as a result of poor crop management but also because of low mechanization levels. 

To address the economic losses from rice production and postproduction operations in the country, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) developed the Strategic S&T Program for Rice, wherein one of the components is the Rice Mechanization Program. The Rice Mechanization Program is a P65-million project that is expected to contribute to the reduction of rice harvesting and threshing losses from 4.2% to 1.8% in 2020. It will also help lower the losses from drying paddy rice, from 5.8% to 3.8% in 2016. The machines once developed and pilot-tested is also expected to lower production costs and improve rice quality (pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph, 2016).

The government interventions to help Filipino farmers increase their rice production have ultimately succeeded. In 2020, with all the interventions coming from government… these gave us the opportunity to reach this new record harvest in rice totaling 19.4 million metric tons,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said in a briefing. He noted that this was even higher than the total production recorded in 2017 at 19.276 million MT. This is also 3% more than 2019’s total harvest of 18.814 million MT, and 0.4% more than the 19.32 million MT projection for 2020 (cnnphilippines.com, 2021). 

Meanwhile, the Philippines remains to be one of the world’s largest rice importers. In June 2021, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service cited China and the Philippines to be the world’s top rice importers in 2021. In their report, the Philippines is expected to import over 2.1 million metric tons of rice, more than the initial forecast of 2 million (rappler.com, 2021). 

As a country that used to be self-sufficient in rice, the Philippines is now listed as a top importer of milled rice by the US Department of Agriculture since 2007[5]. It is now ahead of other countries that are heavily dependent on rice as a food staple, such as Nigeria, Indonesia, and Bangladesh (Tibao, n.d.).

Conclusion

Rice planting in the Philippines is still evolving to the needs and challenges of the times. The Philippine government has come up with interventions to achieve rice self-sufficiency and global competitiveness but it still needs improvement in terms of modernization. 

The country has gained recognition as one of the world’s leading rice producers through government-supported innovation. However, due to its growing population rate, the Filipinos’ demand for rice is still greater than the country’s supply. Farmers also face concerns regarding labor, pesticide, herbicides, and technological expenses. 

Other concerns that hamper the country’s rice production to be able to meet the people’s demands to increase the supply are water conservation and climate issues. The Philippines’ wet season has increased diseases in rice, and the country’s dry season has limited the consumption of water during irrigation.

Policies, strategies, and innovations should also be further developed to help farmers increase rice production and eventually meet the people’s demand for rice supply.

References

Agric Site. (n.d.). Harvesting Rice [Review of Harvesting Rice]. shorturl.at/hjEMN

Alave, K. L. (2012, June 28). Philippine farmers among least mechanized in Southeast Asia. INQUIRER.net.shorturl.at/dfhnq

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