TACLOBAN CITY – More than 200 farmers in Eastern Samar are taking part in a large-scale field demonstration of modern rice farming technologies as the Department of Agriculture (DA) seeks to identify innovations that can increase harvests, reduce production costs, and improve the province’s food security.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office, in partnership with the provincial government of Eastern Samar, formally launched the Rice Derby 2026 on July 30 in Barangay Gap-ang, Dolores. Although the demonstration farms were established during the March planting season, the launch marked the start of the project’s technology evaluation phase ahead of the October harvest.
The project covers 150 hectares and involves more than 200 farmer-cooperators from Dolores, one of Eastern Samar’s major rice-producing towns. The farms will serve as demonstration sites where different seed varieties, fertilizers, soil enhancers, drone technology, and other modern farming practices will be tested under actual field conditions.
Among the technologies being evaluated is the Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Strategy (ABFS), which promotes fertilizer application based on soil nutrient requirements to improve yields while reducing unnecessary input costs.
DA-8 Regional Executive Director Rodel Macapañas said the initiative aims to encourage farmers to adopt science-based technologies that can make rice farming more productive and climate-resilient.
Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone said the project would help determine which technologies are best suited to Eastern Samar’s farming conditions, enabling farmers to adopt practices that can sustainably increase rice production.
Eastern Samar is one of Eastern Visayas’ key rice-producing provinces, but farmers continue to face challenges from rising production costs, erratic weather, and the need to improve productivity.
The rice derby is expected to serve as a learning site where farmers can compare technologies and adopt proven practices to improve yields and strengthen the province’s rice supply.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
