(L-R) Atty. Eric Reynoso, program head of Emerging Innovation for Growth Department; Dr. Eero Nissila, managing director of Newfields Consulting Ltd.; and Ms. Nikki Carumba, senior software engineer of Newfields Consulting Ltd.
LOS BAÑOS, Philippines – The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Newfields Consulting Ltd. (NFC) have jointly offered a series of training activities aimed at providing technical support to carbon farm planners and extension workers in Philippine rice-based farming systems. By offering carbon emission monitoring services, farmers can gain insight into their carbon footprint. They can implement efficient strategies, and play an active role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Following the successful completion of the first and second training workshops held last 10–11 March 2023 and 20–21 November 2023, respectively, the third workshop was attended by 19 participants from the Provincial and Municipal Agricultural Offices of Laguna, faculty and researchers of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, and the private sector. This training-workshop aimed to provide a more in-depth discussion of the Carbon Wise Rice Information System (CWRIMS) and its applicability on the ground.
Participants and facilitators, alongside Atty. Eric Reynoso, head, SEARCA's Emerging Innovation for Growth Department; and Dr. Eero Nissila, managing director of Newfields Consulting Ltd.
In his introductory address, Atty. Eric Reynoso, head of SEARCA's Emerging Innovation for Growth Department, emphasized the significance of inter-institutional collaboration and highlighted the critical role played by Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems in ensuring the accuracy of carbon measurement, thereby facilitating precise assessments of greenhouse gas emissions. He further emphasized the importance of cultivating proficiency in generating comprehensive reports using the carbon wise rice-based farming tool developed by Newfields Ltd.
Dr. Eero Nissila, executive director at NFC, preceded the training workshop and discussed the general incentive system, carbon offsetting projects in agriculture, and incentive systems for a more sustainable agriculture. He presented different ways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from rice farming such as alternate wetting and drying, intermittent drainage, soil and nutrient management, cover crops, biomass incorporation, and rice straw management.
Ms. Nikki Carumba, senior software engineer of NFC, followed through by unveiling the latest CWRIMS version. She provided a more detailed walkthrough of the system by introducing the stakeholders to the system enhancements and requirements. She also oversaw the system design and deployment and showed the diverse features and enhanced functions of CWRIMS, offering a thorough presentation of its operational capabilities. Furthermore, she introduced the system's mobile application, designed for offline functionality and efficient data collection in the field.
Participants actively engaged in the hands-on demonstration.
Hands-on exercises were demonstrated, during which the participants used realistic data and conditions from the field. This afforded the participants an extensive opportunity for interactive engagement with the web and mobile applications. They actively contributed their individual experiences, feedback, and recommendations on the uses and functions of both the web and mobile applications. This helped refine and optimize features and user experience of the web and mobile applications.
Participants shared their recommendations and feedback on their user experience with the web and mobile applications
The workshop concluded with remarks from Dr. Nissila, who emphasized the focus on digital MRV, reiterated the commencement of carbon offset initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and urged the different organizations and institutions to engage in collaborative efforts. Moreover, he highlighted the effects on farmers through various income generation opportunities from carbon credit. Dr. Nissila announced the possibility of organizing with SEARCA the 4th workshop in November 2024.
Dr. Eero Nissila, executive director of NFC, delivers his concluding message during the workshop.