San Mateo, Isabela—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in partnership with Leads Agricultural Products Corporation (Leads), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and the municipal government of San Mateo in Isabela province conducted the first stakeholder engagement session for the project Transforming Rice Farming through Low-Carbon Solutions on 19 February 2025.
The over 70 participants consisted of actors and stakeholders across the rice value chain in Isabela. They are primarily from an irrigators' association, rice farmer groups/associations, rice traders/brokers/distributors, rice millers, the academe, and from the Municipal Agricultural Office.
The workshop provided an in-depth discussion on greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation and the promotion of mitigation practices through low-carbon initiatives.
Dr. Jonabel Collado, a member of the Sangguniang Bayan of San Mateo and Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, emphasized the significance of inter-institutional collaboration especially in multistakeholder workshops focused on mitigating climate change at the grassroots level.
SEARCA's Program Head for the SEARCA Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD), Atty. Engr. Eric D. Reynoso, presented SEARCA's initiatives and the workshop's goals. These include the introduction of carbon emission reduction practices and exploration and assessment of carbon credit opportunities in rice farming.
Mr. Elmer Alosnos, Senior Science Research Specialist at PhilRice San Mateo, discussed climate change and its impacts on the rice sector, as well as rice farming methods that contribute to climate change. He also presented different ways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and carbon emissions from rice farming through climate-smart rice varieties, energy- and water-saving technologies, climate-smart maps and other digital agriculture systems, farm diversification, and the establishment of climate-smart farm structures. He also emphasized the benefits of adapting climate change mitigation (CCM) technologies, innovations, and practices such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation, sustainable farming techniques (e.g., direct seeding, conservation tillage, rice straw management), optimized fertilizer application, precision agriculture, enhanced field drainage system, and improved land leveling, among others.
Engr. Evangeline Sibayan, Project Manager of Creattura Co. LTD and Technical Consultant of Ostrom Climate Solutions, presented the role of carbon credits and its benefits for rice farmers. She elaborated on the incentive mechanisms for carbon offsetting through AWD practices and possible crediting mechanisms. She also discussed key international frameworks, including the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, and their relevance to carbon markets and sustainable farming.
(L-R) Mr. Elmer Alosnos, PhilRice Senior Science Research Specialist, and Engr. Evangeline Sibayan, Creattura Co. LTD Project Manager, and Ostrom Climate Solutions Technical Consultant
Building on these discussions, Ms. Ma. Christina Corales, SEARCA EIGD Program Specialist, introduced a potential collaboration between SEARCA, Leads, and the stakeholders on low-carbon rice farming. This initiative aims to reduce GHG emissions through the adoption of AWD, the installation of sensors to measure emissions, and drone mapping.
Mr. Sherwin Hermosa, Leads Assistant Vice President for Technical, presented the DigiSaka System, a mobile application designed to help farmers monitor crop health, forecast rice yields, and track pest infestations. He also highlighted Leads' role on monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV), which will be used to monitor and verify carbon emissions and credits. Moreover, Mr. Jonathan Montecillo from the Leads' Information Technology unit showcased their use of agricultural drones and sensors for real-time monitoring and management of crops or livestock, soil, and environmental condition.
Drone-mapping demonstration conducted at PhilRice Isabela Branch Station, San Mateo, Isabela
In line with this, Ms. Corales and Ms. Stella Faye Estrella, Program Associate from SEARCA's EIGD, led the breakout sessions focused on gathering stakeholders' feedback and attitudes toward adopting low-carbon practices, the support they may need, and their interest in participating in pilot projects for carbon credit initiatives.
The workshop concluded with remarks from Atty. Engr. Reynoso who emphasized the vital role of multi-stakeholder collaboration in advancing sustainable rice farming. He highlighted how such workshops serve as vital platforms for collaboration and knowledge-sharing. By bringing together key players in the rice value chain, these initiatives pave the way for the adoption of low-carbon solutions, contributing to GHG emission reduction, and addressing climate change.