SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in the Ilocos region is promoting the use of the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) technique to sustain rice yield in the Ilocos region despite temperature increases and changing rainfall patterns.
During the “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” program episode on Oct. 22, NIA Region 1 Regional Manager, Engr. Danilo Gomez, stated that the AWD technique is designed to reduce irrigation water usage in rice fields while maintaining crop yields.
“The AWD is an innovative agricultural practice that reduces water usage in rice cultivation while maintaining yields, making it particularly beneficial in Region 1 with its distinct dry and wet season,” Gomez said.
Gomez added that the technique significantly reduces methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere.
“This method involves alternating between flooding and draining rice fields which not only conserves water but also significantly lowers methane emissions that cause greenhouse effect, which further contributes to climate change,” Gomez added.
This technique enables farmers to monitor the water level below the soil surface using a simple field water tube, ensuring precise irrigation management.
The tube enables rice plants to absorb water from the perched water on the surface and the saturated soil before re-irrigation, optimizing water usage by making efficient use of existing soil moisture.
Field water tubes can be made from bamboo, other indigenous materials, or plastic pipes measuring 40 cm in length and at least 15 cm in diameter. The bottom 20 cm of the tube is drilled on all sides with 2 cm spacing between the holes to allow water flow.
These tubes are installed at the edge of the field, with the holed section buried vertically into the soil, enabling easy monitoring of the water level before re-irrigation.
According to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PRRI), rice-producing countries in Asia have achieved a 38 percent reduction in water usage by implementing the AWD technique. Studies from 2017 also highlight that the method contributes to lower fuel consumption and reduced labor requirements.
However, a 2022 PRRI study reveals that the adoption of AWD among Filipino farmers remains low, primarily due to the traditional practice of flooding rice paddies throughout the cropping season. This underscores the need for targeted efforts to introduce and demonstrate the benefits of AWD for both rice production and climate change mitigation. (MJTAB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
