The partnership involved three types of actors. The farmers themselves, through farmers’ associations, were involved at the first level. The scientists gave technical support. Philippine non governmental organisations took over the organisation and coordination. This rich partnership led to the implementation of the Masipag Rice Technology [2], i.e. a new type of farming and a new way of life.
Letting the farmers choose their crops.
At the beginning of the sixties, the Philippine government launched the green revolution, bringing about important changes in the structure of the Philippine agriculture. The technologies introduced based on high yield crops needed more irrigation and an important input of pesticides and other chemical products. The considerable increase of the agricultural production did not however allow the 60% of small farmers to cover these new costs: debts ran high and starvation continued. The drastic reduction of the biodiversity brought about new health problems while farmers lost control over their production as they depended on seeds and technology.
The Masipag network decided to give the farmers the means to be in control of their crops once again instead of being the passive beneficiaries of technology. The farmers stopped using fertilizers and begun planting traditional rice crops. They assessed which were the most appropriate for the different climates and soils and tested their resistance to the different pesticides used all over the country. They worked with the scientists to limit the choice to the most resistant and productive varieties. Year after year, more and more farmers joined the experience and the communities grew stronger. The initiative has so far been a success : higher yields, lower production costs, higher biodiversity and therefore better food supplies. It should therefore spread.
A film to explain the new technology and socialize it
Philnet-RDI [3], the Philippine network of rural development institutes is one of the NGO involved in the partnership. After the good results of this new type of farming, Philnet-RDI produced a short film [4], simply called Masipag Rice Technology, to promote this technique. The voices and subtitles are in English to allow a wider broadcast [5] including internationally. The film was construed like a live report. It begins by explaining Philnet-RDI and Masipag Rice Technology. Then, farmers from all over the country speak of their experience: why and how they got involved in this adventure, the different stages and the results. A small farmer states: “We have enough food for our own consumption, whereas before there was never enough rice.” Another couple says their production doubled and they can now send their children to school.
The film speaks highly of the benefits of this new technology but remains nevertheless quite lucid. Postproduction and access to the market are the new challenges that they must all work for, together.
Also read: Resonances Asia N°18 - November 2007
