4 towns adopt ‘rice-duck’ farming in Misor

Integrated Rice-Duck Farming (IRDF) in northern part of Misamis Oriental dubbed as “Itikan sa Kalambuan”, is already on its second phase.

A total of 11 hectares of rice farms were devoted to IRDF in the towns of Claveria, Jasaan, Villanueva and Tagoloan.

The idea of rice-duck farming is fully supported by the Gotianun-led power firm, FDC Misamis Power Corporation (FDC Misamis) through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) team.

This organic rice farming technology has grown increasing curiosity among farmers in the community.

On its initial launching in 2016, it had 11 household-beneficiaries.

Each household-beneficiary were given 150 heads of native ducks per hectare.

Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny “Bambi” Emano said he is optimistic that IRDF will thrive faster addressing malnutrition and unemployment.

“IRDF is a smart farming method recognized by its positive social and economic results,” Emano said.

The Rice-Duck Movement, Inc. was the group commissioned by the provincial government of Misamis Oriental to capacitate farmers who are willing to engage in IRDF.

RDMI executive director Apollo Pacamalan said after 3 to 4 months after the program launched in 2016, each beneficiary’s rice profit appeared by 7 percent, with an over-all economic gain of 48 percent.

Pacamalan said that while waiting to harvest their organic “palay,” farmers can earn from duck eggs an additional net income of as much as P150 to P200 per household per day. (PR)