Development of community seed bank in Arakan Valley

DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY SEED BANK IN ARAKAN VALLEY2007 Cropping Season, Arakan, Cotabato Philippines

JLJE Duque 1, SG Elarde 2, RFD Hondrade 3, EG Hondrade 4, CM Vera Cruz 5, LS Sebastian 6

I. INTRODUCTION

Farmers need seed as much as they need food for their survival. In fact farmers way in obtaining seed are as old as agriculture, and most small-scale farmers in developing countries routinely save their seed from one harvest to the next. Indigenous and traditional rice varieties, such as Dinorado, Guyod and Azucena, remain as the favorite varieties of farmers in Arakan Valley. However, source of seeds of these varieties continues to decline. Traditionally, farmers simply exchanged seeds with their neighbors. However, community systems of seed supply are increasingly coming under pressure. Factors such as droughts, crop failure, conflict, difficult storage conditions, and poverty are eroding both the quantity of seed, and number of varieties available to farmers.

Recognizing the need of the farmers to regrow and retain the seeds of some traditional varieties that may have been lost, a community seed bank (CSB) had been formally organized and developed by the local government unit of Arakan. Community seed banks usually store seed from a wide range of individuals, informal groups and NGOs who share seed among themselves, sometimes only occasionally. Seed is primarily retained from participants’ own production with no formal quality control, but individual selection process and handling skills are involved.

CSB provides easy access of preferred seeds to farmers in the area. It is a seed management model designed to ensure that community farmers have the necessary supply of seeds for the following cropping season. Being an in situ conservation practice, the local rice varieties continue to evolve and adapt in their local environments. CSB addresses all concerns of a healthy seed system which should provide options of diversity and stability.

1.1 Objectives of the CSB

The development of a community seed bank (CSB) in Arakan has the following objectives:

Continuous monitoring of community seed bank farms, to help ensure that farmer-, trader-, and consumer-preferred upland rice varieties are seed increased;

To continue monitoring the quality of seeds produced by the CSB farmers and their methods of seed storage.

II. METHODOLOGIES

2.1 Establishment of CSB farms

2.1.1 USM-supervised CSB farms. For the 2007 cropping season, 23 out of the 30 farmer-cooperators in 2006 volunteered to plant upland rice seeds in their seed production plots. The USM team is directly supervising these farmer cooperators in Arakan. Farmers in these CSB farms have been partners in the study for at least more than two cropping seasons. CSB farms are located across five barangays namely, Anapolon, Kabalantian, Malibatuan, Doroluman and Poblacion.

Site establishment of these farms was from March to May 2007. The farmer cooperators themselves had the final say on what varieties to plant in their farms for this cropping season.

2.1.2 LGU-supervised CSB farms. The LGU of Arakan alongside the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and International Rice Research Institute, is now on its third year of supervising and assisting other CSB farms in Arakan. For the 2006 cropping season, the LGU has assisted a total number of 106 farmers by "lending" upland and lowland rice seeds to the farmers, the farmers in turn, are expected to return the same amount (in kg) of seeds they have availed themselves of. In 2007 an additional 23 farmers have benefited from the LGU-supervised community seed banks (Table 1).

The LGU-supervised CSB farms are located in fourteen barangays, some of the innermost areas of Arakan; the farms are either upland or lowland. The barangays are the following: Allab,

Research Specialist, IRRI-PhilRice-USM Collaborative Rice Programs, 2 Research Assistant, IRRI-PhilRice-USM Collaborative Rice Programs, 3 Social Scientist, CURE-WG6 Philippines, 4 Keysite Coordinator, CURE-WG6 Philippines, 5 Team Leader, CURE-WG6, 6 Executive Director, PhilRice

Development of community seed bank for dinorado in Arakan ValleyJanuary to December 2007 Report

Badiangon, Poblacion, Malibatuan, Kinawayan, Ma. Caridad, Ganatan, Doroluman, Makalangot, Lanao Kuran, Salasang, Kabalantian, Sto. Niño and Datu Mantangkil.

Table 1. LGU-supervised CSB farms, Arakan, Cotabato, 2007 CS.

Varieties deployed

1st line (2006-2007) 2nd line (2006-2007) 3rd line (2007) 4th line(2007)

No. of assisted farmers

Total qty availed (kg)







NSIC 112 38 1119 18 671 9 264 9 523 IR64 24 858 18 628 3 130 - - UPL Ri-5 4 145 1 40 - - - - RC-74 5 89 1 23 1 13 - - Dinorado - - - - - - 1 25 Total 71 2211 38 1362 13 407 10 548

Figure 1 reflects the locations of both the USM- and LGU-supervised CSB farms. A total of 15 barangays in Arakan have CSB farms. At present, the total number of CSB farms in Arakan is 177, 45 of which are managed by 23 farmer partners of the project.

Figure 1. Location of USM- and LGU-supervised community seed bank farms in Arakan, Cotabato.

2.2 Seed multiplication in CSB farms

For the 2007 cropping season, a total of 46 CSB farmer-managed farms were recorded. The CSB farms were distributed in four barangays of Arakan (Table 4). The number of CSB entries had increased up to twelve entries: eight CSB entries in 2006 plus four new CSB entries (PR23709-10, IR-64, PR27777-9-B, and IR74371-3-1-1) were deployed this year. All four new entries came from the CSB farms of Mr. Victory Nazareno and Mr. Theofilo Juayang (IR64). These lines were deployed last cropping season in the mother-baby trials and were forwarded to the CSB this cropping season. However, all the four new CSB entries did not reach harvesting stage due to very poor germination (as a result of seed storage problems).

It may be recalled that CSB members are encouraged to seed increase seeds which are preferred by major stakeholders (farmers, traders, consumers) based on their field evaluation of mother trial entries as well as sensory evaluation of the top yielders. CSB entries may increase or decrease depending on the stakeholders’ current preferences.

III. FINDINGS

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3.1. Farmers’ opinions of a successful/failing CSB farm

Selected CSB upland rice farmers had identified various indicators of a successful and failing CSB seed production farms last cropping season. These indicators were used by the researchers to determine whether a CSB farm is successful or not. The farmers viewed a CSB farm as successful when it had a clean and well-maintained farm, good timing of planting, plants are in straight rows, roguing activity is well-practiced and it has a yield at least 1.5 t/ha. On the contrary, a failing CSB seed production farm is an unweeded and poorly maintained one, crops are planted late or too early, poor agronomic practices have been applied, roguing is not given importance, and it has poor yield of less than 1.5 t/ha.

Most of the farmer-cooperators however stated that for this cropping season, most of their farms were very weedy. Weed management was difficult as the weather was constantly changing (drought to very wet and vice versa), thus making the weeding process a strain in their budget.

Table 2. Indicators of a successful and failing upland rice seed production farms, Arakan, Cotabato, 2007 CS.

Indicators of a successful farm

Indicators of a failing farm

Clean, well-maintained farm (appearance) Unweeded, poorly maintained farmTiming of planting to escape drought/pests Late timing of farming operations (late planted dinorado is

more susceptible to diseases because of rain)Plants in straight rows Poor agronomic practicesRoguing practiced; “flat-top” Roguing is not practiceHigh yield (at least 1.5 t/ha) Low yield (less than 1.5 t/ha)

3.2 USM-supervised CSB members profile

Twenty-three farmers joined the USM-supervised community seed bank in 2007. Majority of the CSB members were males (18 farmers or 78%) while females accounted for 22%.

Age of farmer-partners ranged from 30 to 69 years, with the largest percentage (61%) between 31 to 50 years old (Table 3). Majority of them were able to reach secondary level of education (52%) and some only reached the elementary level (30.00%).

As to their tenurial status, 70% of them were land-owners, 26% were tenants, and one was a leaseholder. Majority of the farmer cooperators0 (73%) reported more than 16 years of experience in rice farming, and a good number (26.67%) had less than 15 years of experience.

Table 3. Farmer-cooperators profile, Arakan, Cotabato, Arakan, Cotabato, 2007 CS.Category f (n=23) %

GenderMale 18 78%Female 5 22%

Age Younger (20-30) 1 4%Middle-aged (31-50) 14 61%Old (more than 50) 8 35%

Educational attainment Elementary 7 30%High school 12 52%College 4 17%

Tenurial status Owner 16 70%Tenant 6 26%Leaseholder 1 4%

Length of years in farming Less than 15 6 26%16 to 30 10 43%31 to 45 7 30%45 to 60 0 0%

3.3 Location of CSB farms and seeds multiplied

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Twelve upland rice varieties and lines (Dinorado, IR72768-8-1-1 “DR90”, UPL Ri-5, Azucena, NSIC Rc-9, PR23813-2-53 “PR53”, PR23709-10, IR64, IR74371-54-1-1, PR27777-9-B, IR7437-54-1-1, and Guyod) were planted in 45 CSB farms which were located in five barangays of Arakan namely: Malibatuan, 8; Anapolon, 6; Doroluman, 1; Kabalantian, 1; and Poblacion, 7. Majority of the farmer-partners selected UPL Ri-5 (27%) and Dinorado (33%) varieties which they had planted in their own CSB farms (Table 4).

It can be gleaned from Table 4 that more CSB farmers seed increased UPL Ri-5 and Dinorado. Said varieties have high consumer acceptability as reported by local market traders. Moreover, CSB farmers are concentrated in three barangays, Malibatuan, Poblacion and Anapolon. All three barangays have all weather roads connected to the local market of Arakan.

Table 4. Number of farmers’ testing CSB entries and location of the CSB farms, Arakan, Cotabato, 2007 CS.Category %

Number of farmers testing f=45 Dinorado 15 33%UPL Ri-5 12 27%IR72768-8-1-1 (“DR-90”) 2 4%Azucena 4 9%PR23813-2-53 (“PR53”) 3 7%NSIC Rc-9 3 7%PR23709-10 (New) 1 2%IR64 (New) 2 4%PR27777-9-B (New) 1 2%IR74371-3-1-1 (New) 1 2%IR74371-54-1-1 1 2%Guyod 1 2%

Locations of CSB farms f=23 Malibatuan 8 35%Kabalantian 1 4%Poblacion 7 30%Anapolon 6 26%Doroluman 1 4%

3.4 Farmers’ field practices

The CSB farmer partners continue to improve their skills in farm management. They adapt technologies and practices presented and/or showcased to them in farmers’ field schools and technology demonstration farms. Among these practices were: selection of a good seed production site, methods of selecting quality rice seeds, good land preparation, proper fertilization and pesticide application, integrated pest management, roguing the seed production plots, proper harvest and postharvest practices.

Majority of the farmers (74%) applied various fertilizers and pesticides in their fields; however, some (17%) did not apply at all (Table 5). Fertilizers used were ammonium phosphate (74%) and urea (13%). The usual method employed was basal application (65%); while others practiced both basal and top-dressing (17%). On the other hand, among the most common chemical pesticides applied by the farmers were magnum (39%) and 2-4D (70%); and they usually applied these chemicals twice (48%) throughout the cropping season. On the other hand, four farmer-cooperators (17%) practiced no application of fertilizer and of synthetic pesticides.

Weed management is among the major concerns of the farmer partners. As reported by the farmers, weeding used to be a family affair but for this cropping season, weed management was perceived to be very difficult due to the erratic weather condition experienced by the municipality.

All of the farmer cooperators are now practicing rouging in their fields. The farmer-partners usually rouge during the reproductive stage of the rice plants.

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Table 5. Fertilizer and pesticide application of CSB farmer-cooperators, Arakan, Cotabato, 2007 CS.

Category f (n=multiple response) %

Fertilizer used Ammonium phosphate 17 74%Urea 3 13%Agrosop 1 4%None 4 17%

Fertilizer application Basal 15 65%basal and topdress 4 17%None 4 17%

Pesticides used Magnum 9 39%2-4D 16 70%None 4 17%

Frequency of application Once 8 35%Twice 11 48%Thrice 0 0%None 4 17%

3.5 Germination rate, tillering capacity of CSB entries, farmers evaluation and intention of the CSB farmer-partners to replant entries

Most of the CSB entries obtained slightly negative feedbacks from the farmers and researchers in terms of their germination rate, but were rated positively in terms of their tillering capacity (Table 6). Among the CSB entries, only two lines (IR72768-8-1-1, PR23813-2-53) exhibited good seed germination, whereas most of the varieties were rated to have high tillering capacity. However, one recurring and three new entries (IR74371-54-1-1; IR64, IR74371-3-1-1, PR27777-9-B) for CSB were rated as failure by the farmer partner due to very poor seed germination that likewise led to low tillering capacity. These four entries were planted in the farm of Mr. Victory Nazareno.

The table also presents farmer-cooperators opinions on the rice entries planted on their farm. Azucena, IR72768-8-1-1 (“DR 90”), and PR23813-2-53 (“PR 53”) were rated more positively as compared with their own rice varieties. The rest were considered to be equal with their own varieties. All of the farmer cooperators reported that they intended to grow and test

all (except the four entries that failed) varieties again for the next cropping season.

Table 6. Germination rate, tillering capacity, crop stand performance, and farmer’s intention of growing again the CSB entries, Arakan, Cotabato, 2007 CS.

CSB entries Germination Rate

Tillering Capacity

Crop stand performance

Farmers' Intentionwill grow again will not grow again

Dinorado 2.33 2.93 2.80 15 UPL Ri-5 2.75 3.00 3.00 12 Azucena 2.25 2.50 2.50 4 NSIC Rc-9 2.67 3.00 3.00 3 IR72768-8-1-1 (DR90) 3.50 3.00 2.50 2 PR23813-2-53 (PR53) 3.00 3.00 2.67 3 PR23709-10 2.00 3.00 3.00 1 Guyod 2.00 2.00 3.00 1 IR-64 1.00 1.00 - 2IR74371-3-1-1 1.00 1.00 - 1PR27777-9-B 1.00 1.00 - 1IR74371-54-1-1 1.00 1.00 - 1

Legends: Germination rate Tillering Capacity Crop stand performance 1 - very poor 1 - low 1 - much better than own variety 2 - poor 2 - average 2 - a little better than own variety 3 - good 3 - high 3 - the same as own variety4 - very good 4 - a little worse than own variety5 - excellent 5 - much worse than own variety

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1.304

1.551

1.353

0.684

1.7031.597

1.440 1.400

0 0 0 00.000

0.200

0.400

0.600

0.800

1.000

1.200

1.400

1.600

1.800

Dinorado

UPL Ri-5

Azuce

na

NSIC R

c-9

IR7276

8-8-1-

1 (“D

R-90”)

PR2381

3-2-53 (

“PR53

”)

PR2370

9-10 (

New)

Guyod

IR64 (N

ew)

IR7437

1-3-1-

1 (New

)

PR2777

7-9-B

(New

)

IR7437

1-54-1-

1

yiel

d (t

/ha)


3.6 Yield performance of the CSB entries

Figure 2 reflects the yield performance of CSB entries for this cropping season. IR72768-8-1-1 (DR90) outyielded the other varieties with an average yield of 1.70 t/ha, this was followed closely by PR23813-2-53 “PR53” with 1.597 t/ha, and UPL Ri-5 with 1.551 t/ha. Lowest yield data was obtained in NSIC RC-9 with an average yield of only 0.684 t/ha.

The 2007 cropping season experienced an erratic weather condition gravely affecting varieties planted in the CSB farms. This led to lesser yield records (1.43 t/ha) as compared to the past cropping season (1.93 t/ha).

Table 7 shows the yield performance of the CS entries in three cropping seasons (2005-2007). UPL Ri-5 was rated as the highest yielder across three seasons with an average yield of 2.02 t/ha. This was followed by NSIC RC-9 (1.95 t/ha), PR23813-2-53 “PR53” (1.82 t/ha), IR72768-8-1-1 (1.76 t/ha) and Dinorado (1.59 t/ha).

Table 7. Yield performance of the CSB entries in three cropping seasons, Arakan, Cotabato,

2007 CS.

CSB entriesYield at 14% MC

Average Rank2005 2006 2007

Dinorado 2.06 1.41 1.30 1.59 5

UPL Ri-5 2.39 2.13 1.55 2.02 1

NSIC Rc-9 2.61 2.57 0.68 1.95 2

IR72768-8-1-1 (DR90) - 1.82 1.703 1.76 4

PR23813-2-53 (PR53) - 2.05 1.597 1.82 3

Azucena - - 1.353 1.35

PR23709-10 - - 1.440 1.44

Guyod - - 1.400 1.40

IR-64 - - - -

IR74371-3-1-1 - - - -

PR27777-9-B - - - -

IR74371-54-1-1 - 2.32 - 2.32

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Figure 2. Yield performance of CSB entries, Arakan, Cotabato, 2007 CS.


3.7 CSB rice entries’ reactions to various pests species

3.7.1 Disease/insect damage assessment. Table 8 shows the most common pests observed in the CSB farms. Compared with last year's cropping season, disease incidence and severity are lower. Rice leaf blight, blast and rice leaf spot are the three diseases prevalent in the areas. Sheath blight was observed in two farms, but severity infection was less than one percent, the infected plants were observed only in areas with lower slopes. All of the CSB entries were infected with rice leaf spot disease but severity infection was minimal (1-5%). Rice blast (leaf blast at

vegetative stage) was also observed in Dinorado, UPLRi-5 and PR23813-2-53 (PR-53), however, as with the other diseases observed, severity infection was minimal.

Table 8. Rice pests and damages in the CSB farms, Arakan, Cotabato, 2007 CS.

Diseases Insect pests Weeds present

% severity (average)

No. of farms

affected % damage

(average)

No. of farms

affected

Most prevalent weed species present

No. of farms affected

Sheath blight 1.00 2 Leaf folders 3.53 15 Rotboellia exaltata 19leaf blight 5.33 3 Whitehead 8.19 32 Ageratum conyzoides 10

Brown leaf spot 4.66 29 Deadheart 6.25 4Mimosa invisa / Mimosa pudica 6

Yellowing of leaves 10.00 12 Rice bug 20 2 Echinocloa colona 6Blast (leaf) 3.86 14 Cyperus rotundus 5Lodging 50.00 1 Ipomoea triloba 4

Damage infestations of leaffolder, though present in all the varieties in all CSB farms, was

minimal (1-5%) and in some farms, are observed only in shady portions of the field. Rice bug damage was also observed in Dinorado and UPL Ri-5 (20% severity infection). Stemborer (whiteheads and deadheart) damage was also observed in all of the entries although as observed in damages in other CSB farms, damage was minimal.

3.7.2 Weed problems. Six species of weeds were observed to be the most prevalent in the farmers' fields in Arakan. These were: Rotboellia exaltata, Ageratum conyzoides, Mimosa invisa / Mimosa pudica, Echinocloa colona, Cyperus rotundus, and Ipomoea triloba. Also found in some CSB farms but in lower numbers are the following weed species: Paspalum conjugatum, Leptochloa chinensis, Cyperus iria, Commelina diffusa, and many other weed species.

Weeds, according to the farmer cooperators, posed as their most difficult problem in upland rice farming. To address weed problems, they use the most common and traditional method of managing weeds, which is hand weeding. Some combine the use of chemicals (2,4-D) with hand weeding to fasten the reduction and removal of weed occurrences. However, for this cropping season, the erratic weather experienced in Arakan made weed management more cumbersome. The farmers explained that due to the alternating drought and heavy rains experienced in the area, weeds considerably overtook the farms making weed management more costly.

3.8 Seed diffusion

The USM team closely monitors diffusion and exchange of seeds from community seed banks (between farmers). In the 2006 cropping season, out of the 30 CSB members, 19 of them had been sourced out for seeds by 43 farmer-beneficiaries, schools and LGU from six barangays of Arakan and four other municipalities of Cotabato (Table 9). A total of 2,847 kg of rice seeds, were gifted, loaned or sold. The seed distribution mostly took place within the municipality only; although there are some farmers who have shared it to farmers outside Arakan (Antipas, Pres. Roxas, Kabacan, and Alamada, Cotabato).

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As of report writing, the data on seed diffusion from the 2007 harvest are not available as yet. Land preparation for the 2008 cropping season has only started. Usually, farmers purchase or borrow seeds immediately before the start planting season (usually March) when they have adequately prepared their land for upland rice planting. Besides, CSB farmers deploy seeds when they see that the area of the farmer requesting seeds from them shall have been thoroughly prepared. This practice helps ensure that CSB-produced seeds are planted by farmers utilizing good farm practices thereby perceived to have higher chances of getting a good harvest. Seed diffusion of 2007 CSB harvest will be included in the 2008 report.

Table 9. Total number of beneficiaries and amount of rice lines/variety (kg) diffused, 2006 cropping season,

Arakan, Cotabato.

Rice line/variety Total kg of seeds diffused

No. of beneficiaries Barangays

2006 harvest

Dinorado 599 10 Doroluman, Anapolon, Malibatuan, and Datu Mantangkil, Arakan; and Alamada, Cotabato

Organic Dinorado 390 2 Arakan LGU; CURE (Kabacan)

IR72768-8-1-1 (DR90) 65 1 Malibatuan, Arakan

Azucena 102 2 Anapolon, Arakan

NSIC Rc-9 372 4 Malibatuan, Datu Mantangkil, and Anapolon, Arakan

UPL Ri-5 587 12 Doroluman, Anapolon, Kabalantian, Malibatuan, and Poblacion, Arakan

Cotibos 36 1 Anapolon, Arakan

Super Malagkit 36 2 Anapolon, Arakan

Total 2,187 34 5 barangays of Arakan; 2 municipalities of Cotabato (Alamada & Kabacan)

2007 harvest (initial data)

Dinorado 160 3 Kabalantian & Poblacion, Arakan; Antipas, Cotabato

IR72768-8-1-1 305 4 Kabalantian & Poblacion, Arakan; Brgy. Makalangot, Avas, Cotabato

UPL Ri-5 195 2 Doroluman and Kabalantian, Arakan

Total 660 9 3 barangays of Arakan; 2 municipalities of Cotabato (Antipas and Avas)

Figure 3. Diffusion pattern of rice seeds from 2006 harvest of CSB farms, 2007 CS, Arakan, Cotabato.

3.9 Other accomplishments

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Extension model used in the CSB had been adopted and replicated by the Arakan local government unit (LGU). To date, the seed dispersal and return of the LGU is up to the 4 th

line with more than 130 farmers that have been assisted. Provided training and start-up seed support to 23 new LGU-supervised CSB rice farmers

from selected barangays in Arakan (Allab, Badiangon, Poblacion, Malibatuan, Kinawayan, Ma. Caridad, Ganatan, Doroluman, Makalangot, Lanao Kuran, Salasang, Kabalantian, Sto. Niño and Datu Mantangkil).Encouraged local traders to invest in the seed production of selected upland rice varieties.

Enhanced farmers’ capacity to do extension work (rice seed diffusion). Conducted seed fair, wherein some rice seed and vegetable products from the CSB seed

production farms had been displayed, as part of the farmers’ field day activity conducted on September 11, 2007.

Presented the final results of the 2006 CSB farms during the USM year-end review (January 25-26, 2007).

Presented the 2006 outputs as well as the traders’ preferences on the lines/varieties planted by the farmer cooperators and held a sensory evaluation of the 2006 top-yielders to the Arakan farmer cooperators (February 8, 2007).

IV. CONCLUSION

In 2007 cropping season, 45 farms were planted with at least any one of the twelve recommended CSB entries namely: Dinorado (15 farms), IR72768-8-1-1 “DR90” (2), UPL Ri-5 (12), Azucena (4), NSIC Rc-9 (3), PR23813-2-53 “PR53” (3), PR23709-10 (1), IR64 (1), IR74371-54-1-1 (1), PR27777-9-B (1), IR7437-54-1-1 (1), and Guyod (1). These CSB farms, located in five barangays of Arakan, were hosted by 23 farmer-cooperators.

In terms of yield performance, IR72768-8-1-1 “DR90” outyielded the other CSB entries with an average yield of 1.70 t/ha. This was followed by PR23813-2-53 “PR53” with 1.597 t/ha. On the contrary, lowest yield was obtained from last year’s top yielder, NSIC RC-9 with an average yield of 0.68 t/ha.

Moreover, the most common rice diseases and insect damages observed in the farms were rice leaf spot, rice leaf blight, and rice blast, as well as damages caused by leaf folders, stem borers and rice bugs. Incidence, severity infection of diseases, and percent damage of insect pests were minimal. Among the more than 10 weed species monitored, the most prevalent weeds in the area were: Rotboellia exaltata, Ageratum conyzoides, Mimosa invisa / Mimosa pudica, Echinocloa colona, Cyperus rotundus, and Ipomoea triloba. Due to the climate change experienced across the region, this cropping season’s most prevalent pest, however, were abiotic factors (drought and heavy rains) and in turn, weeds.

The project has helped a lot in promoting farmer’s best practices to improve productivity and seed quality in the area. At the same time, it provides access to seed of farmers’ choice and increase farmers’ capacity in producing and maintaining desired good quality seeds. .

Our commitment to improving quality seed access to Dinorado as well as modern upland rice varieties is slowly paying off. With the Arakan Community Seed Bank Organization (ACSBO) established last year actively involved in the multiplication of quality seeds for Dinorado and other upland rice lines/varieties preferred by farmers and consumers, the Dinorado/upland rice value chain will likely be improved or strengthened.

V. NEXT STEPS

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Seed increase additional entries based on 2007 field and sensory evaluation or preferred mother-baby trial entries.

Facilitate establishment of better quality seed production not only of farmer-preferred but also of consumer- and trader-preferred upland rice varieties.

Capacity-building of new CSB members. Facilitate dialogues among Dinorado value chain stakeholders. Monitor seed diffusion of 2007 harvest from CSB farms Upscaling and information dissemination of improved technologies.

VI. REFERENCES

Van Amstel, H. 1996. Improving the Seed System of Resource-Poor Farmers in West Asia and North Africa. ICARDA, Aleppo, Syria.

http://www.ukabc.org/communityseedbanks.pdf

http://www.worldhungeryear.org/comm_conn/display_seeds.asp?seeds_ndx=1

Appendix Table 1. CSB Farmer cooperator’s profile. Arakan, Cotabato, 2007 CS.

# Name Barangay Age Years of Tenurial Status Educational

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http://www.worldhungeryear.org/comm_conn/display_seeds.asp?seeds_ndx=1

http://www.ukabc.org/communityseedbanks.pdf


Farming AttainmentOwner Tenant1 Thelma Mallorca Anapolon 52 32 X EL2 Vicente Sariza Anapolon 45 22 X HL3 Remedios Berden Anapolon 50 27 X EL4 Marabeth Mangga Anapolon 42 10 X HL5 Jonnifer Mallorca Anapolon 30 15 X HL6 Rogelio Lubereza Poblacion 51 33 X HG7 Joel Albao Poblacion 45 23 X EL8 Hernani Dumalag Poblacion 57 27 X CG9 Romeo Villarosa Jr. Malibatuan 36 12 X HL

10 Armando Palma Malibatuan 50 22 X HG11 Nelly Pagulong Malibatuan 43 13 X HL12 Romeo Villarosa Sr. Malibatuan 67 32 X HG13 Edwin Ambid Anapolon 43 26 X EG14 Leopoldo Sagucum Malibatuan 69 43 X EL15 Paolo Sagun Poblacion 34 11 X EG16 Victory Nazareno Kabalantian 62 4 X CL17 Nestor Nombreda Sr. Poblacion 47 41 X HG18 Romeo Almonicar Malibatuan 44 22 Leaseholder CL19 Jogen Pedroso Malibatuan 44 22 X HG20 Mario Pastera Malibatuan 31 16 X HG21 Florencio Sarignaya Sr. Doroluman 50 22 X CG22 Rojo, Danny Poblacion 51 31 X HL 23 Juayang, Teofilo Poblacion 53 31 X EL

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Development of community seed bank in Arakan Valley

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