NEGROS ORIENTAL – Forty-one farmers from the municipality of Sibulan, this province was briefed on the importance and functionality of the Rice Crop Manager (RCM) last June 21, 2019 at the Multi-Purpose Hall in Sibulan spearheaded by Ma. Gracia Soliva-Pungay, Media Production Specialist II of ATI-7 as the Project Officer.

Mr. Benjie B. Melanio, Provincial RCM Team Leader of Negros Oriental Research and Development Center (NORDC), was the resource speaker.

RCM maximizes the advances in information and communications technology (ICT) to provide professional extension and advisory services to farmers through an application using their smartphones or computer with internet connection.

By using the RCM application, the farmers will be able to generate comprehensive and specific fertilization recommendation on nutrient, pest, weed or water management, depending on the farmer’s specific variety used; their yield from the previous season; and the site-specific conditions of the field.

The program’s target end results include an increase in farmer’s income and yield and be able to reach more farmers with extension services.