Children envyingly look on as these farmers mix the mud taken from a field plot. The soil’s nutrient content will be analyzed using the Minus-One element Technique (MOET). The MOET, an easy-to-do alternative to soil laboratory analysis, will help them determine if their soils have enough of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, copper, and zinc. The results, which are based on actual plant growth, will be available in 45 days in time for the onset of the cropping season. This will become the basis in determining the kind of fertilizer to apply in their fields, saving them time and money. For more information, text (0920) 911-1398 or using your SMART cell phone, type PALAY<space>ABONO<space>QUESTION and send to 700RICE (7007423). //Christine Grace B. Sidchogan

www.philrice.gov.ph

A farmer from Brgy. Sta Lucia (Y) , Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija explains what has been accomplished in their field rat management project, which was initiated by the barangay council in partnership with the local government and with technical assistance from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist. The project is a continual effort to address farmers’ rat problems in the area through the use of integrated management approaches, proper timing, and community-wide action. For more information about the rat information campaign in Zaragosa, please contact the Development Communication Division at (044) 456-0651 local 511 or 512. CGBSidchogan

(http://www.philrice.gov.ph//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=133&Itemid=106)

TAILS OF WOE. This woman shows almost 200 tails of rats caught by her husband in their farm during the launching of a rat management information campaign “Boo! Boo! Rat!”. In the last cropping season, they incurred huge losses when rats attacked their rice which was ready for harvest. The campaign aims to increase farmers’ knowledge on rat management and help reduce rat damage in their fields. The launching was held on August 3, 2006 at the Zaragosa Municipal Gym, Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija. Campaign activities include lectures, trainings, and demonstrations which increase farmers’ knowledge on the proper management of this pest. This campaign against rats is organized by the Sta. Lucia (Y) Development Council and Zaragosa LGU in cooperation with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute. For more information, please contact the Development Communication Division at (044)456-0651 local 511 or 512. EMSPalomar

(www.philrice.gov.ph)

RAT EXPERTS. PhilRice researcher Ulysses Duque (right) shows an indigenous rat trap to Dr. Grant Singleton (left), a rat expert from the International Rice Research Institute and Irrigated Rice Research Consortium Coordinator. They were among the experts who answered queries on rats and rat management raised by farmers, agricultural technicians, and students during the launching of a rat management information campaign dubbed “Boo! Boo! Rat!” on August 3, 2006 at the Zaragosa Municipal Gym, Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija. The campaign aims to increase farmers’ knowledge on rat management and help reduce rat damage in their fields. For more information, please contact the Crop Protection Division at (044)456-0651 local 227. EMSPalomar

(www.philrice.gov.ph)

RAT-HATERS. Recognizing the ills brought by rats to rice farmers in their locality, the Brgy. Sta. Lucia (Y) Development Council, led by Brgy. Captain Milagros Ocampo (front row, 2^nd from right), and the Zaragosa Local Government Unit organized a rat management information campaign dubbed “Boo! Boo! Rat!”. The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and Philippine Rice Research Institute provided technical assistance and planning. The campaign aims to increase farmers’ knowledge on rat management and help reduce rat damage in their fields. The launching was held on August 3, 2006 at the Zaragosa Municipal Gym, Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija. For more information, please contact the Development Communication Division at (044)456-0651 local 511 or 512. EMSPalomar

(www.philrice.gov.ph)

WAR AGAINST RATS. More than 300 Farmers, agricultural technicians, students, rat management experts, and guests attended the launching of a rat management information campaign dubbed “Boo! Boo! Rat!” on August 3, 2006 at the Zaragosa Municipal Gym, Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija. The campaign aims to increase farmers’ knowledge on rat management and help reduce rat damage in their fields. The launch became a venue for spreading the keys to successful rat management – community-wide, proper timing, and integrating all appropriate management approaches. For more information, please contact the Development Communication Division at (044)456-0651 local 511 or 512. EMSPalomar

(www.philrice.gov.ph)

 RAT HUNT. Farmers in Brgy. Sta. Lucia (Y) in Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija hunt for rats as part of an ongoing rat management information campaign in the area. Rat hunting, which starts a month before the cropping season, is one of the management practices being promoted in the area. The campaign is an initiative of the local officials with support from Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in Nueva Ecija. For more information, text (0920) 911-1398 or using your SMART cellphone, type PALAY<space>DAGA<space>QUESTION and send to 700RICE (7007423). EMSPalomar

 (www.philrice.gov.ph)

RAT BIOLOGY. A Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) researcher shows the reproductive stage of a rat caught during a rat hunt operation in Brgy. Sta Lucia (Young), Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija. According to researchers, the reproductive stage of rats is one of the factors that should be considered in determining the proper time to conduct rat management practices. This management strategy is being promoted via a campaign against rats. Initiated by local officials with the support from PhilRice and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in Nueva Ecija, the campaign aims to reduce rat population and damage by educating farmers on different management practices, biology and ecology of rats, and how to conduct effective rat management operations. For more information, text (0920) 911-1398 or using your SMART cellphone, type PALAY<space>PESTE<space>QUESTION and send to 700RICE (7007423). EMSPalomar

(www.philrice.gov.ph)

RAT LEFTOVERS. Consumed golden kuhol (Pomacea canaliculata Lamarck) is one of the signs of the presence of rats in the field. According to researchers at the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), rats have various food sources. Aside from rice, they also feed on weeds, frogs, and snails during non-rice periods, making them difficult to manage. Rice farmers should plow the field immediately after harvest to minimize golden kuhol and weed populations. For more information, text (0920) 911-1398 or using your SMART cellphone, type PALAY<space>DAGA<space>QUESTION and send to 700RICE (7007423). EMSPalomar

(http://www.philrice.gov.ph//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=106)

BOO! BOO! RAT. Farmers of Sta. Lucia (Young), Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija show off the catches of their rat hunt operation, as part of “Boo! Boo! Rat!”, a local information campaign on rat management. Initiated by local officials with the support from PhilRice and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in Nueva Ecija, the campaign aims to reduce rat population and damage by educating farmers on different management practices, biology and ecology of rats, and how to conduct effective rat management operations. Also in photo are PhilRice Executive Director Dr. Leocadio Sebastian (2^nd row, fifth from left) and Brgy. Captain Milagros Ocampo (2^nd row, fourth from left). For more information, text (0920) 911-1398 or using your SMART cellphone, type PALAY<space>DAGA<space>QUESTION and send to 700RICE (7007423). EMSPalomar

(http://www.philrice.gov.ph//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=62&Itemid=106)