DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY SEED BANK IN ARAKAN VALLEY

DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY SEED BANK IN ARAKAN VALLEY
2007 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
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 Valley
January to December 2007 Report
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,
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)
No. of assisted
farmers
Total qty
availed (kg)
No. of assisted
farmers
Total qty
availed (kg)
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
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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
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 farm
Timing 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 practices
Roguing practiced; “flat-top” Roguing is not practice
High 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) %
Gender
Male 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%
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
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.
27

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.
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' Intention
will 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 - 2
IR74371-3-1-1 1.00 1.00 - 1
PR27777-9-B 1.00 1.00 - 1
IR74371-54-1-1 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 variety
4 - very good 4 - a little worse than own variety
28

1.304
1.551
1.353
0.684
1.703
1.597
1.440 1.400
0 0 0 0
0.000
0.200
0.400
0.600
0.800
1.000
1.200
1.400
1.600
1.800
D
inorado
U
PL
R
i-5A
zucenaN
SIC
R
c-9
IR
72768-8-1-1
(“D
R-90”)
PR
23813-2-53
(“PR
53”)
PR
23709-10
(N
ew
)
G
uyodIR
64
(N
ew
)
IR
74371-3-1-1
(N
ew
)
PR
27777-9-B
(N
ew
)
IR
74371-54-1-1
yield(t/ha)
5 - excellent 5 - much worse than own variety
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 entries
Yield at 14% MC
Average Rank
2005 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
29
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 19
leaf blight 5.33 3 Whitehead 8.19 32 Ageratum conyzoides 10
Brown leaf spot
4.66 29
Deadheart
6.25 4
Mimosa invisa /
Mimosa pudica 6
Yellowing of leaves 10.00 12 Rice bug 20 2 Echinocloa colona 6
Blast (leaf) 3.86 14 Cyperus rotundus 5
Lodging 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
30

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).
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.
31

3.9 Other accomplishments
•
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 4th
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.
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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.
IV. NEXT STEPS
• 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.
V. 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
33

Appendix Table 1. CSB Farmer cooperator’s profile. Arakan, Cotabato, 2007 CS.
# Name Barangay Age Years of
Farming
Tenurial Status Educational
AttainmentOwner Tenant
1 Thelma Mallorca Anapolon 52 32 X EL
2 Vicente Sariza Anapolon 45 22 X HL
3 Remedios Berden Anapolon 50 27 X EL
4 Marabeth Mangga Anapolon 42 10 X HL
5 Jonnifer Mallorca Anapolon 30 15 X HL
6 Rogelio Lubereza Poblacion 51 33 X HG
7 Joel Albao Poblacion 45 23 X EL
8 Hernani Dumalag Poblacion 57 27 X CG
9 Romeo Villarosa Jr. Malibatuan 36 12 X HL
10 Armando Palma Malibatuan 50 22 X HG
11 Nelly Pagulong Malibatuan 43 13 X HL
12 Romeo Villarosa Sr. Malibatuan 67 32 X HG
13 Edwin Ambid Anapolon 43 26 X EG
14 Leopoldo Sagucum Malibatuan 69 43 X EL
15 Paolo Sagun Poblacion 34 11 X EG
16 Victory Nazareno Kabalantian 62 4 X CL
17 Nestor Nombreda Sr. Poblacion 47 41 X HG
18 Romeo Almonicar Malibatuan 44 22 Leaseholder CL
19 Jogen Pedroso Malibatuan 44 22 X HG
20 Mario Pastera Malibatuan 31 16 X HG
21 Florencio Sarignaya Sr. Doroluman 50 22 X CG
22 Rojo, Danny Poblacion 51 31 X HL
23 Juayang, Teofilo Poblacion 53 31 X EL
34

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