Abstract: This study was conducted to document on-farm conservation practices of traditional upland rice varieties in some selected towns of Apayao. Specifically, it was intended to describe farming practices including beliefs and attitudes in the conservation of upland rice varieties; identify factors or reasons for erosion of traditional upland rice varieties; propose measures or programs that directly concerns on conservation of traditional rice varieties at the farmer’s level.
The study made use of the descriptive survey method of research with key informant interview and observation as data-gathering tools.
Results revealed that there are 15 traditional rice varieties being cultivated by upland farmers in Apayao. Most of these are used by farmers since time immemorial. The most preferred varieties are Palawan, azucena, saba, ginobyerno pawangwang and others. Majority of the respondents acquire their seed from their own farm and use the same variety for the next planting season. They store their seed by hanging the bundled panicles or dried and placed in a sack. The basis of selecting their seeds were gastronomic (good eating and cooking quality), panicle length, and healthy seeds.
The major causes of genetic erosion in upland rice are gastronomic, agronomic and socio-cultural which includes poor cooking and eating quality, low yield, unavailability of planting materials, less cultural use, introduction of new varieties and shifting to other crops.
Keywords: Upland Rice, In Situ conservation, Production Practices.
Title: On Farm Conservation Practices of Upland Rice Varieties in Selected Towns of Apayao
Author: Ronald O. Ocampo, Rema Bascos-Ocampo
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations
ISSN 2348-1226 (online), ISSN 2348-1218 (print)
Research Publish Journals
