Japan Eyes Climate-Smart Rice Farming in Isabela

JAPANESE climate technology firm Creattura Co. Ltd. is exploring a long-term partnership with the Isabela provincial government to introduce climate-smart rice farming aimed at reducing water use, lowering emissions and generating carbon credits. The Tokyo-based company presented its alternate wetting and drying technology to provincial officials on July 15, saying the system could reduce irrigation water use and methane emissions by as much as 30% while lowering production costs. Isabela Governor Rodolfo T. Albano III ordered provincial agriculturist Sergio ST. Galamgam to assess the technology by reviewing similar projects in Pangasinan and Cagayan before identifying pilot sites in Isabela. Creattura said about 16,000 farmers in the National Irrigation Administration’s MARIIS Division III service area could benefit if the proposed 10-year partnership proceeds. The project also envisions pre-season farm financing, renewable energy-powered irrigation and participation in the Japan-Philippines joint crediting mechanism, letting farmers earn carbon credits from verified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. — Artemio A. Dumlao