The workshop aimed to address the challenges of the rice industry in Bohol, such as soil degradation, high production costs, low yields, and the reliance on ecosystem areas through a convergence initiative, participated by personnel from DA7’s Rice Program, Research Division, Regional Soils laboratory, PATCO-Bohol, Bohol-APC, BES, SWRDS, attached agencies like PhilRice, National Irrigation Administration (NIA7), Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), and staff from the Provincial Government of Bohol-Office of the Provincial Agriculturist OPA).

Engr. Epifanio Gaudicos, DA7’s Rice Program focal, presented the 2024 rice production situation of Bohol, the Development Directions of the region’s Rice Program for CY 2026-2028 and the 2025 rice program programs and activities for 2025, which has an allocation of around ₱282,701,010.00.

Engr. Gaudicos said that one of the interventions to address those challenges is the adaption of the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS), specifically the BFS-COMBO 3 (7-8 tons per hectare), especially in selected rice cluster areas, namely the municipalities of Ubay, Carmen, and Pilar. Trainings in support to soil health restoration is part of the plan. The pilot testing will span two cropping seasons and focus on boosting productivity in these areas.

In addition, he also shared on irrigation development to be prioritized in municipalities with higher poverty incidence, to receive Small Scale Irrigation Projects (SSIP) to support their rice production capacity.

Furthermore, both Bohol and Cebu will benefit from a strategic information campaign designed to address the nutritional needs of vulnerable sectors, including children, pregnant women, and senior citizens, with focus on promoting Pinggang Pinoy as a part of a broader initiative.

April T. Badajos, the Provincial Coordinator of DA-PhilRice for Negros and Bohol, said that they (PhilRice) committed 24,154 metric tons of inbred seeds, covering 10,941 hectares and benefiting 15,106 farmers in Bohol, while Lorebien Lagapa, the Rice Seed Coordinator of OPA Bohol, shared the province has allocated ₱84,915,224 to include the rice buy-back programs, inbred seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, among others.

Engr. Maria Donesa A. Autida, NIA7 Chief, Operations & Institutional Section, in her presentation, shared their plans to address water supply issues crucial to rice production in Bohol. NIA7 has allocated ₱526,055,000 for the improvement of the Malinao Dam, the repair and restoration of irrigation systems, construction of Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP): including the Calunasan and Hibale’s (SRIP); and a Solar Power-Driven Pump Irrigation System.

Leolito D. Siase of BSWM shared the results of the technology demonstration project on Rice Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Strategy, which was complemented with a report from staff of the DA7 Regional Soils Laboratory, as he discussed the soil fertility status and proposed restoration strategies for Bohol province.

DA7 Research Division showcased tools and methods for collecting and analyzing pertinent rice data, and outlined the proposed schedule for implementing the rice convergence initiative in Bohol.