Healthy Flavors of Science - pcaarrd - Department of Science and ...

GIS and IT... (from page 8)
land capability evaluation accessible
through the Internet using GIS.
In this project, the information
and geographic data from fire and
land capability evaluation models
were uploaded in the Internet
through a web-enabled geodatabase
system. The developed
web application was called Hazards
Decision Support System.
The site was built with a userfriendly
interface that allows panning
of the generated maps for better
viewing. Likewise, the interface
was enhanced with various menudriven
controls to guide users.
Through this web application, more
stakeholders and decision-makers
can access the information generated
from the environmental hazards
model. This will make it easier to
determine the areas’ land capability
as well as their risk to fire ignition.
Technology towards environmental
hazards management
Perhaps known environmentalist,
Al Gore, said it best when he argued
that “there is no way for us to stop
climate change now; the only thing
that we can do is to slow down the
process.” These outputs developed
in the program are part of the
Council’s contribution to slowing
down “the process” – in forms that
can immediately be used and provide
early gains. (Edgilyn R. Alcasid)
MS Calilung (second from left) showing his harvests during the STBF field day.
Vermicompost and vermitea
enhances rice grain yield
Vermicompost and vermitea
provide alternative means to
manage and sustain soil fertility to
meet the nutrient requirements of
rice. These results to better quality
produce, increased productivity,
and more income for farmers.
However, the big challenge
for organic agriculture advocates
is encouraging farmers who prefer
quick-results inorganic fertilizers to
adopt organic farming technologies.
Furthermore, farmers are slow to
adopt technologies, which they
have less knowledge of.
Bernardo G. Calilung,
a Magsasaka Siyentista (MS)
of Tarlac City, proved the
effectiveness of vermicompost
and vermitea in attaining and
maintaining productivity and
quality of rice seed production.
Vermicompost is organic
manure produced from worm
castings. This biofertilizer is full of
beneficial microbes or nutrients.
continued on page 10 ►
The PCARRD Monitor 9