What new high yielding sugarcane varieties (HYVs) are available in the market? Which HYVs are appropriate for my soil type? How do I ensure high quality planting material? How do I control smut, downy mildew and borers?

These, among others, are the sugar planters' frequently asked questions (FAQs). Fortunately for the sugarcane grower, the answers are within his reach at no cost.

The Philippine Sugar Research Institute Foundation, Inc. (Philsurin) counts among its key research, development and extension activities the production of publications that enable industry stakeholders to keep abreast of emerging technologies and practices in sugarcane.

"Before, there was a lot of new information that was not properly disseminated to planters. Most of them were not aware of the latest in sugar R&D [research and development]," said Oscar Gil Ascalon, a coordinator for one of the 26 mill district development councils (MDDC) attached to Philsurin.

"Now, the publications help educate planters who are always hungry for new knowledge."

Since 1995, Philsurin has released eight leaflets, four monographs and a book on sugarcane to stakeholders, contributing significantly to the dramatic increase in sugar production over the recent years.

To respond to the industry's problems of low productivity, high cost of production, as well as the decreasing area planted to sugarcane, Philsurin partnered with the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) to publish Philippines Recommends for Sugarcane in 2001.

Largely based on the results of research and development activities conducted by government and private institutions, the book discusses up-to-date technologies and best practices for sugar production, harvest and post-harvest.

It also offers an overview of the sugar industry, fertilizer requirements, a segment on the botany and physiology of sugarcane, and a glossary of sugar-related terminologies.

Seed Cane Production for the Philippine Sugar Industry is a manual for establishing and maintaining a seed cane nursery.

Written by Philsurin Deputy Director-General Dr. Ramon Cu and Victorias MDDC coordinator Federico Barredo, the monograph underscores Program HQS (high quality sets) which aims to achieve higher productivity through the production of clean, fresh and disease-free seed cane.

The authors outlined the guidelines and procedures of Program HQS -- planning and setting up the nursery, nursery management, and harvesting protocol.

A step-by-step explanation of the hot water treatment procedure and a comprehensive description of common sugarcane diseases also form part of the printed material.

The Negros Experience of Migratory Locust Outbreak, Management and Monitoring of White Grubs in Sugarcane, and Soil and Fertilizer Requirements of Sugarcane in the Philippines are the three other monographs by Philsurin.

The best-seller among Philsurin's publication, said Mr. Ascalon, is the leaflet PHILSURIN HYV Selections (no. 8) which offers data on the agronomic characteristics, disease reactions, stalk characteristics and average yields of new HYVs. Moreover, it has recommendation on planting months and harvest age.

The other leaflets are Farm practices that can alleviate the impact of drought on sugarcane (no. 1), Soil sampling guidelines for soil analysis (no. 2), One-eye cuttings: Alternative planting materials for propagation (no. 3), and Cultural recommendations for new high yielding VMC varieties (no. 4).

Rodent pest management in sugarcane(no. 5), Management of sugarcane borer using trichogramma chilonis (no. 6), and Monitoring and management of sugarcane diseases due to nematodes (no. 7) are also useful reference material.

"Publication of research results and success stories of planters continue to feed the minds of planters willing to learn and progressive enough to try," said Mr. Barredo.

"The steady stream of planters who frequent our MDDC office and calls or repeat orders of our publications are testament to the appreciation of our efforts in the MDDC and of Philsurin."

"We actually run out of stock all the time," Mr. Ascalon said.

Model Coordinator

Meanwhile, he may be a small man, but 64-year-old Mr. Barredo continues to make giant strides for the sugar industry.

The plant pathology graduate of the University of the Philippines-Los Ba§os, Laguna is a coordinator for one of 26 MDDCs attached to Philsurin.

MDDCs are grassroots-level organizations that implement sugar productivity enhancement programs in various milling districts nationwide.

Philsurin's man-on-the-ground in the 23,000-hectare Victorias Milling Corp. district, Mr. Barredo carries a weighty task: helping sustain self-sufficiency in sugar.

Maintaining a 32.7-hectare nursery area is only one of his many chores. He is also on top of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund High-Yielding Variety project covering 69 hectares.

His busy work schedule includes the propagation and dispersal of high-yielding sugarcane varieties, disease prevention, pest control, variety testing, soil rejuvenation, as well as seminars and farm tours. He and his wife, Philsurin senior plant breeder Aurora Barredo, are behind a great number of sugarcane's successes in the district.

"My day starts by going over appointments and scheduled tasks that have to be attended to before the end of the day. Field inspection of ongoing activities in the propagation areas, demos and tests usually fill up the rest of the day," Mr. Barredo said.

He also entertains planters with specific problems, ensuring that important events throughout the day are recorded in a logbook for future reference.

Providing solutions to sugarcane planters' problems is at the core of Mr. Barredo's job. The various programs in MDDCs are problem-oriented.

"The projects are based on problems identified by stakeholders themselves," he said.

The MDDC board decides which projects to prioritize, outlines methodologies and crafts solutions that would best address the planters' requirements.

Twice a recipient of the Outstanding MDDC Coordinator Award, Mr. Barredo said an effective coordinator is "resourceful, confident, authoritative but friendly. An MDDC coordinator must be the best friend of planters."

The successful management of an MDDC also entails innovation on the coordinator's part. "He must always be on the lookout for new technologies that will improve the productivity of planters."

Mr. Barredo has fabricated small farm machines to enhance farm labor efficiency. Now available for distribution to all MDDCs, the carabao-drawn fertilizer applicator enables the even application of fertilizer.

The mechanized infield hauler he has devised, is meant to replace the carabao and bull-cart in hauling canes outside the field, increasing hauling efficiency by more than double.

His other inventions include the mini-mill roller and the "blockbuster" three-in-one (fertilizer applicator, off-barring operation, and weeder-cultivator).

Mr. Barredo takes an active role in VMC's Rat Patrol, which implements Philsurin's district-wide rodent control program.

Already, the sustained rat-baiting project has reduced rodent activity significantly, helping planters to preserve tonnage and cane quality.

Donning his writing cap, Mr. Barredo is adviser to cane trends, VMC's official newsletter. He has also coauthored a manual for seed cane production.

As with other professions, MDDC coordinators are not without work problems. Some challenges faced by Mr. Barredo and his colleagues are "the handling of demanding planters, the introduction of new technologies for commercial application, liaison work between small planters and credit providers, coordination with the Sugar Regulatory Administration and planters on Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund projects, as well as monitoring and the control of the budget."

In recognition of his performance, Mr. Barredo has been awarded a trip to Thailand to observe farming techniques. Opportunities for technological updates abound for him and other coordinators.