The PalayCheck ®

System: Concepts,
Principles,
& Key Checks

Part 1: Understanding the PalayCheck System

 ANO ITO?

PalayCheck
 The Beginnings of PalayCheck
• It takes off from Australia’s Ricecheck system, which
helped increase Australia’s yield from about 6 t/ha in
1987 to almost 10 t/ha in 2000.
12000

10000

8000
Yield (kg/ha)

6000

4000

2000

1988

1990
1970

1972

1974

1976

1978

1980

1982

1984

1986

1992

1994

1996

1998

2000
Australia’s rice yield, 1970 to 2000
Source: FAOSTAT
The Beginnings of PalayCheck
• 2000: Ricecheck system recommended to FAO to
close the yield gap in irrigated areas in a holistic &
sustainable manner.

• Feb 2004: PhilRice-FAO project on “Strengthening the

Development & Use of RICM for Food Security &
Poverty Alleviation” was started.

• 2004-2006: A Philippine version of Ricecheck –

the PalayCheck -- was developed thru a
series of workshops/consultations with
rice experts, extension workers, & farmers.
“Palaytandaan” served as base material.
The Beginnings of PalayCheck
• 2004-2006: PalayCheck was tested in some 30 sites
with almost 1,000 farmers nationwide. Average yield
increased by at least 1 t/ha in pilot sites. Results
showed the more checks achieved, the higher the yield.

• 2006: PalayCheck was recommended for upscaling.

• 2009: PalayCheck served as platform of PhilRice’s
“Location-specific Technology Development” program.
What is PalayCheck?
• Integrated crop management system (ICM) for rice
land preparation harvest mgt

varieties
crop establishment pest & water mgt

fertilizer
 Seed-based ●
Start with the seed & how to grow it
technologies
using centrally-developed
(varieties &
recommendations
agro-chemicals)

Single-problem/ ●
Start with/Focus on a specific field problem &
component, integrated
then branch into a holistic study of the
mgt technologies system as it relates to the problem
(INM, IWM, IPM)

Broader, holistic, ●
Start with a holistic, integrated study of
integrated mgt
the system & then identify & solve
technologies
specific problems limiting the system
(ICM)
Changes in technological recommendations
for crop management
Source: Barroga, 2010
What is PalayCheck?
• Encourages farmers to manage crops based on
targets & provides recommendations on how to
attain the targets based on best management
practices for a particular
agro-ecological condition. • From available technologies
• From practical experiences
• Adapts/Localizes (may not be research-based)
these recommendations
at the farm-level, taking • Appropriate to farmers’
into account the interactions resources, understanding, &
among practices & other capabilities
factors affecting yield,
• Achieveable
grain quality, & environment.
 PALAYCHECK:
Gagawing SWAK
ang teknolohiya sa
bukid niyo!
 An analogy

ADOBO Dish

http://www.carinderia.net/adobo.html http://www.nestle.com.ph/recipe/recipes/recipedetails.asp?ID=6
An analogy
Ivatans’

Houses
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigberto/4722536431/sizes/z/in/photostream/

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/view?q=ivatan+house+house&uname=gavhug&psc=G&
cuname=gavhug&filter=1#5174174728338541170

Ifugaos’

http://picasaweb.google.com/gavhug/TawiTawi21207543PM#5033559525377767618
Badjaos’
What is PalayCheck?
• Provides a collaborative learning framework for
farmers to improve on their understanding of
production principles & their management skills to
enable technology localization, with facilitation from
technically-competent resource persons.
Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)

1
Holistic, integrated
crop management
• Rice growing is a
production system with a
range of management
factors involved.
Thus, a holistic,
integrated crop
management based on
local conditions is
essential to maximize or
optimize the beneficial
impacts.
 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)

1• Management practices & result areas under the different crop

Holistic, integrated crop management

management areas are interdependent & interrelated. They have a

combined impact on yield, grain quality, & environmental outcome.

Seed & variety Land preparation Crop

selection establishment

Nutrient Water Pest Harvest

management management management management
 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)

2 • The INPUTS (practices) must achieve the optimum level of

Input-Output-Outcome

OUTPUTS (results of practices) at all growth stages &

management areas to get the optimum OUTCOMES (combined
effects of outputs on yield, quality, profitability, & environment).
• PalayCheck gives simple, objective recommendations for both
INPUTS & OUTPUTS. These recommendations may be revised
based on new findings & experiences.

INPUT OUTPUT OUTCOME

1-2 seedlings/hill 20-25 hills/sq m high yield
LCC every 7 days 20-24 tillers/hill at high profit
EPI
 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)

3 • KEY CHECKS are the KEY OUTPUTS (or results) -- the most
Key checks

important determinants of yield, profit, grain quality, &

environmental outcomes
Inputs Outputs
Land preparation • Levelled field
-Clean/repair dikes • Uniform bund height
-Plow field • Breakdown of organic
-Harrow 2x materials
-Level
Of the 3 outputs, this is the key output. Thus,
the Key Check --- your benchmark or check
against actual results of doing the inputs.
 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)

3 • Use KEY CHECKS as targets & benchmarks to ASSESS

Key checks

success or failure of farmers’ management practices

Key Check
Farmer Cooperator
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Alvin (farmer partner)        
Cris        
Doming        
Gary        
Mando        
Paul        
 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)

3 • There may be more than one key check per management area.
Key checks

Key checks may also be location-specific.

For example, in Philippines & Indonesia, ‘used certified seeds’ is

a key check; but in Australia, where all farmers use certified
seeds, it is not included as key check anymore.

• Although studies imply a higher yield & gross margin with more
key checks, it is more important to be able to understand/
explain WHY
such yield Your main challenge!
was achieved
or not achieved given the inputs.
 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)

4 • Farmers must first identify their strengths (practices contributing

Experiential group learning

to improving outcomes) & weaknesses (practices limiting level of

outcomes) in crop management before these can be changed.

• This is best attained through

EXPERIENTIAL GROUP
LEARNING, with assistance
from facilitative & technically-
competent resource persons.
Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)

4
Experiential group learning
Key Check
No. of Key
Grain Yield Gross Margin
Farmer Cooperator Checks
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 (t/ha) (P/ha)
Achieved

Alvin (farmer partner)         8 6.15 38,160

Ben         8 7.20 45,080
Charlie         8 4.65 25,560
Cris         7 5.37 32,000
Doming         7 5.53 33,350
Gary         7 5.58 34,350
Jojo         7 5.72 35,550
Larry         7 4.20 23,580
Mando         7 4.40 25,260
Paul         7 4.71 26,050
Robert         7 4.49 24,220
Romeo         6 3.90 22,360
Roger         6 5.15 25,830
Vic         6 5.35 27,350
Willy         5 3.50 16,300
Range = Mean = Mean =
Checks achieved (%) 60 87 93 100 80 87 93 87
5–8 5.06 29,000
 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)

4 • EXPERIENTIAL (or discovery-based) GROUP LEARNING

Experiential group learning

promotes collaborative learning among farmers & between

resource persons & farmers, making learning less intimidating.
Learning is hands-on, shared, & guided.
 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)

4 Experiential group learning MANAGE CROP:

undertake specific
practices to
PLAN: specify what to
do, change, achieve MANAGING THE
achieve outputs &
PLANNING
Specify what to do/
CROP
Undertake specific
key checks
change and achieve
CHANGE practices to achieve Key
Checks MONITOR:
MANAGEMENT CHANGING MONITORING
observe, measure,
KNOWLEDGE, Observe, measure,
UNDERSTANDIN and record the
record results
IDENTIFY MGT G, AND
ATTITUDES TO
results achieved

STRENGTHS & MANAGEMENT

HARVESTING
HARVEST:
WEAKNESSES
IDENTIFYING
MANAGEMENT
Record yield,
quality, and
determine &
STRENGTHS
AND
prices received record yield,
COMPARE & INTERPRET WEAKNESSES COMPARING AND
INTERPRETING RESULTS quality, &
RESULTS: identify key checks
Determine Key Check
achievement and yield prices
achieved & their relationship
relationships
received
with yield, gross margin
 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)

4 • The activities in the learning cycle are influenced by:

Experiential group learning

Key Checks & Farmers’ knowledge

Recommendations & experience

Climate,
Resources & finance agroecosystem, soils, &
availability other environment
factors

Neighbor/Peer groups’
knowledge & attitudes;
 Key checks & Planning Managing
recommendations the crop Farmers’ knowledge
& experiences
Changing
management Monitoring

Climate, Resource
agro-ecosystem, ID mgt strengths & Harvesting & finance
soils, etc. weaknesses
availability
Comparing &
interpreting results

Neighbor/peer group knowledge, attitudes, etc.

Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)

1Holistic, integrated crop

management

2 Input-Output-Outcome

3 Key checks

4 Experiential group learning

Let’s review!
The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck

1
Used high quality seeds of a recommended variety

relatively pure, clean; full &

uniform in size; viable

less weeds

healthy seedlings

more fertilizer-responsive; stronger pest resistance

10-15%
increase
in yield fast & uniform growth resulting in efficient
crop establishment & harvesting activities
The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck

2
No high & low soil spots after final levelling

less water to fill up;

uniform water distribution;
easier drainage

efficient fertilizer application

less weed incidence;

better snail management
uniform crop maturity;
timely harvesting
use of farm machinery &
application of controlled
irrigation facilitated
The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck

3
Practiced synchronous planting after a fallow period

efficient use of irrigation less spread of pest damage

The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck

4
Sufficient number of healthy seedlings
better nutrient
compete better better root uptake
against weeds growth

more efficient
nutrient use

Healthy seedlings

Sowing right amount of seeds

Transplanting right amount of seedlings
Giving right nutrients
 The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck

5Sufficient nutrients at tillering to early panicle

initiation & flowering

NUTRIENTS

over adequate under

pest uniform less tillers

damage growth
slow growth
lodging uniform
panicle dev’t low grain
attainment weight
of yield
potential
The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck

6
Avoided excessive water or drought stress that could
affect the growth and yield of the crop

• Water transports nutrients from the soil to the

plant.

• Adequate water supply facilitates land

preparation & ensures good crop establishment .

• It also promotes seedling vigor & normal crop

growth and development, with minimal lodging.

• There is better nutrient uptake with right amount

of water because it corrects some nutrient
imbalances & leaching is minimized.
The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck

7
No significant yield loss due to pests
• Knowledge of the interactions of the rice crop with
the biotic factors, agro-ecosystem, & the crop
management system help in understanding how to
minimize pest damage.

• Correct pest identification & application of

ICM (i.e. resistant variety; date & method of
crop establishment; fertilizer & water
management; & pesticide use) also help.

• Proper pest management results in good

seed or grain quality.
The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck

8
Cut & threshed the crop at the right time
REAPING

too early timely too late

large % good grain grain

of immature quality shattering
& half-
filled high market
value milling
grains breakage
consumer
low MR, acceptance low grain
low grain quality
quality
The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck
Crop Mgt Area Key Checks
Seed & variety 1) Used high quality seeds of the recommended
selection variety
Land preparation 2) No high & low soil spots after final levelling
Crop establishment 3) Practiced synchronous planting after fallow
period
4) Sufficient number of healthy seedlings
Nutrient management 5) Sufficient nutrients at tillering to early panicle
initiation and flowering
Water management 6) Avoided excessive water or drought stress
that could affect the growth & yield of the crop
Pest management 7) No significant yield loss due to pests
Harvest management 8) Cut & threshed the crop at the right time
Statement of Key Checks in PalayCheck
Management area Importance of Key Check –
why Key Check should be
attained
Key Check statement -
what to attain Assessment of Key Check
– how to know that Key
Land Preparation Check has been attained
Key Check 2: No high
and low soil spots Recommendations to Achieve
after final leveling
Key Check – how Key Check
Importance: ~~~~~~~
could be attained
~~~~~ ~~
~~~en ~~~
~~~ ~~~~~
Asses sm t: ~~

Recommendations to
Achieve Key Check 2:
~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~
Integration of Management
at Different Crop Growth Stages
Under actual field conditions...
Key Check recommendations are done mostly together

at varying levels of activity.

Flowering to
For example: grain filling
- Key Check 5,
6, & 7
 Crop Mgt Area Key Checks
Seed & variety 1) Used high quality seeds of the recommended
selection variety
Land preparation 2) No high & low soil spots after final leveling
Crop establishment 3) Practiced synchronous planting after fallow
period
4) Sufficient number of healthy seedlings
Nutrient management 5) Sufficient nutrients at tillering to early panicle
initiation and flowering
Water management 6) Avoided excessive water or drought stress
that could affect the growth & yield of the crop
Pest management 7) No significant yield loss due to pests
Harvest management 8) Cut & threshed the crop at the right time Let’s
review!
 PALAYCHECK:
Gagawing SWAK
ang teknolohiya sa
bukid niyo!
CREDITS
Instructional presentation designer:
Dr. Karen Eloisa Barroga

Sources & reviewers of technical content:

Mr. Salvador Yabes; Mrs. Anita Antonio; Mrs. Ofelia Malonzo

Note:
Adapted from a powerpoint presentation developed by:
Mr. Salvador Yabes
For more information, visit:
You may use, remix, tweak,
& build upon this presentation
non-commercially. However, always
use with acknowledgment.

Unless otherwise stated,

the names listed are
PhilRice staffers.
Text: 0920-911-1398
Produced in 2011