1. The PalayCheck® System: Concepts, Principles, & Key Checks
Part 1: Understanding the PalayCheck System

2. ANO ITO?
PalayCheck
Ask participants if they’ve heard of PalayCheck before? Or their ideas of what PalayCheck probably is?

3. Australia’s rice yield, 1970 to 2000
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.
This figure shows that from 1970 to 1985, rice yield in Australia stagnated at around 6 t/ha.
After the dissemination of the RiceCheck system in 1986, the Australian national yield increased rapidly and steadily from about 6 t/ha in 1987 to above 9 t/ha in 2000.
Australian rice scientists considered that 50% of the observed yield increases since 1986 can be attributed to the adoption of the RiceCheck system .
They also reported that application of the RiceCheck system also increased the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer application in rice production. (Source: Ngu Van Nguyen’s powerpoint, 2004)
Australia’s rice yield, 1970 to 2000
Source: FAOSTAT

4. 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.
: 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.

5. The Beginnings of PalayCheck
: 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.

6. What is PalayCheck? Integrated crop management system (ICM) for rice
land preparation
crop establishment
pest & water mgt
harvest mgt
varieties
fertilizer

7. Changes in technological recommendations for crop management
Seed-based technologies (varieties & agro-chemicals)
Start with the seed & how to grow it using centrally-developed recommendations
Single-problem/ component, integrated mgt technologies (INM, IWM, IPM)
Start with/Focus on a specific field problem & then branch into a holistic study of the system as it relates to the problem
Broader, holistic, integrated mgt technologies (ICM)
Start with a holistic, integrated study of the system & then identify & solve specific problems limiting the system
Seed-based technologies - Start with the seed and how to grow it using centrally-developed recommendations, usually with agrochemical inputs (Masagana 99, HRCP)
Single-problem or component-focused, integrated mgt technologies - Start with/Focus on a specific field problem and then branch into a holistic study of the production system as it relates to the problem (e.g. weed problem as it relates to land preparation, water mgt)
Holistic, integrated mgt technologies - Start with a holistic study of the system and then identify and solve specific
problems limiting the system
Changes in technological recommendations for crop management
Source: Barroga, 2010

8. 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 (may not be research-based)
Appropriate to farmers’ resources, understanding, & capabilities
Achieveable
Adapts/Localizes these recommendations at the farm-level, taking into account the interactions among practices & other factors affecting yield, grain quality, & environment.
Best management practices - “These are not necessarily supported by research results.” (This is from Warwick Clampett himself one of the originators of Ricecheck); maybe a practical experience; takes into consideration resources, understanding and capbilities of rice farmers; and achievable & desirable.

9. Gagawing SWAK ang teknolohiya sa bukid niyo!
PALAYCHECK:
Gagawing SWAK ang teknolohiya sa bukid niyo!

10. An analogy
ADOBO Dish
The best known recipe in cooking adobo is eventually modified based on many location-specific factors (e.g. cost, resources, skills, preferences or market-demand, health).

11. Houses An analogy Ivatans’ Ifugaos’ Badjaos’
cuname=gavhug&filter=1#
Houses vary depending on location-specific situations but all have the basic elements: roof, door, window, walls etc.
Ask participants to give their own analogies.
Ifugaos’
Badjaos’

12. 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.

13. 1 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)
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.
Recall earlier discussion on ICM

14. Seed & variety selection
Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE) 1
Holistic, integrated crop management
Management practices & result areas under the different crop management areas are interdependent & interrelated. They have a combined impact on yield, grain quality, & environmental outcome.
Seed & variety selection
Land preparation
Crop establishment
Recall earlier discussion on ICM
Nutrient management
Water management
Pest management
Harvest management

15. 2 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE) Input-Output-Outcome
The INPUTS (practices) must achieve the optimum level of 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 LCC every 7 days
20-25 hills/sq m tillers/hill at EPI
high yield
high profit

16. 3 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE) Key checks
KEY CHECKS are the KEY OUTPUTS (or results) -- the most important determinants of yield, profit, grain quality, & environmental outcomes
Inputs
Outputs
Land preparation
Clean/repair dikes
Plow field
Harrow 2x
Level
Levelled field
Uniform bund height
Breakdown of organic materials
Of the 3 outputs, this is the key output. Thus, the Key Check --- your benchmark or check against actual results of doing the inputs.

17. 3 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE) Key checks
Use KEY CHECKS as targets & benchmarks to ASSESS success or failure of farmers’ management practices
Farmer Cooperator
Key Check 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Alvin (farmer partner) 
Cris 
Doming
Gary
Mando
Paul

18. 3 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE) Key checks
There may be more than one key check per management area. 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 was achieved or not achieved given the inputs.
Key Checks 3 & 4 are both under Crop Establishment
Your main challenge!

19. 4 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE) Experiential group learning
Farmers must first identify their strengths (practices contributing 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.

20. No. of Key Checks Achieved
Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE) 4
Experiential group learning
Farmer Cooperator
Key Check
No. of Key Checks Achieved
Grain Yield (t/ha)
Gross Margin (P/ha) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Alvin (farmer partner) 
6.15
38,160
Ben
7.20
45,080
Charlie
4.65
25,560
Cris 
5.37
32,000
Doming
5.53
33,350
Gary
5.58
34,350
Jojo
5.72
35,550
Larry
4.20
23,580
Mando
4.40
25,260
Paul
4.71
26,050
Robert
4.49
24,220
Romeo
3.90
22,360
Roger
5.15
25,830
Vic
5.35
27,350
Willy
3.50
16,300
Checks achieved (%) 60 87 93
100 80
Range = 5 – 8
Mean = 5.06
Mean = 29,000

21. 4 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE) Experiential group learning
EXPERIENTIAL (or discovery-based) GROUP LEARNING promotes collaborative learning among farmers & between resource persons & farmers, making learning less intimidating. Learning is hands-on, shared, & guided.

22. 4 DISCOVERY LEARNING Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)
MANAGE CROP: undertake specific practices to achieve outputs & key checks
Experiential group learning
PLAN: specify what to do, change, achieve
DISCOVERY LEARNING
PLANNING
Specify what to do/ change and achieve
MANAGING THE CROP
Undertake specific practices to achieve Key Checks
MONITORING
Observe, measure, and record the results achieved
HARVESTING
Record yield, quality, and prices received
COMPARING AND INTERPRETING RESULTS
Determine Key Check achievement and yield relationships
IDENTIFYING MANAGEMENT STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
CHANGING KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING, AND ATTITUDES TO MANAGEMENT
CHANGE MANAGEMENT
MONITOR: observe, measure, record results
IDENTIFY MGT STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
HARVEST: determine & record yield, quality, & prices received
COMPARE & INTERPRET RESULTS: identify key checks achieved & their relationship with yield, gross margin

23. 4 Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE) Experiential group learning
The activities in the learning cycle are influenced by:
Key Checks & Recommendations
Farmers’ knowledge & experience
Resources & finance availability
Climate, agroecosystem, soils, & other environment factors
Neighbor/Peer groups’ knowledge & attitudes; extension support

24. DISCOVERY LEARNING Managing the crop Key checks & recommendations
Farmers’ knowledge & experiences
Resource
& finance availability
Climate, agro-ecosystem, soils, etc.
Neighbor/peer group knowledge, attitudes, etc.
Planning
Managing the crop
Monitoring
Harvesting
Comparing & interpreting results
ID mgt strengths & weaknesses
Changing management

25. Four PalayCheck Principles (HIKE)1
Holistic, integrated crop management 2
Input-Output-Outcome 3
Key checks 4
Experiential group learning
Let’s review!

26. relatively pure, clean; full & uniform in size; viable
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
fast & uniform growth resulting in efficient crop establishment & harvesting activities
healthy seedlings
more fertilizer-responsive; stronger pest resistance
10-15% increase in yield

27. 2 The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck
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

28. efficient use of irrigation
The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck 3
Practiced synchronous planting after a fallow period
efficient use of irrigation
less spread of pest damage

29. 4 The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck
Sufficient number of healthy seedlings
better nutrient uptake
more efficient nutrient use
compete better against weeds
better root growth
Healthy seedlings
Sowing right amount of seeds
Transplanting right amount of seedlings
Giving right nutrients

30. attainment of yield potential
The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck 5
Sufficient nutrients at tillering to early panicle initiation & flowering
NUTRIENTS
over
adequate
under
pest damage
uniform growth
less tillers
slow growth
lodging
uniform panicle dev’t
low grain weight
attainment of yield potential

31. 6 The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck
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.

32. 7 The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck
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.

33. 8 The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck
Cut & threshed the crop at the right time
REAPING
too early
timely
too late
large % of immature & half- filled
grains
good grain quality
grain shattering
high market
value
milling breakage
consumer
acceptance
low MR, low grain quality
low grain quality

34. The Eight Key Checks of PalayCheck
Crop Mgt Area
Key Checks
Seed & variety selection
1) Used high quality seeds of the recommended 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

35. Statement of Key Checks in PalayCheck
Land Preparation
Key Check 2: No high and low soil spots after final leveling
Importance: ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Assessment: ~~~~~~~
Recommendations to Achieve Key Check 2: ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~
Management area
Key Check statement -
what to attain
Importance of Key Check – why Key Check should be attained
Assessment of Key Check – how to know that Key Check has been attained
Recommendations to Achieve Key Check – how Key Check could be attained
After this, facilitator can engage audience into Q&A.

36. Flowering to grain filling
Integration of Management at Different Crop Growth Stages
Under actual field conditions... Key Check recommendations are done mostly together at varying levels of activity.
For example:
Flowering to grain filling
- Key Check 5, 6, & 7
After this, facilitator can engage audience into Q&A.

37. Crop Mgt Area Key Checks Let’s review! Seed & variety selection
Land preparation
Crop establishment
Nutrient management
Water management
Pest management
Harvest management
1) Used high quality seeds of the recommended variety
2) No high & low soil spots after final leveling
3) Practiced synchronous planting after fallow period
4) Sufficient number of healthy seedlings
5) Sufficient nutrients at tillering to early panicle initiation and flowering
6) Avoided excessive water or drought stress that could affect the growth & yield of the crop
After this, facilitator can engage audience into Q&A.
7) No significant yield loss due to pests
8) Cut & threshed the crop at the right time
Let’s review!

38. Gagawing SWAK ang teknolohiya sa bukid niyo!
PALAYCHECK:
Gagawing SWAK ang teknolohiya sa bukid niyo!

39. Mr. Salvador Yabes; Mrs. Anita Antonio; Mrs. Ofelia Malonzo
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.
Produced in 2011
Text: