BUTUAN CITY, Philippines — Caraga State University’s College of Agriculture and Agri-industries (CAA) has officially launched a major expansion of its Alternate Wet and Dry (AWD) Technology for Rice Production and Methane Reduction in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. On January 29, 2026, faculty researchers from the Soil Science Division gathered at the HERO Learning Commons Auditorium to orient a new cohort of farmer cooperators, marking a 1,000-hectare scale-up of the initiative.
Originally launched in July 2025, the AWD project provides a simple yet transformative solution for local rice farmers. By systematically alternating between flooded and non-flooded soil conditions, the technology significantly reduces water consumption and lowers production costs. Crucially, the practice substantially reduces methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, from rice paddies.
The expansion program was led by Project Leader Dr. Glenn Arthur A. Garcia, who conducted technical demonstrations and training for the participants. The event also featured a high-level consultation session with Mr. Wendell Tangiday, Assistant Manager of Verde Carbon Capture, Inc. (VCCI), funding agency of AWD, who addressed queries alongside representatives from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the City Agriculture and Veterinary Office (CAVO).
The university’s research team includes prominent experts: Reuben James C. Rollon, Sharyl Mae M. Daverao, Leo Jude D. Villasica, Angelica L. Labiano, Hazel D. Fuertes, Ianil B. Manguruban, and Dr. Frances Mae Pizon, supported by Research Assistants Deserie U. Prieto and Gerald June Y. Cabangil.
Through its partnership with Green Carbon, Inc. via VCCI, CAVO, and NIA, CSU is bridging the gap between scientific innovation and field application. The project is a cornerstone of the university’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically targeting No Poverty (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Climate Action (SDG 13), Life on Land (SDG 15), and Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17).
