Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Enhancing Crop Residues Recycling in the Philippine Landscape

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Environmental Implications of Recycling and Recycled Products

Abstract

Recycling the crop residues of the two major crops (rice and sugarcane) in the Philippines remains to be achieved. Rice straw burning is still prevalent at 76 % of all rice farms. About 32 % of the 22 million tonnes (valued at PhP 18.41 billion compost) rice straws produced in the 4.4 Mha harvested areas are burned. It will take about 30 years or more to stop rice straw burning in the Philippines at the rate farmers are withdrawing from the burning habit. For sugarcane, 64 % of the trash, at about 3.02 billion kg of sugarcane trash, is still burned. The average annual fertiliser import for the last 10 years was 2.0 million tonnes (50 % of which was nitrogen) valued at PhP 40 billion. Recycling the residues of the two crops (rice and sugarcane) will have a large effect because 50 % of all fertilisers are used for these crops. The total compost fertiliser value of the crop residues of the two crops amounts to about PhP 25 billion (US$569 million) per year. National laws and local ordinances were enacted but monitoring and enforcement should be strengthened. Discussed in this chapter are other paths that must be explored. Farmers could be given incentives and rewards for not burning crop residues instead of the punitive approaches (legal) to enhance crop residue recycling in Philippine landscape.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Abrigo CC (1981) Organic fertilizer from cane trash as soil ameliorant. In: Proceedings of the 28th annual convention, PHILSUTECH, pp 448–462 42:143–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Alaban R, Barredo FC, Aguirre AL (1990) An assessment of some indicators and determinants of farm productivity and soil fertility in VMC district. Trends associations, interactions. Paper presented during PHILSUTECH 37th annual convention, PICC, Manila, 8–10 Aug 1990

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen A, Cardoso A, Da Rocha G (2004) Influence of sugar cane burning on aerosol soluble ion composition in Southeastern Brazil. Atmospheric Environment 38(30):5025–5038 [14 page(s) (article)] (1 p.1/4). ISSN 1352-2310. http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=16068007. Accessed Jan 2015

  • Amre DK ,Infante-Rivard C, Dufresne A (1999) Case-control study of lung cancer among sugar cane farmers in India. Occup Environ Med 56(8):548–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Boddey RM, de Olivera OC, Urquiaga S et al (1995) Biological nitrogen fixation associated with sugarcane and rice: contributions and prospects for improvement. Plant Soil 174:195–209

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boddey RM (1995) Biological nitrogen fixation in sugar can: a key to energetically viable biofuel production. Crit Rev Plant Sci 14(3):263–379

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brazil Will Burn Sugarcane Fields until 2017. http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/24012. Accessed 15 March 2015

  • Briones MB (2014) The role of mineral fertilizers in transforming Philippine agriculture. Philippine Institute Of Development Studies. Discussion Paper Series No. 2014–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Corton TM, Bajita JB, Gorospe FS et al (2000) Methane emission from irrigated and intensively managed rice fields in Central Luzon (Philippines). Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 58:37–53

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crutzen P, Andreae M (1990) Biomass burning in the tropics: impact on atmospheric chemistry and biogeochemical cycles. Science 250(4988):1669–1678

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Damo CB, Mendoza TC (2003) Comparative productivity & profitability of cotton grown after rice (Luzon) and after corn (Mindanao) in the Philippines. Philipp J Crop Sci 26(2):41–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Delos Santos D, Mendoza TC (2002) Determinants of sugarcane yields ion Agraraian reform communities in Negros occidental Philippines. Phil Agric Scientist 85(2):114–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Dobermann A, Fairhurst TH (2002) Rice straw management. Better Crops Int 16:7–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Dosayla RD (1994) The influence of trash on the yield components of sugarcane varieties. Paper presented at PHILSUTECH 41st annual convention, Cebu Plaza Hotel, Cebu City, 17–20 Aug 1994

    Google Scholar 

  • DOST (2006) Burning of rice straw, agri waste threatens the environment. http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/350114/burning-rice-straw-agri-waste-threatens-environment. Accessed 28 March 2015

  • Gadde B, Bonnet S, Menke C et al (2009) Air pollutant emissions from rice straw open field burning in India, Thailand and the Philippines. J Environ Pollut 157:1554–1558

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta R (2011) Causes of emissions from agricultural residue burning in North-West India: evaluation of a technology policy response, South Asian Network for development and environmental economics (SANDEE) Working paper, Nepal

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill NM, Patriquin DG (1990) Evidence for the involvement of Azospirillum brasilense and Helicomyces roseus in the aerobic nitrogen-fixing/cellulolytic system from sugarcane litter. Soil Biol Biochem 22:313–319

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lal L (2005) World crop residues production and implications of its use as a biofuel. Environ Int 31:575–584

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Launio CC,Constancio A, Rowena G et al (2013) Economic analysis of rice straw management alternatives and understanding farmers’ choices. EEPSEA, http://www.eepsea.net

  • Malasa RB, Velayo MC, Javier LD (2007) Rice straw composting status in the Philippines. Socioeconomic Division, PhilRice, Nueva Ecija Philippines. http://www.agribusinessweek.com/straw-compost-cuts-fertilizer-cost/ Accessed 2 July 2012

  • Mendoza TC, Samson R (1999) Strategies to avoid crop residue burning in the Philippine context. In: Conference on Canadian international initiatives toward mitigating climate change, San Salvador, El Salvador, 24 April–2 May 1999

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza TC, Samson R (2000) Estimates of CO2 production from the burning of crop residues. Environ Sci Manag 3(1):25–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza TC (1979) Optimum spatial arrangement in sugar cane-legume intercropping. MS thesis UPLB College, Laguna, Philippines

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza TC (1985) Bioproductivity and economic evaluation of some sugar cane production alternatives. PHD thesis UPLB College, Laguna, Philippines

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza TC (1989) Development of organic farming practices for sugarcane-based farms. In: IFOAM proceedings of the 7th Int’l scientific conference. Ouagadougou. Burkina Fasso, 2–5 Jan 1989

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza TC (1994) Adoption of soil benefitting agricultural practices for lowland rice production in the Philippines. Philipp Agriculturist 77(2):235–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza TC (2001) CO2-greenhouse gas-reducing potentials of some ecological agriculture practices in the Philippine landscape. Philipp J Crop Sci 26(3):31–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza TC (2008) why food prices increase & what can be done. Philipp J Crop Sci 33(2):87–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza TC (2009) Food security implications of biofuel production. Ann Trop Res 319(1):1–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza TC, Samson RA (2001) Estimates of CO2 emission from burning of crop residue. J Env Sci Mgt 3(1):25–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza TC, Samson R (2006) Relative bioenergy potential of major agricultural crop residues in the Philippines. Philipp J Crop Sci 31(1):11–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza TC, Samson R, Helwig T (2003) Evaluating the many benefits of sugarcane trash farming systems. Philipp J Crop Sci 27(1):43–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza TC (2014) Reducing carbon footprint of sugar production in Eastern Batangas Philippines. J Agric Technol 10(1):289–308. http://www.ijat-aatsea.co

  • Mui Thi A, Dung NT, Van Binhn D et al (1997a) On-farm evaluation of planting distance and mulching of sugarcane. Livestock Res Rural Dev 9(3):1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Mui Thi A, Preston TR, Ohlsson I (1997b) Response of four varieties of sugarcane to planting distance and mulching. Livestock Res Rural Dev 9(3):1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulvey JJ, Rotchschild H (1983) Sugarcane farming—is there a link with cancer? Ecol Dis 2(4):267–270

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oanh NTK, Sally LLJ (2004) Emission from open burning of agroresidue burning and implications on air quality and health effects. http://www.cleanairnet.org/baq2004/1527/article-59324.html. Accessed 25 Feb 2015

  • Patriquin D (2000) Overview of N2 fixation in sugarcane residues: levels and effects on decomposition. Zoology Department, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

    Google Scholar 

  • Parr JF, Pappendick RI et al (1986) Recycling organic wastes for a sustainable agriculture. Biol Hortic 3:115–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pineda FA (1956) Trash mulching improved the yield of sugarcane. In: Proceedings of the 3rd annual PHILSUTECH convention, pp 143–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Poolchund HN (1991) Aspects of occupational health in the sugarcane industry. J Soc Occup Med 41(3):133–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Republic Act No. 8749 June 23, 1999 .An act providing for a comprehensive air pollution control policy and for other purposes. http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1999/ra_8749_1999.html. Accessed 23 March 2015

  • Republic act no. 9003 January 26, 2001. An act providing for an ecological solid waste management program, creating the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, declaring certain acts prohibited and providing penalties, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes. http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2001/ra_9003_2001.html. Accessed 23 March 2015

  • Republic act no. 9275 March 22, 2004. An act providing for a comprehensive water quality management and for other purposes. http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2004/ra_9275_2004.html. Accessed 23 March 2015

  • Republic act no. 10068. An act providing for the development and promotion of organic agriculture in the Philippines and for other purposes. http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2010/ra_10068_2010.html. Accessed 23 March 2015

  • Republic act no. 9729. Climate change act of 2009”. An act mainstreaming climate change into government policy formulations, establishing the framework strategy and program on climate change, creating for this purpose the climate change commission, and for other purposes. http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2009/ra_9729_2009.html. Accessed 23 March 2015

  • Ross DJ, Peter Mitchel et al (2000) Quantifying the losss of nutrients from the immediate area when sugarcane residues are burnt. Proc Aust Soc Sugarcane Technol 22:206–2011

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheewe W (2012) Effects recycling of rice straw 2009 09 23-v 07-2011—Presentation transcript. http://www.slideshare.net/Scheewe/effects-recycling-of-rice-straw-2009-09-23v-072011. Accessed 12 March 2015

  • Tolentino BJ, Noveno EO, dela Peña B et al (2001) 101 facts about rice in the Philippines. Grains policy and institutional reforms. Advisory technical assistance project (ADB-DATA 3429) Department of Agriculture, Quezon City Philippines

    Google Scholar 

  • Torigoe K, Hasegawa S, Numata O et al (2000) Influence of emission from rice straw burning on bronchial asthma in children. Pediatr Int 42:143–150

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Truc NTT (2005) An environmental- economic assessment of rice straw burning practice in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Master thesis. Cantho University, Vietnam

    Google Scholar 

  • Truc NTT (2011) Comparative assessment of using rice straw for rapid composting and straw mushroom in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in Mekong Delta, Vietnam and Central Luzon, Philippines. PhD dissertation. University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines

    Google Scholar 

  • Wassman R, Dobbermann A (2006) Greenhouse gas emissions from rice fields: What do we know and where should we head for? In: Proceedings of the 2nd joint international conference on “Sustainable Energy and Environment (SEE)” Kyoto University, Japanand the Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment, Bangkok, Thailand, 21–23 Nov 2006

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood AW (1991) Management of crop residues following green cane harvesting of sugar cane in north Queensland. Soil Tillage Res 20:69–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yevich R, Logan JA (2003) An assessment of biofuel use and burning of agricultural waste in the developing world. Global Biogeochem Cy 17(4):1095. doi:10.1029/2002GB001952

  • Zabaleta JMT (1999) The sweet spot of Philippine agriculture. The food and agriculture centennial book. 100 years of Philippine agriculture. University of Asia and the Pacific, Manila, Philippines

    Google Scholar 

  • Zamperlini GCM, Silva MRS, Villegas W (1997) Identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sugar cane soot by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Chromatographia 46(11/12):655–666

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Crop Science, College of Agriculture, U.P., Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines

    Teodoro C. Mendoza

Authors
  1. Teodoro C. Mendoza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Teodoro C. Mendoza .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sustainability Consultant, Global Sustainability Services, SGS Hong Kong Limited, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Subramanian Senthilkannan Muthu

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mendoza, T.C. (2015). Enhancing Crop Residues Recycling in the Philippine Landscape. In: Muthu, S. (eds) Environmental Implications of Recycling and Recycled Products. Environmental Footprints and Eco-design of Products and Processes. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-643-0_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation