Reduced Tillage Technology involves minimum tillage as a result of soil intervention by tractor-drawn paddy wheels and attached harrow during the course of repeated pressing operations. The "Reduced Tillage Technology and PalayCheck System for Irrigated Rice Production" project aims to increase the productivity and net income of participating farmers by demonstrating and understanding cost-saving technologies and mitigating the effects of climate change in irrigated rice production. A project on this technology was started in 2012 by the Department of Agriculture and Philippine Rice Research Institute in nine provinces, namely: Aurora, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Ilocos Sur, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Tarlac and Zambales. Eighty-six (86) municipalities and 480 Participatory Technology Demonstration sites were involved. The paper concentrates on the Nueva Ecija experience. Results of 38 Participatory Technology Demonstration sites in 31 barangays from 12 municipalities and cities are discussed in comparison with data from Conventional Tillage in terms of the amount of yield, cost and other variables.
In conclusion, Reduced Tillage was a faster, cheaper, and easier method of preparing the land under irrigated lowland rice production. It was well-adopted in transplanted or direct-seeded methods of crop establishment. Higher yield and income were achieved during the dry season when farmers shifted from transplanting to direct seeding technology. Farmers must be well-equipped with best energy and cost-saving technology practices within the PalayCheck system.