Open Journal of Ecology, 2024, 14, 199-214 https://www.scirp.org/journal/oje ISSN Online: 2162-1993 ISSN Print: 2162-1985 DOI: 10.4236/oje.2024.143012 Mar. 21, 2024 199 Open Journal of Ecology Empowering Rice Farmers in Nueva Ecija, Philippines: A Strategic Approach to Boosting Income through Special Purpose Rice Production Armando C. Lagasca 1* , Eugenia G. Baltazar 1 , Johnah Jefferson S. Mercado 1 , Randy L. Kwan 1 , Erwin M. Valiente 2 , Jerski Jarzen C. Duria 1,3 1 University Extension Program Office, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Philippines 2 Department of Agri-Management, College of Agriculture, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Philippines 3 Department of Social Science, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Philippines Abstract Low income is the main problem of millions of farmers who are cultivating 4.81 million hectares in the Philippines. This problem is attributed to chal- lenges specifically low yield, low quality of produce, and significant post-harvest losses, particularly in a resource-scarce setting. This study aimed to help in- crease the farmers’ income in selected towns of Nueva Ecija through the promotion and use of special purpose rice production technology. Twenty (20) farmer-cooperators in three towns of Nueva Ecija were selected to dem- onstrate the production technology covering a total area of 4.75 hectares during the dry season, and 3.3 hectares during the wet season, both in 2023. Extension modalities such as training, techno-demo establishment, informa- tion material and technical assistance provision, and market linkage were undertaken to enhance their knowledge, attitude, and skills on special rice production and enterprise. The study utilized the descriptive quantitative method wherein the data were gathered through surveys, specifically personal interviews. Results showed that 70% of the farmer-cooperators were male and 60% were living below the poverty threshold. The farmers were 53 years old on average and engaged in farming as their primary source of income. The average yield of special purpose rice particularly the CLS-2 variety was higher (6.46 MT/ha and 6.22 MT/ha during dry and wet seasons, respectively) than that of inbred or non-special rice. The income per hectare from special pur- pose rice production per hectare was Php 75,420.00, which is higher than that of regular rice at Php 29,389.00, giving a higher benefit of Php 46,031.00. The How to cite this paper: Lagasca, A.C., Baltazar, E.G., Mercado, J.J.S., Kwan, R.L., Valiente, E.M. and Duria, J.J.C. (2024) Empowering Rice Farmers in Nueva Ecija, Philippines: A Strategic Approach to Boost- ing Income through Special Purpose Rice Production. Open Journal of Ecology, 14, 199-214. https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2024.143012 Received: January 12, 2024 Accepted: March 18, 2024 Published: March 21, 2024 Copyright © 2024 by author(s) and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access