The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) introduced the Palayamanan Project in 2004, which was passed on to various agricultural institutions, including the Bulacan Agricultural State College (BASC). Since 2005, the college has created a model farm on campus and in the farmer’s field, serving as a learning site for students, farmers, and community members. Dr. Imelda S.A. Navarro led the project in 2007, which established nine clusters from various municipalities in Bulacan with financial support from the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (DARF).

     The Region 3 invasion began in different provinces, including Norzagaray (Bulacan), Abucay (Bataan), Magalang (Pampanga), Mayantoc (Tarlac), Botolan (Zambales), Baler (Aurora), and Gabaldon (Nueva Ecija) with a budget of 3 million. The remaining funds were allocated to a new proposal integrating farming systems with free-range chicken production on small-scale farms which was initially implemented in Malipampang, San Ildefonso, Bulacan. During the time of uncertainty, farmers were able to produce good output and market goods to the community. Through the implementation of a quick response project to address the COVID-19, they also offered access to resources and equipped the 93 women farmers, and they were able to extend support by giving out 200 trays of eggs from the established Palayamanan model farms.

     The group has helped farmers create and develop 11 viable Palayamanan techno-demo farms in eight municipalities in Bulacan and three municipalities in other Central Luzon provinces. This was accomplished through the distribution of farm inputs to 587 farmer-beneficiaries, as well as the provision of capacity- building activities such as training sessions on rice-based integrated and diversified farming systems. Beneficiaries of marginalized farmers improved their knowledge, abilities, and attitude, allowing them to save money and improve their standard of living.

Palayamanan initiatives received outstanding feedback, leading the project team to win the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Honor Awards Program (HAP) Pagasa Award-Group Category. recognizing them as a national qualifier. Dr. Imelda S.A. Navarro, along with Dr. Imee D. Esguerra, Associate Professor Jennifer 1. Guevarra, Dr. Anthony C. Ortega, and Engr. Rhuelyn A. Ballaran received the award on September 21, 2023, at the Widus Hotel & Casino in Clark Freeport Zone. Pampanga. The group’s constant commitment to strengthening rural communities through education, innovation, and sustainable practices has not only gained them compliments, but also improved the lives of countless people.

     The Palayamanan project has continued its objective of demonstrating and promoting integrated farming systems to the community by proposing their new extension project “Sustainability of Diversified and Integrated Rice-Based Farming System (Palayamanan) in Upland and Rainfed Areas of Central Luzon inspiring the team to continue its growth by reaching out to the community, especially the farmers, and providing them with improved methods and trainings.