The Institute has embarked on various experimental projects at the community level. These projects are on-going and have made a significant impact to the lives of the beneficiary families, their communities and the existing body of knowledge. The Institute welcomes individuals, private and religious groups, or business companies for exploratory partnership and tie-ups. If these experimental projects appeal to you and you feel you want to be part of it, please feel free to contact the Institute by email: administrator@idssphilippines.org
Environmental and Bio-gas
The Institute has developed bio-gas production from the waste and refuse of swines. This is mixed with chicken dung in order to produce ammonia. After several days, the ammonia is compressed to produce a combustible methane gas which is equivalent to liquified petroleum gas. The gas is bio-generated and environmentally friendly. The Institute wishes to expand this project into the next stage of producing organic fertilizers for farmers.
Organic Farming
The Institute has conducted trial farming for two years, focusing on organic farming, and the results have been impressive. It generates a higher income for the farmers due to the higher market price of their produce. Due to a lack of financial capital, however, the farmers are still underpaid since they are forced to sell their rice during harvest season at a low price. This is because the capitalist market tends to speculate oversupply of rice, so as to pull its price down. This situation generally keeps the farmers living below the poverty line (less than a dollar a day) and their only means of survival is to borrow money from loan sharks. To combat this the Institute has conceptualised and planned to make a rice bank for farmers, which shall have post-harvest facilities (drying, milling, storing, and marketing) to enable the farmers to get better value for their harvest.
Food Security
The Institute has embarked on a food security study which focuses on the chain of production and consumption among Filipinos in rural areas. The pattern of producing food in the rural areas is labour intensive and requires a large financial capital. If some technology is introduced, the labour requirement is reduced and quantity of production may increase. A comprehensive and integrated food production plan has been conceptualised that may ensure to meet the basic needs of farmers while they are waiting for the harvest. This includes diversification of production from simple livestock, vegetables, fruits and root crops.