MUSUAN, MARAMAG, Bukidnon, Nov. 25 – To increase rice productivity in attaining rice sufficiency, the agriculture department in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) and Central Mindanao University (CMU) conducted the hybrid rice derby harvest festival in said town.
DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, on Friday said, “we are confronted with the dipping buying prices of Palay, this hybrid rice derby is one of the answers to this challenge.”
Collado conveyed this message during the program with seven participating seed companies namely Bayer, SL Agritech, Long Ping, Sygenta, Seedworks, Ramgo, and Bioseed.
He explained that each seed company was allocated five hectares planted with their most leading varieties using their own cultural practice protocol.
Another five hectares, he said, were also utilized for the ‘one common protocol’ for all cultural practices, which were adopted by all entry varieties.
“Through this harvest festival, we can determine the kinds of seeds suitable for the given soil conditions and climate. Thus, we can come up with a recommendation to our farmers the best variety to use,” Collado said.
Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the region’s first semester Palay production has been posted at 1.11 percent, both for rainfed and irrigated.
With various mitigating programs implemented to boost rice production, Region 10 targeted a94 percent sufficiency level, with a 12 percent increase from previous year's target.
“We target to contribute by increasing the 87 percent rice sufficiency level of the country, including the farm mechanization rate of 2.31 horsepower per hectare,” Collado added.
DA’s Rice Resiliency Project (RRP) focuses to intensify the campaign for the adoption of hybrid rice technology among local farmers. This project is a quick response measure that addresses food security concerns amid the pandemic, which intends to produce more rice to increase rice sufficiency level.
CMU president Jesus Antonio G. Derije, meanwhile, said they will utilize the whole area and continue to improve their production in partnership with DA and the seed companies.
“We are the DA’s partner in the development and enhancement of food production in feeding the people,” Derije said.
DA-10 has partnered with CMU for the 27-hectare hybrid rice derby which aims to increase national agri-fishery output through intensified use of quality seeds, appropriate inputs and modern technologies to increase levels of productivity, availability, accessibility, and affordability amidst the threat of COVID-19 pandemic.
The hybrid rice derby harvest festival is fitting for this month’s celebration of National Rice Awareness Month to stir people’s mindfulness on being ‘Riceponsible’ anchored on the theme “Grow local. Buy local. Eat local. Support our rice farmers.” (ATCabig, DA 10/PIA Bukidnon)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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