CENTRAL LUZON HYBRID RICE DERBY FIELD DAY, FARMERS’ FORUM HELD
Muñoz, Nueva Ecija – In partnership with the Philippine Rice Research Institute, Central Luzon State University, and Provincial Agriculture Office of Nueva Ecija, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office III led by Regional Director Crispulo Bautista, Jr. conducted the Hybrid Rice Derby Field Day and Farmers’ Forum at CLSU Multi-Purpose Gym, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija on October 15.
The activity aims to promote to the rice farmers the various cultural management and practices and the importance of using hybrid rice seeds in achieving a higher production volume as part of the Rice Resiliency Project of Plant, Plant, Plant Program.
“Isa ito roon sa pagtugon natin sa modern technologies para mabigyan natin ng magandang ani at kita iyong ating mga magsasaka. Isa itong model na ipakikita natin sa ating mga magsasaka na ang hybrid seed variety ay adaptable na rito sa ating environment. Ang purpose nitong Hybrid Derby ay para ipakita iyong iba’t ibang teknolohiya sa ating mga magsasaka,” Director Bautista reiterated.
A total of seven seed companies particularly Corteva Agriscience, Bioseed Research Philippines, Inc., Bayer, LongPing, SeedWorks, Syngenta, SL Agritech Corporation presented the different hybrid rice technologies during the wet cropping season.
“With the leadership ng ating Secretary, ang isang factor o ang isang dahilan kung bakit tayo nagkaroon ng sapat na pagkain ay through these hybrid seeds. Makikita naman po natin lalong lalo na po rito sa Nueva Ecija comparing to the yield of the inbred at saka hybrid during the dry season, ang inbred umaabot lang ng mga 5.6 tons per hectare, average iyan. Ang hybrid umaabot as high as 7.8 tons per hectare,” Director Bautista added.
He also encourages the seed companies to take the challenge in promoting hybrid rice technology to the local farmers.
“Mayroon akong challenge rito sa mga seed companies. It’s about time na iyong ating mga seed company help us in promoting hybrid rice technology. Sana bawat probinsiya ay mag-conduct kayo ng techno demo,” Director Bautista said.
Based on the data of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the province of Nueva Ecija recorded a total output of 770,830 metric tons in terms of the volume of palay production in the second quarter this 2020.
Moreover, Director Bautista reminded the local government units and farmers to cooperate in reporting any illegal activities or corruption in the distribution of assistance given by the DA.###
Writer: Rica Geda Salas
Photographer: Renzo Tobias Pineda & Jonnel Castillo