LARENA, Siquijor, Sept. 13 (PIA) -- A total of 265 rice farmers in the province received hybrid rice seeds and fertilizer from the Department of Agriculture (DA) as the Community Hybrid Rice Farming (CHRF) project kicks off this wet season planting.
According to a press release from the Provincial Agriculture Technology Coordinating Office (PATCO) of DA here, 205 of 50-kilogram bags of inorganic fertilizers and 100 of 15-kilogram bags of hybrid rice seeds were equally distributed to rice farmers, based on the amount of input received in their rice area.
With the Licoan Siquijor Farmer Irrigators Association (LISIFIA) in the Municipality of Maria identified as hybrid cluster or Big Brother, 155 rice farmer members of the association received 50 bags of rice seeds and 105 bags of fertilizers.
The other recipients were: 46 rice farmers from the Municipality of Lazi with 20 bags of rice seeds and 40 bags of fertilizer; 26 from San Juan with seven bags of rice seeds and 14 bags of fertilizer; 17 from Siquijor with 10 bags of rice seeds and 20 bags of fertilizer; 11 from Larena with 10 bags of rice seeds and 20 bags of fertilizer; and 10 from Enrique Villanueva with three bags of rice seeds and six bags of fertilizer.
Records show 554.34 hectares are dedicated to rice farming, of which 209.75 hectares were planted with hybrid rice (190.50 hectares during the dry season and 19.24 in the wet season).
In 2021, only the towns of Maria, Siquijor, and San Juan planted hybrid rice seeds during the wet season, producing only 75.91 metric tons compared to the 592.66 metric tons production of good quality seeds.
“This year, we are expecting a significant increase in the production of hybrid seeds, as we implement the CHRF project here in Siquijor,”said OIC-APCO Julius Galvan.
Nestor Mamhot, president of LISIFIA, said he is honored to be given the responsibility of co-operating the project.
“Mapasalamaton kaayo mi sa association nga gisaligan mi ani nga proyekto sa Munisipyo sa Maria, sa Provincial Agriculture Office, ilabi na gyud sa DA (We in the association are very thankful to the Municipality of Maria, Provincial Agriculture Office, and DA for entrusting us with this project),” he said.
“Dako kaayo’g tabang namo ning maong mga inputs kay matabangan mi nga maminusan ang among gasto, ilabi na gyud karon nga gakamahal na kaayo ning presyo sa binhi ug abono (Considering the high prices of rice seeds and fertilizers, these inputs really helped us minimize our expenses),” added Mamhot.
The association is hopeful that DA will continue to support their rice farming through the provision of machineries and equipment under the CHRF project. (RAC/PIA7 Siquijor with reports from Mary Jane Banglos, DA-PATCO)
