CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) - - At least 60 farmers from San Isidro town here have undergone a technical mentoring on nutrient and pest management for hybrid Mestizo 1 rice variety recently.

Led by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)-Isabela, the activity aimed at enhancing farmers' awareness and knowledge on effectively managing prevalent pests and diseases in the area, and the importance of the appropriate type and amount, and time of fertilizer application. 

Dr. Fidel Ramos and Engr. Christian Paul De Leon, both from PhilRice Rice Development Initiatives for Cagayan Valley and CAR Environments, demonstrated to the farmers the proper way of nurturing the said variety. 

“Excessive fertilizer application especially nitrogen may lead to pest and disease infestation and the presence of certain pests and diseases during the wet season, if not properly managed, can significantly reduce the yield of rice farmers,” Ramos said.

It is recalled that the Department of Agriculture through the Philrice distributed a total of 2,000 bags of Mestizo 1 seeds in various towns in the region such as Isidro and San Mariano in Isabela; Allacapan, Pamplona, Sanchez Mira, Camalaniugan and Tuao in Cagayan; Dupax Del Sur and Kayapa in Nueva Vizaya; and Cabarroguis and Diffun in Quirino to be used by farmers for the wet season cropping. (MGE / PIA Isabela)