MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (PIA)—The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO)-10 recently launched the Province-led Hybrid Rice Technology Demonstration in a bid to achieve rice sufficiency through the increased adoption of hybrid rice technology.
The activity showcased 17 different seed varieties in barangay Violeta, which will be planted to a total of 37.5 hectares in collaboration with 12 private seed companies, a farmers' association, and the local government unit of Bukidnon.
DA-10 Hybrid Rice Techno Demo Project leader Karl Roman O. Wong emphasized that the technology demonstration will provide farmers with a wider selection of available hybrid seeds suitable for their respective areas.
Farmers will be provided with input requirements as well as technical assistance in accordance with the technology package recommended by seed companies and rice institutions for a specific hybrid rice variety, Wong added.
“The featured high yielding varieties with their innovative technologies will ensure the Agri sectors battlecry for an abundant harvest and projected high income of rice farmers towards a food secure country,” said Bukidnon Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Alson G. Quimba.
He added that adopting hybrid technology and coping with technological advancements are keys to contributing to the region's and country's rice sufficiency levels.
Dario C. Adalim, chairman of Lalawan Abohan Sawaga Simaya Communal Irrigators Association, Inc. said “Sa pamamagitan ng mga techno demo ay malalaman namin kung ano ang tamang variety ng palay ang angkop sa aming lugar. Isa itong magandang istratehiya upang mas tumaas pa ang aming kita lalo na ngayong may pandemya. (With this techno demo, we will know which palay variety is suitable in our place. This is also a good strategy to increase income, especially that pandemic has affected our production).”
Reports showed that Bukidnon is one of the top 15 provinces in the country in terms of hybrid rice seed users.
The event—which also seeks to bring together farmers and seed companies with diverse experiences in farming communities—was assisted by Malaybalay City Agriculturist Remedios R. Sarzuelo, and other DA rice program staff. (DA-10/PIA 10-Bukidnon)
