VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon (PIA)—The Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 recently conducted the final leg of the Hybrid Rice Technology Demonstration in Valencia City, Bukidnon. 

Valencia is the third cluster of farmers, where the department conducted a hybrid rice techno demo, after Maramag and Kalilangan, Bukidnon, this year. 

“Region 10 has targeted three cluster techno demos stirring up to achieve at least six metric tons per hectare on this dry season,” said DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado. 

He explained that between March and February next year, the said demo farms will have their harvest festival to determine the best performing hybrid rice varieties in terms of yield.

“The top five performing varieties will be the basis of the agency’s rice seeds procurement. Achieving higher productivity in rice primarily entails the use of high-quality seeds and sufficient fertilization—on top of other important considerations such as sustainable and sufficient water supply, the use of appropriate technology and equipment, and access to credit and financing,” Collado added.

With a farm area of 9.24 hectares in barangay Pinatilan, the different hybrid rice varieties and technologies of SL Agritech Corp., Seed Works, RAMGO International, Corp., LongPing, Leads Agri, Green and Grow, Inc., Davao Oriental Seed Producers Cooperative, Corteva Agriscience, Bioseed, Bayer, and Amtrac were showcased. 

According to Valencia City Agriculturist Connie Dalangan, the clustered hybrid rice techno demo can benefit 5,855 rice farmers in the city. 

The activity was carried out in partnership with the provincial and Valencia local government units through the Provincial Agriculture Office headed by Engr. Alson Quimba.

Barangay Pinatilan and the city farmer co-operators also joined and graced the event. (DA-10/PIA-10/Bukidnon)