DA7 launches hybrid rice 'derby'
With the aim to boost the rice production, the Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas (DA7) launched the Regional Hybrid Rice Derby in Batuan, Bohol on November 18, 2020.
The said event was officially opened with the cutting of ribbons and the actual planting of rice in the paddy led by Atty. Salvador D. Diputado, DA7 regional executive director and local officials.
The six seed companies that joined the rice derby will showcase their best hybrid rice varieties with their respective cultural practices and other technologies to enhance rice productivity.
One of the rice farmers Mr. Benjamin Alcala of Poblacion Norte, Batuan expressed his utmost gratitude to DA7 and the seed company for having chosen him as the cooperator of the derby.
Farmer-cooperator of the derby will recieve fertilizers and maintenance essentials from the seed company.
Alcala said that they will do their best and pray of a huge harvest, when asked about his expectation on the outcome of the said rice derby.
Diputado said that this is another rice derby conducted in Bohol, and this time in Batuan so that farmers will see for themselves that it's good to plant hybrid rice.
"Farmer-cooperator who will have a high yield during the field day in February next year will receive a prize and the winning seed company will be awarded with a seed procurement," Diputado added.
Local officials who attended the event were Mr. Pedro Budiongan as representative of Governor Arthur C. Yap, Ms. Merilou Bujo representing 1st district Congressman Edgar M. Chatto , 2nd district Congressman Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, Ms. Marjorie Escuadro representative of 3rd district Congressman Kristine Alexie B. Tutor, officials from the municipalities of Clarin, Maribojoc, Ubay, Loay, Guindulman, and Sikatuna.
Participating seed companies in the said rice derby are Bayer, SL Agritech Corp., Seed Works, Longping, Hatao, and Leads Agri.
Meanwhile, DA7 also introduced the 11 rice-based clusters for the various rice interventions/inputs such as seeds, fertilizer, machinery, irrigation projects, and training.
Hybrid Rice Cluster for District 1 called as Catigbian Cluster is composed of Catigbian, Balilihan , Sikatuna , Corella , Cortes , Alburburque , Baclayon, Maribojoc, Antequera , Loon , Calape , and Tubigon. District 2 is composed of two clusters, Talibon Cluster and Ubay Cluster. Ubay Cluster includes Ubay , Carlos P. Garcia, San Miguel, Dagohoy, Trinidad and Bien Unido. While Talibon Cluster has Danao, Getafe, Buenavista, Inabanga, Clarin, Sagbayan, and San Isidro.
District 3 has three clusters, the Carmen Cluster which has Carmen, Batuan, Bilar, Loboc, Loay, and Sevilla; Jagna Cluster with Lila, Dimiao, Valencia , Garcia Hernandez, Duero, and Siera Bullones; and the Mabini Cluster composed of Pilar, Alicia, Candijay, Guindulman, and Anda.
Cecile Opada, DA7 rice focal person explained on farm clustering to maximize production. "Each cluster has been positioned to receive next year hybrid rice seeds good for 50 hectares and fertilizer from DA," Opada said.
Diputado said that the local officials led by Batuan Mayor Antonino Jumawid and rice farmers of Bohol expressed their gratitude to Secretary William Dar for the assistance they received.
Hybrid rice is a product of a cross between two genetically instinct rice parents. When the right parents are selected , the hybrid will have both greater vigor and yield than either of the parents.