The Department of Agriculture (DA) continuously provide all options for the Filipino rice farmers to select technologies that will improve their productivity. One of this is the adoption of the high-end technology for the rice industry – the use of hybrid.

In 2017, hybrid rice utilization is at 9.78%.  For the following years, it posted an increase of 12.04% in 2018 and 17.11% in 2019 based on the DA-National Rice Program rice performance report.

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DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo (center) leads the ceremonial planting to officially kick-off the preparations for the 11th National Rice Technology Forum in October 2020 hosted by Caraga region. 
DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo (2nd from right) together with DA-PhilRice-Agusan, Branch Manager Ceasar Joventino M. Tado, Ph.D.(1st from right), NIA-Caraga Regional Manager Madante P. Ganotise (2nd from left), and Butuan City Administrator Reynante B. Desiata (4th from left).

The historical data of hybrid utilization in the country calls for a more strategic approach to convince more farmers to adopt the practices and technology of hybrid rice. Given that the wide-scale adoption of such technology could help attain the rice sufficiency goal.

With Caraga Region hosting the 11th National Rice Technology Forum (NRTF) on October this year, DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo leads the ceremonial planting to officially kick-off the preparations for the said forum held at Barangay Lemon, Butuan City yesterday, July 21. This is in collaboration with the Rice Productivity Advocacy Incorporated  or otherwise known as the Rice Board and the Local Government Unit of Butuan. 

For 2020 wet cropping season, 61 participating Farmer-Cooperators from the Barangays of Ampayon, Basag, and Lemon in Butuan City is taking part in establishing a 100-hectare area rice technology demonstration.

“The techno demo area is a learning site for the farmers to see the advantages of hybrid rice. With this, Caraga rice farmers will have the opportunity to personally see the result and choose which among the best practices and technologies introduced are applicable to their farm conditions,” said Director Monteagudo.

Currently, the farmer-cooperators are on their pre-planting activities. They are provided with seeds, input requirements, crop protection as well as technical assistance following the package of technology recommended for a particular hybrid rice variety by the seed companies and rice institutions.

The farmer-cooperators will also take the responsibility of the labor cost and expenses for the maintenance and the growth of hybrid rice until its harvesting.

Private seed companies such as SL Agritech Corporation, Seedworks, Bioseed, Ramgo, Bayer, Pioneer, Syngenta, Advanta, and LongPing are the partners of the farmer-cooperators in the development of the demonstration farms.

Alongside the private seed companies,  DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) – Agusan and Phil-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (PhilScat) also participated in the technology demonstration.

Since water is very important in hybrid production, DA together with the National Irrigation Administration – Caraga is working closely to ensure water availability in the production sites.

As the country is facing the new normal, Director Monteagudo encouraged the key players by reiterating Secretary William Dar’s three principles in surpassing the global crisis. 
“The participation of the rice industry stakeholders is crucial to the success of the 11th NRTF. Together we will survive, reboot, and grow,” Monteagudo said.