Benefits of Research! Upland Hybrid Rice Seeds To Boost Rice-Sufficiency

Newly-developed hybrid rice varieties suited for dryland and uplands without irrigation are being introduced by the Mindanao Development Authority in 12 provinces, including Basilan, Sulu and Tawitawi, in a program aimed at boosting Mindanao’s rice sufficiency program.

Initially, nine provinces in the main island will be the site of 11 demonstration farms for the off-season planting with harvests expected in November and December.

The 11 pilot farms in North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte will all feature pressurized irrigation and fertigation technology designed by Israel.

In the first 11 pilot farms, the TH 82 Upland Hybrid Rice variety will be planted alongside an OPV and indigenous rice varieties.

TH 82 or Tatag Hybrid is the first upland and dryland hybrid rice seeds introduced in the Philippines by Seedworks Phils. which was developed by US Agriseeds in their research area in India.

Initial planting tests in Central Mindanao when I was Agriculture Secretary showed yields of 9 to 10 metric tons per hectare.

Next year, during the traditional season for upland rice farming, Ramgo Seeds has also volunteered to introduce their Upland Hybrid Seeds, Kimbee.

MinDA aims to establish pilot farms for upland hybrid rice in all provinces of Mindanao, including Dinagat and Camiguin.

MinDA is supported by PhilRice, Seedworks Phils., the local government units and farmer-cooperators.

With a total land area of 9.7-million hectares, Mindanao has vast un-irrigated upland areas which could be transformed into rice production areas.

#BlessingsOfResearch!