Over 500 farmers, students, and local stakeholders learned about hybrid rice and combine harvester during PhilRice Midsayap’s Lakbay Palay, July 20.
“Our ambition is to be rice-secure and competitive. With hybrid rice and mechanization, we hope to attain this goal in the next few years,” PhilRice Acting Executive Director Sailila E. Abdula emphasized. Hybrid rice is a type of rice that has been bred from two very different parents.
The event showcased the station’s seed production, hybrid demonstration farm, and latest rice farming technologies. Led by DA-RFO 12 Regional Executive Director Milagros C. Casis and Dr. Abdula, a ceremonial harvesting, on the other hand, showcased the combine harvester given by DA-RFO 12. This machine combines reaping, threshing, cleaning, and bagging in a single pass.
“We now promote and support mechanization. Machines will be fully granted to beneficiaries with no equity or financial obligation,” Engr. Casis said.
Engr. Casis presented during the event an easy access loan that farmers can avail of. DA committed P20 million for the program.
Meanwhile, farmers asked questions on pest management, new farming technologies, seed quality, and crop insurance during the open forum.
Casis recognized PhilRice for its commitment in helping farmers and in providing high-quality seeds in the region.
