Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has emphasized the critical role of seeds to more than 700 farmers for increased harvest in a farmers’ event called Lakbay Palay conducted at Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, March 27.
“Seed is the key. Seeds are the foundation of our food security and key to our farmers’ success. When we use high-quality seeds, we get better harvests, resistant rice against pests and diseases, and resilient rice against changing climate,” the secretary said in Filipino.
Citing field reports from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program, he said that in Aurora, Provincial Agriculturist Arnold B. Novicio shared that farmers who used to harvest around 3.5t/ha are now achieving 5t/ha with the use of certified seeds.
He also mentioned Charlie Pasaquian, president of the Midpapan-Balogo Communal Irrigation System in North Cotabato, who reported that some of their members are now harvesting as high as 7t/ha with the certified seeds from RCEF.
Meanwhile, Raflornito L. Blas, manager of Eastern Sto. Domingo Agriculture Cooperative, shared that PhilRice has guided him on the use of high-quality seeds.
“If PhilRice hadn’t molded me and taught me the right way to use seeds, and if I hadn’t received the information and knowledge from them, I wouldn’t be the [progressive farmer] I am today,” Blas said in Filipino.
Virginia dela Cruz Rihad, president of Casongsong Farmers Association, also emphasized how RCEF seeds and training have transformed their community’s farming practices.
“Using quality seeds has significantly increased our harvest…and also helps us save on expenses, thanks to the science-based methods taught by PhilRice,” she said.
Farmers from La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela, Zambales, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija participated in the event, which also covered modern rice farming techniques, including new varieties, PalayCheck, agricultural drones and robotics, farm machinery, and diversified farming.
