Brgy. Bacsay, Luna, Apayao – Hybrid rice seeds will be available here soon following the graduation of 24 farmers, April 6, from a training on hybrid rice commercialization and hybrid rice production and certification.
The training activities are based on the PalayCheck system, emphasizing the use of nutrient management decision support tools such as the Rice Crop Manager (RCM) and Minus-one Element Technique (MOET).
“This is part of our efforts to develop a sustainable public hybrid rice seed system for farmers to have easy access to F1 seeds. These trainings will enhance their capacities to produce AxR seeds and market public hybrid rice seeds,” Dr. Ofelia C. Malonzo, R&D coordinator of Department of Agriculture- Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) Isabela, said.
Malonzo shared that they partnered with the local government unit of Luna, Apayao in implementing this initiative to make hybrid rice seeds accessible, affordable, and available at all times in the community.
The station intends to expand its initiatives to more provinces including Abra.
