The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has introduced four public hybrid varieties that are cheaper than their counterparts in a technology demonstration farm called “rice derby,” available for viewing during the recent 17th National Rice Technology Forum (NRTF) in Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija.
“Farmers are always searching for ways to reduce rice production costs. This forum promotes affordable, accessible government-funded hybrid varieties available for use,” said Science Research Specialist Jerry D. Batcagan.
Priced at PhP212/kg, public hybrid varieties offer farmers savings of around a hundred pesos or more per kilogram compared with the higher-priced private hybrids.
Among the varieties – PSB Rc 72H (Mestizo 1), NSIC RC 204 (Mestiso 20), NSIC RC 446H (Mestiso 73), and NSIC RC 544H (Mestiso 99) showcased in the derby, Mestiso 73 stood out for its good performance.
Maturing in 113 days, it exhibits moderate resistance to blast, sheath blight, and green leafhopper, hitting an average yield of 6.6t/ha and a maximum yield reaching 11.6t/ha.
Miniature displays of PhilRice-developed direct-seeding machines were also displayed while IEC materials and planting guides for Mestizo 1 and Mestiso 20 were distributed to the more than 500 participants.
“Two farmers from Tarlac and Pangasinan expressed their interest in adopting the multi-purpose seeder — a machine that distributes seeds uniformly, saying that these would be helpful for them in the upland and rainfed areas,” Batcagan shared.
The forum themed, “Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya,” was also participated by Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (PhilSCAT) and private companies.
