Roel Pagana from Tayabas City, Quezon increased his yield by 1t/ha by using certified inbred seeds and following recommendations from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
A farmer for three decades, Pagana planted new varieties such NSIC Rc 402 and new, pure seeds, which he received from RCEF Seed Program. Before the program, he used to rice seeds from previous harvest.
From the usual harvest of barely achieving 4t/ha, his harvest went up to 5t/ha this season.
“I was enlightened that planting two to three seedlings per hill is more beneficial, making 40kg of seeds enough for one hectare. My 1.5ha now produces no less than 12 tillers per hill,” he said.
He now also practices the Minus-one Element Technique (MOET) to identify soil nutrient requirements, which he learned from the RCEF Rice Extension Services Program.
Overjoyed with his achievements, he expressed his gratitude to RCEF for equipping him with additional knowledge beneficial for rice production.
