Written by the Web Team
A contender in the Palayabangan: 10-5 challenge, a nationwide farming contest led by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), 
surpassed the average yield in Isabela and almost met the competition standard despite the onslaught of typhoons late last year.
Job Sevilleja of Alfonso Lista, Ifugao, who joined the competition in Isabela, proved that 7.5 tons of rice harvest from a hectare at P 5/kg input cost is possible. Palayabangan aims to level up the rice production standard to 10-5, that is, 10 tons/ha yield (or 200 cav) at only P5 input cost per kilogram of palay. The current average input cost is pegged at P11/kg.
The average yield in the country`s second largest province during last year’s wet season was 4.64 t/ha while farmers’ average yield in irrigated farms was 4.24 t/ha.
Sevileja`s farm yield and input cost bested 56 other competitors from private seed companies, nongovernment organizations, and state universities.
Dynapharm International Philippines Inc., attained 7.1 tons/ha at P6/kg while PhilRice Isabela produced 5.2 tons at P6/kg despite the wrath of Labuyo and Santi.
Leylani Juliano, co-chairperson of the competition, said that Sevilleja “did not use any unique technology but only practiced right timing of application, and good resource and crop management.”
The competition, now on its second season, was launched in nine sites: Agusan del Norte, Albay, Bukidnon, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Laguna, Negros Occidental, North Cotabato, and Nueva Ecija.
