
More choices for richer yield. Ilukano farmers can now check and compare the performance of hybrid varieties that they can consider come next planting season in the 120-ha demonstration farm in Brgy. Cabaruan, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. Hybrid rice is a product of two different cross-pollinated rice plants with superior qualities, which yields up to 15% higher than the inbred varieties.
DA-PhilRice Batac introduced the public hybrids Mestizo 1 (M1) and Mestiso 20 (M20) during the 15th National Rice Technology Forum, July 6. More than 300 farmers and extension workers learned that M1 yields up to 9.9t/ha while M20 has a maximum yield of 11.7t/ha.
The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 1 and Rice Board, in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and Municipality of Bacarra, launched the activity.