Hybrid yields high despite bad weather
More and more farmers are convinced that it is more profitable to plant hybrid rice than the inbred varieties. Just like Fernando Laparan of Sitio Bagbag, Brgy. Bungahan, Lian, Batangas.
Despite the bad weather last Septemmber brought by the southwest monsoon (Habagat), Laparan got 8,109 kg per hectare that he planted to US-88, a hybrid rice being distributed by SeedWorks Philippines.
The harvest amounted to 153 bags of palay at 53 kg per bag. That’s virtually 2.4 times the yield of inbred rice that averages 64 cavans per hectare at 48 kg per cavan.
Bad weather like too much rain and strong winds adversely affects the performance of rice crops, especially when they are nearing maturity. It could result in many unfilled grains as well as lodging that reduces yield. Aside from its resilience to abiotic stress and diseases, farmers, traders and consumers love the long grains of US-88 which are soft when cooked. The variety is also highly suitable for milling into brown rice which is considered healthier than well-milled white rice.
Laparan was among farmers assisted in growing hybrid rice by the Department of Agriculture’s RFO 4A Hybrid Rice program. He was very happy about his good harvest from US-88. It meant higher income for him and less worry in the long run.
Ofelia V. Rodil, municipal agricultural officer, said: “We are proud to be partners with SeedWorks Philippines in this worthwhile endeavour to help our farmers.”