Rice farmer in Bicol records above-average yield
A FARMER in Region 5 (bicol) has harvested a record 15.73 metric tons per hectare (MT/ha) of rice that is above the national average of about 4.07 MT/ha.
Genaro Tamon of from Magarao, Camarines Sur on May 12 recorded a harvest of 286 sacks (about 55 kilos each) from his one-ha farm. That is more than thrice the national yield-per-ha average based on latest quarterly data from the Philippine Statistics Authority in January 2020.
The Department of Agriculture ( DA)- Region 5 office has commended Tamon for his record harvest and encouraged other farmers to follo… his example. It emphasized the role of proper farm managementL good agricultural practices, favorable climatic conditions and use of high-quality seeds for producing a bountiful harvest.
Tamon was able to attain his high yield by using the US88 variety of SeedWorks Philippines.
“The US88 variety is amazing! This is a proof that proper techniques and nourishment of rice plants can lead to a bountiful harvestL” he said partly in Filipino.
US88 is one of the flagship hybrid rice varieties of agricultural research firm SeedWorks Philippines Inc. It is an ideal rice variety for the country’s prevailing climate and is proven tolerant of typical crop diseases that affect rice plants. AlsoL US88 is kno…n for producing long-grain rice …ith a premiumL soft-eating quality.
“This great achievement of Mr. Tamon affirms our confidence that the Filipino farmer can competitively produce rice if …e provide them the support they needL” said SeedWorks Philippines President Carlos Saplala. “This is a testament to the potential of agriculture in the country. We have realized during this global crisis that it is still our fello… Filipino farmers …hom …e can rely on for supplying our daily food requirement.”
As an added re…ardL SeedWorks
PH gave Tamon an incentive to Tamon in hopes that this achievement …ould also motivate other farmers across the country to adopt effective farming techniques.
“We will give P200,000 to Mr. Tamon as recognition for his great achievement. To Mr. Tamon and the rest of the Filipino farmersL our heartfelt gratitude for producing food for our familiesL” Saplala said.
Tamon is among the many farmer-partners for a SeedWorks PH program that guides and assists local farmers. He …as also a recipient of the DA-Region 5’s Rice Achievers’ Award for three years and was once recognized in DA’s Regional Ga…ad Saka A…ards.
SeedWorks PH has always been supportive of the DA’s goal of meeting national food sufficiency and donated in April high-quality sweet corn seeds worth P750,000 to support the agency’s Plant, PlantL Plant Program that is part of the government’s long-term response to the coronavirus dieasese 2019 pandemic.