DA studies ‘NextGen’ rice varieties for CL

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The DA is set to introduce and demonstrate the performance of newly released rice varieties under the project titled Accelerating the Development and Adoption of Next Generation (NextGen) Rice Varieties for the Major Ecosystems in the Central Luzon.

Initiated by DA’s Central Luzon Research Division, the rice varieties planted last February 01 were NSIC Rc216, NSIC Rs226, NSIC Rc238, NSIC Rc354, NSIC Rc436 (GSR), NSIC Rc438, NSIC Rc440, NSIC Rc442, NSIC Rc222, and NSIC Rc218 with initial participatory varietal selection-research managed (PVSRM) in Brgy. Bonga Menor, Bustos, Bulacan.

On April 26, the preferential analysis was conducted. It was done during field days or two weeks prior to harvest or when majority of the entries are 85-90% mature. A group of farmers were allowed to select via voting their preferred varieties by depositing paper ballots in a paper box attached to a stake in front of the pilot.

After the votes are tallied, the farmers were asked to discuss why they preferred the varieties receiving the most votes. Preference analysis (PA) generates two kinds of data: quantitative preference score for each variety, expressed as the number of votes it received divided by the total number of votes cast, and list of agronomic characteristics farmers liked about the preferred varieties.

Preference data collected is entered in the field book to facilitate submission and statistical analysi s.

“The municipality of Bustos was awarded during 4th Rice Achievers Award, most of our farmers have graduated from the farmer’s field school (FFS) and this study will help our municipality to further increase the rice production.” said Bustos Municipal Mayor Arnel F. Mendoza

Research Assistant Division Chief Dr. Arthur Dayrit presented overview of the study.

DA Central Luzon Regional Executive Director Engr. Roy M. Abaya said that the department introduces modern agricultural technologies in order to lower the production cost. One approach is through the NextGen project which aims is to accelerate the introduction and adoption of higher-yielding inbred and hybrid rice varieties.

Abaya also mentioned the DA planned programs. “Next year, DA will widen window credit financing assistance to farmers so they can purchase preferred seed varieties. With the help of the stakeholders, LGU and farmers, together, we could achieve our goals.” Abaya added

The top three preferred rice varieties based were (1st) NSIC Rc238, (2nd) NSIC Rc226, and (3rd) NSIC Rc354. Meanwhile, the sensory evaluation of PVS test entries will be done next month after h ar vest .