SeedWorks Phl shines in rice derby
The hybrid rice developed by SeedWorks Philippines Inc. posted the highest yield among other hybrid palay seed varieties during a rice derby held in Cotabato in Mindanao.
Seedworks’ TH-82 hybrid rice yielded a total of 8.05 metric tons per hectare, double the reported average production.
This was certified by Regional Field Office 12 of the Department of Agriculture.
Out of the different rice hybrids that were tested, whose yield ranged from four to six metric tons per hectare, it was only TH-82 that breached the eight-metric ton per hectare.
Aside from the high-yielding TH 82, SeedWorks Philippines also produces another exceptional hybrid rice variety called US-88. This hybrid yielded 6.03 metric tons per hectare in the derby, which is still higher than the current national production average per hectare, and is known for its long grains and excellent eating quality.
Rice growers in the region allowed the use of their farms for the derby as a show of support to the government’s program on rice hybridization.
Farmers, private seed producers and government officials were among the active participants of the 4th National Rice Technology Forum, which carried the theme “Increase Production through Hybrid Rice Technology, Mindanao: Mag-hybrid na Kita!”
The three-day event was made possible through the collective efforts of the Rice Productivity Advocacy, Inc. (Rice Board), the SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos) region, the DA National Rice Program, the provincial government of Cotabato and the municipal government of M’lang.
The success of the event showed that a strong and effective public-private partnership can contribute to the growth of the rice industry.
Milagros Casis, DA-SOCCSKSARGEN regional executive director, said the event was a good start in achieving the region’s goal to spread hybrid technology to 2,393 hectares in all its cities and municipalities and to help achieve its 2017 rice production target of 1.21 million metric tons.
For his part, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol said the administration fully conforms to the idea of making the Philippines truly rice sufficient, which is part of the so-called “Dutertenomics” policy.
SeedWorks is a company that breeds, produces and markets hybrid rice, corn and vegetable seeds. The company invests a significant amount of its annual revenues on research and development to provide a continuous stream of exceptional products. Its research and breeding programs are based in India, Thailand and the Philippines.