TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Attended by rice farmers from Barangay Ipil, Farmers Field Day was conducted today to test and validate performance of inbred rice varieties.
With the assistance of the Cordillera office of the Department of Agriculture (DA-CAR) and the technology demonstration of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program, crop performances of different high-yielding varieties were exhibited to the invited rice farmers.
According to John Chriswell Tulabis of DA-CAR, additional inbred rice varieties need to be made available to local farmers so they have more choices on what to grow on their fields.
Supported with a thorough explanation on the agronomic features and characteristics of each certified inbred rice seed variety that were presented, the varieties NSIC Rc 480, NSIC Rc 622 and NSIC Rc 626 were the preferred choices of the rice farmer-visitors.
Tulabis said that these rice seed varieties are widely used in the country for being affordable, with good grain quality and can resist pests and disease that results in higher production.
Tulabis also said that the DA-CAR will recommend these preferred inbred rice varieties to the PhilRice for possible inclusion in the next RCEF distribution of certified rice seed in the city.
With the introduction of these three new rice seed varieties and the addition of farm equipment like drum and precision seeders, the Office for the City Agricultural Services anticipates that local farmers will enhance their farming techniques and increase their production for greater profit.