Spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 1 (DA-RFO1) through its Corn Banner Program, in collaboration with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bangar, La Union, farmers, and Bayer Crop Science, the 50-Hectare Corn Model Farm Field Day was held successfully at Luzong Sur, Bangar, La Union, on April 4, 2024.

Local corn farmers were invited to witness the outcome of the Corn Model Farm of Luzong Sur, Bangar, being one of the two farm sites along with Cadapli, Bangar, that showcased the use of Hybrid Yellow Corn delivering a 26% increase in yields as compared to previous corn productions in the area.

Farmers were recommended to use the Nutrient Expert® for Maize Philippines (NEMPh) –a software for crop advisors that allows fertilizer recommendation with or without internet connection—to attain the outcome of increasing the yield to 1 metric ton per hectare and efficient fertilizer management of Corn through the utilization of Nutrient Expert.

It was shown that while the yellow corn hybrid may cost more upfront, the yields of the model farm give more profits with a gross income of Php134,475.00 per hectare as compared to other production outputs prior to the establishment of the model farm with a gross income of Php120,120.00 per hectare.

As Mr. Christian Collado of Bayer Crop Science worded with humor about the production of hybrid yellow corn, “Huwag sa mura dahil baka murahin ka, doon ka sa mahal dahil tiyak na mamahalin ka.”

As the second-top producer of corn all over other regions in the Philippines, the DA-RFO1 seeks to improve the region’s corn production, giving way to programs such as model farms to help farmer beneficiaries in maximizing yield and minimizing loss.

And with that, the 50-Hectare Corn Modern Farm Field Day concluded with a-maize-ing yields.