The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 1, through the Rice Banner Program, held a Provincial Rice Techno Forum in Barangay Catayagan, Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur, with fourteen (14) private seed companies participating.

Around 300 farmers, Municipal Agriculturists, and Technicians from the Province of Ilocos Sur attended a site visit with the 31 varieties of hybrid seeds planted in .25 hectares each, where they also interacted with seed companies about the varieties that were planted in the field.

Each was given an assessment form to rate the hybrid rice varieties’ cropstand, panicle formation, and pest resistance.

The activity aims to demonstrate the various hybrid seed types in terms of performance, determining which one has the highest yield, and determining which varieties are suitable for their specific areas.

Sta Lucia Mayor Joseph Simon Valdez, Vice Mayor Eduardo Toquero, and SBM Committee on Agriculture Rex Costales all expressed their support and encouraged the farmers to select the hybrid rice seeds that are suitable in their area. They have also expressed gratitude for the activity being held in their municipality.

Joining the activity were Provincial Rice Program Coordinator Engr. Julius Bragado, Provincial Rice Program Coordinator Mr. Joseph Tadeo, Agricultural Programs Coordinating Officer (APCO) for Ilocos Sur, Mr. Jomar Dayap, Regional Rice Techno Forum Coordinator Mr. Rodolfo Estrada, Jr. Agriculturist II/Fertilizer Coordinator Mr. Erwin Frigillana, Brgy Captain of Catayagan Ms. Teodora Sevilla, Municipal Agriculturist of Sta. Lucia Mr. Ronald Hernaez, Ilocos Sur OPAG Staff.