Opening an opportunity for a possible rice export by the country in the coming years, the Department of Agriculture in Ilocos Region, in tandem with the National Rice Board, kicked-off the conduct of the Hybrid Rice Cluster Techno Demo Forum in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte today, September 12, 2022.

The Hybrid Rice Cluster Techno Demo project is a showcase of production technologies in rice using 28 hybrid rice varieties and 2 inbred varieties.
A project initiated by the National Rice Board with the support of the DA, the Provincial Local Government Unit of Ilocos Norte and the Municipal Local Government Unit of Bacarra, the techno demo project is a response to the government’s call to help rice farmers improve their productivity and attain higher yield in rice production through hybrid rice.

Participated in by a total of 11 private seed companies, together with PhilSCAT and PhilRice plus 6 nutrient companies, the techno demo involved 230 farmer cooperators of the Zanjera de Sales Irrigators Association.

Having seen the standing crop of the various hybrid rice showcased in the 120 hectare techno demo area, Mr. Edwin Cariño, technical consultant in agriculture and representative of 1st District Congressman Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos during the event, is hopeful that Ilocos Norte may be able to export rice in the near future.

“We don’t have to worry about the technical aspect because our farmers are already technically capable as shown by the standing crops in the techno-demo,” said Mr. Cariño.

Emphasizing more on the need for collaboration on the part of the local government units with organized farmers groups and associations in their area, and with the private seed companies, Mr. Cariño said the collaboration is needed to equate the needed technical skills of the local agri extension workers to further assist farmers in achieving greater productivity and income.

Speaking on behalf of the invited Keynote Speaker Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, Sanguniang Panlalawigan Committee Chair in Agriculture Jonathan Torralba lauded the efforts of the farmers who participated in the establishment of the techno demo area.

“We are inspired to see our farmers working together to show that we are one in achieving the Masagana 200 goal. We certainly can go farther if we work together.”, he said

Also in attendance was Atty. Jeremy Madamba, Chief of Staff and representative of 2nd District Congressman Angelo Marcos Barba who gave a message of support to the activity.

Meanwhile, Mr. Recher Ondap, National Rice Board president, in his briefing about the hybrid rice cluster techno demo project, explained the importance of the project in providing an avenue for farmers to be encouraged in adopting hybrid rice.

“We need to continuously do this kind of activity all over the regions if we want to truly help our country do away with rice importation.”, he said.

Sharing some implications on the present status where major rice exporting countries like India, China, Vietnam and Thailand are now keen on reducing the volume of their rice export, he said that there is really a need to increase the country’s rice production to ensure sufficient supply of rice for the Filipino people.

Mr. Frisco Malabanan, DA Consultant of the National Rice Program reiterated the adoption of a complete value chain approach in rice production through clustering where interventions are focused on the ultimate benefits for the farmers.

With the clustered areas of the Bacarra Zanjera de Sales, Mr. Malabanan expressed high hopes that farmers will not only benefit in terms of availing farm machineries and equipment but especially on the agribusiness side where the coop will be empowered to buy the farmer- members’ produce either as rice or palay and engage into value adding activities for better income.

Meanwhile, Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan, DA-RFO I OIC Regional Executive Director during the Magsasaka Kapihan, a mini presscon held after the opening of the exhibit area, expressed her gratitude for all the partnerships and collaborations made to make the activity meaningful.

“Collaborative efforts such as this is vital in our quest not only towards rice sufficiency but on Food Security in general.” Atty. Dawayan said.

With the utilization rate of hybrid rice in the region where some provinces are still below 40% and only the Province of Ilocos Norte have attained a high utilization rate of 72%, Atty. Dawayan said there is still much room to escalate hybrid rice utilization in the region through conduct of activities like the hybrid rice cluster techno forum.

Promotion on the adoption of hybrid rice production by rice farmers through techno demo is a key strategy in achieving a 200 cavans/ha yield which is the main goal of the Masagana 200 program of the current DA administration.##