Public investments needed in improving rice productivity: II

By Sosimo Ma. Pablico

Dr. Castillo’s arithmetic calculations also showed that only 25 of the 97 released varieties ranked among the top 10 in popularity among farmers (1991-2002) over three wet seasons and three dry seasons. 

Among the most popular top 10 varieties, 14 are from IRRI (IR64, IR60, PSB Rc10, PSB Rc18, IR36, PSB Rc4, PSB Rc28, PSB Rc82, IR72, PSB Rc2, PSB Rc80, IR68, IR5, and IR70).  In like manner, two are from PhilRice (PSB Rc42 and PSB Rc66); three from UPLB (PSB Rc74, PSB Rc14, and PSB Rc12); one from BPI (BPI Rc1); and five are traditional varieties (Masipag, Burdagol, PSB Rc36, Pino and Bugos).

Released in 1985, IR64 is still the most popular variety.  Dr. Castillo said, ôit has endured through the years because of continuing research on it to address whatever flaws   manifested throughout its cultivation history.  Apparently this variety not only has good eating quality which suits the Filipino taste, but also possesses milling quality preferred by rice millers and which ultimately influences farmers’ varietal choice for planting and consumers’ choice for eating.”

“Another interesting observation about popularity of varieties is that 70 percent of these varieties were popular for both irrigated and lowland whether for wet or dry season,” Dr. Castillo added.

She also noted that rice productivity per hectare was higher for irrigated than for rainfed areas.  Her calculations showed that average yield per hectare of irrigated rice doubled from 2.0 tons in 1970 to 4.10 in 2006. On the other hand, productivity in rainfed farms less than doubled from 1.42 tons to 2.8 tons per hectare during the same period.

She noted, however, that the rice productivity growth trend for all ecosystems is less than exciting at 2.09 percent for 36 years from 1970 to 2006 than the 2.79 percent in 1970 to 1985.

Comparing the varieties bred by government institutions or the public sector (PhilRice, UPLB and BPI) with those bred by IRRI, the private sector and the traditional varieties, Dr. Castillo said the yield performance of  public sector varieties has been almost as good as IRRI, as well as slightly better than those from the private sector and the traditional varieties. 

In terms of yield stability, “PhilRice et al and IRRI varieties have shown greater stability than those bred by the private sector and the traditional varieties,” she added. 

She continued: “This yield performance and yield stability overtime probably explains the continuing popularity of the popular varieties.  Contrary to popular belief, traditional varieties exhibited the highest yield variability or yield instability over four seasons in a five-year period.”

Dr. Castillo said that besides the adoption of higher yielding varieties, as noted by Dr. Sombilla, “rice farmers learned to use good quality seeds although the rate of adoption is still slow despite the proven yield advantage of registered, certified, and good seeds over (ordinary) seeds.  Seeding rate has declined for both direct seeded and transplanted rice.  Hybrid rice technology has shown a yield advantage over inbred in farmers’ fields but performance has varied from place to place and for different seasons.  The reduction in seeding rate is said to have been influenced by the experience in hybrid rice which showed that 20-25 kg per ha is feasible with considerable savings in seed cost.”

“Nutrient management, which includes balanced fertilization with the proper amount and timing of fertilization aided by instruments like the leaf color chart, has led to more efficient results.  Integrated pest management has reduced insecticide use and expenses, and protected the environment.  Insecticide use in Philippine rice farms is said to be at its lowest level in the whole of Asia.”                               

 (To be continued)

(Readers may reach columnist at punch.sunday@gmail.com.For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/viewpoints/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments