Start the dry season crop right

By Sosimo Ma. Pablico

FARMERS in irrigated areas may as well start the dry season cropping right by using high quality hybrid and certified inbred seeds, as this is the initial assurance for a good rice harvest. Studies show that the use of certified seeds contributes 10 percent to production growth, while hybrid seeds give a 15-20 percent yield advantage.

What’s more, farmers get a subsidy for using hybrid and certified inbred seeds, as the government is intensifying seed subsidy for 2008 until 2013. For hybrid seeds that cost P3,500 per 18 kg-bag, the government gives a P1,500 subsidy. The farmer shoulders the remaining P2,000 as equity. Certified inbred seeds are subsidized in full at P1,200 per 40 kg- bag. Farmers in the municipal master list can get certified seeds for free at their respective municipal or city agriculture office.

FIELDS, the government’s rice self-sufficiency program, is promoting the use of high quality seeds to help farmers improve their productivity toward sufficient yield levels. The program aims to achieve a 100 percent self-sufficient rice industry by 2013 when the projected population of 94.38 M Filipinos will require 21.58 M tons of palay.

FIELDS stands for fertilizers, irrigation, extension and education, loans, dryers and post harvest facilities, and seeds. The Department of Agriculture has assigned the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), in coordination with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), to lead the implementation of the seed production component, as areas planted to hybrid and certified inbred seeds are expected to expand.

By 2013, hybrid rice and certified inbred seeds are expected to be planted in 814,354 and 3,727,872 hectares, respectively.

PhilRice is currently training two batches of 36 rice self-sufficiency officers (RSO) who will provide technical assistance to seed growers and farmers. The RSOs will be deployed to the country’s 80 provinces.

The BPI National Seed Quality Control Services (NSQCS) is also conducting simultaneous trainings on inbred and hybrid rice seed production nationwide to update seed growers on the new technologies and policies on seed production. Training of laboratory seed analysts is also included in the capacity enhancement plan.

An incentive scheme has been devised also for seed inspectors and municipal/city agriculturists to encourage active participation. Each can get a maximum of P2,000 incentive per month based on performance.

The other components of FIELDS – improvement of drying and irrigation facilities in seed production areas – will also be integrated.

Except in some areas in Mindanao, almost all varieties are suited for the dry season crop, according to PhilRice plant breeder Thelma Padolina.

She said: “Since the dry season can be generally considered favorable in irrigated areas, farmers can choose from almost all varieties developed by the PhilRice-led rice varietal working group and released by the National Seed Industry Council depending on their preference.”

However, Padolina particularly recommends the varieties released in 2006 to 2007. These are NSIC Rc136H (Mestiso 7), NSIC Rc138 (Tubigan 3), NSIC Rc140 (Tubigan 6), NSIC Rc142 (Tubigan 7), NSIC Rc144 (Tubigan 8), NSIC Rc146 (PJ 7), NSIC Rc148 (Mabango 2), NSIC Rc150 (Tubigan 9), NSIC Rc 152 (Tubigan 10), NSIC Rc154 (Tubigan 11), NSIC Rc156 (Tubigan 12), NSIC Rc158 (Tubigan 13), and NSIC Rc160 (Tubigan 14).

“Among these varieties, NSIC Rc156 showed superb performance in the dry season with a yield average of 7.1 t/ha,” Padolina said. “It is early maturing at 104-111 days. However, it can be susceptible to insect pests and diseases and, hence, risky to plant in the wet season.”

Farmers who consider consumer preference for good grain quality may wish to plant Tubigan 9, 10, 12, 13, and 14. These also have good milling recovery.

Those who want to go hybrid may opt to plant the public-bred Mestiso varieties. Mestiso 7, the latest public hybrid, has recorded a maximum yield of 10.6 t/ha at 107 days of maturity. Hybrids bred by private companies, like SL 8H, NSIC Rc162H (Mestiso 8), NSIC Rc164H (Mestiso 9), NSIC Rc166H (Mestiso 10), and NSIC Rc168H (Mestiso 11) are also available.

Even as farmers are advised to plant the latest varieties, some seed growers and farmers are still buying seeds of old varieties for the dry season, as shown by records of the PhilRice Income Generation Office (IGO). The most saleable are PSB Rc18, PSB Rc4, PSB Rc10, PSB Rc28, PSB Rc34, IR42, IR60, IR64, IR66, and IR72.

Overall, farmers have a wide array of choices from the available varieties to suit their farming needs.

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

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