Farmers attend a Corn Derby and Field Day in DA’s research stations in Malaybalay City and Dangcagan, Bukidnon to witness the performance of different hybrid corn varieties produced by private seed companies.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To help farmers attain optimum yield and higher income through the production of hybrid yellow corn, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) in partnership with seven seed companies and local government units conducted a two-day corn derby and field day on different sites in Bukidnon.

Hybrid corn varieties were showcased in DA-10’s two research centers, the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City with an altitude of 800 meters above sea level, and Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in Barongcot, Dangcagan, Bukidnon (600 meters above sea level), on March 3-4, 2022, respectively.

Featured varieties include DK 8899S, DK 8719S, and DK 8131S (Bayer Crop Science); P4124YHR and P3660YHR (Corteva-Pioneer); NK306BGT (Syngenta); J505 RRYG (Asian Hybrid Seed Tech, Inc.); Biocom High Fly, H101G and BC108 (Bioseed); EVO709 and EVO9989 (Evogene); and X5 (Green and Grow Tech Company).

“Our aim is to assess the productivity and profitability of these different hybrid corn varieties and component technologies appropriate for specific locations,” bared RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado.

He added that the best performing corn seed varieties will be the department’s basis in the procurement of corn seeds which will be distributed to the farmer-beneficiaries.

Evangeline S. Mayantao, a farmer of Malaybalay City shared, “Itong derby ay malaking tulong sa aming mga magsasaka sa pagbibigay sa amin ng dagdag kaalaman at impormasyon kung anong klase ng mais ang merong taas na ani at sa mga teknolohiya na ikakaunlad ng aming sakahan.”

Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga recognized the sustained effort of the seed companies in developing high yielding corn varieties appropriate in different agro-climatic conditions.

She added that DA’s strengthened partnership with the seed companies and other stakeholders in promoting these varieties and its component technologies is vital in attaining farmer’s productivity and profitability.

Among the provinces in the region, Bukidnon has the largest corn production in the region with more than 100 hectares.

The third leg of corn derby and field day is set on March 10 at the Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) in Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

The activity was supported by the PLGU Bukidnon through its Provincial Agriculture Office, respective Municipal Agriculture Offices, DA-10’s Research Division and Provincial Operations Center for Bukidnon and farmer associations. #(RDMElloren)