Agri NorMin stages a corn derby and field day for farmers and agri technicians to witness first-hand the performance of different hybrid corn varieties being produced by private seed companies. (Photo credits: CRS)

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In pursuit of seeking more ways in providing farmers more opportunities to attain higher yield and income, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) in partnership with private seed companies, staged a corn derby and field day featuring the latter’s different hybrid corn varieties and technologies.

Addressing the participants who are mostly from the eastern part of Misamis Oriental, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said, that the activity is the final leg in the conduct of a series of corn derby led by the agency’s research centers, having been previously done in Dangcagan and Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

On March 10, 2022, the corn derby and field day activities capped at the two-hectare area of the Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) in barangay Lanise.

“Most of you [corn farmers] might already be used in adopting the same technologies time and again, but the purpose that we are conducting this derby is for us to know more about the promising corn varieties that are now readily available in the market, where you will also have the opportunity to explore the corresponding technologies that the seed companies have used,” the agency head emphasized.

Initially, the results of the derby were presented to the attending corn farmers together with their assigned agricultural technicians, coming from the towns of Magsaysay, Lagonglong, Balingasag, Claveria, Jasaan, Villanueva, Tagoloan and Opol, and the city of El Salvador, MisOr; and the municipality of Malitbog, Bukidnon.

Of which, the agri official added that generated results will also form part of the agency’s procurement, factoring in the local government units and farmers’ requests, as well.

Overall, six private companies participated, including Corteva Agri-Science with P4124YHR and P3660YHR as their entries; Asian Hybrid (Supreme 5150 RRYG and J505 RRYG); Bayer Crop Science (DK8899S, DK8131S and DK8719S); Evogene Seeds, Corp. (EVO709 and EVO9989); Bioseed Research Philippines, Inc. (H101G, Hi FLY and BC108); Syngenta Philippines with NK306BGT as their entry.

Further recognizing the current costs of inputs, among other concerns, Dir. Collado also urged the corn farmers to form into clusters, being one of DA’s key strategies to boost the country’s agri sector, in order to optimize any assistance from the government that would enable them to significantly cut their cost of operations, achieve bountiful yields, and reap an increase of incomes.

“If you have volume, we encourage you to form a cluster, as we [agency] can make arrangements with different feed millers, to ensure you enjoy stable or even higher prices for your corn harvest,” he underscored.

During the event’s Program, the Philippine Crop Insurance, Corp. (PCIC), DA’s former attached agency which is now under the Department of Finance, also bared their insurance program for farmers’ protection against losses brought by natural calamities, plant diseases, and pest infestations of their crops.

As an illustration, PCIC-10 headed by their OIC-Regional Manager Irene L. Oco, together with RED Collado and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga and other DA-10 officials, held an indemnity check distribution worth P327K to 34 affected typhoon Odette farmers in Claveria town. # (JLO)