This year’s conduct of a Corn Derby kicks off in DA’s research station, Research Center for Hilly Land Development in Claveria, Misamis Oriental. Said activity aims to feature different hybrid corn varieties and package of technologies from the different participating seed companies for farmers’ eventual adoption.

 

CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Corn program conducted a ceremonial planting for this year’s wet season at the agency’s Research Center for Hilly Land Development (RCHD), this town.

On May 11, the activity kicked off where the participating seed companies planted their hybrid corn varieties in an almost two-hectare area at the station and was led by DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga.

Six private seed companies joined the said corn derby such as Asian Hybrid Seed Technologies, Inc., Corteva Agriscience, Bioseed Research Philippines, Inc., Evo Gene Seeds Corp., Bayer Crop Science Philippines, and Syngenta Philippines, Inc. to showcase their various genetically modified (GMO) hybrid corn varieties.

Each seed company has been allotted 1,500 square meter-area for their two hybrid corn entries. Of which, they will grow using their respective package of technology.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the corn derby is an initiative of DA-10 inviting private seed companies to showcase their best hybrid seeds to entice farmers on adopting hybridization.

The generated results from the activity will be one of DA-10’s bases in the procurement of corn seeds and in coming up with location-specific recommendations for varieties, she added.

The activity will also be conducted at DA-10’s two other research centers: Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City; and Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in Barongcot, Dangcagan, Bukidnon. # (RDMElloren)