MUSUAN, MARAMAG, BUKIDNON – In increasing farm efficiency to attain rice sufficiency through the use of hybrid rice and farm mechanization, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) in partnership with Central Mindanao University (CMU) pushes the ceremonial planting for hybrid rice derby amidst the ongoing pandemic.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado and CMU President Jesus Antonio G. Derije showcased the use of mechanical rice transplanter (riding type) and mechanical direct seeder (riding type) on August 17, of said town with the seven participating seed companies.

The 50-hectare rice area will boost rice productivity through the intensified use of quality seeds, appropriate inputs, modern technologies, and mechanization to ensure food productivity for farmers to adopt.

It aims to contribute in increasing the 87 percent rice sufficiency level of the country, including the farm mechanization rate of 2.31 horsepower per hectare, based on the 2011 study conducted by the DA- Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).

With the use of the mechanical direct seeder, farmers can plant 2-3 hectares per day compared to manual labor which takes 20 man-days per hectare.

It has a capacity of 40 kilograms inbred rice seeds per hectare, while 18 kilograms hybrid seeds per hectare.

Meanwhile, the mechanical rice transplanter requires only 1 person to finish 1 hectare compared to manual labor with around 20 farmworkers.

The 5 hectares will be utilized by DA-10’s Research Division for a study on nutrient management on the application of the right amount of fertilizer to optimize productivity and reduce production cost.

RED Collado shared, said the project is in line with Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar’s instruction of conducting technology demonstrations in strategic areas in the country.

He also expressed his gratitude for the support of the seed companies, the SL Agritech, Bayer, Long Ping, Sygenta, Seedworks, Ramgo and Bioseed.

For his part, Pres. Derije assured, “CMU will continue to support the programs and projects of DA and will continue to be a venue for more development-oriented undertakings.” # (Aiza Mae B. Manto)