DA-10 in partnership with private seed companies conduct a corn derby to provide better options [latest corn varieties] for corn farmers to increase their yield and income.

 

CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – To provide better options for corn farmers in Misamis Oriental, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through the Corn Program conducted a technology showcase of corn cultivars at the Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) in barangay Lanise, Claveria in the said province on October 10.

Carmelito T. Lapoot, chief of the DA-Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) who also represented Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, emphasized in his message, that the conduct of these technology showcase and seed derbies is to guide the farmers with the right kind of corn varieties to be used and learn new and innovative technologies which they can apply in their respective areas, so they can gain more yield and income.

The showcase is in partnership with eight seed companies which include Corteva AgriScience (Pioneer 4124 YR, Pioneer 3645, and Pioneer 3660 YHR), Vigour Seeds Development, Inc. (Maize D30), Bayer Crop Science Philippines (DK 8131S and DK 8899S), Syngenta Philippines, Inc. (Syngenta 6505), RJR Agro-Industrial Enterprises (Maharlika 514, Maharlika 315, and Maharlika 8888), Asian Hybrid Seed Technology, Inc. (Asian Hybrid, Supreme 5150, and Asian Hybrid J505), Evo Gene Seeds, Corp. (EVO 9307) and BioSeed Research Philippines, Inc. (Bioseed H101G and Bioseed 9909).

These companies displayed their respective hybrid yellow and white corn varieties following their respective planting protocols.

Berly F. Tatoy, PhD, RCHD chief said, “We hope that through this derby, you see the performance of the various seed varieties and choose the right one that will give you a better yield. We also hope that you can bring home some farming technologies that will help you gain more and avoid planting failure.”

The seed variety with the highest yield was able to produce 7.88 metric tons per hectare (mt/ha). The second and third-highest yielders came close with 7.28 mt/ha and 7.22 mt/ha, respectively.

These results are based on the crop cut data generated by the research staff of DA-10, in the presence of the agricultural technicians from the different seed companies.

Further, results gathered were according to the agronomic and yield components such as shelled grains, weight of cob, weight of seeds, and moisture content, among others.

Also gracing the activity are Research Center for Upland Development chief Catalino S. Soriano, Jr., DA-10 Accounting Section chief Claudia B. Artazo, former RCHD chief Clotilde B. Jumalon, and RCHD and DA-10 staff. # (CRS/Photo: CRS/TJL)