NorMin farmers undergo training on inbred rice seed production, certification

NorMin farmers undergo training on inbred rice seed production, certification

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that continue to threaten the global agriculture system, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) is intensifying efforts to boost local farm input production.

As part of the government’s initiative to ensure the availability and affordability of rice seeds, the DA-10, in collaboration with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Bureau of Plant Industry – National Seed Quality Control Services (BPI-NSQCS), trained 50 local rice farmers and agricultural extension workers on inbred rice seeds production and certification from May 4 to 8.

Inbred rice is a self-pollinating rice variety that has been locally cultivated for years, making it well-adapted to the local climatic conditions. Seeds harvested from certified inbred rice can be replanted in the next cropping seasons, allowing farmers to save on seeds cost.

By employing the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) protocol, the rice farmers were apprised of the methodology in selecting, producing, and maintaining superior quality rice seeds as fundamental requisites for sustainable rice farming.

The participants were also capacitated on varietal selection and characterization of newly approved certified inbred rice seeds, cultural management practices, nutrient management, and harvest and post-harvest technologies.

To qualify as an accredited seed grower, the farmers were trained on the policy guidelines for inbred rice seeds certification, including seed sampling, seed preparation and tagging, as well as seed testing methods, procedures, and laboratory standards.

Farmers were likewise taught recordkeeping and budgeting as practical farm management skills to optimize farming income.

By strengthening local farmers’ seed production capacity, the DA-10 aims to reduce dependency on external seed sources. This initiative allows rice farmers to be seed-secured, paving the way for resilient and profitable local rice farming systems. # (ATT/Photo credits: SRI project)