Isabela farmers shift to hybrids for bigger yields

ROXAS, Isabela , Philippines  — Well aware of “success stories” in rice production in some parts of the country, more and more farmers here in the province are finally turning to hybrid rice varieties to get better yields.

Roxas Mayor Harry Soller, who is pushing for the adoption of scientific methods in food production, said some farmers in his hometown had tried the Mestizo 1 (M1) hybrid variety two years ago and liked the results. The shift is thus seen as an effort on their part to help achieve and sustain rice self-sufficiency in the province.

Production shortfalls have resulted in yearly rice importation to beef up supply of the staple cereal especially during the lean months. Only recently, the National Food Authority has signed contracts for the delivery of additional 75,000 metric tons costing about P2 billion — money which could otherwise be used to help modernize Philipiine agriculture and improve lives of manyFilipinos.

Soller said traditional farmers in the area have begun embracing modern approaches in their rice farming operations and are now devoting more areas for hybrid rice production.

Sophelina Flores, local LGU coordinator under the ‘One Town - One Product” program, said since farmers have turned to hybrid, their harvests have reached 210 or more cavans per hectare which, about three times as much as that of ordinary rice varieties.

She said Roxas municipality prides itself as the “pioneer” in hybrid rice production in the province with the farmers now producing their own M1 hybrid seeds. The farmers who belong to three irrigators associations in barangays Simimbaan, Casilbagan and Tanap Progreso, have organized themselves into a cooperative called Simca Model Cluster MPC under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture Region II. 

Soller and Isabela Rep. Edwin Uy provided an initial P3 million financial assistance for the planting of the Mestizo 1 hybrid and for the establishment of needed agricultural components. 

With the LGU’s strong support, coop members embarked on hybrid rice production starting with the 2007-2008 wet season cropping and followed through the next dry seaon using 40-percent organic fertilizer. The local goverrnment likewise committed to lend marketing support, offering to buy part of the farmers’ harvests at prevailing market prices plus an additional 50 centavos incentive for every kilo of palay sold.

Only recently, the Simca cooperative had showcased its Eden brand of milled rice at a major food/product exhibition at the SM Megamall, selling the cereal which are packed in three, five and 25-kg. bags priced at P130, P210 and P1,000, respectively.

According to Flores, the Eden brand was derived from the Mestizo 1’s intrinsic qualities which are: Excellent quality, Delicious, Extremely soft and Natural aroma.