High quality hybrid rice ready for distribution

MANILA, Philippines — The International Rice Research Institute and Tao Corp., one of the country’s top 500 diversified business groups, are set to commercialize and distribute elite hybrid rice varieties in the Philippines.

IRRI and  Tao Commodity Trader Inc. recently inked a seven-year limited exclusivity commercial license agreement to promote the commercialization and nationwide distribution of three IRRI-developed elite rice hybrids: Mestiso 71, Mestiso 77, and Mestiso 89.

The selected hybrid rice varieties are bred for higher yield, superior grain quality, improved pest and disease resistance, resilience to climate change-induced stresses, and higher seed production.

IRRI said these traits that could help farmers increase their yields and income by as much as 20 percent as hybrid rice technology has significant potential to improve rice productivity and contribute to a rice self-sufficient Philippines.

“TCTI is an industry-respected and established group that can help bring some of our innovations to our main clients, the countless farmers and consumers who depend on the rice sector for their food, nutrition, and livelihood,” IRRI chief-of-staff Peter Brothers said.

The agreement was made possible through the IRRI-led hybrid rice development consortium which has a key role in the development of elite hybrids suited to different agro-climatic conditions.

Seed companies could apply to become members of the HRDC. As members, companies are allowed wide, non-exclusive or limited-exclusive access to HRDC germplasm, with the end goal of accelerating the development and dissemination of new products to farmers.

Tao Corp., the country’s largest trader of molasses, decided to diversify into the rice seed market, with its subsidiary TCTI becoming a member of HRDC.

“This partnership could not have come at a more opportune time when our rice farmers are facing very tough times due to challenges on several fronts, from climate change to unfavorable market conditions,” TCTI chief executive officer Julio Sy said.

Under the agreement, TCTI will fully invest in scaled-up development, production, and distribution of seeds, as well as meeting seed sales objectives, for the three hybrid rice varieties.

TCTI will work with Aski Inc., a leading microfinance company with over 18,000 farmer-clients in the Philippines, to provide farmers with training, technologies and financial services to help further spread the use of the hybrid seeds.