Bayer Crop Science partners with Philippines DA office to boost hybrid rice production

Bayer Crop Science partnered with the Department of Agriculture Regional Office XII (DA-RFO XII), Philippines, to implement a pilot project aimed at boosting the hybrid rice production of farmers in North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat.

 

Under the memorandum of agreement (MoA), Bayer Crop Science and DA-RFO XII will implement the project that will use Arize Hybrid Rice seeds in over 10,000 hectares of rice farms in Mindanao.

 

Both parties will deploy field technicians to help the rice farmers. The farmers will also undergo rice production training through the Bayer Agri-Academy.

 

“This is the first-of-its-kind among our projects with the Department of Agriculture. By formalizing our partnership, we convey our commitment to join hands with the government to improve the region’s rice productivity,” Iiinas Ivan Lao, Bayer Crop Science country commercial lead, said in a statement.

 

According to Bayer Crop Science, the average yield of inbred rice farmers is around four metric tons, while hybrid rice seeds can potentially increase yield by six to eight metric tons. The adoption rate for hybrid rice remains low in the region.

 

“More than ever, we need to collaborate with the Department of Agriculture to ensure the project’s success. The support of DA-RFO XII and the local government units of the provinces involved will create a significant impact to the farming communities in the region,” Recher Ondap, head of seeds at Bayer Crop Science, said.

 

Mr. Ondap said the project will allow farmers to increase their yield by 20%.

 

Planting season will start in May or June and will end by September. At the end of the season, farmers who have harvested more than five metric tons of hybrid rice will be honored as top yielders in their areas. This would allow them to qualify for the DA’s annual Gawad Saka Awards.