The Department of Agriculture (DA XI) in collaboration with the Philippine Rice Board, Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Davao del Sur and the Municipality of Hagonoy commenced the 16th National Rice Technology Forum on Sept. 19.
Philippine Rice Board President, Recher E. Ondap said that the forum will accelerate local farmers’ adoption to hybrid technology which is beneficial to increase productivity and generate income the cost- efficient way.
The three-day forum on Sept 19-21 will be highlighting the four major strategies of the rice program as ways to cope with climate change through latest available technology trends in the country.
With the theme, “Masaganang Palay at Bigas, Maunlad na Pilipinas”, the forum through the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP) and rice industry stakeholders aims to make rice production close to 97.5% target sufficiency level by 2028.
This project is convergence of National Government Agencies (NGAs), Local Government Units (LGUS), local farmers, the private sector, and stakeholders. More than 2000 farmers from the region and various regions nationwide will be present in the forum.
During the first part of the forum, the demo farm in Brgy. Poblacion, Hagonoy was inaugurated. The 131.83-hectare demo farm involving 158 farmer-cooperators will start its harvest operation by the third week of September which is expected to yield a minimum of 7 tons per hectare.
The demo site showcased yield-boosting rice technologies, including high-yielding hybrid and inbred rice seed varieties, machinery, and other evidence-based practices.
The DA-XI through the rice board urged farmer-cooperators, agricultural extension workers and government agencies to call for farmers in the nearby municipalities to adopt technologies showcased in the demo project to increase farm productivity.
