Farmers in Bago City, the top rice-producing local government unit in Negros Occidental, are poised to produce a higher yield using hybrid seeds under the Masagana 200 Hybrid Rice Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

As of June, the City Agriculture Office availed of 1,400 bags of hybrid seeds distributed to more than 1,000 farmers from five clusters of rice-producing barangays.

City agriculturist-designate Marvin John Blance said in an interview on Thursday that planting hybrid seeds could yield 6 to 8 metric tons (MT) of palay per hectare, while inbred seeds could produce only 4 to 5 MT per hectare.

“The Masagana 200 Hybrid Rice Program continues to be crucial in ensuring food security and economic growth for Bago City,” he added.

Blance said aside from the distribution of hybrid seeds, Masagana 200 also has a fertilizer discount voucher component.

Each farmer can avail of a fertilizer discount voucher of PHP3,400 per hectare for up to 5 hectares.

Blance said farmers south of the Bago River Irrigation System (BRIS) have begun planting hybrid seeds for the wet season. Those in the north, with a bigger area of 8,000 hectares, will prepare for planting by June 15 in time for the opening of the BRIS on June 16.

Harvest south of the BRIS is scheduled in September and the north, by November, he added.

Myrna Villa, president of Newton Camingawan Para Agriculture and Farmers’ Cooperative, said they are optimistic about higher palay yield using hybrid seeds.

“We attended the orientation of the DA Region 6 (Western Visayas) for our farmers to be aware of when to plant and be ready for the start of the cropping season. We appreciate the implementation of the Masagana 200 Hybrid Rice Program. This is a big help in providing higher income for the rice farmers,” she added.

According to the DA, the Masagana 200 uses clustering of rice-producing barangays “to boost productivity while reducing production costs and to produce sufficient rice locally.”

“This initiative is part of a broader effort to boost agricultural productivity through the adoption of advanced farming technologies and high-yield hybrid rice seeds,” it added.

The Masagana 200 Hybrid Rice Program focuses on providing farmers access to superior-quality seeds, modern farming techniques, and comprehensive support systems to enhance their productivity and profitability. (PNA)