The National Rice Technology Forum’s (NRTF) hybrid rice demonstration site in Cauayan, Isabela is estimated to hit the highest yield this quarter.
In a report by Dr. Santiago R. Obien, Department of Agriculture’s (DA) senior technical adviser, he presented crop cut yield data showing that eight of the hybrid rice varieties in the NRTF demonstration site will hit the highest yield of 15.6t/ha (dry weight) this harvest season.
“Crop cutting was done in eight varieties in the demo site; three crop cuts (30m2) were done per variety. The average yield of the eight varieties is 12.84 t/ha (fresh) and 11.68 t/ha (dry), the lowest yield is 9.41 t/ha (fresh), and the highest yield is 17.18 t/ha (fresh) and 15.6 t/ha (dry),” he said.
At 14% moisture, he said that the estimated average net profit per hectare is P152,088, if sold for P16.50, which is the buying price in Isabela.
Obien clarified that DA-PhilRice and SL Agritech’s varieties are not yet included in the crop cut yield data.
“[We] should take note now that planting hybrid rice is really profitable. The average yield of 11.68t/ha (dry) is almost three times higher than the national average of 4.03t/ha,” he said.
The 100-ha hybrid rice demonstration farm is managed by Dr. Fidel Ramos of DA-PhilRice branch station in Isabela with assistance of the provincial LGU of Isabela and the city of Cauayan, DA National Rice Program, and DA Region II. The main sponsor is the Rice Board, an association of seed companies.
Before the Isabela demonstration site for this 12th NRTF, there were 100-ha demonstration sites in Valencia, Bukidnon; and Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.
