COTABATO CITY–Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) has been testing the applicability of different rice varieties at Barangay P. Labio, in Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao del Norte.
MAFAR’s Research Development and Extension Services conducted the trial activity during the Regional Preferential Analysis of Participatory Performance Testing and Validation Technology Demonstration under Next Generation (NextGen) Projec during the last week of December 2022.
“This is the extension activity of the research, mainly, our purpose is to showcase the different varieties that might be applicable in our area,” said Tong A. Abas, Director II for Research Development and Extension Services.
“This also shows our farmers the possible variables to be adapted and suited in our province and the region,” he added.
In a 1,000-square-meter demonstration farm, 13 varieties were used as sampling methods, including eight irrigated varieties and five special-purpose varieties. Based on the results, the NSIC Rc128 got the Top 1 in the Special Purpose category and NSIC Rc514 was Topped in the Inbred category.
Among the varieties demonstrated with special purpose categories were NSIC Rc344, NSIC Rc402, NSIC Rc342, and NSIC Rc128. And from Irrigated Inbred category were NSIC Rc506, NSIC Rc508, NSIC Rc402, NSIC Rc222, NSIC Rc510, NSIC Rc582, and NSIC Rc512.
Meanwhile, Director II for Agriculture Engr. Ismail Guiamel said the demonstration of the different varieties is vital as this will serve as the basis for procuring seeds for distribution to partner farmers.
“Determining the best variety means helping you increase your production and income in general,” Director Guiamel said while encouraging farmers to adapt and practice the modern technology being introduced to them.
Princess Hashima Abpi, Municipal Population Officer, also expressed her full support to their farmers.
“On behalf of the LGU Northern Kabuntalan, we are happy and blessed that our farmers and our town were chosen as one of the demonstration sites for this kind of activity and opportunity,” Abpi said. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO with reports from MAFAR)
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