Philippines to Invest in Hybrid Rice

The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to improve rice productivity and income of rice farmers and attain 95% rice self-sufficiency by 2010, by investing in hybrid rice, in addition to major interventions such as inbred certified seeds, productivity enhancing technologies, and irrigation and postharvest facilities. The department said that expansion of hybrid rice areas and the use of certified inbred seeds are important in the pursuit of self-sufficiency in rice. Hybrid rice trials showed an increase in produce of more than 32% over traditional varieties. A study conducted by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics and the Philippine Rice Research Institute, shows that hybrid rice commercialization will also bring increased income to farmers. The cost and return analysis showed that hybrid rice farmers on the average can have a net return of P28,231 per hectare versus the P12,260-P19,238 gained by the inbred rice farmers.

“Hybrid rice adoption in the country is till low, because it is a new technology” said the DA. “The hybrid rice is a season- and location-specific variety so it really needs further information campaigns.” Hybrid rice contributed 355,000 metric tons to the national rice production valued at P3.2 billion ($ 70 million) in 2006. Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Bangladesh have also started adopting hybrid rice technology to further increase rice production in anticipation of the possible demand of rice in the world market and ensure rice sufficiency and exports.

For more information visit http://www.da.gov.ph/