PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Municipal agricultural extension workers (AEW) here are currently undergoing a two-day training on the production of hybrid rice seeds in a bid to raise farm yields and farmer income in Palawan.
Richard Romanillos, senior science research specialist and training coordinator of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PHILRICE), said Friday the activity was held to pass down to Palawan farmers the latest trends and farming tips in hybrid rice technology.
He said the participation of the attendees from the province’s 23 towns means they would be able to share what they will learn to other farmers in their localities.
“Kailangan kasi natin i-train ang ating mga AEW doon sa mga munisipyo natin nang sa ganoon hindi na tayo mahihirapan sa pagbaba ng mga technology sa mga farmers natin (We need to train our AEWs in the municipalities for them to be able to help us inform the farmers about new agricultural tips and techniques),” he said.
Romanillos cited that new technologies in agriculture are useless if not related and taught to farmers.
“Kasi sabi nga nila ay aanhin mo ang magandang technology kung hindi naman tama ‘yong pagpapalaganap nito sa mga farmers (As they say, what would you do with new technology if you don’t disseminate them correctly to our farmers)?” he said.
He said the training is composed of commercial cultivation, where the AEWs are taught about the proper planting of hybrid rice and seed production that aims to increase seed ovules and make the program sustainable.
“Una ay sa commercial cultivation. Sa isang programa kasi ng probinsya ngayon ay dadalhin sa farmers ang technology natin ng hybrid rice. So, bibigyan sila ng binhi nang sa ganoon ay makapagtanim sila ng hybrid rice natin – ‘yung public hybrid na mestizo 20 (First is commercial cultivation. In one program of the province for farmers, the hybrid rice technology will be brought to them. They will be given seeds for planting – this is the mestizo 20 hybrid rice seeds),” he said.
He added that the seedlings must be cultivated and produced in Palawan for them to be accessed by farmers.
“Kasi mahirap naman na ‘yong magpapatanim tayo dito ng hybrid tapos wala naman dito yong seeds (It would be difficult to make them plant hybrid rice if they do not know where to get their seeds),” added Romanillos.
This would raise the income of farmers, and residents who want to earn can participate in production by becoming seed growers, he said.
Planting hybrid rice is a strategy being implemented by the national government to upgrade palay production and secure the country supply , he said.
The training is supported by PHILRICE and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Palawan through the Productivity Rice Enhancement and Development. (Celeste Anna Formoso/PNA)
