By Ronan Punzalan and Rheena Mangaoil, StratCom Interns

In partnership with Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Mariano Marcos State University President Shirley C. Agrupis launched on August 8 the President’s Farm focusing on the Technology Demonstration of Inbred and Hybrid Rice Varieties situated in the southern part of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development.

President Agrupis expressed hopes that all the University partners will be engaged in every step of the technology demonstration. “Let us embrace the president’s farm as the living laboratory on how to grow a productive rice farm,” she said emphasizing that MMSU has always been adapting the principle of teaching by showing and learning by doing.

“I hope we can discuss how we can include and involve the farmers in every step of the technologies that we are developing and demonstrating,” President Agrupis addressed the audience during the short program. “Surely, their presence will germinate into us and spark our interest in agriculture.”

The 10-acre arable land is being utilized by the University for the 11 varieties of rice using two farming technologies: palaycheck systems and carrageenan promoter/regulator.

The 11 high-yielding varieties consist of five (5) inbred types with an average yield of 5.6 – 6.4 tons per hectare and a maximum yield of 10-10.4 tons per hectare, and six (6) types of hybrid with an average yield of 6.1-6.7 and a maximum yield ranging from 10.4-12.3.

To complement the labor of the farmers, the university will also be utilizing its mechanical transplanter to swiftly settle the seedlings which are expected to be harvested in November, approximately 110 days after sowing (DAS).

The MMSU Research and Extension utilizes its researches and technologies developed into improving the yield of rice and applies them on the President’s Farm as it targets sufficiency. The President’s Farm also highlights the best practices in developing the agricultural sector not just in the University but also in the country.

“The President’s Farm is not just a showcase of the different technologies that were developed under the research directorate in the production of rice but it is also in support of the mandate of our government,” stressed Vice President for Research and Extension Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog.

PhilRice - Batac Assistant Branch Manager Mrs. Anielyn Alibuyog stressed that this partnership will benefit farmers. “We want to continue in developing technologies and to promote these said technologies in order for us to call ourselves self-sufficient and to provide for better yields.”

Over 200 participants composed of university personnel, students and PhilRice Staff joined the event. (HLY/APT, StratCom)

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