More Ilocano farmers to adopt MMSU rice varieties

Written by Administrator on 15 November 2022

By Kimberly S. Miguel, StratCom Correspondent

Farmers in Ilocos Norte flocked to the Mariano Marcos State University main campus yesterday, November 14, to witness various rice varieties and technologies shown by the university’s technology demonstration farms.

The farm visit featured four techno-demo farms, such as the rice seed production area, president’s farm, rice demonstration area, and the Coordinated Agribusiness, Research and Extension Strategies (CARES) project farm.

MMSU extension director Marilou Lucas said the activity aimed to motivate farmers to adopt various rice production technologies generated by MMSU and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), hoping to help boost rice industry in the province.

Around 170 rice farmers, agriculturists, agricultural technologists and technicians from eight towns in the province visited the techno-demo farms. They expressed interest to adopt three inbred rice varieties: the NSIC Rc 480 (green super rice), NSIC Rc 512 (Tubigan 44), and the NSIC Rc 508 (Tubigan 42). The green super rice is a drought and saline-tolerant variety which can yield a maximum of 4.4 tons per hectare; while the Tubigan series have good eating quality and can produce a maximum of 10.4 tons per hectare.

Mr. Dan Lazaro, a local farmer technician from Banna, shared the farm visit provided him an avenue to learn rice crops and production techniques. “Babaen dagiti techno-demo farm, nasursuromi dagiti nadumaduma a teknolohia a mabalinmi a yaplikar kadagiti talonmi tapno umado iti apitmi,” he added. [Through these techno-demo farms, we learned different technologies that we can apply to our farms to increase our yield.]

The 1.8-hectare rice seed production area showcases NSIC Rc 222 variety for seed production, while the 7,500-square meter rice demonstration farm contains the NSIC Rc 82 variety. Moreover, the 26-hectare CARES farm showcased improved production technologies and modernized farming.

Furthermore, the two-hectare president’s farm features 11 high-yielding inbred and hybrid rice varieties. Inbred varieties include NSIC Rc 480 or GSR 8, NSIC Rc 506 (Tubigan 41), NSIC Rc 508 (Tubigan 42), NSIC Rc 510 (Tubigan 43), and NSIC Rc 512 (Tubigan 44). Hybrid varieties planted are NSIC Rc 456H (Mestiso 78) more known as LP 937, NSIC Rc 404H (Mestiso 66), or LP 2096), NSIC Rc 490H or Hataw Dinorado, NSIC Rc 488H or SL-19H, NSIC Rc 204H or Mestiso 20, and TH 82.

All the farms promote the use of mechanized farming, specifically the mechanical transplanter.

Dr. Lucas said the MMSU techno-demo farms also shared other production technologies such as the PalayCheck System of PhilRice, the carrageenan plant growth promoter, and a foliar fertilizer made from red seaweed.

The cross farm visit was followed by a forum held at the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development front yard. The forum provided updates on the rice seed production project and the CARES project, and tackled the use of appropriate nutrient management. The Abonong Swak campaign, which aims to optimize yield through strategic nutrient management while reducing production cost, was also introduced by PhilRice during the meeting.

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis said the university’s techno-demo farms are dedicated to help improve farming practices in the province, to build and strengthen community-based farms, and to certify rice seed growers in the region. (HLY/JVBT/DPTJ, StratCom)

Other Latest News
  • MMSU Extension Directorate conducts proposal review

    MAR 12, 2024

    As part of its continuing drive to implement quality extension programs and projects to benefit various communities in the province, the MMSU-Extension Directorate conducts a two-day presentation of the 2024 extension programs, projects, and activities.  The presentation is attended by 30 compo... [view more]
  • MMSU ties up with PNHS for GS extension project

    FEB 07, 2024

    By Crisdeniele H. ClementeThe Mariano Marcos State University Graduate School (MMSU-GS) sealed agreements with Paoay National High School (PNHS) on January 26 for the extension project of the Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics, Master of Arts in English Language and Literature, and Master in Inform... [view more]
  • MMSU employees, units recognized in PRAISE Awards 2024

    FEB 05, 2024

    By Rommel Q. Pascua, StratCom CorrespondentThe Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) recognized the exceptional achievements of its esteemed faculty and staff in this year’s Program on Awards and Incentive for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Awards.Over 200 awardees across individual and group ca... [view more]
  • Jollibee group ties up with MMSU for agri-entrepreneurship program

    DEC 18, 2023

    By Crisdeniele H. ClementeThe Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) Inc. has partnered with Mariano Marcos State University for the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) meant to empower smallholder farmers and foster sustainable agro-enterprises.The partnership was formalized at the Center for Flexible L... [view more]
  • MMSU-ED conducts 3rd batch of Training on Oyster Mushroom Production

    NOV 16, 2023

    In response to the increasing number of community members requesting for training on oyster mushroom production, the MMSU-Extension Directorate conducted another training on November 9-10, 2023 at the MMSU-UBRC. This is now the third batch of training conducted this year.Thirty-one members of variou... [view more]