DAVAO CITY—The agriculture ministry of the Bangsamoro government has identified two rice varieties that demonstrated good adaptability and yield to the soil and weather condition of Maguindanao after conducting tests last month.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) has picked the NSIC Rc128 variety in the Special Purpose category and the NSIC Rc514 in the Inbred category after they showed the best adaptability and performance in the demonstration farm in Barangay P. Labio, in Kabuntalan, Maguindanao del Norte
The two varieties were among the 13 rice varieties tested on a 1,000-square meter demonstration farm. Eight of these varieties were intended for irrigated farms and five of them were classified as special-purpose varieties.
The special purpose category were NSIC Rc344, NSIC Rc402, NSIC Rc342, and NSIC Rc128 varieties. For the Irrigated Inbred category were NSIC Rc506, NSIC Rc508, NSIC Rc402, NSIC Rc222, NSIC Rc510, NSIC Rc582 and NSIC Rc512 varieties.
Tong A. Abas, director for Research Development and Extension Services of MAFAR in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMM) said the varieties planted in the demonstration farm in Maguindanao was to find out which among the varieties was the most suitable for the local soil.
The extension service conducted the trial activity during the Regional Preferential Analysis of Participatory Performance Testing and Validation Technology Demonstration under Next Generation (NextGen) Project.
“This is the extension activity of the research, mainly, our purpose is to showcase the different varieties that might be applicable in our area,” Abas said.
“This also shows our farmers the possible variables to be adapted and suited in our province and the region,” he added.
Engr. Ismail Guiamel, director for agriculture, said the demonstration of the different varieties was 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.