Rice farmers in Marinduque are primed for an extra planting season with the delivery of certified inbred seeds, a vital input to the recently adopted double dry cropping system that promises higher farm productivity and farmers’ incomes.
Spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the National Irrigation Administration, this initiative is designed to help farmers maximize crop output during the period between the dry and wet seasons.
The DA’s Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and NIA are collaborating with other DA programs for the success of this initiative.
The Seed Program backed by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) has allocated a total of 5,546 bags of certified inbred seeds for Marinduque’s farmers. This delivery will cover 2,558 hectares of land, ensuring that areas under the NIA’s Double Dry Cropping Scheme are ready for planting.
Initial deliveries have already been made to farmers in Mogpog and Santa Cruz, who now have access to NSIC Rc 160, a high-yielding variety that is highly resistant to pests such as yellow stem borers. This variety matures in just 107 days, with a potential yield of up to 5.6 tons per hectare—equivalent to 112 50-kilo bags of palay.
PhilRice data showed that Marinduque farmers harvested a total of 16,526 metric tons of palay from 5,085 hectares last year, yielding 3.25 metric tons per hectare, or 65 50-kilo sacks of palay.
Rhemilyn Relado-Sevilla, director of PhilRice in Los Baños, said the early seed delivery helps in mitigating risks posed by extreme weather.
“With the early delivery of seeds, farmers can now complete two cropping cycles before the typhoon season, reducing the risk of palay losses due to extreme weather.”
“With the early delivery of seeds, farmers can now complete two cropping cycles before the typhoon season, reducing the risk of palay losses due to extreme weather,” Relado-Sevilla explained.
This initiative, a key outcome of the MaSaGana Rice Industry Development Plan (MRIDP), promotes resilience and stability amidst climate change by introducing the double dry cropping system and adjusting planting calendars to minimize disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions.
In addition to Mogpog and Santa Cruz, other towns like Boac, Buenavista, Gasan, and Torrijos are preparing for the upcoming wet season. The RCEF program also distributes other high-yielding varieties, such as NSIC Rc 218, 608, and 402, which have proven effective in boosting farm productivity.
Farmers like Angelito Nabing, president of the Mogpog Farmers Federation, have seen remarkable improvements in their yields.
“After switching to RCEF’s inbred varieties, my harvest doubled from 60 cavans per hectare to 120.”
Nabing reported that after switching to RCEF’s inbred varieties, his harvest doubled from 60 cavans per hectare to 120. Even under less-than-ideal weather conditions, his lowest yield has been 80 cavans—a stark contrast to his previous output.
Lecenio Dela Cruz, president of the Silangan Santa Cruz Irrigators Association, noted the advantages of NSIC Rc 402, particularly its long grains, which make the rice easier to market. These high-quality varieties not only increase yield but also enhance the marketability of the product.
Since its launch in 2023, the RCEF Seed Program has distributed 19,710 bags of inbred seeds across Marinduque, benefiting thousands of farmers. The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to the province’s overall rice production.
NIA Administrator Eddie Guillen said that the program is being expanded to other areas covered by government irrigation systems to further increase farm yields and strengthen food security.
NIA has assured a steady supply of irrigation to sustain the regular dry season and the second dry season cropping, ensuring that farmers can maximize yield potential across two cropping cycles.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said additional funding will be allocated to the seed program next year, when the budget for the revitalized RCEF is set to triple to P30 billion.
On April 30, PhilRice will bring its first Lakbay Palay event to Marinduque. This program will offer local farmers a chance to explore modern rice farming technologies, further enhancing their agricultural knowledge and skills.
The double dry cropping system, combined with certified inbred seeds, soil ameliorants, and soil conditioners, presents a promising path to improving rice yields through increased planting intensity. This will help ensure food security while making farming more resilient to the challenges posed by climate change.
