N Mindanao farmers just love ‘Angelica’

Farmers in northeastern Mindanao, geographically called the CARAGA region, just love "Angelica".

No, "Angelica" is not a person, although the name is derived from that of a lovely lady provincial executive.

Before you further get confused, here’s the score: "Angelica" is a rice variety named after Agusan del Norte Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante.

Now officially named NSIC Rc122, it was approved recently by the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) for commercial planting.

The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) has recommended its planting specifically in Agusan del Norte’s irrigated lowlands where it has been observed to feel at home even under unfavorable conditions such as low solar radiation and nutrient-deficient soils.

A report on Angelica was among those included in the Philippine Rice R&D Highlights 2003 released by PhilRice headed by Executive Director Leocadio Sebastian during the 17th annual Rice R&D Conference held last April 13-15 at the PhilRice central experiment station in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

PhilRice records show that during the 1997 dry season, Angelica was recommended for seed increase but was later dropped owing to highly chalky grains.

But owing to its subsequent promising performance at the PhilRice RTR station in Remedios Trinidad Romualdez, Agusan de Norte, production of the rice line’s seeds was increased and Angelica again was included in the rice Technology Adaptation Project (TAP) during the 1998 dry season.

"Results in the TAP were outstanding, and led to its fast diffusion in 1999 to 2000," reported PhilRice. From 1998 to 2000 alone, about 1,000 hectares of rice fields in the CARAGA region were planted to Angelica.

PhilRice described the up-and-coming variety as high-yielding, tolerant to low solar radiation, slightly tolerant to zinc and potassium deficiency, resistant to lodging, and has good milling and head rice recovery and good eating quality.

It also has a wide spectrum of resistance to insect pests and diseases and can be harvested in 121 days from sowing. — Rudy A. Fernandez