SL Agritech extends hybrid rice seed grants

MANILA, Philippines - Nueva Ecija farmers who were victims of last year’s typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” have become beneficiaries of high- yield hybrid rice seeds grants from SL Agritech Corp. (SLAC).

The hybrid rice seeds yield an average of eight metric tons (MT) per hectare.

The yield from the hybrid seeds is double the traditional harvest of farmers from inbred seeds which produce a yield of just three to four MT per hectare.  

Farmers in four towns in Nueva Ecija that experienced the worst damage from the two typhoons were identified by SLAC in collaboration with the towns and their municipal agriculturists.  

The farmer-beneficiaries received a total of 600 bags of hybrid rice seeds which they began planting in November 2011 and harvested in April this year.

The seeds were distributed to farmers in Cabiao, 200 bags;  Licab, 100 bags; Sta. Rosa, 200 bags and San Jose, 100 bags.  

“Our farmers are among the worst victims everytime we experience typhoons.  But instead of allowing them to just wallow in misery from the damage, we can help them learn technologies that can help raise income significantly in a way that they can save up for future needs,” said SLAC chairman Herny Lim Bon Liong.  

The SL-8H seeds grant is part of a joint disaster rehabilitation program of SLAC with Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCCI) president Francis Chua, PCCI chairman Sergio Ortiz Luis, the town leaders and Cabiao Mayor Baby Congco.  

The average rice yield actually varied between the towns.  Licab produced a total of 14,799 cavans which translates to an average of 7.6 MT per hectare.  This was followed by San Jose with 14,000 cavans – an average of seven MT per hectare; and Sta. Rosa with 33,839 cavans or with an average of 8.5 MT per hectare.  

“While others helped by giving relief goods to victims of the recent typhoons, the PCCCI, and SLAC distributed palay seeds that is most needed by farmers to recover from the disaster,” noted Vice President Jejomar Binay during the grant ceremony.  

A grant of 200 bags of SL-8H seeds was also extended to Isabela farmers in a ceremonial distribution held at the Coconut Palace last Feb. 12.

Also present in that ceremony were PCCCI vice president Oscar Chua, Employers Confederation of the Philippines president Ed LAcson, PCCCI president Leo Sy, Isabela Governor Faustino “Bojie” Dy, Isabela vice-governor Rodolfo Albano III.  

“The mayors were thankful that the disaster program has increased their rice production and definitely enabled their farmers to recover from a decrease in their harvest last season brought about by the typhoons,” said Lim who is the chairman of the Chinese chamber’s agriculture committee.  

As the Philippines experiences at least 20 typhoons every year, Filipino farmers need assistance specially in the form of good seeds which contribute to an increase of 25 percent to their rice yield, according to plant breeders.