Mindanao farmers told to plant 'rain tolerant' rice varieties

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines  – The office of the Department of Agriculture in Central Mindanao has urged farmers to try propagating species of rice plants that are “rain tolerant” and can endure strong winds to prevent heavy losses due to inclement weather.

The department’s office in Region 12, through its radio program “Ugnayan sa DA,” announced Thursday that there are rice varieties now that are suitable for areas affected by the so-called “agri-climatic” conditions as a result of the changes in weather patterns.

Loreto Pagarigan, DA's officer-in-charge for  rice research and development, said farmers can inquire from government agriculturists about the recommended species based on the climatic conditions in their respective provinces.

Farmers, according to Pagarigan, should ensure that the varieties of rice they are to sow are resistant to pest and shorter in height so as not to be easily uprooted by strong winds and flattened by heavy rains.

For irrigated areas, DA-12 recommended the varieties "NSIC RC 283" which can yield 6.4 metric tons per hectare and grows only up to 104 centimeters and reaches maturity in 110 days.

The DA-12 also recommends NSIC RC 283, NSIC RC 222, NSIC RC 226, NSIC RC 158, and NSIC RC 224, which are also high-yield varieties.

Pagarigan urged upland rice farmers to continue propagating the indigenous "dinorado" and "azucena" varieties.

He said farmers in propagating rice in “rain-fed farms” should try NSIC RC 192 and NSIC RC 222, which are drought tolerant varieties with a production turnout of 3.4 metric tons per hectare.