CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To further boost Northern Mindanao’s rice production capacity, the Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) through Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado formally launched its first hybrid upland rice production technology demonstration farm in Bukidnon province

Together with the Bukidnon Tagoloanon Mulahay Ha Kabukalagan Agriculture Cooperative (BUKTAMACO), Bukidnon Provincial Agriculture Office, Malaybalay City Agriculture Office, and Seedwork Philippines, DA-10 recently held its inaugural planting of the three-hectare upland rice production technology trial demo farm in barangays Sumpong and Can-ayan, in Malaybalay City. 

The project is designed to undergo a trial phase before full-scale implementation of the eyed 300-hectare demonstration farm, to give way for production technology fine-tuning and area compatibility assessment. 

In her message, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Cora A. Dumayaca said the project is pivotal to the DA’s goal to increase the region’s rice sufficiency by utilizing upland production areas. 

Using an area modeling approach, the project will optimize the potential and opportunities in developing the Ancestral Domains of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) as an upland rice production area in the region. 

DA-10 Deputy Director for Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP), Joel S. Rudinas, said the project provides the base for future agricultural development. 

He said by employing an area-based development system, this undertaking can spin out to other commodities in the value chain and integrate other agricultural livelihood activities that can significantly address poverty situations among the IP communities. 

Using Seedworks Philippines’ TH-82 hybrid rice production technology, the upland rice demo farm is set to be fully established during the 2024 wet cropping season. 

Also, in attendance during the hybrid upland rice technology demo farm launching ceremony are Atty. Burt M. Estrada, BUKTAMACO General Manager, Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon, Bukidnon Provincial Agriculturist, Engr. Richard B. Leono, Malaybalay City Agriculturist, Janet D. Lopez, DVM, DA-10 Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief, Lucille T. Minguez, DA-10 Regional Crops Protection Center chief. (ATT)