TABUK, Kalinga -- Farmers in the last cropping harvested 20 to 25 percent higher than the usual average yield per hectare from the new hybrid rice M-7, which was tried on a 100-hectare demonstration farm here.

Farmers who attended the recent Field Day here made the announcement in their production report.

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Provincial Agriculturist Gerry Jose said hybrid rice farmers who tried M-7 in the last cropping harvested an average of 210 cavans per hectare.

The Provincial Agriculturist Office has expanded its demonstration farm area from 50 hectares to 100 hectares on clustered farmer groups, under its improved organic farming technology. The clustered area is distributed in the four barangays of San Francisco, 30 hectares; San Juan, 30 hectares; Lacnog, 30 hectares; and Magsaysay, 10 hectares.

Beneficiaries of the project were taught rapid fungus technology to produce organic fertilizer, varietal trials of new rice seeds, and on-hand farmers’ demonstration.

Government accelerates commercial rice production by introducing hybrid rice varieties, supported by the use of organic technology that is proven to be effective in maintaining soil balance and cuts cost of production to farmers.

The project was launched in 2007 in Barangay San Francisco of this municipality on an initial 50-hectare experimental area and was expanded later to 100 hectares upon seeing its positive results to hybrid farmers. (Larry Lopez)