THE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Central Luzon, in partnership with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Pampanga, held the first corn derby in Central Luzon in Barangay Anao in Mexico town, Wednesday, March 16, 2022.
The event was participated by six seed companies from across the region, namely, Advanta Seeds Philippines, Asian Hybrid Seed Technologies, Inc., Syngenta Philippines, Inc., Bioseed Research Philippines, Inc., Corteva Agriscience, and Bayer Crop. Science.
Corn program regional report officer Melody Nombre said the competition aims to find out which yellow corn seed variety has the highest yield that brings the best possible income to farmers.
For the top yield performers category, Bayer Crop Science's yellow corn seed variety DK828S led with 8.42 metric tons per hectare; this was followed by H102 by Bioseed Research Philippines, Inc. that obtained 7.99 metric tons per hectare; and P3585YHR by Corteva Agriscience that got 7.75 metric tons per hectare.
Bayer Crop Science also topped the Highest Net Income Generated per hectare category with P59,513; Bioseed Research Philippines, Inc. came in second. with P57,747; and, PAC 339 of Advanta Seeds Philippines with P53,727.
Meanwhile, only Advanta Seeds Philippines won the Highest Shelling Recovery category.
Pampanga Third District Board Member Ananias Canlas Jr., who chairs the Committee on Agriculture and Food, also attended and showed support for the activity. He said it is very important to conduct competition, especially for the local farmers of the province.
"Through the cooperation of the private sector and the government, we ensure that local farmers are given the opportunity to improve their harvest," Canlas said.