Bayer introduces hybrid rice seeds in PH

Rexiel Cal, Zirah Mae Sardoma, Jomari Tasani | January 16, 2018

Photo from FoodEvolution.com.ph

Agricultural company Bayer Philippines Inc. will be introducing a newly installed seed processing unit within its plants in Canlubang, Laguna next week to make larger the hybrid rice production and fulfill government’s goal to reach rice self-sufficiency next year.

The 30 percent improvement for the Philippine market is expected approximately $1.8 million (P80.5 million) worth of investment on Bayer to level up its production.

“With this new investment, we expect to augment production by 30 percent in the succeeding years and effectively support the Department of Agriculture (DA) one million-hectare hybrid target by 2020,” the company said in a statement.

To refine the process of polishing and dressing seeds, Cimbria, Denmark's new high capacity hybrid rice seed conditioning line from the cimoany will be used.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol supports hybrid seeds to improve the rice yield in the country.

P15 billion is the estimated cost of one million hectares of farmland planted with hybrid rice at P5,000 per hectare before the end of President Rodrigo Duterte's term in 2020.

The DA was given 60 billion pesos budget to be used this year.