Scientists evaluate rice varietal improvement
ILOLO CITY- More than rice scientists in the country congregate in this city to participate in the national evaluation of rice varieties in 14 rice locations in the Philippines.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) spearheaded the annual meeting of the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) and the Seed Selection Board among members conducting the National Cooperators Test (NCT) on rice varietal improvement on April 29 to 30, 2009.
Vivencio Mamaril of the Bureau of Plant Industry and NSIC said the NCT is a science-based like a beauty contest among rice varieties that rice farmers will have to choose from.
The rice varieties underwent a two year test including 2 wet seasons and 2 dry season on top of some 8 to 10 years development by breeders before it is accepted in the NCT.
In Iloilo, the local seed growers here are members of the NCT but actual beneficiaries of the program which underwent selection based on science and rigid development.
Other NCT cooperators include the government’s PhilRice and international research IRRI based in Laguna, and some 6 other corporations that produce hybrid and certified seeds for rice farmers.
Mamaril said the actual rice farmers in the country are given the option to choose the rice variety suited for their farms that include waterlogged areas, rainfed and irrigated farms.
The rice scientists were joined by representatives from 15 state universities and colleges (SUCs) and top private companies active on rice programs such as Bayer Crop Science, Hyrice, Bioseed Research Phil. Inc., Pioneer, SL Agritech and Syngenta.
The meeting was highlighted with reports on new rice variety, yield performance, hybrid rice, as well as on insect screening, disease screening and grain quality. uest speaker.
The annual meeting focused on the theme “Energizing Research, Development and Extension Partnership for Rice Self-Sufficiency.”
By Lydia C. Pendon
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