The OneDA family discussed potential steps to ensure enhanced rice production in the country during the first day of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) National Management Committee Meeting, held at the Novotel Manila on June 16.
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Director John De Leon and Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) Director Dionisio Alvindia led the discussion on the Masagana 150 (M150) and Masagana 200 (M200) programs.
The M150 aims to yield 7.5 tons of inbred rice per hectare (ha) at P8.38 production cost per kilogram (kg), with at least P50,000/ha net profit for farmers and P27.50/kg market price.
On the other hand, M200 aims for a yield of 10 tons of hybrid rice per hectare and a production cost of P7.82 per kilogram. Farmers are expected to earn at least P70,000 net, with the market price set at P27.50 per kilogram.
To achieve this, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its relevant units shall encourage: the shift from transplanted rice to direct seeded rice; the practice of 40kg/ha seeding rate for inbred and 15kg/ha for hybrid; the utilization of combine harvesters; and the application of nano fertilizers to reduce production costs.
Aside from technological interventions in terms of rice varieties, land preparation, crop establishment, nutrient management, and harvest and post-harvest management, the Masagana programs shall also utilize existing DA programs such as the Balanced Fertilization Strategy, the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program, and the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES). ### (Photos by Alan Jay Jacalan, DA-AFID)
