ILOILO City – The Department of Agriculture (DA) harvested around 12.4 metric tons of the NSIC Rc 604 (saline-resistant variety) of rice in the two-hectare area of its Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DA-WESVIARC) in Jaro district here.
The metric tons harvested are equivalent to 252 bags; each bag weighing more than 49 kilograms.
According to Science Research Specialist Engr. Flerida Demamay, the said rice variety is part of the ongoing efforts at WESVIARC to test its yield performance and develop resilient rice varieties suitable for irrigated lowland areas with saline conditions.
“The department, through the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program, hopes to expand rice production areas next year particularly in farms with high salinity,” she added.
The PalayCheck System and Rice Crop Management Advisory Service were employed to optimize production and yield of rice.
The rice was planted on July 8 this year and harvested on October 7, thus grown for three months. (PIA-6)
