By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—Rice farmers in this province started to set-up a three-hectare rice demonstration farm planted with hybrid super rice courtesy of the Peoples Republic of China.
Edwin Cariño, head of the Special Projects Office of the Ilocos Norte government said at least five tons of the hybrid super rice were donated recently by the Chinese Consulate Center of Ilocos Norte to help local farmers here increase their yield.
In cooperation with the Provincial Agriculture Office, the project is being monitored by agriculture technicians here to ensure proper planting and management of these seeds.
According to Mr. Cariño, the Chinese rice seeds can yield about 12 to 15 tons per hectare if properly taken cared of.
In Ilocos Norte, at least 250 farmer-beneficiaries were given the chance to try the Chinese rice variety which is expected to boost the agriculture sector.
With a favorable weather condition, Mr. Cariño hopes this venture will help farmers increase their productivity by lowering the cost of farm inputs.