Rice farmers in Marinduque are set for a second planting season following the delivery of certified inbred seeds in observance of the newly-adopted double dry cropping system aimed at boosting yields and incomes.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), in partnership with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), is spearheading the program which seeks to optimize crop production between the dry and wet seasons.
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), in coordination with other DA programs, is distributing 5,546 bags of certified inbred seeds under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
The seeds will cover 2,558 hectares of farmland, ensuring readiness for the second dry season crop.
Initial deliveries have reached farmers in Mogpog and Santa Cruz, providing access to NSIC Rc 160—a high-yielding, pest-resistant variety that matures in just 107 days and yields up to 5.6 tons per hectare.
RCEF is distributing additional high-yielding varieties like NSIC Rc 218, 608, and 402.
Other Marinduque towns, including Boac, Buenavista, Gasan, and Torrijos, are also preparing for the upcoming wet season.
Marinduque farmers harvested 16,526 metric tons of palay from 5,085 hectares, averaging 3.25 tons per hectare, or 65 50-kilo sacks in 2024.