Philippines Looking At Hybrid Rice To Increase Production

The Philippines government is focussing on its Hybrid Rice Commercialization program (HRCP) in order to address the gap between rice production and consumption and at the same time raise the incomes of rice farmers in the country.

Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) under its "Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) rice program is currently working on a massive information campaign heightening the promotion of hybrid rice as meaningful approaches to help rice farmers improve their incomes.

According to government statistics, rice yeield for the hybrid rice varieties in the previous 12 seasons from 2001-2007 have recorded a yield advantage of 33% more than those of in-bred certified seeds.