SRA to roll out 3 'high-yielding' sugarcane varieties

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is preparing to release three new high-yielding sugarcane varieties to boost the country's sugar production, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday.

“SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the DA-SRA will release three new high-yielding sugarcane varieties aimed at helping farmers raise productivity and incomes,” the DA said in a statement.

The DA-SRA is currently planting 15 sugarcane varieties with distinct characteristics, with each variety recommended for cultivation in specific areas of the country.

The SRA has provided information on the different sugarcane varieties on its website.

Moreover, the DA said the SRA will distribute free beneficial microorganisms (BMO) organic fertilizers to farmers to help further reduce production costs.

The SRA also has biocontrol fungi against the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI), as well as training programs to help farmers address pest threats.

The DA added that more laboratories will be established at the municipal, mill and farmer-group levels to make RSSI biocontrol fungi more readily available.

The SRA earlier said it had implemented several reforms, one of the most significant being a policy directing that 100% of locally produced sugar be reserved for the domestic market.

As part of efforts to improve local production, the SRA said the sugarcane cropping calendar was shifted from September 1 to August 31 to October 1 to September 30.— MCG, GMA News