Hybrid rice not welcome in Benguet town

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - The production of hybrid rice is not welcome for Kibungan farmers, even as these are seen to produce more. Municipal Agriculturist Renete Mayamnes said crossbreeds are not being encouraged in the town, although these may yield more. "We discourage the production of hybrid rice in the municipality," Mayamnes said. Instead, she said the local government is promoting the production of traditional and organic rice varieties, whose demand are growing in the international and local markets. Kibungan, a fourth-class town, is promoting its vegetable and rice terraces as among the tourism attractions in the locality. Mayamnes said around 502 hectares of lands are planted to traditional rice varieties in the municipality. Three villages - Takadang, Palina and Poblacion - are the areas where rice production is concentrated. She said most of the rice farmers grow the staple for home consumption although some sell their produce. A kilo of the traditional rice is sold between P50 and P100 in the local market. The Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office is focusing on the production of traditional rice varieties, with the growing demand for these locally and abroad. Kalinga, Ifugao and Mountain Province are among the provinces in the region engaged in growing the traditional and organic rice. Ifugao is exporting its tinawon organic rice to the US and parts of Europe. Kalinga is also selling the unoy rice in the international market. Although most farmers in Benguet are growing vegetables, some towns including Atok, Kapangan, Kibungan and Itogon are venturing into rice production. The province is known for its red rice, locally called kintoman. Traditional rice production is known to be an environment-friendly agricultural undertaking as the native varieties do not require chemical fertilizers and pesticides to survive. - Sun.Star