Negros Occidental currently produces 96 percent of its rice needs, and aims to become self-sufficient in rice by 2013, “we are almost there, but not yet there,” he said.

The province is currently ranked ninth in the country in terms of volume of rice production, he said.

Marañon, Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., and the mayors of the fourth district of Negros Occidental joined demonstration on the use of a Department of Agriculture-donated Kubota DC-60 Combine Harvester at a rice farm in Valladolid.

The Kubota combined harvester can harvest, thresh, clean and bag one hectare of palay in two hours, he said.

It will bring harvesting cost and wastage down, Marañon, said, adding that Valladolid is the third area in the province where the machine’s use is being demonstrated.

He said he hopes farmers, local government units and cooperatives will be encouraged to buy similar machines to further boost rice production in the province, which on a long-term basis will also reduce production costs.

“We are trying to mechanize our rice industry that is 20 years behind,” he said.

Ramon Uy Jr., an organic farmer, said the rice straw that remain in the fields after harvesting are also added income for the farmers.

They can be either used as compose to fertilize the rice fields or as feeds for livestock, he said.

Combining ancient wisdom with modern technology can boost organic farming, Uy said.

Among those also present at the combine harvester demonstration were mayors Juliet Marie Ferrer of La Carlota City, Jose Maria Alonso of Pontevedra, Mario Magno of San Enrique and Rommel Yagore of Valladolid, Bago Vice MayorNicholas Yulo, Don Salvador Benedicto Vice Mayor Cynthia de la Cruz and Board Member Nehemias de la Cruz.*CPG

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