Technical personnel of the Department of Agriculture were briefed recently about the technology method demonstration on hybrid rice to improve their capability in responding to issues affecting the variety.

The training conducted by Agritech, Pioneer, Bayer and Philrice, also aimed to ensure well-managed rice production during the wet season.

Highlighted topics were the integrated pest management or the biological control where IPM regional coordinator Ylimea Olanday discussed the black seed bug, said to be the latest threat in rice production.

The black seed bug was discovered last year in Dimasalang, Masbate and quickly spread to Central and Eastern Visayas. If left unattended it can damage up to 50 percent of the production.

The group also discussed varietal characteristics and specific production technologies of the different hybrid rice during the technical demo session.

Last year about 11,765 hectares of rice land were planted with hybrid rice and resulted in a total production off 2, 371 metric tons with an average yield per hectare of 4.96 metric tons.*PNA

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