Daet, Camarines Norte––The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 5 hosted again the Provincial Corn Derby in this province to showcase different cultural practices of 10 varieties of corn and technologies to boost the corn industry production.
Recently, the harvest festival was held at Dogongan, Daet, Camarines Norte , participated by five (5) seed companies, including Advanta Seeds Philippines, Bayer Crop Science, Bioseed Research Philippines, Inc., Corn World, Corteva Agriscience, and Syngenta Philippines, Inc.
They competed for three (3) categories mainly on the return on investment (ROI,) shelling recovery, and yielding performance.
Engr. Amabel N. Bombase, the Regional Corn and Cassava Program Coordinator shared the Corn Industry Status in Daet, Camarines Norte. She said, “Noong 2022, ang ating production ay nasa 2,273.30 metric tons, ang area naman ay nasa 1,004.12 hectares, at 612 farmers ang registered na sa ating RSBSA.”
She also highlighted the importance of conducting corn derby, she explained, “Kaya tayo nagka-conduct ng corn derby ay hindi lang para matulungan namin kayo ng tamang technology sa pagtatanim, kundi para rin malaman natin ang farmers’ preference na ginagamit natin sa procurement ng ating mga corn seeds para maiwasan natin na magkaroon ng low germination, at low yielding varieties. Yung magagandang varieties lamang po ang para sainyo upang di kayo malugi at makahabol kaya sa kahit 12 metric tons/ha na yield sa pagmamais.”
A farmwalk was also conducted for the seed companies to explain further the quality of the varieties that they promote during the derby.
Governor Ricarte R. Padilla noted that conducting activities like this will help boost the agriculture sector of Camarines Norte. In fact, the Provincial Government will venture with Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) Philippines Corporation to buy the harvests of the corn farmers. He further explained that the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) will lend capital to the farmers, and the CPF will issue purchase order. After the harvest, the CPF will buy the farmers’ harvest, after which the farmers will be able to pay their DBP loan. Thus, this will be the ultimate solution for the usual problem of the farmers which is capital.
Engr. Raul Careras, Vice Chair of RAFC, encouraged the farmers to continue their hardwork and efforts in planting corn since this will help them improve their lives in the future. He emphasized, “Noong panahon kapag magsasaka ka, hindi ka raw yayaman, pero dun ko nakita na mali ang pagkakaintindi nila. Totoong may pera sa agrikultura.”
The result showed that DEKALB 8282S of Bayer Crop Science ranked 1st place in the Agronomic and Yield Performance of Hybrid Yellow Corn Varieties, while PAC 339 of Advanta Seeds Philippines placed 2nd and NK 6410 of Syngenta placed 3rd.In shelling recovery, PAC 339 got the first rank, CW 320 of Cornworld and DEKALB 8282S tied for 2nd rank, and DEKALB 9118S of Bayer Crop Science won the third place.In terms of Return on Investment (RIO) for fresh or wet grains, DEKALB 8282S ranked 1st, NK 6410 ranked 2nd, and PAC 339 bagged 3rd place. DEKALB 8282S still won the dry grain for ROI, followed by PAC 339, and NK 6410 as third place.
Engr. Henry Espinar of the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division demonstrated various agricultural machineries for corn production. The corn derby promotes the “Masaganang Ani, Mataas na Kita” program of DA for the corn farmers. (Eds Bongalos)