New high- yield rice varieties unveiled

Amid the debate on whether the Philippines can attain rice self-sufficiency this year, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) said that Filipino rice farmers will be able to attain higher production should they adopt the four new varieties that are capable of yields from 7 to 10 metric tons (MT) each hectare.

“These new rice varieties, which are capable of yields from 7 MT to 10 MT each hectare, will surely boost the country’s drive for rice self-sufficiency given that the average yield today is from 3 MT to 4 MT per hectare,” PhilRice Executive Director Eufemio Rasco Jr. said.