The first corn derby and harvest festival in Mexico town, Pampanga. (Photo courtesy of Pampanga provincial government)
MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga––The Department of Agriculture’s Central Luzon office hosted on Wednesday, March 16, the region’s first “corn derby” to boost production by showcasing different corn varieties and available technologies to farmers.
The corn derby and harvest festival were held at Anao village in Mexico, Pampanga, and drew at least six seed companies, including Advanta Seeds Philippines, Asian Hybrid Seed Technologies, Inc., Syngenta Philippines, Inc., Bioseed Research Philippines, Inc., Corteva Agriscience, and Bayer Crop Science.
In a statement, the provincial government in this city said the competition was an important event for farmers in this province and would give them relevant information on how to increase their yields.
Melody Nombre, DA-Region 3 corn program officer, said the derby sought to find out which yellow corn seed variety would produce the highest yield and a better income for farmers.
The provincial government said Bayer Crop Science’s DK828S yellow corn seed variety won the derby after producing 8.42 metric tons per hectare.
It was followed by Bioseed Research Philippines’ H102 variety (7.99 MT per ha), and Corteva Agriscience’s P3585 variety (7.75 MT per ha).
It said Bayer Crop Science also led the highest net income-generated category at P59,513 per ha, followed by Bioseed Research Philippines (P57,747), and Advanta Seeds Philippines (P53,727).
The provincial government said only Advanta Seeds Philippines was able to win the “highest shelling recovery” category in the derby.
It was learned that each of the seed companies had been asked to plant their varieties at the derby site and provide fertilizers while the DA took care of the land preparation activities.
The derby was part of the agriculture department’s “Masaganang Ani, Mataas na Kita” program for farmers.