The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) called on farmers to plant drought-tolerant varieties and use El Niño-ready technologies in paddy-rice production to mitigate the ill effects of the weather phenomenon.
PhilRice made the statement after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that the ongoing El Niño would likely strengthen in the latter part of the year and linger until early 2016.
For lowland irrigated areas, PhilRice encouraged farmers to plant early-maturing varieties, such as PSB Rc10 (Pagsanjan), NSIC Rc130 (Tubigan 3) and NSIC Rc152 (Tubigan 10).
PhilRice said Pagsanjan matures in 106 days with a maximum yield of 7.5 tons per hectare. Tubigan 3 matures in 108 days with a maximum yield of 7.6 tons per hectare, while Tubigan 10 matures in 109 days with a maximum yield of 8.7 tons per hectare.
“Farmers may also plant NSIC Rc134 [Tubigan 4], an early-maturing variety—107 days—with a maximum yield of 9.8 tons per hectare and NSIC Rc160 [Tubigan 14] also an early-maturing variety—107 days—with a maximum yield of 8.2 tons per hectare,” PhilRice said in a statement.
Farmers in rainfed lowland areas may choose among NSIC Rc192 (Sahod Ulan 1), PSB Rc14 (Rio Grande) and PSB Rc68 (Sacobia) varieties.
Sahod Ulan 1 matures in 106 days, with a maximum yield of 5.5 tons per hectare. Rio Grande matures in 110 days, with a maximum yield of 6.1 tons per hectare; and Sacobia matures in 116 days with a maximum yield of 4.4 tons per hectare.
The agency attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA) said these varieties are known for their drought-tolerant properties preferable in areas where El Niño is expected to hit worst.
Meanwhile, drought-tolerant varieties for the upland areas include the PSB Rc80 (Pasig), PSB Rc9 (Apo), and NSIC Rc23 (Katihan 1).
Pasig can yield up to 8.7 tons per hectare and matures in 112 days. Apo matures in 119 days, with a maximum yield of 5.6 tons per hectare, while Katihan 1 matures in 108 days, with a maximum yield of 7.6 tons per hectare.
PhilRice urged farmers to use water-saving technologies, such as controlled irrigation or alternate wetting and drying, aerobic rice, drip irrigation and reduced tillage technology.
The agency said it continues to roll out information materials on El Niño, which are all available on its web site.