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DA planting strategy to beef up low rice production

   KIDAPAWAN CITY, Oct. 1 2002 (PNA) -- Anticipating low rice production
this year due to a foreseen El Ni o phenomenon, the Department of
Agriculture (DA)  has introduced a new technology to beef up farmers
produce here.

   In an interview, Kabacan mayor Luzviminda Tan in North Cotabato,
said that farmers in her town had adopted DA's newly- evised
Quick-Turn-Around (QTA) planting strategy under the Ginintuang
Masaganang Ani (GMA) Rice Program to address the reduction of rice
supply in the local market in anticipation of the drought-associated
El Ni o weather condition, probably by the last quarter of this
year.

   Under the QTA, Tan said the farmers, who planted early during the
wet season cropping in April and May were encouraged to plant again
two weeks after harvest.

   The farmers who adopt this strategy would be provided with 40
kilograms of certified seeds and two bags of Urea fertilizer per
hectare at a 50-50 scheme.

   Added to this, Tan said the remaining irrigated areas planted during
the regular wet season cropping in August and September will also be
given 40 kilograms of certified seeds at 50-50 scheme and fertilizer
credit worth 3,500 per hectare under the Self-Reliant Financing (SRF)
model of Quendancor.

   However, if this is not available, the farmers have the option to
use his own seeds and be entitled to an additional bag of Urea
fertilizer for free to be withdrawn at the designated input supplier
or dealer.

   The DA announced that to avail of the program, a farmer-beneficiary
should present the certification issued by the Municipal Agricultural
Officer (MAO) or Agricultural Extension Worker of the agriculture
department.

   With the QTA planting strategy, Kabacan farmers are expected to
produce an additional 339,598 metric tons of palay, which Mayor Tan
believes would be enough to compensate the possible rice production
loss this year. (PNA)

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