The Department of Agriculture announced on Thursday that it has launched two newly registered high-yielding corn varieties to boost the country's corn production and increase farmers' livelihoods.

According to a Bureau of Agricultural Research, the corn varieties are the CVRC Glut 21-16, commonly called Deko Glutfrom, from the DA Cagayan Valley Research Center, and Tupi 1 WIT, also referred to as South Cotabato Improved Tiniguib, developed by DA SOCCSKSARGEN.

Both were developed under the department's Corn Germplasm Utilization through Advanced Research and Development Program.

The agency explained that the Deko Glutform features a robust husk cover that provides resistance to pests and diseases. It also boasts an average yield of 5.99 metric tons per hectare in Luzon and 4.35 metric tons per hectare in Mindanao.

On the other hand, the South Cotabato Improved Tiniguib features a shelling recovery rate of 79 percent and exhibits an average grain yield of 5.15 metric tons per hectare.

The launch was made through DA's regional field offices, BAR, the Bureau of Plant Industry, National Corn Program, in collaboration with the UP Los Baños Institute of Plant Breeding.

"In line with the goals and activities of CGUARD, the capacities of DA regional offices' researchers regarding varietal improvement and development utilizing modern tools of science were developed, practiced, and improved," said Assistant Secretary for Policy Research and Development Noel Padre.

The Deko Glutfrom was distributed on 5 December 2023 to corn farmers in Luzon and Mindanao while the South Cotabato Improved Tiniguib was distributed only to farmers in Mindanao.