Farmers get insighton Malusog rice variety

As part of the National Rice Awareness Month activities, tillers in Nasugbu, Batangas were given a Farm Walk in Sitio Manggahan, Barangay Putat, Nasugbu, Batangas. The Farm Walk showcased the first-ever direct-seeded Malusog rice variety planted by farmer Gerardo Cabasis.

Cabasis planted the Malusog rice variety in his 1.9-hectare palay farm after his wet season crop was completely downed by storms, strong winds, and smog in July 2023. He appealed for help from the Department of Agriculture National Rice Program.

Director Emerson Yago of the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program provided Cabasis with 80 kilos of Malusog rice seeds, technical assistance, and eight sacks of fertilizer.

Cabasis thoroughly prepared his farm two times before seeding the Malusog seeds. He initially applied four sacks of fertilizer and followed up with another four sacks two weeks later.

Malusog rice is enriched with beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A can help address vitamin A deficiency in schoolchildren aged 5 years and below and pregnant and lactating women.

Cabasis tended his farm religiously and found that Malusog rice is not susceptible to major weeds, insects, or pests. He also noted that the variety can grow well in Nasugbu, even in the presence of heavy rains, strong winds and smog from Taal volcano.

Cabasis said he expects to harvest his Malusog rice crop in the third week of November, after only 95 days. PhilRice initially estimated that the crop would take 108 days to mature. Cabasis expects to yield five tons per hectare or more.

He encouraged farmers in Nasugbu to keep an open mind about Malusog rice, which he successfully tested in his rice field.

PhilRice officials said that they are not yet selling Malusog rice pending its seed certification by appropriate agencies. However, PhilRice has committed to buying all of Cabasis' produce at the prevailing market price.