The University Extension Center (UEC) had completed its implementation of the project titled “Technology Promotion and Utilization of Special Rice.” Funded by the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office III, this project is in collaboration with the University Research Center which aimed to increase farmers’ income and encourage more farmers to adopt Special Rice Technology.
It started in 2019 and was piloted in five towns in Nueva Ecija, namely: Sto. Domingo, Guimba, Llanera, Carranglan, and Science City of Muñoz with ten farmer-partners identified by their respective Municipal Agriculture Offices. Each was given three varieties of Special-Purpose Rice, the pigmented, CL1, and glutinous. During harvest time, Mr. Edgardo Maglaque, farmer-cooperator from Carranglan gave the highest yield with 182.5 cavans per hectare.
“I have also experienced failure in planting crops. I learned to adjust for my next techno-demo, and I already know what to do. Also, I already know the possible solutions for the identified problems of my crops,” Mr. Maglaque shared.
Completed in December 2020, this technology also promoted the low input-high profit rice farming systems in production and processing as well as value-adding. It also introduced the production of dehulled rice using the dehuller to maintain its pigment and the nutrient content of the rice. The dehulled rice was vacuum packed to maintain its freshness and fragrance and to prolong its shelf life.
