by L. Lopez

RIZAL, Kalinga (20 October) -- Government has granted the province a new support facility to its hybrid rice and corn commercialization program, with the putting up of a Biological-Nitrogen (Bio-N) laboratory in this municipality.

Provincial Agriculturist Gerry Jose said the project came from the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Rice program funds of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The facility which is now being rushed in time for the November-April cropping will be turned over to Rizal Multi-purpose Cooperative (RMPC) in Barangay Calaocan, this town.

The project is intended for the production of Bio-N element, given to rice and corn farmers as seed or growth enhancer. Bio-N is among the farming interventions distributed free by DA to hybrid rice and corn farmers.

For every purchase of one bag hybrid or certified rice seeds, DA gives free two bags organic fertilizer, two packs Bio-N and one leaf color chart. Added to this, under a case-case basis is zinc sulphate to areas identified lacking in zinc. In times of leaf blight outbreak, the agency also gives free cocide as assistance to farmers. A hectare of rice needs 1.2 kg of Bio-N.

DA is spending P2million for the purchase of Bio-N elements every cropping for Kalinga from a supplier in Alfonso Lista, Ifugao.

Jose said with the completion of the project, the money will now be infused to the province.

As project set-up, the building and laboratory equipments are provided by DA, while the lot for the facility is given as counterpart by RMPC.

Jose said selected farmer-members of the recipient cooperative were sent for training in Bio-N technology at the Agriculture Research Center of the University of the Philippines in Los Banos, Laguna.