In a significant move to boost agricultural productivity, TAO Corp., a leading food corporation, has initiated a 100 percent hybrid rice production program in Northern Samar. The program, named Rice-to-Rise, targets the towns of Laoang and Las Navas, aiming to cultivate 500 hectares of land. Jhon Allen Berbon, head of the provincial economic development and investment promotions office, announced the start of this initiative following a memorandum of agreement signed with local farmers’ associations on November 12, 2024.
The introduction of hybrid rice varieties is expected to dramatically increase yields from the current one to two tons per hectare to an ambitious eight to nine tons per hectare. This is a significant leap from the province’s average yield of 2.66 metric tons per hectare. The suitability of Northern Samar’s soil for these high-yielding varieties was confirmed after thorough assessments by TAO Corp.
Berbon emphasized the collaborative effort with agricultural stakeholders and farmers to roll out the Rice-to-Rise Program. This initiative not only aims to enhance production but also to empower farmers with modern methodologies and support in marketing their produce. TAO Corp., renowned for its commitment to improving the food chain through innovation, has a track record of successfully increasing rice yields nationwide.
Northern Samar, with its vast agricultural landscape spanning 200,563 hectares, is poised to benefit significantly from this program. In 2023, the province produced 80,590 metric tons of rice from 30,259 hectares, showcasing its potential for further agricultural development.