The deep planting technology transfer from Japan has shown an increase in sugarcane yield by 20.8 percent from the average yield of 63.92 tons per hectare for manual planting to 77.23 tons per hectare, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Paul Azona said on Monday, Dec. 1.
This is equivalent to 28.2 bags of sugar or an increase in income of P68,215 per hectare, according to a study implemented by SRA in collaboration with the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural (JIRCAS), he said.
Azcona and Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya rode a deep planting machine at a demo farm in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, which they inspected on Monday.
Kazuya spoke at the symposium on the outcome of the 5-year Japan-Philippines Collaborative Research led by SRA and JIRCAS “towards a more resilient and sustainable sugar industry” at the Sugarland Hotel in Bacolod.
“We proudly pursue this joint initiative to strengthen the Philippines’ sugarcane industry,” the ambassador said, with focus on sustainable development.
“Its timely relevance shines through as we confront the impacts of climate change, especially in the agriculture sector,” he said.
He commended the project for not only boosting agricultural productivity, but for also pioneering innovative, sustainable technologies citing the deep-planting cultivation technology developed by JIRCAS, in collaboration with SRA.
Now an integral part of JIRCAS and SRA’s research efforts, it ensures sustainable sugarcane production, even in extreme weather conditions, he said.
He said the SRA and the University of Tokyo signed an agreement in March 2025 to further advance practical sugarcane research.
“This partnership will seek to develop new technologies and improve systems. It will also explore how sugarcane can benefit various industries, such as the development of bioethanol,” he said..
He said their ultimate goal is to meaningfully improve the lives of our sugarcane farmers, whose dedication and tireless efforts form the backbone of this industry.
“I sincerely hope that the success of this project will create a lasting, positive impact — through strengthening food security, advancing agricultural resilience, and, above all, uplifting our farmers and our communities,” he added.*