The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) launched three high-yielding sugarcane varieties opening of the 72nd Philippine Sugar Technologists Association (PhilSuTech) Annual National Convention in Cebu on Wednesday, August 19.
Unveiled were the PHIL 2015-0445, PHIL 2015-0953, and PHIL 2015-0867 aimed at improving farm productivity and increasing local sugar supply, SRA Administrator Paul Azcona said.
It took 10 years to develop the new varieties that will now be mass propagated to be released to farmers for free.
“The plan is to start with micropropagation,” Azcona said, adding that within six months they can release the new varieties, prioritizing small farmers and those who are part of block farms.
Th three varieties are resistant to smut, downy mildew, and yellow spot, and moderate to leaf scorch, an SRA report said. They perform best in Bais, SONEDCO, and Sagay Mill Districts, and significantly outyielded VMC 84-524, it added.
The deployment of these high-yielding varieties, alongside DA-SRA support programs is designed to lower operational costs and maximize crop returns for sugarcane planters.*
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