The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) launched three new high-yielding sugarcane varieties during the opening of the 72nd Philippine Sugar Technologists Association (PhilSuTech) Annual National Convention in Cebu on Wednesday, August 19.
The new varieties—PHIL 2015-0445, PHIL 2015-0953, and PHIL 2015-0867—were developed over a 10-year period to raise farmer productivity, boost local sugar supply, and increase farmer incomes.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. noted that deploying these high-yielding varieties alongside DA-SRA support programs “will help farmers raise productivity and incomes”.
As part of these efforts, the SRA is also distributing Beneficial Micro-Organisms (BMO) organic fertilizer to farmers free of charge to further lower production costs, he said.
SRA Administrator Paul Azcona said that the agency will immediately begin mass micropropagation, targeting free release of the new varieties within six months. Distribution will prioritize smallholders and farmers enrolled in block farms.
According to an SRA report, the three new varieties significantly outyield the standard VMC 84-524 variety and perform exceptionally well in the Bais, SONEDCO, and Sagay Mill Districts.
The crops offer strong resistance to smut, downy mildew, and yellow spot, while maintaining moderate resistance to leaf scorch, it added.*
[sibwp_form id=1]