Mga Kwentong Saka: Stories from the fields of Nueva Ecija

As the population rises, so does the need for a sustainable and more efficient rice production system to ensure food security. Seed quality, farming practices, and intervention of various key players are equally important factors that contribute to the success of our farmers and their business.

Bayer CropScience Philippines, one of the country’s agrochemical giants, has been serving the agriculture industry for over 60 years. Today, the company has channels all over the country to ensure that no farmer gets left behind. Aside from its demand generation activities, Bayer participates in government-led events such as the National Rice Technology Forum (NRTF) along with other seeds and technology providers all over the country to bring the innovations closer to farmers.

During the recent NRTF held in Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija, Bayer highlighted the stories of four local farmers who have been patrons of various Bayer products. They testified on how Bayer’s innovations for rice production have helped them shape the future of agriculture.

Edwin Vicente (San Francisco, Llanera, Nueva Ecija)

Edwin Vicente, a local of Brgy. San Francisco in the town of Llanera, began farming as early as 10 years old. Being the only son of four children, he took on the responsibility of supporting his siblings through rice farming.

In 2019, a Bayer technician, with support from his co-farmers, introduced to him an insecticide that would double his yield. “Nakilala ko ang Yeoval® sa pamamagitan ng mga kapwa ko magsasaka [at mga] Bayer CropScience technician. Ito’y aking sinubukan sa aking palayan at maganda naman ang naging resulta. Siguradong mas dumoble ang aking ani dahil ang Yeoval® ay napaka-bisa kumpara sa ibang pang-insekto.”

Edwin patronizes Yeoval® insecticide for its strong efficacy against various rice pests such as stemborer and leaffolder, among others. 

Watch Edwin’s story here:

Robert Hermoso (Manacsac, Guimba, Nueva Ecija)

Like Edwin, Robert Hermoso, a farmer from Manacsac, Guimba supported his family through rice farming. “Bilang panganay na anak na lalaki, ako ang bumalikat sa pagsasaka dahil matanda na ang tatay ko noon. 25 years old lang po, nagsaka na ako. 58 years old na ako ngayon. Ganon na ako katagal sa pagsasaka.”

Robert has been using Nativo® fungicide for 6 cropping seasons already. According to him, he saw the huge difference it brought to his rice grains which became evidently heavier and cleaner—qualities that make it attractive for rice buyers.

Robert invites other farmers to try Nativo® in their farms, assuring them of the guaranteed increase in rice yield quality as well as their income.

Watch Robert’s story here:

Oscar Gardonez (Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija)

Rice farming was Oscar Gardonez’ way of providing for his family, a humble farmer from the Science City of Muñoz. He started planting rice when he was 16 years old, choosing to help till the land and earn an income, since he was not able to finish his studies. 

Understandably, he has tested various hybrid rice in pursuit of a more stable yield. But one variety stood out: Arize® AZ 8433 DT. “Marami na po akong nasubukan na mga barayti ng hybrid rice pero ang AZ 8433 DT ang nagpaganda sa aking ani. Ito ay matibay sa mga sakit. Masisiyahan ka dahil sa tibay (rin nito) sa hangin.” 

Arize® AZ 8433 DT is the first and only dual-trait hybrid rice by Bayer that is tolerant to Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) and Brown Plant Hopper (BPH).

Oscar shares that he always encourages other farmers like him to try Arize® for they are high-yielding, produce good grains, and are resistant to an array of diseases—traits of a hybrid rice that farmers can rely on for a more favorable harvest quality.

Watch Oscar’s story here:

Mar del Rosario (Burgos, Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija)

Mar del Rosario, a resident of Brgy. Burgos, Sto. Domingo, pursued rice farming during his youth. Their father passed away early, and being the eldest son, he took on the role as their family’s breadwinner. He says farming is his family’s only source of income. Early this year, he was chosen as a farmer-cooperator of Bayer CropScience for the 17th NRTF held in their municipality last March. 

“Sa totoo lang po, unang tanim pa lang ito sa bukid namin. At dahil sa NRTF, Bayer po ang nakakuha sa amin bilang cooperator. Sa obserbasyon ko ngayon, mahihigitan po ng ani ko ngayon [ang ani ko] noong nakaraang tag-araw.”

Mar, like many other farmers, rely on Bayer’s seeds and crop protection products to sustain their farming business. He chooses the technologies that allow him to maximize every inch of his land, opting for Arize® hybrid seeds and Bayer rice crop protection products that guarantee him satisfying results by the end of each cropping season.

“Sa Bayer, maraming maraming salamat po sa tulong na ipinagkaloob niyo sa akin. Malaking tulong po sa amin ito ngayon at nalibre po kami sa binhi. Maraming maraming salamat po.”

Watch Mar’s story here:

Catch the full video of the 17^th National Rice Technology Forum on our Youtube channel: 

You may also read our 17th NRTF story here:

Read more stories here:

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