Just like any other Asian countries, Philippines is a nation that depends on many staple food like corn, wheat and most importantly, rice. The latter is what needs to be produced every year because millions of Filipinos depend on this food. Here’s a fact: There are more than 90 million people in this country who need to eat a certain meal with rice three times a day. That’s why rice production in the Philippines is very important. The production number of rice annually depends on the weather and climate in this country. There are times that most farms in Central Luzon are not that productive because of several storms affecting the fields. During summer season, water irrigation is not easy and it often results to slow crop growth.
Meanwhile, if you are a businessman who want to try venturing into the field of agriculture, here are some of the tips that you can use in rice production:
1.A farmer needs to use a new kind of seed every season and should refer to the latest recommended seeding rate.
It is advisable not to use rice seeds from the previous hybrid crop because it will affect the quality of the next crop. The farmer may also use 20 kilograms of rice seeds per hectare. To make the seeds ready for planting, one should soak the rice seeds for 12 to 24 hours in clean water. Be reminded that the water should be changed every 6 hours. After this routine, the farmer may remove and wash the seeds and incubate for 12 to 36 hours. If seeds are seen with white dots which serve as roots, keep these in moist state and incubate for a period of time.
2.After the soaking, the farmer needs to prepare the land.
Create a raised 400 m2 seedbed. This will be perfect for every 20-kilogram seeds to be sown. Please remember that in making seedbeds, the area should be far from sources of light to prevent insects. The seedbed should also have enough water supply and should be easily drained. If draining is a problem, the farmer can raise the seedbed up to 5 centimeters.
3.Tips on harvesting
In harvesting the crop, take note that not all crops mature altogether. If 80-85% of the grains are mature enough, then that’s the right time to harvest the crops.
These are just some of the primary procedures in rice production. Just have in mind that the field should be prepared 3 weeks before transplanting the rice plants. A repeated plowing and harrowing is necessary to decompose all the unnecessary plants especially the weeds.