THROUGH a mechanized farming system, a former “talahiban” or wild grassland in Barangu Sampot, Paniqui, Tarlac has turned into a productive rice farm. But with the application of technologies like drone broadcasting in rice cultivation, it can attain a yield of 8 metric tons per hectare. “The eight tons yield in Paniqui could not have been achieved under usual farmers’ practice. For us and our ‘Bayer Much More Rice’ recommended package of technology, we aim to maximize yield output and this includes effective weed control” Tongol explained. Given yield potential of the mechanized rice farm, gross earnings may reach around P150,000 per hectare in one season, at P19 per kilo per palay (unmilled rice) harvested.

Source: Manila Times March 24, 2021 16:18 UTC