2017, April

Ilocos Norte’s rice production efficiency is expected to increase this harvest season with the help of the Peoples Republic of China, which supplied Ilocano farmers with their quality rice seeds. In Brgy. San Miguel in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, at least 20 hectares of consolidated rice farms were planted with “Longping”, a China hybrid rice variety that promises good yield to farmer-cooperators. With bigger grains, early maturing and resistant to pest and diseases, the 20-farmer beneficiaries are excited to see the result as they are set to harvest this week. According to Ilocos Norte government provincial agriculture officer Norma Lagmay, the China “super rice variety” is a great boost to Ilocos Norte farmers’ productivity as about 10 tons of this were donated to them through the Chinese Consulate office based at Barangay 1 also in San Nicolas.