MINA, Iloilo — Lourdes G. Notorio of Barangay Singay has recorded an impressive harvest of 515 sacks of palay from her 3.9-hectare rice field. The yield translates to 7.26 metric tons per hectare, significantly surpassing standard regional averages and demonstrating the potential of hybrid rice technology.
A Harvest That Exceeds Expectations
Notorio planted Jackpot hybrid rice seeds provided by the Department of Agriculture, cultivating them manually. The result was a bountiful harvest that has become a source of pride for her community. The achievement highlights how the right combination of quality seeds and proper techniques can transform agricultural productivity.
With an average of 55 kilos per sack, her total harvest weighed approximately 28,325 kilograms. At the prevailing local buying price of ₱22 per kilo, the gross revenue reached an estimated ₱623,150. This substantial income allows her to recover production costs and retain capital for the next planting season.
Support from the MIMISI Rice Cluster
Notorio is a member of the MIMISI Rice Cluster, which provided guidance and support in the proper management of her rice field. The cluster operates under the coordination of Pingky Adolacion, with assistance from Agricultural Extension Worker Mary Jean Gatpolintan.
The technical assistance she received covered essential practices such as land preparation, water management, and pest control. This structured support system ensures that farmers do not work in isolation but benefit from shared knowledge and expertise. The cluster approach also encourages peer learning among its members.
Validating Hybrid Technology and Clustering
The success of Notorio's harvest validates the effectiveness of hybrid seeds like the Jackpot variety when combined with extension support. Her yield of 7.26 metric tons per hectare proves that adopting modern agricultural technologies can lead to tangible, profitable outcomes for smallholder farmers.
Neighboring communities can look to her achievement as proof that government assistance programs deliver results. The MIMISI Rice Cluster serves as a model for how clustering and technology adoption can work together. It encourages wider participation in similar initiatives across the province.
Strengthening Iloilo's Role as Rice Granary
High-yield harvests like this reinforce Iloilo's position as the primary rice granary of Western Visayas. Increased productivity per hectare ensures a steady local supply of palay, helping stabilize market prices. It also contributes to the province's overall food security goals.
For farming households, the economic impact is immediate and life-changing. The income generated allows families to cover daily expenses, invest in their children's education, and prepare for future planting cycles. Every successful harvest uplifts not just the farmer but the entire community.
