Syngenta Philippines’ NK8840 bagged the Masaganang Ani Award as the champion of the first ever Cordillera Regional Corn Derby. Syngenta Philippines, Inc. also took home the Farmer’s Choice award from the event, which was held in Busical, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao last September 15-18, 2020.
The Derby was primarily a competition for the most profitable and most productive corn variety for highland farmers. Six top performing hybrid seed companies entered the contest two varieties each, which were judged according to fresh weight, shelling recovery, and dried weight. Sixty-four farmers from multiple barangays in Alfonso Lista and 30 farmers from various barangays in Aguinaldo, Ifugao participated in the activity. They were able to inspect the crops produced by each company and, at the same time, consult experts on corn production.
Syngenta’s NK8840 bested the 11 other corn varieties with a total production of 9,006 kilos per hectare (kg/ha), while Syngenta’s NK6410 bagged the “Farmer’s Choice” award because of its good grain quality and high yielding characteristics.
The NK8840 variety has established its award-winning quality, having also led the pack in consecutive wins at the Department of Agriculture (DA) Cagayan Valley Research Center (CVRC) Regional Corn Derby in 2017 and 2019. This top tier variety bested 14 others in 2017 and 13 others in 2019 when it produced the largest yield among the varieties competing for these respective years.
Syngenta Philippines credits NK8840’s high yield to its big, heavy cobs, large kernels, and strong stalks. NK8840 has also had consistent and stable yield over the years, boasting a 13 metric tons per hectare yield potential. It is tolerant to drought and sustains its high yield even in stressed conditions. Maturing in 115 days, NK8840 is also easy to de-husk and harvest by hand. This consistently awarded corn variety is also stay green and disease tolerant. Overall, the NK8840 is equipped with the qualities necessary to ensure the production of resilient crops which yield optimal returns.
Aside from its good grain quality, NK6410 is also a top/heavy yielder and with a short maturity of 100-105 days.
Determining high yield corn varieties is valuable to the Cordillera region, which is determined to significantly further increase its corn production. This, considering that the region yields an average of almost 4 metric tons per hectare of yellow corn and 2.5 metric tons per hectare of white corn. The Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) organized this Corn Derby to give farmers in the area an opportunity to experience first-hand corn variety selection, company technical presentations on their corn varieties, farming practices consultation, and corn crop cut inspection.
By participating in these events, Syngenta Philippines continues to shine as a leading producer of high-quality seed varieties while taking the opportunity to provide further on-ground support for farmers. Syngenta also helps them increase productivity by promoting products that can meet local corn planters’ growing needs given the current health and economic crisis brought about by the pandemic. This is in keeping with the company’s vision of helping Filipino growers farm crops productively, profitably, and sustainably.
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