Syngenta continues its winning record for the second year in a row at the annual Cordillera regional corn derby. The corn derby was held by the Department of Agriculture - Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) last March 15 to 19, 2021, in Busilac, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao.
The DA-CAR Corn Derby was created with the vision of showcasing newly improved hybrid corn varieties and fostering the growth of the regional corn industry. A total of 134 farmers from Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province gained on-hand experience in selecting which hybrid corn varieties are the most productive and most profitable in the Cordillera highlands during the dry season. They also tested for themselves which of the seed varieties produce high quality grains that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Seven reputable seed companies entered 15 hybrid corn varieties into the competition, with Syngenta leading the pack and taking home two major awards. Syngenta’s NK6410 was crowned champion of the Masaganang Ani Award, for producing the highest yield per hectare at 8, 693.27 kg/ha. The NK6410 also won champion of the Mataas na Kita Award, for bringing in the highest Return on Investment (ROI) at Php 53, 163.23. Last year, the NK6410 also won big when Syngenta took home the Farmer’s Choice award. This top tier corn variety brags of semi-drought tolerance, good standability, and consistently high yield in both wet and dry seasons.
Giving way to NK6410 after bagging the championship last year, the NK8840 won 1st runner up of this year’s Masaganang Ani Award at 7, 064.79 kg/ha. Syngenta credits NK 8840’s high yield to its big, heavy cobs, large kernels, and strong stalks.
Both the NK6410 and the NK8840 are consistently strong performers given the Cordillera Region’s landscape and climate conditions, securing a win for growers in the area.
Syngenta’s consistent, award-winning performance proves that Filipino farmers can rely on Syngenta’s products for a higher and better-quality yield. From their excellent seed varieties to their innovative crop protection solutions, Syngenta maximizes the potential in every plot the farmers till.
On top of the competition itself, the DA-CAR Corn Derby also gave participating seed companies the platform to explain corn varieties, present farming technologies, provide information on emerging issues, and conduct farming consultation.
With the Covid-19 pandemic putting even greater strain on the livelihood of agricultural workers, it is vital that farmers are supported and aided in growing more from less, ultimately ensuring food security for the country.
Read more about farming and gardening at agriculture.com.ph.