By Nanette L. Guadacquiver
BACOLOD CITY, PNA) — The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Negros Station based in Murcia, Negros Occidental will unveil its latest projects during the Negros Rice Festival 2013 on Monday.
Edgar Libetario, officer-in-charge of PhilRice Negros, said the activity will start with a field tour followed by the opening of booths of rice-based food and drinks and rice of different varieties.
Libetario said they will showcase their organic rice seed production and 10-5 Palayabangan Challenge as well as conduct a demonstration on production of inbred and hybrid rice varieties.
At 10:30 a.m., Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., Department of Agriculture-6 Agriculture regional Director Larry Nacionales, and PhilRice executive director Eufemio Rasco Jr. will lead the ribbon-cutting rites for the farm-to-market road from Barangay Felisa in Bacolod to the PhilRice Negros Station in Barangay Cansilayan in Murcia town.
It will be followed by the ceremonial seeding of tilapia fingerlings at the PhilRice Negros Lagoon and the turn-over over of tractor and combine harvester to beneficiaries from local government units.
During the Field Day program, inspirational messages will be given by Governor Marañon, DA Regional Director Nacionales, Bureau of Plant Industry head Dante Fidel, and DA OIC-Undersecretary for Operations Dante Delima.
PhilRice Deputy Director for Development Eduardo Jimmy Quilang will deliver the closing remarks.