Assessment of the promotion of the hybrid rice program in the Philippines: a case of the Isabela Province

This study conducted in Jun 2003 in Isabela province used descriptive-correlational research design with 257 farmers and 132 extension agents as survey respondents. Performance of the LGUs and regional office obtained positive assessment from farmers and extension agents including the promotional program and activities. While farmers positively assessed the performance of the private sector, the agents rated them low. Technology constraints perceived by both groups were: pesticide and fertilizer costs, labor cost, pest and disease problems, competitiveness of hybrid income against inbred, and availability of educational materials on hybrid rice technology. Extension constraints identified were: lack of travel allowance for agents, inadequate number of extension agents to promote hybrid rice, lack of incentives, and unavailability of teaching aids on hybrid rice production. Major client constraints identified were: cost of inputs and unavailability of credit for hybrid rice production. Recommendations for technology promotion include: sustain good collaboration among stakeholders, provide financial aid to farmers, encourage public to patronize hybrid rice, sustain current promotional program and activities, increase travel allowances of agents, increase number of agents involved in hybrid rice promotion, sustain incentives for agents, provide teaching aids to agents, promote IPM in rice production, reduce price of F1 seeds, increase buying price of F2 seeds and organize professionals engaged in farming as support group extension agents. The policy measures recommended include: institutionalize support services for hybrid rice promotion, mandatory support for LGUs, and direct DA to backstop LGUS, in their programs and activities related to hybrid rice. The future research on hybrid rice should include: developing hybrids resistant to pests and diseases, less dependence on inputs, examining influence of socio-economic and demographic characteristics of farmers to the success of hybrid rice promotion, and studying the impact of devolution on the extension of hybrid rice.