In
a bid to further promote white corn consumption, the Department of Agriculture
Caraga is set to establish white corn model farm in two municipalities in the
region this year.
DA Caraga
corn program coordinator Melody Guimary disclosed that the local government
units of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur and Las Nieves, Agusan de Norte showed
keen interest in establishing such model farm.
Each
municipality committed to allocate 50 hectares or a total of 100 hectares in two
areas to be planted with flint type white corn.
“We are targeting
to materialize the project on this upcoming corn planting season between July
to October this year,” Guimary said.
Model farm
aims to showcase appropriate technology in producing white corn to serve as
learning sites for other farmers.
For 2019,
another three areas are targeted to be established as corn model farm where locations
are yet to be determined.
As per
guidelines, DA will provide the required seeds, fertilizer, pest and disease
control inputs as well as marketing support.
White corn
will be mixed with rice or as the so-called Rice Corn Blend (RCB) on a consumer
preferred ratio.
RCB
initiative has been led by PhilMaize Federation in collaboration with the
National Food Authority (NFA).
It aims to
encourage Filipinos to eat white corn to help the country attain food
sufficiency and enjoy the health benefits corn has to offer.
Corn is
known for its low glycemic index that is why it is good diabetics and for those
body conscious persons, you will feel full much longer than consuming pure
rice.
In the
Philippines, Cebu is known for high consumption of corn.
In 2017 as
per PSA data, Caraga Region had close to 20,000 hectares planted with white
corn. (Aurelius P. Arais/DA Caraga)
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