Hybrid rice seed producer Bayer CropScience (Philippines) has released a new early-maturing rice variety that can speed up farmers’ harvest down to as early as 100 days without sacrificing yield which can hit a high of 11 metric tons (MT) per hectare.

Bayer CropScience (BCS) has released Arize-TEJ which was developed to raise farmers’ productivity by sparing them from late-harvest typhoons or calamities because of its shorter gestation compared to the normal 120-day rice planting duration.

"Rice farmers benefit a great deal from high yielding and early maturing Arize-TEJ because its usage translates into a higher income at a shorter period of time. When farmers use an early maturing crop, they can have the option to plant their third crop," said BCS BioScience Manager Annalen dela Rosa in a statement.

Aside from its early maturing trait at 100 to 105 days, the hybrid rice variety also has tolerance to bacterial leaf blight (BLB) similar to its predecessor hybrid "Bigante."

Based on tests, the hybrid rice variety has hit an 11 MT per hectare yield which is relatively higher compared to hybrid rice’s average yield placed at seven MT per hectare.

"Arize-TEJ brings potential yield of about 11.32 metric tons with an average yield of about 155-175 cavans per hectare. In addition, Arize-TEJ produces long slender grains, high milling and head rice recovery with excellent taste qualities which consumers prefer," said Dela Rosa.

The government is continuing to support hybrid rice planting in an aim to achieve up to a 98 percent rice sufficiency by 2013. The Department of Agriculture (DA) gives a P1,000 per hectare support to farmers adopting hybrid rice. This is aside from the support that it gives to farmers planting certified inbred seeds.

"Arize-TEJ can help augment the country’s rice supply because of its quick-turn-around time or QTA, which is being encouraged by the Department of Agriculture," she said.

Given adequate irrigation or water sources, hybrid rice has been seen to substantially raise yield of farmers who have been harvesting just around four to five MT per hectare using the best certified seed varieties. The Philippines has even achieved a record of more than 17 MT per hectare yield with the use of hybrid rice varieties.