MANILA: Every day, 98-year-old Melencio Maniego walks the narrow earthen banks between his 16-hectare rice fields to inspect his crops.
"I've planted Chinese hybrid rice for over a decade," the Filipino said, gazing across the green and yellow paddies in Central Luzon, dubbed "rice granary of the Philippines."
Rice is a staple in the South-East Asian country, and Chinese hybrid rice has gained trust among local farmers for its high yield and resilience against diseases and strong winds. "We believe in China's advanced farming technology and expertise," Maniego said.
Maniego was among the first in Victoria town, Tarlac province, to adopt hybrid rice developed by Longping High-tech, a Chinese agricultural company named after Yuan Longping, affectionately known as the "father of hybrid rice."
"Since using Chinese hybrid rice, my yield has increased by over 30 per cent," he said with a thumbs-up.
As the world's top rice importer in 2024, the Philippines faces pressure to boost domestic production. "There's huge potential for agricultural cooperation between China and the Philippines," said Guo Xiaobo, head of Longping High-tech Philippine R&D Centre.
Guo, who has worked in the Philippines for nearly a decade, said his team concentrates on developing high-yield, disease-resistant rice varieties. The centre operates about 13.3 hectares of experimental fields in Nueva Ecija province, home to the Philippine-Sino Centre for Agricultural Technology (PhilSCAT).
Inside PhilSCAT's lobby, a mural depicts two doves flying towards a shower of rice grains. Nearby brass plaques in Filipino and Chinese languages highlight the centre as a symbol of bilateral cooperation.
John Davidson was trained at the PhilSCAT before he got his job as a technician at Longping High-tech in 2018.
"I learned modern farming techniques there, and the Chinese experts were willing to share their knowledge," said the 34-year-old Filipino.
Davidson said hybrid rice has steadily improved yields, strengthening food security and boosting farmers' livelihood.
"I hope the bilateral agricultural cooperation continues. It brings real benefits to us," he said.
In early February, the Philippines declared a food security emergency to bring down the cost of rice. "This emergency declaration allows us to release rice buffer stocks held by the National Food Authority to stabilise prices and ensure that rice, a staple food for millions of Filipinos, remains accessible to consumers," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said in a statement.
On Maniego's farm, increased production has led to higher wages for his workers.
"Thanks to Chinese hybrid rice, I'm sure a good harvest is coming soon," Maniego said. - Xinhua
