Not many farmers may realize it, but the most crucial stage that can assure high yield in corn is proper care of the corn plant during its first 45 days.

This was emphasized by corn experts of Syngenta during the recentmedia workshop that the company sponsored for Asian journalists in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Proper care of the young corn plants during the first 45 days from planting could easily mean an additional two tons of grains that could translate to a profit equivalent to US$500. That’s exactly what a small farmer from Indonesia reaped when he took good care of his young corn plants.

The same is also being experienced by farmers in Vietnam. Right now, one ton of corn in Vietnam sells for US$340. Which means two tons ($680) could mean an additional income equivalent to close to P28,000 in Philippine money.

Aside from the use of high-yielding variety, one important step is to treat the seeds for planting with a Syngenta product called Cruiser. This is a liquid which is used to treat the seeds before planting. This protects the young plants from the various pests that attack corn. Aside from protecting the plants from pests, Cruiser is also claimed to encourage development of much longer roots that go deep into the soil. This means that the plants can tolerate dry spell better than those untreated.

Another important factor is the early control of weeds in the corn field. Syngenta has come up with a new and effective herbicide that prevents the weed seeds in the soil to germinate. This is called Lumax, a liquid that is sprayed on the ground before the seeds are planted.

Ngo Lanh, Syngenta’s head of Solutions Development division, explained that weeds rob the corn plants of nutrients in the soil. At the same time, they harbor insects that could be destructive to the crop.

Meanwhile, Vietnam is fast approaching self-sufficiency in corn. It is now producing about 80 percent of its annual requirements, thanks to the increase in hectarage as well as higher yield per hectare.

In 2005, the area devoted to corn in Vietnam was about 700,000 hectares. By 2011, the area has expanded to 1.12 million hectares. And the average yield per hectare has increased from 3 tons to 4.5 tons. The use of hybrid seeds has been mainly responsible for the increase in yield. Introduced only about 10 years ago, hybrid seeds are now planted in about 98 percent of the corn areas.

 BIOTECH CORN – Biotech corn, those genetically engineered varieties, are not yet approved for planting in Vietnam but this is expected to be approved any time soon. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has reportedly approved of the technology but there are still some agencies that have to give their approval.

Once Biotech corn is approved for planting, corn production could increase significantly. It would not be far-fetched to imagine that Vietnam could also become a corn-exporting country.

The consolation for Filipinos is that the planting materials could be supplied from the Philippines. Syngenta has a big Biotech corn processing plant in Pangasinan which could supply the seeds to Vietnam.

***   ***   ***   ***

AGRI-KAPIHAN THIS SUNDAY — The next Agri-Kapihan will be held this Sunday, November 11, from 8:30 to 12 noon, at the AANI Organic Farm in Antipolo City. From now on, the Agri-Kapihan will be held every 2nd Sunday of the month at the Antipolo farm and every last Saturday of the month at the Agribusiness Center at the Department  of Agriculture in Quezon City.

The AANI Organic Farm is located at Kingsville Court Subdivision. Entrance is in front of the Shell station on Sumulong Highway, about a kilometer from the Marcos Highway junction. Ask the guard at the subdivision entrance for direction.

This Sunday’s topic is organic farming, vermiculture and gardening in containers. The forum is open free to everybody.