NUEVA ECIJA, Philippines (27 March 2026) — Farmers in Nueva Ecija celebrated a record-breaking harvest of Mestiso 120 (M-120), reaching nearly 12 tons per hectare (196 cavans) at a community hybrid rice model farm led by TAO Foods Company. Developed under IRRI’s two-line rice hybrid program, M-120's yield far surpasses the typical farm average of 7.3 t/ha, showing the variety’s potential to increase productivity in one of the Philippines’ key rice-growing regions.

Mestiso 120 is built to perform well under different environmental conditions. It can withstand extreme heat and heavy rainfall, helping farmers achieve a reliable harvest even in challenging weather. On top of that, M-120 is resistant to major pests and diseases, helping farmers cut chemical use without sacrificing yield.

According to IRRI Principal Scientist Jauhar Ali, M-120’s success is powered by “hybrid vigor.” “This occurs when the best traits of two parent plants combine to produce a stronger, higher-yielding, and more fertile rice plant,” he explained. “It allows M-120 to outperform traditional inbred varieties and even older hybrids.”

M-120 also offers excellent grain quality. “With over 60% head rice recovery and around 70% milling recovery, this variety delivers higher market value and directly increases income for farmers,” Dr. Ali added.

TAO Foods Company Agronomist Ian Delmoro emphasized the benefits to the farming community, saying, “Our farmers are seeing not only high yields but also good quality rice. Through our Rice-to-Rice (R&R) Program, they receive technical assistance and access to competitive buy-back prices for their harvest.”

The variety is being licensed to TAO Foods Company under a Limited Exclusivity Agreement, supporting the commercialization of advanced hybrid rice technologies in the Philippines.