Advocating the Rice Science for Sustainable Human Development (S4D) battle cry, PhilRice has crafted its corporate plan for 2010-2013 (medium-term) and 2014-2020 (long-term) to help farmers achieve holistic development.

“More than helping the country become rice-sufficient, PhilRice pursues a more aggressive development work for our farmers, addressing not just their yields, but all other equally important facets of their lives,” Atty. Ronilo A. Beronio, PhilRice executive director, stated in a document detailing the Institute’s direction in five to 10 years.

Contextualized within the country’s national development goals, PhilRice will pursue the following in five to 10 years: attaining and sustaining rice self-sufficiency; reducing poverty and malnutrition; and achieving competitiveness in the agricultural science and technology.

S4D, which was coined by Beronio, optimizes science to improve the lives of Filipinos and the humanity. “It has come to pass that research and development are combined as one whole, where research is our main focus. Now, we have expanded the meaning of development to human development,” the executive director said.

To achieve the goal of helping to attain and sustain rice self-sufficiency, PhilRice is set to accomplish the following, among others: develop next-generation inbred rice varieties with dry season yield potential of 12 t/ha and 14 t/ha, respective; generate varieties that address climate change; commercially manufacture production and post-production machines such as mechanical transplanter, precision seeder, and reversible airflow dryer; and produce recommendations on nutrient management appropriate for drought, submergence, and saline-prone environments.

Moreover, PhilRice aims to reduce poverty and malnutrition by 50 percent in location specific technology development project sites. It also aims to alleviate the annual per capita poverty threshold in rural areas. Specifically, PhilRice will generate hybrid and inbred varieties with pro-vitamin-A, high in zinc and iron, and nutraceutical. Furthermore, rice farming households will be trained to be entrepreneurs.

In realizing competitiveness in agricultural science and technology, the Institute will create more dynamic staff development plans and will modernize its R&D facilities. Rice S&T education will also be promoted among the youth in the country.

Meanwhile, Department of Agriculture Sec. Arthur C. Yap noted that PhilRice’s corporate plan “tackles concerns with such emphasis to lend credence to the long-running desire of the government to provide the best for the farmers.”