Many of us, if not most, tend to look for the exception rather than become exceptional. That is to paraphrase my favorite author and leadership guru, John C. Maxwell. If truly “everything rises and falls on leadership” most of the time, then why would we rather beat on the bush than grab that chance to lead others well beyond all expectation? One reason perhaps lies in the uncertainty of a […]

The Future Rice Farm in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, on Feb. 23, has progressed with a milestone as it housed the ground breaking of a science park called sPark. Funded by the Kiwanis International Philippine Luzon district under the leadership of Gov. Glenda Hufano, the sParK serves as a venue for teaching rice science to the children and honing their leadership skills.  “Let’s start teaching them young and […]

Sen. Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, commended PhilRice as she graced the 2023 RCEF Seed and Extension Programs Annual Review on Feb. 6-8, in Nueva Ecija. She strongly supports an extension of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to continue providing crucial support to local farmers. Villar emphasized the need for sustained efforts to increase rice output per hectare and reduce production costs under the Rice […]

In a move towards enhancing agricultural production and ensuring food security, PhilRice Bicol has pledged to train irrigators associations (IA) in Region 5 on agroenterprise development inked in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 14 national agencies. Signed on Jan. 24 at the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Regional Office Compound in Naga City, the MOU also stated that PhilRice will link the IAs to the Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) […]

The PhilRice management has finalized details of its 2023-2028 operational plan during its Annual Review and Planning Workshop at its Central Experiment Station in Nueva Ecija, Jan. 15-17.  Focusing on improved productivity and income for prosperous rice farming communities; better consumer access to affordable, safe and nutritious rice; and stable rice supply, the plan includes implementing innovative farming technologies, improving the rice seed system, and linking farmers to market.  It […]

PhilRice has kicked off the national advocacy of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) dubbed as the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) with the theme “United for a VAW-free Philippines.” The national advocacy seeks to heighten public awareness and garner support for multi-stakeholder efforts aimed at eradicating Violence Against Women (VAW). The 2022 Philippine National Demographic Health Survey released by the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that 18 […]

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.  has underscored the need for a science-based approach to enhance local food security and  lessen reliance on imports during the Ugnay Palay: 35th National Rice R4DE Conference in Nueva Ecija, Nov. 29. In his keynote address, the freshly confirmed cabinet member said, “Our ultimate goal is to swiftly reduce rice imports for food security and efficiency. We also aim to inspire a new generation […]

DA-PhilRice is ripe for the next years after executing its 2017-2022 strategic plan. During the past five years, the Institute has increased productivity and profitability by developing 28 new rice varieties with impressive characteristics, corresponding management recommendations, and farm machines. In 2021, it contributed to the country’s record-breaking palay output of 19.96 m metric tons. The Institute and its partners also secured the approval of Golden Rice, a new type […]

In celebration of the National Kidney Month, more than 100 personnel of DA-PhilRice registered to help patients of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) during the 2022 Blood Donation Drive, which was led by the Community Relations Office, on June 17 at the Crop Biotech Center Multipurpose Hall. Most of them where first-time blood donors.

Farmers in Bicol, Negros, and Laguna may now save PhP2,000 to PhP4,000 per hectare by adopting the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) being promoted under the Abonong Swak: Swak sa badyet, Swak sa palay campaign of the DA-PhilRice in partnership with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). RCEF Units of Bicol and Negros stations introduced combo fertilizer options to farmers in Southern Leyte, […]