Written by the Web Team
The Department of Agriculture and its partner agencies are getting ready for next year’s 
stretch of the Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP) through rice R&D review and planning workshop held at Philippine Carabao Center in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Sept 4-6.
Supporting FSSP, the government’s banner program to attain sufficiency in rice and other major crops, 16 regional executive directors had presented their region’s rice industry profile and databases.
Meanwhile, partner agencies imparted rice science and technology updates.
Glen Ilar, Dr. Karen Eloisa Barroga, Dr. Flordeliza Bordey, Susan Brena, and Thelma Padolina of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) updated the group on varieties, crop management, machines, and knowledge products and services.
PhilRice experts also presented the national rice industry profile and updates on the commercialization of Mestiso 19 (NSIC Rc202H) and Mestiso 20 (NSIC Rc204H).
The regions’ rice research and development agenda and priorities in 2013 were also tackled to ensure the implementation of the programs key interventions, which include improved production-support, enhanced incentives and enabling mechanism, and managed food consumption.
Participating agencies include National Irrigation Association, Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau of Soil and Water Management, Bureau of Agricultural Research, Agricultural Training Institute, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, and International Rice Research Institute.
