The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Midsayap, North Cotabato launched new projects and rice-based value-adding enterprises during its annual farmers’ field day, Sept. 20.
Over 1,000 farmers learned the latest projects of the station such as the PalaYamaNayon and Technical Cooperation Project 6 of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA TCP 6). PalaYamaNayon promotes diversification, intensification, and integration to boost the income of rice-based farming villages. During the event, PhilRice Midsayap unveiled the value-adding products produced by farmers’ cooperatives. These products include mushroom, calamansi juice, and rice cakes that provide additional income to the farmers.
JICA TCP 6, which builds on the successes of JICA TCP 5, aims to help secure enough household food supply, improve food production and nutrition among farming communities, increase farmers’ income, and promote peace in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
DA’s Undersecretary for Operations and National Development Ariel T. Cayanan led the launching together with the key officials of the Institute. In his speech, Cayanan updated the farmers on the latest program of the agency called Rice Productivity Enhancement (RIPE) that aims to conduct a thorough review of the country’s water management and irrigation policies. He also explained DA’s plan to provide free irrigation to the farmers by 2017.
During the field tour, the farmers visited stations on breeder seed production, participatory varietal selection, rice mechanization, and Palayamanan Plus. The event also promoted the Brown4Good Campaign to encourage the consumption of brown rice among consumers.
