Written by the Web Team
Extension workers and other intermediaries can better help rice farmers this wet season, the planting time when rice crop are more susceptible to pests, through the Pinoy Rice Knowledge Bank (www.pinoyrkb.com) or PinoyRice.
Maintained by the Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture (OpAPA), PinoyRice is a one-stop source of information on Philippine rice production featuring agricultural information resources developed by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and other partner-agencies.
“Information uploaded here are already updated for the extension workers to give relevant and timely information to farmers. Wet season is critical for the rice farmers as rice crops are more prone to pest attacks,” Olive Rose M. Asis, OpAPA director said.
Generally based on PhilRice’s PalayCheck System—an integrated crop management system, PinoyRice contains downloadable ready-to-print handouts on rice and location-specific technologies, experts’ PowerPoint presentations, videos, photos and graphic. It further publishes technology bulletins, broadcast releases, maps and rice statistics, specialists’ directory, farmers’ success stories, rice recipes, price lists of knowledge products, available seeds, and machines.
The website also contains useful links to other information sources developed by IRRI such as the Nutrient Manager, Rice Doctor, and Provincial Fertilizer Quick Guides.
Moreover, PinoyRice users could chat with PhilRice agents should they wish to get ready answers to their queries. Other technical assistance featured in the site include virtual consultations, SMS-based help desk through the PhilRice Text Center, and PalayChikahan (e-forum).
Website users, particularly the extension workers across the country, perceived PinoyRice as useful, easy to use, and that it enhances the effectiveness of their work. Extremely satisfied with the website and its contents, the users identified videos, PowerPoint presentations, and hand-outs as the most useful uploaded materials.
